DOWNGRADING A Rifle To .50BMG

Why? It is half of a 14.5, anyways: I don't see a downside here.
I suspect converting it will be more difficult that you think and you may just give up with no workable rifle.

The cost of the spare barrel, reammer and time will be more that if you just sold it and took that money, plus the money you save by not converting it, will be equal to the cost of just buying a single shot 50 which can be purchased for approx $2500 on the EE.

Also, even if you succeed, you will have a Frankenstein gun with little resale value. Just sayin.
 
Take heart, something like this was done before:

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I suspect converting it will be more difficult that you think and you may just give up with no workable rifle.

The cost of the spare barrel, reammer and time will be more that if you just sold it and took that money, plus the money you save by not converting it, will be equal to the cost of just buying a single shot 50 which can be purchased for approx $2500 on the EE.

Also, even if you succeed, you will have a Frankenstein gun with little resale value. Just sayin.

This seems like a sensible response.
 
Waste of time, waste of money. You’ll spend a boatload of money to reduce the value of your rifle to almost thing. Sell it and buy a purpose built 50.
 
This is a project involving a incomplete Russian PTRD, 14.5x114mm, anti-tank gun.

I have the bolt and the frame, with none of the additional components like the barrel, coupling, etc.

That said, I have gathered 2 of Canada Ammo's .50BMG [flawed throats].

Here is a list of what it appears that I require:

* A Heavy duty, and basic in appearance, bipod [suggestions and where to gather from, please]
* The same as the former list, albeit in Muzzle Brakes
* ...And a list of gunsmith candidates capable of handling the task of turning this into a working piece, and not a time bomb.:p
** Silver solder, or any alternative, a new .50bmg cup and extractor.
** 1 or 2 Barrel Couplings: From Russian threads to the Can/Am Barrel
** Reaming the aforementioned barrels to accept the .50bmg cartridge.
*** Plus anything I may be missing.

This is a project that will be prolonged over time but, building the necessary contacts would be most appreciated.

Cheers!

~ Thomas


The barrels from the DA50 uppers were all nitrided, meaning a VERY hard surface finish applied to a truly B grade barrel (Mossberg). Good luck reaming out the out of spec chamber, it will ill your reamer.
Without dimensions it is hard to say if bushing the action to accept the barrel will be safe.
Bushing up the bolt to fit the 50 is only part of the equation. Coming up with some form of working extraction could prove interesting.

Frankly if would less expensive and a FAR better option to sell off what you have and purchase a used Steyr HS50 or the like. At least then you won't be missing hands or parts of your head when the abortion self destructs.
 
Maybe I like polishing turds, but I think if you shopped around it could be done reasonably. Why not find an m2 Browning barrel and talk to a few gunsmith's.

Most M2 barrels are Stellite lined so impossible to re-cut the chamber in. But at least the outer surfaces could be machined. I think this might have more merit than the DA 50 barrels do simply as they have more material to work with.
 
To use a poker analogy ..... if you are dealt 7-2 off-suit it is probably wiser to fold that hand and play something better........:rolleyes:
 
To use a poker analogy ..... if you are dealt 7-2 off-suit it is probably wiser to fold that hand and play something better........:rolleyes:

Great analogy. Mechanics and doability aside I think i would be perpetually worried about leaving the range with all the body parts I arrived with. ATRS comments above are frank and professional. Either way I am excited to see what you end up with... franken50 or new toy.
 
It might seem like going from something bigger to something smaller would net you a more solid rifle/action after all is said and done, but I kind of think the opposite would happen. When you have to start sleeving things and silver soldering/brazing parts on to make up for dimensional discrepancies, you will be hemorrhaging strength in critical areas. I sure as sh!t wouldn't do it...
 
Dude, the first game I ever played, and won, was with a 7/2 off-suit [full house] on the 'river.

Even after buying the round with the winnings, I still had a couple bills left in my pocket.

Lesser mortals can drop such a perfect hand.

Where as, everyone knows to fear that combination of the flip of the first cards - 'cause there is someone crazy enough to hold on to such a hand!

Cheers!

~ Tom


To use a poker analogy ..... if you are dealt 7-2 off-suit it is probably wiser to fold that hand and play something better........:rolleyes:
 
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