.50 Cal Optics
- Thread starter dan73con
- Start date
Not that I have a .50BMG, but Night Force would be my pick. Amazing optics for a reasonable price.
Heres a quote from thier webpage :
“I purchased a Nightforce 5.5-22 x 56 in 2001. I used it to put 12,500 shots through two .50 BMGs. I fired another 4000 shots with it on an AR10. Then, I mounted it on a 14.5/114mm Russian (570 gr. of powder propelling a 1000 gr. bullet at 3300 fps) and fired 970 rounds. Most scopes break within one to ten shots on the Russian…not the Nightforce.
Then I used it for another 47 rounds through a 25mm Hotchkiss, 3000 through a Barrett M90, and 6000 rounds from a Savage M250. After six years and all this punishment, the zero settings on the 5.5-22 have never changed and it still works perfectly. Nightforce is the best I have ever used.”
Heres a quote from thier webpage :
“I purchased a Nightforce 5.5-22 x 56 in 2001. I used it to put 12,500 shots through two .50 BMGs. I fired another 4000 shots with it on an AR10. Then, I mounted it on a 14.5/114mm Russian (570 gr. of powder propelling a 1000 gr. bullet at 3300 fps) and fired 970 rounds. Most scopes break within one to ten shots on the Russian…not the Nightforce.
Then I used it for another 47 rounds through a 25mm Hotchkiss, 3000 through a Barrett M90, and 6000 rounds from a Savage M250. After six years and all this punishment, the zero settings on the 5.5-22 have never changed and it still works perfectly. Nightforce is the best I have ever used.”
They don't kick that bad. Its more a matter of magnification and elevation adjustment range than something hardcore mil-spec. I do have a nightforce on mine but in hindsight I would go sightron. Save some dough for more powder and primers for it.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
50cals in general DO NOT have big recoil. Your average 300WM in a 8lbs rifle kicks faster and harder.
consider the new Sigthron SIII series. I use them on my competition and LR shooters. optics are superb and tracking is bang on.
I have sold them to a number of shooters who have them mounted on cannons with zero problems
These scopes offer performance that rivals and beat scopes costing 2 to 3 times as much.
Jerry
I weighed several toys last week and ran the numbers through Quickload;
12.7x 99 (50bmg)
Muzzle gas force 2,853 lbft
Peak force of gun recoil 12,981 lbft
Peak force on scope mount 1,548 lbft
Velocity of gun (recoil) 12.27 ft/s
8.6x70 (338LM)
Muzzle gas force 811 lbft
Peak force of gun recoil 5,474 lbft
Peak force on scope mount 1,331 lbft
Velocity of gun (recoil) 10.88 ft/s
460 S&W
Muzzle gas force 2,642 lbft
Peak force of gun recoil 9,386 lbft
Peak force on scope mount 0 lbft
Velocity of gun (recoil) 17.55 ft/s
7.62x51 (308 Win)
Muzzle gas force 430 lbft
Peak force of gun recoil 3,232 lbft
Peak force on scope mount 932 lbft
Velocity of gun (recoil) 7.97 ft/s
The 50bmg is not the almighty cannon that the Hollywood myth perpetuates. Think 12gauge slug with respect to recoil. You are likely to be dissapointed with the penetration capabilities of the 50bmg using ball ammo.
My 50bmg wears a S&B PMII 12.5 to 50x with 0.25cm turrets and I have fired hundreds of rounds with no scope issues at all. In retrospect, I should have gone with Mil Dot reticle as the 0.25cm is too fine of an adjustment for this application.
I don't imagine these numbers take a brake into account?
No. While Quickload borders on astounding with respect to the volume and detail of data in/data out, I do not see where a brake can be accounted for in the recoil calculations.
I am guessing that the unmeasurable differences in thousands of brake manufacturers, manufacturing tolerances etc. would result in a very low level of confidence in attempting a brake effectiveness calculation.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
A 12ga slug is about right for recoil WITH a good quality brake. Otherwise, it will break you.
The biggest problem with the BMG is the concussive force from the brake IF designed poorly and the negative G's that the brake produces.
When big name scopes were being torn apart, it was mainly due to not attaching the lenses for neg G's. A spring air rifle would do the same thing - arguably worse.
If your scope is set up for air rifle, even if it is a cheapy, odds are it will survive being on a BMG or any braked rifle.
Most modern scopes are now air rifle safe as the use of brakes is common.
What you can't always get is great optics, tracking AND a decent price. here the Sightrons really shine.
Jerry
The biggest problem with the BMG is the concussive force from the brake IF designed poorly and the negative G's that the brake produces.
When big name scopes were being torn apart, it was mainly due to not attaching the lenses for neg G's. A spring air rifle would do the same thing - arguably worse.
If your scope is set up for air rifle, even if it is a cheapy, odds are it will survive being on a BMG or any braked rifle.
Most modern scopes are now air rifle safe as the use of brakes is common.
What you can't always get is great optics, tracking AND a decent price. here the Sightrons really shine.
Jerry
- Location
- Halifax, NS
Me 3. I'd be looking to save every penny if the .50BMG was what I wanted to shoot. Even .338 for that matter, the costs add up and I dont plan on ever being rich.
My Sightron SIII 8-32x56 is great, the FCH is nicer than the mildots imo, allthough I don't plan on using my rifle for hunting/varminting/sniping.
- Location
- Halifax, NS
For a second I thought it read "now that I have a .50BMG"
Your videos were about to get so much more interesting!
A Vortex Viper PST 6-24X50 with FFP for true tactical applications or the same scope with SFP for punching paper and gongs out to insane distances. The Vortex Razor 5-20X50 would be great too, but with FFP the only option and the $2200 price tag, it might bite into the ammo budget a bit too far.
I have the Viper PST 4-16X50 that I hope to try out on SUnday. I will give a range report early next week.
I have the Viper PST 4-16X50 that I hope to try out on SUnday. I will give a range report early next week.
I don't believe the brake reduces the initial impulse to the rifle or (more importantly) to the scope.
I understand a brake rapidly slows (brakes) the rifle and reduces the shock to the shooter.
50BMG rifles have a reputation for shaking apart good scopes.
Where there is smoke expect a fire.
I would choose a scope with a reputation for reliability....Nightforce has proven to be as tough as it gets.
