Steyr HS 50

I have an HS50 M1 - the mag-fed repeater. Great rifle and extremely accurate, and comfortable to shoot for a .50 due to its huge muzzle brake and overall weight.

The side-feed mag isn’t for everyone, and you get a good look at the magazine near your left cheek. Try to handle one or several .50s before buying one. I have no experience with the Barrett, but it would be a contender, along with the Desert Tech HTI - great used pricing and other calibers available. I have an SRS A1 and it’s amazing.
 
I too was in the market for one, I never handled the Steyr but did a Bushmaster BA50. I ended up with an M99 as I felt the design and workmanship was better than the Bushmaster.

As mush fun as it is to own one make sure you have a place to shoot it. In the GVRD area there a are a few ranges that are rated to handle it.
 
Hard to find anything else that measures up to the Steyr HS50 in terms of accuracy... hence why Iran copied it.

It's a marvel to see the CHF 33" barrel in person. It looks like something that's mounted on air vehicles.
 
I had the older single shot version for a few years and wish I would have kept it. Despite getting over the very long trigger pull, I still think it is one of the better ones out there where quality goes.
 
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com...inates-in-score-at-50-caliber-fcsa-nationals/

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But don't let facts get in the way!
 
Blastattack said:
Not false at all. The Barrett has achieved excellent groups as well. Similar accuracy, better engineering.
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I looked at the Barrett before I bought my HS-50. The Barrett didn’t impress. I really wanted to like it as there was one on sale at the time. It wasn’t for me. The semi auto which we can’t buy here would be a lot of fun.

My second 50 bolt action was a Cadex Tremor. I think the HS50 is the least expensive I would go with. The Cadex seems to be geared for military use while the HS is a target rifle.
 
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Jaaska said:
I'd appreciate pics and a review of that rifle . Accuracy , impressions , the whole 9 yards if you can find the time .
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Just got appropriate optics for it and I’m waiting for the scope mount. So no shooting impressions yet. Although I suspect it might recoil more than the HS as it’s lighter. Looking forward to trying it.

A buddy of mine did a write up a few years ago between the Tremor and pgw. Worth checking out. Just google Cadex Tremor vs pgw. Pgw is another excellent military grade 50.
 
Max Owner said:
I am window shopping at a Tremor.

For me the look of the single shot models is strange. And read an opinion that the bolt for the singles is awkward for “attaching” the round to the bolt. Probably for one specific rifle though....
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That would be for the inexpensive Canstar 50BMG. I think there are a few other cheap 50BMG rifles like that as well. The HS50 and most others work just like any other bolt action. Throw the round into the chamber, bolt forward, shoot and then pull back to eject. Some of the one shot inexpensive ones are strange. I would think that would get old fast.

I really do like the Cadex products. They just say quality and military grade at the same time. That being said, there is competition. The PGW is a very nice 50BMG as well and there are chassis versions that use the Cadex chassis although this is changing/changed I have heard. Plus many like the traditional stock over the chassis. It also comes with extras that makes it a good buy on top of being a quality rifle. I know Mister Donut ( I can't believe he was banned) did a comparison between the Cadex and the PGW. The PgW is slightly heavier and had less recoil. One other I would consider is the Desert tech. I don't have hands on with this rifle, but there is enough out there on Desert tech. They brought some in on a military sale that fell through or over run. The price is comparable with a Cadex due to the over run sale.

Also.. magazines for these things run $340 for the Cadex. I have two mags for my Cadex which sort of sickens me to think that I have $680 tied up in two mags. Then add in the price of the ammo each mag is holding... :( The desert tech mags I last saw were over $400 each.

An old thread worth reading. That was before they snuck in that BS bylaw. Also before Cadex was making their own rifles. You'll notice the PGW is well represented on that line.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1108463-BMG-shooters-group-in-the-Lower-Mainland?highlight=heavy+hitters
 
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Navy Gunner said:
Been looking to upgrade to a .50 Cal for sometime and perhaps the Steyr HS 50. Any owners out there want to comment?
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A couple of things with the HS50.

1) The muzzle brake. Effective but you will get covered in GSR. It does feel like a slap to the face from the concussion. Other companies have aftermarket brakes but I can't validate if they reduce the recoil as well etc. Plus it doesn't bother me enough to spend even more money.
2) The rail is 0 moa. Again other companies provide replacement rails with MOA cant. Don't bother, just get a mount with the 40 moa built in. 20 MOA minimum but 40 is preferred as long as you have a fair amount of adjustment range in your scope. Which you should have for a 50BMG.
3) The bipod. I really do like it. However when shooting down hill it can be limited.
4) The pistol grip. It's AR compatible. I have a Magpul MIAD on mine right now. But I will change it over to an ergo. I just prefer the ergo.

That's about it. It's a nice rifle. Well built, bull pup and known for accuracy. I haven't reloaded for it at this time. I've only shot the PMC 660 ammo through it. Just plinking. Which brings up another issue... Where to shoot it? Most ranges won't allow it. The one here that I have friends at which does, is only 100 yards. Not really enticing to spend that kind of money per round. Pretty much good for sight in and that's it. Also the place we had to shoot out in the wild, had a BS shooting ban snuck in under another bylaw. So it's closed. Finding spots is the hard part. But.. if you have the places to shoot it, then it's a ton of fun.
 
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