The 50 caliber sniper rifle is the largest caliber rifle available to American citizens. Rifles of a caliber larger than .50 are restricted by law.
Other than this artificial distinction created by ignorant beauracrats, the .50 caliber sniper rifle is no different than a sniper rifle in any other caliber.
The .50 BMG is known internationally as 12.7x99mm. Outside of the United States, 12.7x108mm, 14.5x114mm Russian, 15.2mm Steyr, 20×83.5mm MG151, and 20x110mm Hispano sniper rifles are utilized.
.50 BMG is the smallest caliber used in big-bore sniper rifles.
50 Caliber Sniper Rifles
The most popular 50 caliber sniper rifles are manufactured by Barrett Rifles.
Barrett M82A1
The Barrett M82A1 is a semi-automatic rifle with a standard 10-round magazine.
| Barrett M82A1 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Barrel Length | 29 Inches (73.67 cm) |
| Rifling Twist | 1 turn in 15 inches (38.1 cm) |
| Rifle Weight | 33.8 pounds (12.9 kg) |
| Overall Length | 57 inches (144.78 cm) |
Barrett M95
The Barrett 95M is a bolt-action 50 caliber sniper rifle with a 5 round detachable magazine.
The 95M is an innovative bullpup design which is over ten pounds lighter than the M82A1 and over a foot shorter.
| Barrett 95M Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Barrel Length | 29 Inches (73.67 cm) |
| Rifling Twist | 1 turn in 15 inches (38.1 cm) |
| Rifle Weight | 22 pounds (10 kg) |
| Overall Length | 45 inches (114.3 cm) |
Barrett M107
The Barrett M82A1 was adopted in a modified form by the U.S. Armed Forces and renamed the M107.
| Barrett M107 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Barrel Length | 29 Inches (73.67 cm) |
| Rifling Twist | 1 turn in 15 inches (38.1 cm) |
| Rifle Weight | 34.6 pounds (15.7 kg) |
| Overall Length | 57 inches (144.78 cm) |
ArmaLite AR-50
The ArmaLite AR-50 is a single shot bolt action rifle with a unique octagonal receiver bedded into an aluminum stock. The AR-50 is equipped with a modified M16 type vertical pistol grip and a removable buttstock.
The AR-50 is available in a left-hand version to accomodate Southpaw snipers.
| ArmaLite AR-50 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Receiver form | Modified octagonal form, drilled and slotted for scope rail |
| Bolt | Triple front locking lug |
| Extractor | Sako type |
| Ejector | Spring loaded plunger, automatic ejection |
| Trigger | Schillen standard single stage |
| Barrel | 31″ tapered, 8 groove rh 1:15 inch twist |
| Muzzle device | Cylindrical multiflute recoil check |
| Stock | 3 section: extruded forend, machined grip with vertical grip, forged and machined removable buttstock |
| Buttplate | Vertically adjustable, specially built for heavy calibers |
| Finish | Manganese phosphated steel, hard anodized aluminum |
| Overall length | 59.5″ |
| Weight | 34 pounds |
Ultimate Accuracy Arms 5100
The Ultimate Accuracy Arms 5100 is a single-short bolt-action rifle. The UAA 5100 is built in Lonoke, Arkansas.
The Ultimate Accuracy Arms 5100 part of a family of 50 caliber sniper rifles which have been manufactured and sold by Research Armaments Prototypes (RAP), Daisy Weapons Systems, Iver Johnson Arms, Redrick Arms Development, and Ramo Defense.
| UAA 5100 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Barrel length | 36″ including 7″ muzzle brake |
| Twist | 1 in 15″ |
| Trigger Pull | Crisp 3 lbs to 8 lbs |
| Weight | 34 lbs |
| Length of Pull | 13.75″ to 15.5″ |
| Drop at Heel | 1.25″ |
| Comb | Fully adjustable to +1.5″ |
Accuracy International AS50
The Accuracy International AS50 is a semi-automatic rifle with a detachable 5 round magazine. The Accuracy International AS50 is built in Great Britain.
| Truvelo .50 Sniper Rifle Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Barrel Length | 27.25″ (69.2 cm) |
| Rifle Weight | 31 pounds (14.1 kg) |
| Overall Length | 53.9″ (136.9 cm) |
| Twist | 1 in 15″ |
Truvelo SR .50 Sniper Rifle
The Truvelo SR .50 Sniper Rifle is a bolt-action rifle with a detachable 5 round magazine. The Truvelo SR .50 Sniper Rifle is built in South Africa.
| Truvelo SR Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 170 cm |
| Barrel lenght | 100 cm (excluding muzzle brake) |
| Weight | 16 kg |
| Accuracy | 1 M.O.A. at 500 m (ammunition dependent) |
| Range | 1,200 m |
| Temperature range | -40C to 70C |
| Magazine capacity | 5 rounds |
| Muzzle brake | Standard, recoil reduction 50% |
| Stock | Aluminium with fully adjustable cheek piece and shoulder pad |
Steyr HS 50
The Steyr HS 50 is a single-shot bolt-action 50 caliber spiner rifle. The HS 50 is built in Austria.
| Steyr HS50 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Barrel Length | 833 mm / 33″ with high-effeciency muzzle brake |
| Weight | 12.4 / 28.5 lbs. approx. |
| Overall Length | 1370 mm / 54″ |
| Trigger | Single trigger, 2 stage, factory set, 4.00 lbs. |
| Safety | Trigger safety |
| Scope mounts | Mil. Std. 1913 rail |
| Stock | Plain, buttplate with rugged bipod. |
Zavasta Arms M-93 Black Arrow
The M-93 Black Arrow 50 caliber sniper rifle is a single-shot Mauser-design bolt-action rifle. The M-93 is built in Yugoslavia.
| M93 Black Arrow Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight (kg) | 14.5 kg |
| Overall Length | 151 cm |
| Barrel Length | 840 |
| Locking system | Mauser |
| Magazine capacity | 5 |
| Muzzle velocity | 888 m/s |
| Maximum effective range | 1600 m |
Books on 50 Caliber Sniper Rifles
Complete .50-Caliber Sniper Course: Hard-Target Interdiction
Nowhere are the big guns covered in more detail. Before Sgt. First Class Dean Michaelis (Ret.) wrote the book on sniping, he wrote a first-of-its-kind program of instruction for the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course. A member of the 1st Special Forces Group, he taught students everything they needed to know to succeed and survive. Now he brings that information to you, covering every aspect of the sniper’s art: the history, equipment, skills and missions. He also includes reproducible forms, a military-issue .50-caliber cartridge tip color guide and his exclusive Program of Instruction for Special Operations Hard-Target Interdiction Course. An invaluable resource for military and civilian shooters alike.
.50-Caliber Rifle Construction Manual : With Easy-to-Follow Full-Scale Drawings
This is the book that do-it-yourselfers anxious to try building their own .50-caliber rifles have been demanding since the best-selling Home Workshop .50-Caliber Sniper Rifle videotape first came out. In this companion book, Bill Holmes uses easy-to-follow foldout drawings and precise dimensions to take you step-by-step through the process of designing and constructing your very own .50-caliber rifle easily and inexpensively. Find out this master gun maker’s professional secrets to fashioning the receiver, barrel and accessories, bolt, trigger assembly, buttstock, scope mount, bipod and muzzle brake using commonly acquired materials. Once you have made all the component parts, Bill then instructs you in the right way to assemble and test-fire your new home workshop firearm. With Bill Holmes as your guide, construction is a snap. Warning: It is your responsibility to make sure that you have complied with all local, state and federal laws with regard to the manufacture of any firearm.