.50 caliber
".50 caliber" means a bullet about half an inch across. The famous one is the .50 BMG, a huge rifle cartridge that reaches more than a mile. But there are also .50 caliber pistols, revolvers, AR-15 conversions and muzzleloaders.
The .50 caliber family
The .50 BMG
BMG stands for Browning Machine Gun. The cartridge was developed at the end of World War I for John Browning's heavy machine gun, which, as the M2, is still in service. In 1982 Ronnie Barrett built the M82, a semi-automatic rifle for it, and the military later adopted it as the M107. Civilians use .50 BMG rifles for long-range target shooting at 1,000 yards and beyond, and for the sheer experience.
| Fact | .50 BMG |
|---|---|
| Bullet | About 650 to 800 grains (1½ to nearly 2 ounces) |
| Speed | About 2,800 feet per second |
| Cartridge length | 5.45 inches |
| Rifle weight | About 18 to 35 pounds |
| Effective range | 1,500+ yards for skilled shooters |
The best three .50 BMG rifles
Barrett M82A1 (semi-automatic)
About $8,900
10-round magazine, about 32.7 pounds. The rifle that started it all. Its lighter cousin, the M107A1, is about $10,800.
Barrett M99 (single shot)
About $4,250
A simpler, very accurate single-shot bolt action from Barrett, about 25 pounds, with a 32-inch barrel.
ArmaLite AR-50A1 (single shot)
About $3,800
A heavy (about 33 pounds), accurate single-shot bolt action. Its weight soaks up recoil.
Lower cost: the Serbu RN-50 break-action single shot listed at $1,599, but it is often hard to find. Prices are November 2026.
Other .50 calibers
| Cartridge | Gun | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| .50 Action Express (.50 AE) | Desert Eagle pistol (Magnum Research) | Big-bore fun and handgun hunting; a heavy pistol |
| .500 S&W Magnum | Smith & Wesson X-frame revolvers | The most powerful production handgun: bear defense and big-game hunting |
| .50 Beowulf | A replacement upper on an AR-15 | Hogs and deer at short range, with a huge bullet |
| .50 caliber muzzleloader | Rifles loaded from the muzzle with powder and a bullet (CVA, Traditions and others) | Deer during muzzleloader season: the most common .50 of all |
Where .50 BMG rifles are legal
| Place | Rule |
|---|---|
| Federal | A .50 BMG rifle is bought like any other rifle, through a dealer with a background check |
| California | Banned since the .50 Caliber BMG Regulation Act of 2004 |
| Washington, D.C. | Prohibited |
| New Jersey | Treated as a destructive device; no new purchases |
| Illinois | Sale and possession of .50 caliber rifles and cartridges banned (2023 law) |
| Connecticut, Maryland | The semi-automatic Barretts are named as restricted; bolt actions may be treated differently |
| Colorado | A permit law that took effect August 1, 2026 may cover semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines |
Laws change; confirm with your state before buying. Many shooting ranges do not allow .50 BMG, so call first.
Cleaning a .50 BMG
- Unload and check the chamber; remove the bolt.
- Use a .50 caliber rod, brush and patches, solvent, then dry patches, from the chamber end.
- Clean the muzzle brake: carbon builds up fast and must be scrubbed off.
- Clean and lightly grease the bolt lugs, then oil the action lightly.
- Check the scope mount and ring screws with a torque wrench; the recoil loosens them.
Shooting a .50 BMG
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Find a range | Call ahead: you need a range that allows .50 BMG, usually with 600 to 1,000+ yard lanes |
| Get down | Shoot prone, on a bipod, with a rear bag under the stock |
| Protect your hearing | Wear plugs AND muffs. The muzzle brake blast is fierce, so warn anyone beside you |
| Use the right scope | A long-range scope with lots of elevation on a mount with built-in angle (a 20 MOA rail) |
| Fire | Same fundamentals as any rifle: steady, breathe, smooth trigger press, follow through |
| Recoil | With a muzzle brake and the rifle's weight, recoil feels like a heavy shotgun: a big push, not a sharp kick |
.50 BMG ammo
| Type | About | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ball (full metal jacket) | $4 to $6 a round | Practice; PMC and military-surplus style loads |
| Match | $7.50 to $11.50 a round | Best accuracy for long range |
| Armor-piercing and incendiary | Varies | Restricted in some places and banned at most ranges |
Each round weighs about a quarter of a pound. Store it like any ammo: cool, dry, in sealed cans. See the ammo guide.