A List Of The 12 Best Rifles Chambered In .50 BMG

Defending the United States for many decades, the .50 BMG was developed for the Browning machine gun. Since that time, the cartridge has been adapted for use in rifles, where it has seen a great deal of success—especially in long-range engagements. .50 BMG rifles are nothing short of awesome and thankfully there are plenty of manufacturers who build rifles that can handle this formidable round.

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Here is a quick roundup of semi-auto and bolt-action .50 BMG rifles being made today.

Accuracy International AX50

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 27 inches
OA Length: 44.9 inches
Weight: 26.5 lbs.
Action: Bolt
Capacity: 5+1

Designed for enduring long-term military deployments, the AX50 bolt-action rifle from Accuracy International promises superb accuracy and consistent cold-bore performance. (accuracyinternational.com)

ArmaLite AR-50A1

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 30 inches
OA Length: 58.5 inches
Weight: 37.1 lbs.
Action: Bolt
Capacity: 1

This bolt-action, single-shot rifle from Armalite is designed for affordable accuracy. It features an octagonal receiver, a 30-inch barrel and a large, fluted muzzle brake to tame recoil. (armalite.com)

Barrett Model 82A1

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 20 or 29 inches
OA Length: 48 or 57 inches
Weight: 31.4 or 32.7 lbs.
Action: Semi-auto
Capacity: 10+1

With surprisingly low recoil, the Barrett Model 82A1 is a semi-automatic rifle with years of harsh military service behind it that proves its reliability of the design. Barrett also offers a similar semi-auto M107A1. (barrett.net)

Barrett M107A1

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 20 or 29 inches
OA Length: 48 or 57 inches
Weight: 27.4 or 28.7 lbs.
Action: Semi-auto
Capacity: 10+1

The Barret M107A1 looks nearly identical to the Model 82A1 but there are a few significant differences worth noting – the most obvious being the rifle’s overall weight. The aluminum receiver and frame bring the M107A1’s weight down to 27.4 lbs. for the 48-inch model and 28.7 lbs. for the 57-inch model. and the detachable bipod is made of lightweight titanium. The rifle includes a fully-redesigned muzzle brake to help reduce recoil. (barrett.net)

Desert Tech HTI

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 29 inches
OA Length: 45.75 inches
Weight: 19.9 lbs.
Action: Bolt
Capacity: 5+1

The Hard Target Interdiction (HTI) rifle from Desert Tech is a bullpup design, giving the gun a full 29-inch barrel while keeping the overall length less than 46 inches. This keeps the overall package short for better handling without sacrificing ballistic performance. (deserttech.com)

Drake Stalker MK15 SLAM

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 26 inches
OA Length: 50 inches
Weight: 24 lbs.
Action: Bolt
Capacity: 5+1

The MK15 SLAM (Snipers Light Anti-Material), a descendant of the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare MK15, is a match-grade rifle that uses a two-lug action mated and a Cadex Strike Dual chassis. With a folding stock and a 26-inch barrel, the MK15 is very portable. (drakeassociates.us)

EDM Arms Windrunner M96

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 30 inches
OA Length: 45 inches
Weight: 34 lbs.
Action: Bolt
Capacity: 5+1

The Windrunner M96 rifle from EDM Arms is a bolt-action rifle that uses a removable barrel to break down into an easy-to-carry package. The disassembly and reassembly process takes less than a minute and requires no tools. (edmarms.com)

McMillan TAC-50C

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 29 inches
OA Length: 56.5 inches
Weight: 29 lbs.
Action: Bolt
Capacity: 5+1

The TAC-50C includes a folding Cadex Dual Strike chassis system with an adjustable cheekpiece that has a vertical adjustment and an adjustable length of pull. The stock utilizes a smaller pistol grip to accommodate shooters of all sizes. The TAC-50C was designed to support three 1913 MIL-STD rail sections for accessory add-ons. (mcmillanfirearms.com)

Noreen ULR .50 BMG

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 34 inches
OA Length: 49 inches (collapsed)
Weight: 32 lbs.
Action: Bolt
Capacity: 1

The Noreen ULR looks simplistic but it sure as heck gets the job done. The single-shot shell holder bolt provides fast and easy reloads while the stock springs and Noreen Design muzzle brake help dampen recoil. The Timney adjustable trigger can be altered from 2- to 4 lbs. and shooters can modify the trigger for sear engagement, overtravel, and pull weight. (onlylongrange.com)

Serbu Firearms BFG-50A

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 26 inches
OA Length: 51.5 inches
Weight: 23 lbs.
Action: Semi-auto
Capacity: 10+1

The BFG-50A is a gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle that comes standard with a 26-inch barrel, a Shark Brake muzzle device, and a Serbu bipod. The rifles use 10-round, M82-type detachable magazines. (serbu.com)

Spider SuperComp Ferret50

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 32 inches
OA Length: 61 inches
Weight: 34 lbs. (empty)
Action: Bolt
Capacity: 1

The SuperComp Ferret50 is a single-shot, bolt-action rifle that can be made with either a right- or left-handed bolt for no additional charge. Spider Firearms also makes .50 BMG conversions for AR-15 lowers. (ferret50.com)

Steyr HS .50 M1

Caliber: .50 BMG
Barrel: 24-33 inches
OA Length: 54.6-42 inches
Weight: 28.7-31.3 lbs. (empty)
Action: Bolt
Capacity: 5+1

A revamped version of the original HS .50, the M1 adds a five-round magazine, side Picatinny rails, and a re-designed bipod. The barrel is capped with a high-efficiency muzzle brake and the recoil pad can be adjusted vertically and for length of pull. (steyrarms.com)

Well, those are the top .50 BMG rifles in our book. If you think we’ve left someone out, let us know in the comments and we’ll see if it makes the grade!