Special Operations.Com Feature

Long Range / Heavy Caliber Sniping

Swedish Army sniper fires Barrett M82A1 (c. Svante Wendel)

The 50 BMG cartridge is more than twice the size of a 30-30. (c. Sports Afield)

Hot Link

.50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Photo Gallery 1

.50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Photo Gallery 2

.50 / 12.7mm Caliber Weapons ("Light Fifty")

Above: Israeli operator with a Barrett 82A1 .50 BMG during the Israeli-Palestinians clashes in the Occupied Territories, October 2000.

Fifty Caliber Shooters Association - Good information on the history of .50 shooting, as well as an interesting picture of the recoil involved in shooting the .50 BMG cartridge

Maadi-Griffin .50 - also includes a picture of a .50 caliber pistol!

Feature: Barrett M82A1 .50 BMG

Barrett M82A1 .50 cal. BMG Rifle (1991). The M82A1 is a semi-automatic, air cooled, box magazine fed rifle chambered for the .50 cal., M2 Browning Machine Gun cartridge (.50 cal. BMG or 12.7 x 99mm NATO). This rifle operates by means of the short recoil principle. The weapon system is comprised of the rifle (M82A1), two ten-round magazines, self-leveling bipod legs, carrying handle, and iron or telescoping sights. Though used as a sniper rifle, this weapon was procured during Operation Desert Shield/Storm primarily for use by U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units for use as a rifle disrupter of unexploded ordnance (RIDX). In EOD units, the Barrett M82A1 will be replaced by a modified Barrett M95 bolt-action rifle, with a projected first unit equipped date of 1st Qtr CY 02. The Barrett M82A1 has not been type classified.

U.S. Navy SEAL sniper armed with .50 sniper rifle.

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