Plinking with the .50

[ovenpaa]

We had some dignitaries of some sort turn up today and I ended up talking with the director of conservation Denmark, a pleasant chap who told me all about the cameras they have the length of the Danish/German to monitor wildlife, they are also trapping and attaching GPS units to some of the unwanted immigrants and introducing sterilisation for some species. This is all animals I hasten to add.

Anyway, .50cals. For some unknown reason they had an array of heavy stuff, .50 and .338LM so whilst I was talking to the conservation chap Christel had a chat with an oldish chap on the firing point. I turned round to watch and he pointed to me and an odd looking thing and that was it .50cal time. The rifle was an NP Nielsen single shot prototype complete with PMII 'scope. having tried the trigger a couple of times I decided against the knock downs in favour of a balloon on a stick at the target end of things, settled down took a deep breath and a tight grip and squeezed, one balloon down, woohoo this thing was surgically accurate however even with muzzle brake and buffer system recoil is best described as violent. Apparently the old chap was Mr NP Nielsen himself, legend has it he builds for the Danish special forces, not sure how true that is.

After a couple of shots I stood up and he promptly pointed at the other end of the firing point, obviously I was not going to be let loose on a gurlie .338LM instead a Steyr HS 50 this time, nice and I hit what I aimed at but I have to say I preferred his own build.

One thing that did amuse me was to see a few people get lectured in .50cals, take one shot and jump away like it was the work of the devil and here is an interesting thing, DK does not have a proof house, so actions and barrels are not proofed....

[Steve]

Never fired a 50BMK,but have shot a 50 Beowulf.

Suprised they dont proof their guns.So who's responsibility is the guns integrity down to then? The owner? Manufacturer? Shop owner who sold it?

[ovenpaa]

I am not sure where the buck stops Steve, however it did cross my mind as I chambered the first round in the Nielsen. I did laugh a lot shooting it but I have no desire to ever own or shoot one as a hobby.

[dromia]

I've loaded up some .50 cals for tomorows shoot.

50-70 Government for a Trapdoor Springfield.

12.7 x 44R Swedish Rolling Block.

All driven by Black Powder.

50 cals are nothing new.

[ovenpaa]

That reminds me, we were out at the crack of dawn this morning looking for Reds and had a look in the stop butt on the way back, I have a few large calibre boolits that I will measure when I get home, they all look to be .50 and above.

[Steve]

I know failures do still happen even with proofed guns and that military firearms never get proofed,but just though there would have been an obscure EU ruling which might have forced them to.In todays age where people often dont take responsiblity for their own actions i could see people here possibly suing the gun manufacturer/shop/ammunition producer.

I'd love to have a go with a proper 50 cal.

[Dougan]

I want a go! :mrgreen: