.50 BMG or .700 Nitro Express?

Question

I think this one might be a little too obvious...I think the .50 BMG is better?

.700 seems more fun and more available (i dont hear of civilians getting .50 BMG)

what do you guys (and maybe gals) think?

Answer 1

Overcompensating for something, are you?

700 N.E. isn't "available" at all. If you want one, it'll have to be ordered and built. There's really no point in it, except that when Mr. Feldstein wanted Holland to build him one, they declined. The only way to go was up, so he got Jim Bell to design the cartridge. These days, there's really no use for 577 or 600 NE, either. With modern bullets and propellants, and almost no opportunity to be trampled by an elephant, it's hard to justify even 500 NE.

And to the guy who said it's a long-range cartridge: this one is designed for shots measured in feet, not yards. It isn't really even a hunting cartridge, but one for following up on big and wounded dangerous game that are trying to hunt you back.

50 BMG is a fine military cartridge but obviously has limited civilian use, other than being fun to do.

When you're talking firearms, you're talking tools. When you ask which is better, you first have to ask "better for what" before you really get started. If you want a fine DG double, by all means get an old 450 NE or one of its replacement cartridges that cropped up after the ban: 470 is especially popular. But keep in mind the least expensive of these are over $10k, and a best from H&H if you're having one built may be over ten times that.

Answer 2

well obviously the 50 because it has higher muzzle energy ammo is cheaper and easier to find is more accurate only thing the 700 has over the 50 is bullet size and penetration because the bullet is 200 grains heavier

Answer 3

I have shot the .50 BMG and yes, it is an awsome caliber, but not very useful unless you are shooting a heavy machine gun , It is not a hunting caliber, that's for sure, but is a great long range round in a sniper rifle.the .700 nitro express is also a long range caliber , but is expensive to shoot and the rifles are also hard to obtain. I would favor the .50 in a sniper rifle, though, as it seems to more developed. because of the military using it.

Answer 4

Actually, a rifle in 50bmg is easier to get a hold of than 700ne. The 700ne will knock you on your butt, too; but it is a much better hunting rifle (for very large game, like elephants and rhino's).

It is also pretty expensive to shoot.

But it is more fun. Just remember to wear a shoulder pad.