50BMG UK Suppliers

Due to the decline of the UK firearms industry over the past 15 years, the number of dealers that carry stock, or are able and willing to import stock of 50BMG rifles is virtually non-existent. It was once common practice to convert the .55 Boys anti-tank rifle to .50BMG but this rifle is not inherently accurate and with increasing prices for what is becoming a quite rare rifle it would be sacrilege to convert a good condition .55 Boys. New model 50BMG rifles are now being manufactured by RPA http://www.rpa-eng.com/ , the Nemesis by www.amsd.ch and Accuracy International continues to make a variety of 50cal rifles. The new Steyr HS50 50BMG and new M1 magazine fed variant is currently available from the Sportsman gun centre, Devon. www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk. "The UK Gunroom" now imports the Fortmeier 50cal rifles, and a new TTRS model is due into stock mid October 2011.

Importing a rifle or parts kit direct from the USA appears to be nearly impossible following recent changes to the US export regulations covering anything that looks remotely military or 50BMG. If however you are lucky enough to find someone who will export you a rifle from the US then the good news is that you do NOT require an import license if you are a UK resident, the US based dealer will ask you for one but in return all you need do is send him verification of the UK import regulations from the DTI. A copy of which is displayed at the bottom of this page. The DTI will be happy to help anyone with other import enquiries as not many foreign manufacturers or retailers are aware of the UK import regulations. You can expect to pay $100 for the US export license and $160 for delivery to the UK, delivery costs from Europe are approximately 70E.

Check out these links to 50BMG rifle manufacturers, many more exist but these have been selected because of their availability to the U.K. shooter.

A fine UK manufacturer of some of the worlds best 50cal and 338 rifles, as used by the FCSA UK.

Fortmeier/(also Steyr HS50)

www.50BMG.de Appears to be trading again, Fortmeier rifles exhibited at the IWA, rifles used by the FCSA UK

Also, The Gun Room UK now imports 50cal Fortmeier rifles

The Fortmeier 2003 rifle (Almost identical to the Steyr HS50) with new model bipod, 20MOA rail and Nightofrce ZF 5.5-22 x 56 scope.

The following are U.S. based manufacturers, however these rifles have been seen on UK ranges:

Spider Firearms (USA): Ferret 50

http://ferret50.com/

Very interesting M16/AR15 50BMG upper receiver and barrel kit, the manufacturer claims no problems with export as it doesn't include a lower receiver, yet to be proven!

Barrett (bolt action)

Not often seen 'new' anymore but a few do exist in the UK www.barrettrifles.com

Left: Bolt action Barrett Model 95 with 5 shot magazine.

Specs for the Model 95, the larger Model 99 does not have a magazine, has a 32" barrel and weighs 25 lbs.

Caliber	.50 BMG (12.7 X 99mm)
Chamber	Chambered for commercial and MATCH ammunition
Operation	Bolt action
Barrel Length	29 inches (73.67 cm)
Rifling Twist	1 turn in 15 inches (38.1 cm)
Rifle Weight	22 pounds (10 kg)
Overall Length	45 inches (114.3 cm)

Big Bertha

www.statearms.com

Caliber	0.50 BMG (12.7x99)
Barrel length	36" Bull
Rifling twist	1 in 15" Walther Target
Weight (no sight)	41lb (40 lb with tactical stock)
Bipod	State Arms Heavy Duty Bipod
Stock	Special Tactical or Custom Laminated Stock
Muzzle Break	Heavy Duty 3" Fish gill muzzle brake

RCBS reloading dies can be obtained in the UK but they are much more expensive than in the US. I bought mine from http://www.huntingtons.com/dies_bmg.html for half the UK price, approximately £150. Huntington's also sell 50BMG case trimmers, bullet pullers and neck de-burring tools.

High quality 50BMG dies as well as larger calibres such as the .55 Boys and anything up to 20mm are made by: http://www.ch4d.com. They also manufacture bullet pullers and lots of other 50BMG case preparation tools.

Ammunition is readily available, often from your local firearms dealer who will most likely have to order it on your behalf or direct from the FCSA on range days in small quantities. Reloading components are also available from the FCSA on occasion. Pete Lawman usually has some 50BMG reloading components and powders in stock. The Gun Room UK now manufacture solid 50cal (770gn and 800gn) and 338 heads in a wide variety of weights, prices are reasonable. Test report coming soon.

BULLEX-N manufacturers information:

Lapua is proud to present the World’s first true Match-grade .510 caliber bullet tailored fort the .50 BMG caliber long-range target rifles.

Lapua Bullex-N is designed for long-range target shooting to deliver extreme accuracy.

Lapua’s patented Lock Base® base shape and rebated boat tail construction helps to prevent initial faults while bullet leaving from muzzle in the .50 caliber rifles with heavy muzzle blast.

Bullex-N is easy to load, Lapua’s unique Silver Jacket coating helps to achieve higher muzzle velocities without excessive chamber pressures. Clean shape helps also loading; cartridge overall length is not depended on placement of driving bands. This allows to fit optimum cartridge overall length to meet each chamber dimensions.

Copy of letter from the DTI regarding the import of a 50 calibre rifle from the USA.

I can confirm that a .50 calibre rifle consigned from the USA is not subject to a specific DTI import licence providing you are a resident within the UK as there is a concession for the personal importation of firearms, ammunition and component parts consigned from outside the European Community. This concession is administered by H M Customs and Excise and only the relevant UK domestic authority need be presented to allow the importation instead of a specific DTI import licence.

Should you have further queries, however, please do not hesitate to contact this office.

Last updated: 20-Sep-2011