I Sawed-Off a .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle...

Published on March 27, 2024
Duration: 22:28

This video documents the progressive shortening of a .50 BMG HM Defense HM50B rifle's barrel, testing the impact on velocity and terminal performance. Initial tests show significant velocity drops after cutting the barrel, with further reductions and accuracy loss as it's shortened to extreme lengths. The experiment highlights the importance of barrel length for projectile stabilization and pressure build-up, even demonstrating a 'negative barrel' scenario.

Quick Summary

Modifying a .50 BMG rifle's barrel length requires ATF paperwork. Shortening the barrel drastically reduces muzzle velocity and accuracy, with porting causing further significant drops. Extreme shortening can lead to a 'negative barrel' effect with no stabilization.

Chapters

  1. 02:25Introducing the .50 Cal HM50B Rifle
  2. 03:55Control Testing Setup & Initial Velocity
  3. 05:28Testing Against Steel & Armor
  4. 08:42First Barrel Cut & Porting Experiment
  5. 12:06Extreme Shortening & Accuracy Issues
  6. 16:53The 'Negative Barrel' Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to the velocity of a .50 BMG round when the barrel is shortened?

Shortening the barrel of a .50 BMG rifle significantly reduces muzzle velocity. For example, cutting 8 inches off a 29-inch barrel dropped velocity from over 3000 fps to around 2600 fps, with further reductions as the barrel became shorter.

How does porting affect the performance of a shortened .50 caliber rifle barrel?

Porting the barrel by cutting slots along its length drastically reduces velocity. In this test, porting caused the velocity to drop to 1751 fps due to premature gas venting before the bullet exited the barrel.

What are the legal requirements for modifying a rifle's barrel length?

Modifying a rifle's barrel length, especially shortening it, requires filing specific paperwork with the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) to remain compliant with federal law.

Does a shortened .50 BMG barrel still penetrate armor?

While velocity and accuracy decrease significantly with a shortened barrel, even at lower speeds, .50 BMG rounds can still pose a threat. However, armor rated for such calibers, like the Level III++ shield tested, can stop rounds from extremely short barrels.

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