Can A Near Miss From A 50BMG Be Lethal?

Published on August 29, 2025
Duration: 1:10

This video from Civilian Tactical explores the common claim that a .50 BMG round can be lethal even if it misses its target by a small margin. Using a ballistic dummy head, cardboard proximity sensors, and a cinder block backstop, the test demonstrates the extreme power of the .50 BMG. The host, exhibiting high authority and expertise, uses a Big Kahuna Firearms Raptor .50 BMG upper receiver on an AR-15 platform to conduct the experiment, concluding that a near miss is not lethal.

Quick Summary

A .50 BMG near miss was tested using a ballistic dummy and a cinder block backstop. The .50 BMG round destroyed the cinder block, proving its immense power and trajectory, but the dummy head remained intact, concluding that a near miss is not lethal.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Myth Introduction and Setup
  2. 00:14Firearm Overview: Big Kahuna Raptor .50 BMG
  3. 00:34The Test Shot Execution
  4. 00:55Results and Conclusion: Near Miss Not Lethal

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a .50 BMG round be lethal if it only passes near a person?

Based on the experimental test using a ballistic dummy head and a cinder block backstop, a .50 BMG round that missed the dummy and hit the cinder block did not cause lethal damage to the dummy. The cardboard proximity strip remained undisturbed, indicating the near miss was not directly impactful.

What firearm was used to test the .50 BMG near miss scenario?

The test utilized the Big Kahuna Firearms Raptor .50 BMG, which is a bolt-action upper receiver designed to convert a standard AR-15 lower receiver into a .50 BMG firearm. This setup allows for a more accessible entry into shooting the powerful .50 BMG caliber.

How was the proximity of the .50 BMG round to the target measured?

Cardboard strips were placed in front of the ballistic dummy head. The integrity of these strips after the shot was used to determine if the .50 BMG projectile passed close enough to disturb them, indicating a near miss without direct contact.

What was the outcome of the .50 BMG near miss test?

The .50 BMG round successfully destroyed the cinder block behind the ballistic dummy head, confirming its trajectory was extremely close. However, the dummy head remained intact, and the cardboard proximity strips were undisturbed, leading to the conclusion that the near miss was not lethal.

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