The 50 BMG Tommy Gun ??? (Thompson Auto Ordnance 50 BMG)

Published on February 3, 2025
Duration: 17:14

This expert guide from Kentucky Ballistics details techniques for managing the recoil of the unique Thompson Auto Ordnance 50 BMG rifle. It covers grip, stance, and the importance of the bolt-action's smooth operation, highlighting the effectiveness of its large muzzle brake. The video also features advanced ballistic and body armor testing, showcasing the immense power of .50 BMG ammunition.

Quick Summary

The Thompson Auto Ordnance 50 BMG (TAO) is a custom bolt-action rifle mimicking a Thompson subgun in .50 BMG, featuring a roller bearing bolt and large muzzle brake for reduced recoil. In tests, it showed less felt recoil than a Barrett M82A1. Level 4 armor stopped .50 BMG rounds, but with lethal backface deformation.

Chapters

  1. 00:53Introduction to the TAO 50 BMG
  2. 01:24Technical Specifications
  3. 01:59Unique Bolt Design
  4. 02:33Muzzle Brake and Recoil
  5. 03:52Comparison with Barrett M82A1
  6. 04:52The 'E-G-G' Recoil Test
  7. 08:18Ballistic Testing on Zombie Busts
  8. 10:40Body Armor Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Thompson Auto Ordnance 50 BMG unique?

The Thompson Auto Ordnance 50 BMG, also known as the TAO, is a custom bolt-action rifle designed to resemble a Thompson submachine gun but chambered in the powerful .50 BMG caliber. Its unique features include a roller bearing bolt mechanism for smooth operation and a large muzzle brake aimed at minimizing recoil.

How does the TAO 50 BMG compare in recoil to the Barrett M82A1?

In a subjective test using an egg as a recoil indicator, the TAO 50 BMG appeared to generate less felt recoil than the Barrett M82A1. This is notable as the TAO is a bolt-action rifle, while the M82A1 is semi-automatic, suggesting the TAO's design and muzzle brake are highly effective.

Can .50 BMG rounds penetrate Level 4 body armor?

Testing showed that Premier Body Armor Level 4 plates successfully stopped both 750gr A-MAX and 660gr FMJ .50 BMG rounds. However, significant backface deformation occurred, which would likely be lethal in a real-world scenario.

What type of ammunition showed more energy transfer in ballistic gel?

When testing .50 BMG rounds on ballistic gel zombie busts, the 750gr A-MAX projectile demonstrated significantly more explosive energy transfer compared to a standard FMJ round, indicating greater terminal ballistics performance.

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