Sharp as a Marble - An affordable 50?

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An affordable 50?

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Michael Brendzel of Zel Customs (makers of the Tactilite uppers for your AR) asks

Tactilite - The Affordable Fifty

I wrote earlier that my goal for 2010 is to mainstream the .50 BMG. I've gotten a few questions about that and a few folks got defensive, so I thought I'd clarify. I think most people would agree that most shooters view the .50 BMG as an exotic caliber. For many of those people, it's something that they would like to try. Maybe even own. But the cost has always been prohibitive (ammo not being the least of it). My goal for 2010 is to get dealers to know that there's an affordable option- the Tactilite T1. So, by mainstreaming the .50 BMG, I mean to get the .50 BMG on many more people's realistic "wish list." To that end, I was thinking of a new tagline. "Tactilite- the Affordable Fifty." What do you think?

I can't see how to comment on the blog, but feel free to leave any responses here and I'll forward them to him.

I'd love to have a 50BMG, more as just something to have and maybe take out once or twice a year. There's not a lot of places around me locally that would be long enough to really enjoy the 50, but there are a few that a little drive would suffice. Ammo is deathly expensive and I'd not shoot enough to justify the reloading gear, and I'd need some serious glass to make the entire experience enjoyable, but some day it will be a reality for me.

How about you?

posted @ 1/4/2010 9:35:56 PM

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Tactilite T1 (Single-Shot) Uppers | ONEINCHGROUP.com on 10/4/2011 9:36:05 PM

Comments

kaveman says:

on 1/4/2010 9:51:23 PM

Shotgun News has single-shot bolt-action .50 cal BMGs for $1200.

Perfect for something shot infrequently.

Linoge says:

on 1/4/2010 10:09:29 PM

As a tagline, it does not sound all that bad. Personally, I prefer how you can have what amounts to be a .50 caliber rifle mailed directly to your door, no background check required, but I am a little wierd like that, and such an association may not necessarily appeal to the mainstream.

That said, he is only solving half of the equation... Sure, the rifle is cheap, but what about feeding it? I already have a long gun that has not been to the range in over a year now due to the cost of discharging it, and the situation grates on my nerves every time I think about it. I certainly am not going to pick up another such device, just to hang over my door...

I am not saying Michael can actually fix that problem, but it is something to think about as well - no matter how cheap the Zel upper may become, .50 shooting is still in the realm of eccentrics.

alan says:

on 1/4/2010 10:34:41 PM

The ammo is what makes the .50 unaffordable, not the rifle.

I will no longer buy a gun I can't afford to feed.

Hypnagogue says:

on 1/4/2010 10:38:27 PM

It's worth it.

At $4 a round ($3.50 for surplus AP), it's only about twice as expensive to shoot as a magnum rifle or my .454. And they are actually a lot of fun, even when you spend $100 sighting in.

And, boy, they sure do draw a crowd. Let someone squeeze off a single round, and -- BANG -- you've just bought a friend for under $5.

Lokidude says:

on 1/4/2010 10:54:33 PM

I think it's a great tagline. I can't afford to feed a big .50 on a regular basis, but I can shoot enough to keep the dust off it and me. Tell Michael to take it and run with it.

Justin Buist says:

on 1/4/2010 11:07:12 PM

Nice tagline, but if you want to be known as the most affordable your product should probably cost less than a BOHICA Arms .50BMG AR-15 upper.

Just sayin'.

RC says:

on 1/4/2010 11:52:57 PM

If I had the money, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. Only problem would be finding a place to shoot it at. Shooting a .50 BMG at a 300 yard range is like driving a Dodge Viper in a school zone; it's not very satisfying (although, you still look cool doing it).

B Woodman says:

on 1/5/2010 8:59:24 AM

Mr Brendzel has a worthy goal, and a good catchy tagline to head in that direction.
The biggest stopper, as others have said, would be the $$$$ of the ammo. That said, hopefully, as more people get into Browning's Big 5-0, the costs would come down (via free enterprise capitalism) to where more could afford it.

Caleb says:

on 1/5/2010 2:50:07 PM

I'd buy it for no other reason than it makes Sarah Brady cry!

Weer'd Beard says:

on 1/6/2010 9:23:14 AM

A great tagline. Also people might also want to consider the "Serving Size" for a .50 BMG when contemplating ammo costs.

I shoot around 100-200 rounds of .45 ACP in one trip to the range (if I'm not limiting myself for other reasons) .22 LR I find it hard to shoot less than 200 rounds, and 500 in a day is hardly a glut.

Meanwhile when I first bought my .357 Mag, I ran about 100 rounds through it on a range trip and regretted it later on, and I usually stop shooting after about 20.

So while 100 rounds of .50 BMG might cost $235 for surplus, more for the match stuff
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php/pName/100rds-50-cal-bmg-french-military-reassembled-685gr-ball-amm/cName/rifle-ammo-50-cal-bmg

How long will that supply last you?

Its not a cheap gun to feed, but if touching off a .50 BMG puts a smile on your face, really unless you're looking to dislocate joints the ammo isn't very expensive, and the upper certainly is quite affordable.

Honestly the only reason why I'm not contemplating buying one is I see it a waste of a cartridge that really sines at long ranges, and I only have a 200 yard range at my disposal.

I think he's making a great marketing move as selling "the Affordable Fifty".

Also I don't know the full geekery involved in the internal ballistics of the .50 BMG, but I hear the military brass was never intended to be reloaded so its a bitch to resize, prep and reprime. Maybe getting some brass makers to make handload friendly brass might also help a LOT in cornering the budget .50 BMG market.

They're certainly a hoot to shoot, even at short ranges, and that distinctive muzzle blast turns some heads on the firing line....not just from interest but PHYSICALLY! : ]

Best of wishes to Michael Brendzel, and let's hope 2010 rewards him for his great innovations!

Anon says:

on 1/6/2010 12:45:56 PM

Caleb beat me to it...
So I guess I want one because it would give Schmuck Schumer a full on case of PSH.
I'm thinking a Tactilite upper on a homebuilt 80% lower for the double whammy is the goal for 2010.

Comments have been closed on this topic.