The first time I saw the Accuracy International AW50 in person was at the 2005 TACPRO Sniper Tournament, where we shot the TACPRO demo gun with and without the suppressor and as part of one of the stages.
............... Larger version of above photo.
I've owned several 50's in the past, and recently (last year) did a review of a bunch of the "budget" models, and shot most of the rest that are available on the market.
article | Battle of the Budget .50 BMG Rifles
The AW50 is a heavy beast, but it is immediately apparent that it's a well-thought out weapons "system", not something simply scaled up or cobbled together for the hobbyist to shoot .50.
............... Larger version of above photo.
The bolt is huge, but arranged so a right-handed shooter can run the bolt while staying on the gun. Ergonomics on a .50 are important simply to prevent bruising while shooting, and the AW50 gets this more or less right.
............... Larger version of above photo.
After getting a rough zero at 100 yards (using 5 rounds and one to chrono), the first long-range shot was on a 3' plate at 1350 yards, using data from the computer (10.6 mils). The impact was 6" or less off the plate. Not bad considering it was totally untested data and it included my wind call.
............... Larger version of above photo.
My friend makes the AW50 look almost the size of a normal rifle.
............... Larger version of above photo.
The "new" AI .50 BMW brake is more effective than the old one. This looks just like a scaled-up version of their "new" .338LM brake. It reduces recoil effectively and the muzzle blast isn't that bad compared to other .50 BMG brakes.
............... Larger version of above photo.
I've owned several 50's in the past, and recently (last year) did a review of a bunch of the "budget" models, and shot most of the rest that are available on the market.
article | Battle of the Budget .50 BMG Rifles
The AW50 is a heavy beast, but it is immediately apparent that it's a well-thought out weapons "system", not something simply scaled up or cobbled together for the hobbyist to shoot .50.
............... Larger version of above photo.
The bolt is huge, but arranged so a right-handed shooter can run the bolt while staying on the gun. Ergonomics on a .50 are important simply to prevent bruising while shooting, and the AW50 gets this more or less right.
............... Larger version of above photo.
After getting a rough zero at 100 yards (using 5 rounds and one to chrono), the first long-range shot was on a 3' plate at 1350 yards, using data from the computer (10.6 mils). The impact was 6" or less off the plate. Not bad considering it was totally untested data and it included my wind call.
............... Larger version of above photo.
My friend makes the AW50 look almost the size of a normal rifle.
............... Larger version of above photo.
The "new" AI .50 BMW brake is more effective than the old one. This looks just like a scaled-up version of their "new" .338LM brake. It reduces recoil effectively and the muzzle blast isn't that bad compared to other .50 BMG brakes.
