[jamz]

The .50 BMG round is more dangerous at close yards from a near miss than from a hit. Basically the round is still extremely hot from being fired so in addition to not transfering hardly ANY energy to its target it would cauterize (sp?) as it goes through. Maybe not completely however it could be enough to save your life.

Now about it being more dangerous from a near miss... That round carries roughly a 12" diameter "cone of destruction". Meaning that the mass is so great and so are the velocities that it will REPORTEDLY take off, at a minimum, pieces of flesh, if not whole limbs. I don't know first hand, cause i'm not the crazy SOB to get within a foot of a flying bmg round. But with 12,000 Ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle, Hell I'd believe it.

Uh, not to downplay your military experience, but I call BS on this until it's proved. Even a glowing hot projectile moving that fast has no time to cauterize anything, it needs a bit of contact time on the flesh for it to take place.

Also, I'm pretty sure the cone of destruction thing is urban legend too. It would be easy enough to test on a range by placing paper, veggies and stuff within the so-called "cone" and seeing the effect.

I think I must buy a 50-cal to check this out. Someone else can tell my wife...

 

[jamz]

Sorry you had a horrible day, Bham.

I still think that what you were told by the instructor was somewhere between misinformed and pure BS though. Instructors have wierd ways of doing things sometimes though to get end results, right?

Anyway I still think that this should be tested, Mythbusters-style, by any of us who own a .50 cal rifle. If no one does, if everyone paypals me (quick math...82A1..I want the nice one...$7,775 divide by 174 members...) if everyone paypals me $44.68 then I will buy one myself and test it for the good of the Gunatics community. Out of the goodnness of my generous heart, I will take care of the FFL fee by myself. :lol:

 

[jamz]

Is that one of the single shot barretts?