Best action for 50 DTC? (Updated)

[lower lover]

Im looking to buy an action to build a 50. If I can I will register the action next year and build a bmg. If thats not possible????(WHO KNOWS) I will do the DCT. I was wondering who make a good one? Money on the action dose not matter, the rest of the components will be over a long time.

UPDATE 1

Thanks for all the help guys!!! I called BAT today and they have a year backlog.

I do like the McMillan, I called but they will not ship an action to CA, any one have a line on the McMillan action?

[Divernhunter]

I am not sure about the new restrictions/laws. I do know that That to be legal I had to register mine by a certain date years ago and after that the 50bmg was not legal in a rifle.
I do not see how you will be able to legally build it into a 50BMG in the future. The Ma-Duce clones(semi-auto) are still legal as I remember but not as a rifle. I suspect you will need to build a 50DTC rifle............or just buy one already built.

[RickD427]

We'll have to wait until the DOJ issues the regulations implementing the new laws.

The avenue of possibility is to:

1) Build a new firearm that can be registered as an "Assault Weapon" during the upcoming registration period.

2) Once the weapon acquires the legal status as an "Assault Weapon" then it may become possible to re-caliber it to fire the .50 BMG cartridge.

A .50 BMG Rifle constructed in the above manner would not be a .50 BMG Rifle as California defines one (I know that sounds kinda counter-intuitive, but go back and read that sentence a couple more times). Here is the statutory definition of a ".50 BMG Rifle" (Penal Code section 30530):

"As used in this part, “.50 BMG rifle” means a center fire rifle that can fire a .50 BMG cartridge and is not already an assault weapon or a machinegun."

Since the weapon being discussed here would already be an "Assault Weapon", it does not become a ".50BMG Rifle" by virtue of the caliber conversion.

I know that's not what our good folks in Sacramento intended to do with the law, but it's what they did.

[Hairball]

If I was going to build one from the ground up I would go with a BAT action. When I purchased my 50 DTC, I went the "factory" route and purchased a EDM 96 Windrunner

[JMP]

I agree with hairball, and would do the BAT for a build, but there will be a waiting time. I have a Desert Tech HTI for mine. That would be a good way if you want the rifle now. Another option for getting it now is the Armalite AR-50. Pretty much any rifle chambered in 416 Barrett can go to a 50 with just a new barrel since they shoot off the same boltface. If I didn't live in CA, I'd definitely would have an Accuracy International AX-50, but there is no easy path for it to CA.

[Mute]

I agree with hairball, and would do the BAT for a build, but there will be a waiting time. I have a Desert Tech HTI for mine. That would be a good way if you want the rifle now. Another option for getting it now is the Armalite AR-50. Pretty much any rifle chambered in 416 Barrett can go to a 50 with just a new barrel since they shoot off the same boltface. If I didn't live in CA, I'd definitely would have an Accuracy International AX-50, but there is no easy path for it to CA.

You can always purchase an AX-50 from out of state and have it sent to a gunsmith to convert to .50 DTC before sending it to your CA FFL.

[cocorador]

Blue Grass Armory in Utah has a single shot bull pup in 50. I think you can order it in a 50DTC.

[CSACANNONEER]

The "best" action will depend on what your intended goal is. BAT and McMillan are the two that come to mind for BR shooting. However, the inexpensive AR50 action is also highly respected in competition as well as EDM, Ferret and ALS.

[CSACANNONEER]

I agree with hairball, and would do the BAT for a build, but there will be a waiting time. I have a Desert Tech HTI for mine. That would be a good way if you want the rifle now. Another option for getting it now is the Armalite AR-50. Pretty much any rifle chambered in 416 Barrett can go to a 50 with just a new barrel since they shoot off the same boltface. If I didn't live in CA, I'd definitely would have an Accuracy International AX-50, but there is no easy path for it to CA.

Sure there is. If you really want an AI, have it sent to an OOS FFL to remove the barrel. It can either be rechambered to DTC OOS or, transferred to a CA FFL as a receiver only and you can rebarrel it in CA.

[BillyGoatMachine]

My two choices were between Mcmillan and Bat. I chose Bat because of the tolerences and I wasn't looking for a repeater. If $$ isn't an issue and a single feed action is acceptable, go Bat. My comp .338LM in the back gives some perspective!

[ar15barrels]

It's hard to argue against a BAT receiver for any dedicated precision target rifle.

[JMP]

Sure there is. If you really want an AI, have it sent to an OOS FFL to remove the barrel. It can either be rechambered to DTC OOS or, transferred to a CA FFL as a receiver only and you can rebarrel it in CA.

I understand that, but it isn't practical in my opinion. You buy the rifle for $11,000, and one reason for the price is an excellent fit barrel so you then need it rebarreled. I am not one for balking on price, but that's going too far. For CA, the efficient route is an action only and put on a barrel of your choosing.

[Mute]

I understand that, but it isn't practical in my opinion. You buy the rifle for $11,000, and one reason for the price is an excellent fit barrel so you then need it rebarreled. I am not one for balking on price, but that's going too far. For CA, the efficient route is an action only and put on a barrel of your choosing.

Of course, but if you prefer a specific platform, it is achievable, just a matter of whether you want to pay to play.

[LynnJr]

Don't overlook the Barnard Action for building a 50 or 510 DTC. They are available from O.K.Weber.

JMP
You would need the original barrel set-back not replaced so that would save you about $700.

[Switchbarrel]

Have you tried Bruno Shooters Supply for the BAT action? I wonder if you could buy the McMillan through him?

-Rick