The new XM500 .50 cal anti-material rifle.

Originally posted by Lonestar24

Originally posted by Wembley

Can someone clarify if this is basically a kinetic-energy weapon, or whether it has a meaningful explosive warhead? How much explosive can you fit into something like that and does it make any difference?

The 12.7mm bullet is too small and at less than 50g too light to carry a significant amount of explosives+the necessary detonator. But there are incendiary and several AP rounds available.

Are you sure about that?................. Raufoss Mk 211, check it out

reply to post by D4rk Kn1ght


A slight technical note, the listed length for the XM500 is apx 46 inches and the standard M21 sniper rifle used by the US Army is 44 inches, so while the bunch of .50 BMG greatly exceeds 7.62 NATO, the weapon is about the same length.

That is a really badass design, as long as it functions well. I know all the other barrett products I have tried were dead reliable. The main problem with the .50 caliber weapons is their extreme size and weight. Looks like this is a step in the right direction.

The .50 is such a devastating round, it will be nice to see it come in a little more manageable package.

Sound supression. Subsonic .338 is less effective than a sub sonic .50.

Penetrating and stopping power can be kept effective at rifle distances with a subsonic round. Add a supressor and you can snipe on an armored or concealed target without giving away your position by sound or muzzle flash.

reply to post by northwolf

Another fine Barrett product. I hope this one performs, because this is a beautiful piece of weaponry.