The .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) is a very large, powerful centerfire cartridge originally developed for heavy military use and now used by civilians primarily for extreme long-range target shooting. Its legal status varies by state and locality, and prospective owners should verify their local laws.

The .50 BMG was developed for military use around the end of World War I, designed for the heavy Browning machine gun, and it has served in long-range and anti-materiel roles ever since. In civilian hands today it is used chiefly in single-shot and bolt-action rifles for extreme long-range target shooting, where its size and power allow it to remain effective at distances well beyond most cartridges. An important practical point distinguishes the .50 BMG from most other cartridges: its legal status varies by jurisdiction. Some states and localities restrict or prohibit .50 BMG rifles — California, for example, has long restricted them — and regulations can differ at the state and local level. Anyone considering a .50 BMG firearm should verify the current laws in their specific state and locality, and an FFL can help confirm what is permitted where they live. This legal variability is part of the basic reality of the cartridge. Ballistically the .50 BMG fires a very large, heavy bullet — commonly around 650 to 750 grains — at high velocity, producing energy far beyond standard rifle cartridges and substantial recoil and muzzle blast. The rifles built around it are correspondingly large and heavy, designed to manage that power, and the ammunition is among the most expensive in common civilian use. Today the .50 BMG is used by civilians primarily for extreme long-range target shooting and as a specialized collector and enthusiast cartridge, where it is legal to own. Its combination of extreme range capability, size, and cost — alongside its jurisdiction-dependent legal status — is why it occupies a distinct niche at the far end of the cartridge spectrum.

General information about this caliber — not a recommendation for this specific firearm.