408 CheyTac vs. 50 BMG: Which Is Master of the Mile?

Whether you’re looking for a new long-range cartridge or ending a debate about the best sniper cartridges, this article is for you. 408 CheyTac vs. 50 BMG is the prime example of extreme precision vs. brute force. The 408 Cheyenne Tactical has several distinct edges over the 50 Browning Machine Gun, but the 50 BMG punches back with advantages of its own.

As you continue reading, you’ll discover which long-distance cartridge is better for you.

Differences Between 408 CheyTac and 50 BMG

Even though the 50 BMG and 408 CheyTac were created for long-range engagements, they have some drastic differences that you must know about before deciding which is the better option for your shooting needs.

Let’s start with the benefits and drawbacks of each cartridge.

Pros and Cons of the 408 CheyTac and 50 BMG

What Is the Best Use Case for 408 CheyTac and 50 BMG?

While both cartridges made our best sniper caliber list, many shooters also weigh these options against the 338 Lapua vs 50 BMG to find the perfect balance of weight and power. The 408 CheyTac is better for long-range precision shooting because it has a flatter trajectory, less recoil, and greater resistance to wind drift. The 50 BMG is better suited for anti-materiel roles (i.e., destroying military equipment). It also excels at punching through walls, because it retains more energy out to 1,000 yards (though the 408 CheyTac conserves a higher percentage of its energy as distance to the target increases).

Cartridge Specs

408 CheyTac vs. 50 BMG Recoil

The 50 BMG’s massive projectiles and enormous case capacity come at a high cost: tremendous recoil. When firing a 660 grain bullet at 2,910 fps muzzle velocity from a 32.7-pound Barrett Model 82 semi-auto rifle, the 50 BMG has 82.7 ft-lbs of recoil energy. That’s like a sledgehammer to the shoulder, which is why it’s always recommended to get professional training before firing such punishing ammo.

Compare that to the 408 CheyTac, which, when firing a 419 grain bullet at 3,000 fps muzzle velocity from a 31-pound rifle, “only” has 35.7 ft-lbs of recoil energy. This is still shoulder-bruising territory without proper shooting technique, but it’s much more manageable than the 50 BMG. For reference, the average shooter typically finds anything over 15 ft-lbs of recoil energy difficult to manage.

Most shooters will find the recoil of the 408 CheyTac to be much more manageable and easier on their shoulders than the 50 BMG, but neither is well suited for recoil-sensitive shooters.

408 CheyTac vs. 50 BMG Ballistic Coefficient and Bullet Weights

Since both cartridges were designed for long-range shooting, it should come as no surprise that both boast extremely high ballistic coefficients (a numerical representation of aerodynamic efficiency; higher numbers represent bullets that conserve relatively greater momentum). Depending on the bullet weight, the 408 CheyTac G1 ballistic coefficient generally ranges from 0.880 to 0.949. The 419 grain bullet has the highest BC of 0.949, while the 390 grain bullet is slightly lower at 0.880.

Read the full comparison here: https://ammo.com/comparison/408-cheytac-vs-50-bmg