Taming the Beast: McMillan’s Hydraulic 50 BMG Recoil Reducer
At MEDIA Day 2013, we checked out McMillan’s interesting hydraulic recoil mitigation system for the TAC-50 tactical rifle. Named the TAC-50 A1-R2, this shock-absorbing device reduces the peak recoil from the 50 BMG cartridge by approximately 90 percent (90%). Additional recoil reduction is provided by the proprietary muzzle brake offered on the TAC-50 A1-R2.
The heart of the new TAC-50 A1-R2 recoil mitigation system is a proprietary hydraulic piston in the buttstock. As the rifle is fired, the piston compresses, softening the recoil by lowering the peak recoil force and spreading out the recoil over several milliseconds. The sensation for the shooter is that of a long push, rather than a violent punch.
Without the R2 recoil mitigation system, the peak recoil from a 50 BMG cartridge is approximately 7,500 lbs. of force. From start to finish, the recoil lasts 1 millisecond in a machine rest. With the R2 system, the peak recoil is only approximately 520 lbs. of force. What’s more, the force is spread out over 6 milliseconds. While the total recoil energy is roughly the same, the hydraulic piston lowers the perception of recoil dramatically for a shooter by lowering the peak force and spreading the recoil out over time.
McMillan developed the new R2 system in partnership with customers using the TAC-50 weapons system. Extensive testing with electronic load sensors and high speed photography documented the recoil mitigation. The result is a 50-Caliber rifle that is significantly more comfortable to shoot.
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Tags: 50 BMG, 50 Caliber, Hydraulic, McMillan, Recoil Reducer, Tac-50 A1-R2
I think it should be that it’s the total momentum is conserved in both cases, not the total energy. The combined momentum of the bullet and powder equals the rifle’s. The area under the force/time graph is the total impulse. The total impulse should be the same in both cases. The peak ofcourse is lower, as the force is spead over a longer time period.
Wow…thats look great, but that scope gets pretty close to the shooters eye….
Get that wrong and your head would cave in !!!
Martin .. actually, in the 3 years of development, there has not been a case of injury, this was using a number of different scopes with various eye reliefs. When we crept up on the scope to see what would happen, the most we experienced was a slight tap with no damage to the shooter. in fact,a number of times, when trying to induce contact, it was so slight that it was unnoticed until we discovered it only by high speed video. many times the shooter thought his glasses or cap was disturbed by the overpressure and not actual contact with the scope. Our best testimonial to date was by Rob Furlong the Canadian with the longest combat shot on record (using the McMillan TAC 50)who said of the new A1R2 model: “this fundamentally changes the nature of the 50 cal sniper weapon..its a whole new ballgame now”
Neil
Below is a reply from the chief design engineer for the device:
We are neither creating nor destroying energy. Thus conservation of energy applies but only for the entire system. If looking specifically at the shooter then yes, Neil you are correct. The total recoil energy going into the shooter is reduced because some of the kinetic energy of the weapon system is being transformed into thermal energy by the shock absorber. Momentum of the shooter, though, remains the same.
If the entire system is modeled using springs, masses, and dampers and if some very basic assumptions were made, it can be illustrated that a reduction in recoil force due to use of the shock absorber would also mean less deflection of the operator. Remember, if the operator were modeled as a spring with a particular spring rate then a reduction in recoil force means less operator deflection. Less deflection equals less energy since force multiplied by deflection equals energy. However, total IMPULSE acting on the shooter, which is force multiplied by time (change in momentum) does not change. The recoil force is reduced, but the time is lengthened (push versus punch).
NN
How comfortable is the price per round?
Is it possible to attach this unit to a Barrett 98B. I am not as young as i was and recoil is starting to bother me to the point i don’t shoot as much.
Can I get one for a semi auto 4 gauge, or any big load that would normally be out of the question?
Question based on this info. If I have a scope that’s rated for say… a .308 and I use it in conjunction with this stock on a .50 cal, will the scope see any benefit of the recoil reduction? Ie can I expect my scope to possibly survive?
Where can l buy these pistons/shock absorbers as l would like to incorporate one into a big bore hunting rifle, kind regards Bernard Newman bnewman@live.com
Bernard . . . the R2 has been resurrected .. . Conversion Technologies is going back into production with the original R2 device and an all-new iteration designated the R2.5 which will be smaller, lighter and control recoil of not only the 50 caliber but also the .338 Lapua. It will be a drop-in device that will be compatible to any system that uses an AR type platform. .available by year end 2022
Please contact me directly for information on availability
ga2123421@icloud.com
I presently have a 50 cal, Tactlite, that is a monster on recoil, it has a 308/AR15 style lower, trigger, and is a AR style stock assembly, will this recoil system mount to it, and where can it be ordered and price. Out on Range, after about 6 rds, my shoulder is bruised!