Should I?

Having what is perhaps the ultimate EBR (evil black rifle) resting in the safe with a ‘for sale’ on it has been stressful. What I’m tempted to do is add every available option and keep it, lest this current batch of Barrett M82’s be the last.

Should I?

Here are the options listed at BarrettRifles.com:

Monopod: $148 (adjustable piece attaches to the stock to hold elevation on target.)

Web Kit: $59 (Ballistic Nylon cheek piece, muzzle cover, and sling. The cheek piece is attached by three Velcro straps. The muzzle cover is attached by a single wrap-around Velcro Strap. The padded, length adjustable sling is attached by sturdy steel snaps.)

Extra Magazine: $135 (10 round rifle magazine for the Model 82A1.)

(There are also other options that I didn’t mention, like shooting mats, back packs, drag bags and Mil Spec pintle socket adapters – see the Barrett Store for more.)

Here is where it gets real spendy …

B.O.R.S.: $1,500 (An integrated electronic ballistic computer couples directly to the Leupold Mark 4® rifle telescope acting as the upper rear scope ring.)

• Measures air temperature, barometric pressure, and bore line angle
• Calculates a ballistic solution for a specific user-selected cartridge
• Eliminates the need for “counting clicks”, calculating mil dots as target ranges change, or using a handheld computer
• Allows the shooter to focus on environmental conditions, assess the tactical situation, and quickly engage multiple targets at varying ranges
• Takes the mystery out of bullet drop

And finally the choice of scopes: ($1,200-$1,500)

• Leupold Mark IV 3.5-10x40mm LR/T M1 (LP52128)
• Leupold Mark IV 4.5-14x50mm LR/T M1 (LP54560)
• Leupold Mark IV 6.5-20x50mm LR/T M1 (LP54680)
• Leupold Mark IV 8.5-25x50mm LR/T M1 (LP54690)
• Leupold Mark IV 8.5-25x50mm ER/T M1

These are the scopes that work with the B.O.S. system, and here is where my “knowledge from reading the experts” crashes against my personal biases. The experts choose the 3.5 X 10 range scopes citing mirage effects, tactical awareness, mil-dot variances, etc. at the upper magnification ranges.

Personally, I like to see where the rounds hit; ergo my bias toward the 8.5×25 models.

The Barrett Store offers a the B.O.R.S and the 4.5×14 model as a package deal.

Question to the Gunbloggeratti:

Should I consider the 4.5×14 model the best of both worlds, or a compromise down from the maximum 25x option?

Another way to put the question would be, “(If I keep it) which options would you like to try out at the Gunblogger Rendezvous in Reno this Fall?”

Or to put it even another way, “If you were to buy it, what would you specify?”