Barrett explains it himself after he came out with the .50BMG based round the 416 Barrett caliber. “Shoots flatter, faster and is inherently more accurate than even our own .50BMG rifles.”
The 416 Barrett (10.5x83mm) is a shortened 50 BMG:
50 BMG Case Length = 3.894”, Projectile = .509” Diameter
416 Barrett Case Length = 3.258”, Projectile = .415” Diameter
50 BMG and .416 Barrett have identical base dimensions
50 BMG Projectile normally 660 to 770 grains in weight.
416 Barrett Projectile is a highly aerodynamic, elongated, FMJ
with an extremely long steep angle or “OGIVE”
(the curved forward part of a bullet).
This put a much greater projectile weight in less diameter size for flatter trajectory and longer range.
The end result is one big (400 grain) bad boy flying at 3,250 feet per
second and generating almost 10,000 foot pounds of energy.
Given this, I think I would prefer this marvel at long range (1 mile or more) shooting then the 50 BMG.
The jury will be out for sometime as far as using the 416 Barret in a machine gun, but I hope our military tests it in a modified 50 BMG Machine Gun (Hoooooraaaaaaa!) Solid Brass Projectile
Old school. You ever hear of the 50 Medicine Round? It was the FIRST experimental Army attempt to use the 50 Cal as a shoulder fired ammunition. The 50 case was neck sized down to .308 and a ball FMJ set on top and the charge was black powder. The first time it was fired it broke the stock. The second time, it broke the shoulder of the shooter.
Gee why didn’t someone think of a muzzle brake?