Kari from Mythbusters with .50 BMG

Grant Imahara posted this photo on twitter of Mythbusters co-host Kari Byron.

kari mythbusters sniper rifle tfb Kari from Mythbusters with .50 BMG photo
Looking hot (in both meanings of the word)

I really hope this means the mythbusters are going to prove that .50 BMG rifles cannot shoot down a Boeing 747 cruising at 35,000 feet at a speed of 555 mph icon smile Kari from Mythbusters with .50 BMG photo

Can anyone identify the bullpup, possibly single action and probably .50 BMG rifle? The first thing that popped into my mind was "Steyr" but the only similar looking gun that Steyr ever made was the Steyr AMR / IWS 2000 prototype. Maybe it is a custom stock?

UPDATE: Daniel points out that Kari's rifle seems to be a Maadi-Griffin single shot - I agree.

Hat Tip: Crunchgear

Thanks to mrsatyre for the link.

UPDATE: More pics from the show. Thanks to James for the links.

From Left: Sako TRG-48 in .338 Laupa Magnum, Maadi-Griffin .50 BMG, Barrett 99

Myth: Are phone books good for vehicle armor??!?! Seriously?

UPDATE: As HeartlessLibertarian pointed out that the rifle in the second picture is a Barrett 99, chambered in .416 Barrett.

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24 Responses to “Kari from Mythbusters with .50 BMG”

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  1. Julian Morettiwrote on June 20th, 2010 at 6:16 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Anyone have the video clip of her shooting it. I want to turn it into a .gif animation!!!!

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  2. Mad Saint Jackwrote on April 05th, 2010 at 10:07 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Sorry, I missed the last update that ID’ed the .416.

    Here is the vid:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NyGcx_lCCM

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  3. Mad Saint Jackwrote on April 02nd, 2010 at 4:08 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    This episode aired last night. The Barrett was in .416.

    Kari killed the car with her .50, and she had a huge smile on her face.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  4. partyBoy6.7wrote on January 20th, 2010 at 1:25 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    that rifle is called the Grizzly Rifle .50 BMG

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  5. Tomwrote on December 09th, 2009 at 3:29 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Try a big city phone book against your handgun….. most any handgun.
    I have not shot one with a rifle…. my bullits will over penitrate any game in MI.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  6. Torguemadawrote on November 12th, 2009 at 8:04 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Shouldn’t that be .338 Lapua Magnum not Laupa.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  7. Matt Groomwrote on November 10th, 2009 at 5:50 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Kari Byron: America’s Sweetheart.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  8. Clodboywrote on November 10th, 2009 at 2:47 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Anybody seen the episode where tested the myth about being safe from bullets underwater?

    Highly recommended – they basically discovered that while handgun bullets and shotgun slugs “penetrated” pretty far (and could be recovered intact), the rifle bullets (including a .50 BMG) immediately exploded into a shower of fragments upon entering the water. Kind of scary considering how the human body is about 60 % H2O…

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  9. Billwrote on November 09th, 2009 at 5:17 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Oh kari, it just keeps getting better and better (note the trigger discipline in the first pic)

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  10. Willwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 8:38 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I wonder if the phone book armor idea came from the founder of Second Chance body armor. I’ve seen him shoot himself in the torso with a .44 mag to demonstrate his soft body armor. He would stuff a phone book under the armor claiming it would stop the bullet if his armor failed ( it was actually used to dissipate the blunt force transfer of energy so he wouldn’t be cracking ribs from the impact-somewhat common but acceptable result of taking a hit with soft armor). Normally, at some point in his demo he would fire a round into the book with a jug of water or soda behind it. Of course, the contents would blow all over the set, and he would then say something like “oh boy, sure hope the armor works!”, and then shoot himself. He was good, put on a great show.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  11. Stevewrote on November 07th, 2009 at 7:03 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Thanks Kyle. I was being lazy ;)

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  12. ErnestThingwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 11:35 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I always find it amusing to spot the illegal things they do with guns on mythbusters. Discharging within incorporated areas, near schools, making gas powered projectile launchers, etc.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  13. Kyle Huffwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 9:42 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    More properly, it is a Sako TRG-42.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  14. Bandito762wrote on November 07th, 2009 at 4:17 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Man, Kim du Toit would be going crazy for that first pic.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  15. Louis Pwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 3:10 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    pfffff were is the cheytac

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  16. N.U.G.U.N. Blogwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 3:03 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    FYI, paper is a pretty decent stopper of handgun ammo. While I wouldn’t trust one phone book. Three or so deep (foot) will stop many handgun calibers.

    I’ve seen a 9mm bullet that was stopped by the paper of a filing cabinet.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  17. Stevewrote on November 07th, 2009 at 1:55 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Daniel, I think you got it! The breadth of your knowledge never ceases to amaze me.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  18. Daniel E. Watterswrote on November 07th, 2009 at 1:46 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Kari’s rifle appears to be one of the old Maadi-Griffin single-shots. Heartless has the other rifle pegged correctly as a Barrett 99.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  19. Heartless Libertarianwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 12:52 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Actually, I think the rifle on the rifle in the second picture is a Barrett 99 in .416 Barrett. The round behind it looks shorter and slightly fatter in the case than the round behind the Kari’s mystery rifle.

    Also, having rifles in .338, .416, and .50 would make more sense, from an experimental point of view.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Steveresponded to Heartless Libertarian on November 07th, 2009 at 12:58 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

      Heartless, good point. I have updated the post.

      Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  20. MGwrote on November 06th, 2009 at 10:59 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I think “Burn Notice” recently did an episode in which a car was armored on the cheap with phone books. I don’t know if that was the impetus for this myth busters though.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Steveresponded to MG on November 06th, 2009 at 11:02 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

      MG, ah!!! That must be where the idea came from … I mean how many people would think of collecting phone books to armor their car?

      Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  21. James.Denholmwrote on November 06th, 2009 at 9:31 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Imahara posted a couple other pictures of the gun – See http://twitpic.com/o9a44

    Oh, and you weren’t far off the mark with what they were proving – http://twitpic.com/o9lmy

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Steveresponded to James.Denholm on November 06th, 2009 at 9:59 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

      James.Denholm, Thanks for the link. I have updated the post.

      Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  1. Clodboywrote on November 10th, 2009 at 2:47 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Anybody seen the episode where tested the myth about being safe from bullets underwater?

    Highly recommended – they basically discovered that while handgun bullets and shotgun slugs “penetrated” pretty far (and could be recovered intact), the rifle bullets (including a .50 BMG) immediately exploded into a shower of fragments upon entering the water. Kind of scary considering how the human body is about 60 % H2O…

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  2. Matt Groomwrote on November 10th, 2009 at 5:50 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Kari Byron: America’s Sweetheart.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  3. Billwrote on November 09th, 2009 at 5:17 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Oh kari, it just keeps getting better and better (note the trigger discipline in the first pic)

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  4. Willwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 8:38 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I wonder if the phone book armor idea came from the founder of Second Chance body armor. I’ve seen him shoot himself in the torso with a .44 mag to demonstrate his soft body armor. He would stuff a phone book under the armor claiming it would stop the bullet if his armor failed ( it was actually used to dissipate the blunt force transfer of energy so he wouldn’t be cracking ribs from the impact-somewhat common but acceptable result of taking a hit with soft armor). Normally, at some point in his demo he would fire a round into the book with a jug of water or soda behind it. Of course, the contents would blow all over the set, and he would then say something like “oh boy, sure hope the armor works!”, and then shoot himself. He was good, put on a great show.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  5. Stevewrote on November 07th, 2009 at 7:03 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Thanks Kyle. I was being lazy ;)

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  6. Torguemadawrote on November 12th, 2009 at 8:04 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Shouldn’t that be .338 Lapua Magnum not Laupa.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  7. Tomwrote on December 09th, 2009 at 3:29 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Try a big city phone book against your handgun….. most any handgun.
    I have not shot one with a rifle…. my bullits will over penitrate any game in MI.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  8. Julian Morettiwrote on June 20th, 2010 at 6:16 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Anyone have the video clip of her shooting it. I want to turn it into a .gif animation!!!!

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  9. Mad Saint Jackwrote on April 05th, 2010 at 10:07 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Sorry, I missed the last update that ID’ed the .416.

    Here is the vid:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NyGcx_lCCM

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  10. Mad Saint Jackwrote on April 02nd, 2010 at 4:08 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    This episode aired last night. The Barrett was in .416.

    Kari killed the car with her .50, and she had a huge smile on her face.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  11. partyBoy6.7wrote on January 20th, 2010 at 1:25 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    that rifle is called the Grizzly Rifle .50 BMG

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  12. ErnestThingwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 11:35 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I always find it amusing to spot the illegal things they do with guns on mythbusters. Discharging within incorporated areas, near schools, making gas powered projectile launchers, etc.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  13. Kyle Huffwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 9:42 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    More properly, it is a Sako TRG-42.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  14. Heartless Libertarianwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 12:52 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Actually, I think the rifle on the rifle in the second picture is a Barrett 99 in .416 Barrett. The round behind it looks shorter and slightly fatter in the case than the round behind the Kari’s mystery rifle.

    Also, having rifles in .338, .416, and .50 would make more sense, from an experimental point of view.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Steveresponded to Heartless Libertarian on November 07th, 2009 at 12:58 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

      Heartless, good point. I have updated the post.

      Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  15. MGwrote on November 06th, 2009 at 10:59 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    I think “Burn Notice” recently did an episode in which a car was armored on the cheap with phone books. I don’t know if that was the impetus for this myth busters though.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Steveresponded to MG on November 06th, 2009 at 11:02 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

      MG, ah!!! That must be where the idea came from … I mean how many people would think of collecting phone books to armor their car?

      Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  16. Daniel E. Watterswrote on November 07th, 2009 at 1:46 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Kari’s rifle appears to be one of the old Maadi-Griffin single-shots. Heartless has the other rifle pegged correctly as a Barrett 99.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  17. Bandito762wrote on November 07th, 2009 at 4:17 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Man, Kim du Toit would be going crazy for that first pic.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  18. Louis Pwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 3:10 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    pfffff were is the cheytac

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  19. N.U.G.U.N. Blogwrote on November 07th, 2009 at 3:03 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    FYI, paper is a pretty decent stopper of handgun ammo. While I wouldn’t trust one phone book. Three or so deep (foot) will stop many handgun calibers.

    I’ve seen a 9mm bullet that was stopped by the paper of a filing cabinet.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  20. Stevewrote on November 07th, 2009 at 1:55 am Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Daniel, I think you got it! The breadth of your knowledge never ceases to amaze me.

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  21. James.Denholmwrote on November 06th, 2009 at 9:31 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

    Imahara posted a couple other pictures of the gun – See http://twitpic.com/o9a44

    Oh, and you weren’t far off the mark with what they were proving – http://twitpic.com/o9lmy

    Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Steveresponded to James.Denholm on November 06th, 2009 at 9:59 pm Link To Comment | Reply To Comment

      James.Denholm, Thanks for the link. I have updated the post.

      Please rate this comment: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

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