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I have been pondering about a possible alternative for the MASSIVE Imperial Guard heavy bolter. After a fey moments browsing my bit box I come up with this.

But is this now too small? Would you accept this as a heavy bolter?

If you can get a big box mag on there somehow it would get the idea across. Personally I've used the HBs that come with the Valkyrie kit as they are quite a bit smaller than the Guard HW team HBs while still having the same design detailing.

It would be best to let your opponent know that it's a heavy bolter before the games starts to avoid confusion. I'm sure most people would be fine with it.

Yeah, with a giant ammo belt or mag, it would be acceptable. (I'd also weigh down the loader with as much ammo as possible.) Fluffwise, it would be best for a mobile squad (either mech infantry or e.g. grav chutes or Valkyrie deployed), to justify the use of such lightweight equipment.

But for a gunline-style army, I think it looks a bit light weight - I'd instead look at some of the ork big shootas.

Looks more like a stubber and unless something has changed a heavy weapons team is mounted on a 60mm base so...size shouldn't really be an issue unless you don't like the scale. In which case 40k is an odd hobby to have.

Just use devastator heavy bolters, and cut off the belt feed if you can't find something to attatch it to.

I don't see anything wrong with it TBH. Especially if you're not using any "regular" heavy bolters on other guys (aside from vehicles of course) for consistency's sake.

Ever think to try using heavy bolters from the space marine scouts? They are a bit smaller then normal marine HBs

Use one of the HBs from the Vehicle upgrade sprue?

It has got parts on it for a Storm bolter with a big ammo box hanging off the side and its fairly compact if you only use on half plus that way you would effectively get 2 HBs.