.50 Action Express
| .50 Action Express | ||
|---|---|---|
 Comparison of handgun rounds. .50 Action Express on the left. |
||
| Type | Handgun | |
| Place of origin |  United States |
|
| Production history | ||
| Designer | Evan Whildin, Action Arms | |
| Designed | 1988 | |
| Specifications | ||
| Case type | Rebated rim, straight | |
| Bullet diameter | 0.5 in (12.7 mm) | |
| Neck diameter | 0.54 in (13.7 mm) | |
| Base diameter | 0.547 in (13.9 mm) | |
| Rim diameter | 0.514 in (13.1 mm) | |
| Rim thickness | 0.06 in (1.5 mm) | |
| Case length | 1.285 in (32.6 mm) | |
| Overall length | 1.610 in (40.9 mm) | |
| Primer type | Large pistol | |
| Ballistic performance | ||
| Bullet weight/type | Velocity | Energy |
| 325 gr (21.1 g) Ball | 1,305 ft/s (398 m/s) | 1,229 ft·lbf (1,666 J) |
| Test barrel length: 6 Source: Accurate Powder[1] |
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The .50 Action Express (AE, 12.7x33mm) is a large caliber handgun cartridge. It was developed in 1988 by Evan Whildin of Action Arms. It is also known as the .50 Magnum. It is a power up cartridge of the .44 Magnum.
Contents |
Overview
The Magnum Research Desert Eagle was the first handgun chambered for the .50 AE. Among the only commercial handgun cartridges designed that exceed its ballistic performance are the .454 Casull, .480 Ruger, .460 S&W Magnum and the .500 S&W Magnum. The .50 Action Express was a totally new cartridge designed especially for the "Desert Eagle" Pistol. It surpasses the .44 Magnum cartridge's power 40-50%.
The actual cartridge has a .547 inch (13.9 mm) diameter base, with a rebated rim. The rim diameter of the .50 AE is the same as the .44 Remington Magnum cartridge for which the pistol was already chambered, consequently only a barrel and magazine change is required to convert a .44 Desert Eagle to the larger, more powerful .50 AE. Original blueprints had been to use .510" diameter rounds (like the .50 BMG), but the polygonal rifling of the final prototype Desert Eagle allowed the .50 caliber bore plug to drop through, thus rendering the gun a destructive device under BATFE regulations (no longer applies on current models). Nominal bullet diameter was reduced to the current 0.500 inch (12.7 mm).
The principal uses of the .50 AE are metallic silhouette shooting and hunting.
Loaded .50 AE ammunition is currently available from CCI Ammunition and IMI with the latter ammunition being imported into the US by Magnum Research under the "Samson Ultra" trademark. The rounds with this cartridge are generally around 300 grains and have a muzzle velocity of around 1,380 feet per second (with a 6-inch barrel). This gives the bullet 1,260-plus foot pounds of energy at the muzzle, exceeding that of the .44 Magnum. The .50AE cartridge's combination of high velocity and mass results in very favorable penetration characteristics against hard cover.[citation needed]
Recoil of the .50 AE in the Desert Eagle pistol is substantial, although only marginally more severe than the .44 Magnum, as the auto mechanism smooths the recoil somewhat. The cartridge is quite loud as well, and a distinct flash is apparent, even in daylight. For these reasons, the .50 AE is not a cartridge for the beginner or novice. It is also quite expensive, at over $40 per box of 20 rounds. Other firearms chambered for the .50 AE include the AMT AutoMag V, LAR Grizzly Win Mag, Freedom Arms model 555, Magnum Research BFR.
Performance
SAAMI recommends a maximum chamber pressure of 36,000 psi for the .50 AE. Available factory loads can produce over 1400 ft·lbf (1900 J) of energy.
Currently, only IMI (Samson) and Speer/CCI load .50 AE. New, unprimed brass is available from Starline. Bullets are available from a few different manufacturers.
Most bullets designed for the .500 S&W Magnum are too long for use in .50 AE semi-automatic pistols.
Kinetic energy
6.00 inch (152 mm) barrel
- 21.00 g (325 gr): 425 m/s (1400 ft/s): 1,897 J (1,415 ft·lbf) - CCI/Speer factory load
- 21.00 g (325 gr): 453 m/s (1510 ft/s): 2,207 J or more (1,646 ft·lbf) - maximum handload
See also
References
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External links
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