Rifle · Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.50-100 Winchester
Winchester single-shot and Model 1886 cartridge between the .50-90 and .50-110 in powder charge; used for large North American game..
- Caliber
- 0.512″ · 13.005 mm
- Introduced
- 1895
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1895
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 101.1 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Berdan Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 22,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 150 yd
- Max range
- 3350 yd
- Recoil
- 30.9–45.2 ft·lb
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .50-100 Winchester, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 13.01 | 0.512 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 13.56 | 0.534 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 13.99 | 0.551 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 15.42 | 0.607 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.81 | 0.071 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 60.96 | 2.400 | · |
| Overall length | 69.85 | 2.750 | · |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .50-100 Winchester is highlighted below.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Connected reference
History
Part of Winchester's big-bore black powder lineup for the Model 1886 lever-action and Model 1885 single-shot rifles, the .50-100 occupied the middle ground between the .50-90 and .50-110. Like its siblings it is a black powder cartridge capable of taking the largest North American game at moderate ranges.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .50-100 Winchester use?
- .50-100 Winchester typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .50-100 Winchester?
- .50-100 Winchester uses a 0.512″ (13.005 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .50-100 Winchester still in production?
- .50-100 Winchester is discontinued; typical availability is rare.
- What is .50-100 Winchester used for?
- .50-100 Winchester is primarily used for hunting.
Sources & provenance
- Reference Gun Digest Books / DBI Books — Cartridges of the World — Frank C. Barnes · grain weights, year, velocity, bullet ⌀
- Secondary CartridgeCollector.net — 50-100-450 Winchester · velocity, grain weights archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
