Pistol · SAAMI
.50 AE
The Desert Eagle cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.5004″ · 12.71 mm
- Introduced
- 1988
- Case
- Rebated
- Parent
- .44 Magnum
- Primary use
- Self-Defense, Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1988
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Evan Whildin / Action Arms
- Manufacturer
- Action Arms / Magnum Research
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 82 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:19
- Primer
- Large Pistol
- Case type
- Rebated
- Max pressure
- 36,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 75 yd
- Max range
- 200 yd
- Recoil
- 15–22 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .50 AE. Parent case: .44 Magnum.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 12.71 | 0.500 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 13.50 | 0.531 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 13.79 | 0.543 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.06 | 0.514 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.50 | 0.059 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 32.64 | 1.285 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 40.89 | 1.610 | ~ |
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 AE is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
5 reloading powders listed for .50 AE, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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.
Firearms chambered in .50 AE
12 models in the database chamber .50 AE. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Designed by Evan Whildin at Action Arms specifically for IMI's Desert Eagle pistol. The rebated rim allows the .50 AE to use the same bolt face as the .44 Magnum Desert Eagle — a cost-saving engineering decision. IMI/Magnum Research converted existing Desert Eagles to .50 AE by changing only the barrel and magazine.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .50 AE use?
- .50 AE typically uses a 1:19 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .50 AE?
- .50 AE uses a 0.5004″ (12.71 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .50 AE still in production?
- .50 AE is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .50 AE used for?
- .50 AE is primarily used for self-defense, hunting.
- What is .50 AE based on?
- .50 AE is derived from the .44 Magnum case.
- What are the best powders for .50 AE?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .50 AE include HS-6, Blue Dot, N110, N120, among 5 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-2022 — Centerfire Pistol & Revolver Voluntary Performance Standards · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Hornady — 50 Action Express 300 gr XTP HP (#9245) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
- Manufacturer Underwood Ammo — 50 Action Express 300gr Bonded Jacketed Hollow Point Hunting Ammo · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 30 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →