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.

Pistol · SAAMI

.50 AE

.50 Action Express12.7x33mm

The Desert Eagle cartridge.

Caliber: 0.5004″ · 12.71 mm
Introduced: 1988
Case: Rebated
Parent: .44 Magnum
Primary use: Self-Defense, Hunting
Status: Active

Velocity1,400–1,650 fps

Energy1,305–1,970 ft·lb

Typical grains300 · 325 · 380 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1988
Type: Pistol
Origin: United States
Inventor: Evan Whildin / Action Arms
Manufacturer: Action Arms / Magnum Research
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Common

Build

Case capacity: 82 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:19
Primer: Large Pistol
Case type: Rebated

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 36,000 psi
Eff. range: 75 yd
Max range: 200 yd
Recoil: 15–22 ft·lb
Subsonic: Capable

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

By real loads: 1,400–1,500 fps · 30 loads
Parent case: .44 Magnum

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingSellier & Bellot SP300 gr · SP · 1,500 fpsBuy now →

Best for DefenseSpeer Gold Dot JHP300 gr · JHP · 1,550 fpsBuy now →

Best for TargetFederal American Eagle300 gr · JSP · 1,475 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .50 AE ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

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

In production — 30 active loads across 19 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 30 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Speer	Gold Dot JHP	300	JHP	1,550	1,600	—
Sellier & Bellot	SP	300	SP	1,500	1,499	—
Buffalo Bore	JHP	300	JHP	1,475	1,449	—
Hornady	Custom XTP JHP	300	XTP JHP	1,475	1,449	—
Cor-Bon	Hunter	300	JHP	1,475	1,449	—
Remington	Core-Lokt	300	JHP	1,475	1,449	—
Underwood Ammo	Xtreme Penetrator	300	XP	1,475	1,449	—
Fiocchi	Shooting Dynamics	300	JSP	1,475	1,449	—
Buffalo Bore	Hard Cast	380	HC-WFN	1,475	1,835	—
Winchester	Silvertip HP	300	HP	1,475	1,449	—
Federal	American Eagle	300	JSP	1,475	1,449	—
Winchester	Super-X	300	SP	1,475	1,449	—
PMC	Bronze	300	JHP	1,475	1,449	—
DoubleTap	JHP	300	JHP	1,475	1,449	—
Federal	American Eagle	300	JHP	1,475	1,449	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

2 reloading powders listed for .50 AE, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

HS-6 Blue Dot

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

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 →

Magnum Research Desert Eagle L6Magnum Research Desert Eagle L5Freedom Arms Model 83 .50 AEMagnum Research Desert Eagle .357 Magnum 6-inch Titanium GoldMagnum Research BFR .45-70 Gov'tMagnum Research Desert Eagle .50 AE 6-inch Gold Tiger StripeMagnum Research Desert Eagle Mark XIXMagnum Research Desert Eagle XIX .50 AE 6-inchMagnum Research Desert Eagle Mark XIX .50 AE 6-inch StainlessMagnum Research Desert Eagle Mark XIX .44 Mag 6-inchIMI Desert Eagle Mark XIXMagnum Research Magnum Research Desert Eagle .50 AE 6-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent

.44 Magnum

Direct descendants (1)

.458 SOCOM .429 DE

Family TreeOpen .50 AE in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads30 factory loads for .50 AE↗Reloading2 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .50 AE↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

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.

Sources & provenance

StandardSAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings 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 →