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Lindcott Armory

Rifle · NATO

.50 BMG

Also known as .50 Browning · 12.7x99mm · 12.7x99mm NATO

Heavy machine gun and anti-materiel cartridge.

Caliber
0.511″ · 12.98 mm
Introduced
1921
Case
Rimless
Primary use
Military, Target
Status
Active

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VelocityBeing verified
EnergyBeing verified
Typical grains647 · 660 · 750 gr
Identity
Introduced
1921
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
John Moses Browning
Manufacturer
Winchester Repeating Arms
Standard
NATO
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
295 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:15
Primer
.50 BMG primer
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
55,000 psi
Eff. range
2000 yd
Max range
7400 yd
Recoil
100–200 ft·lb

Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms

Ballistics

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .50 BMG.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified
Best for Withheld until verified
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 12.980.511 ✓
Neck ⌀ 14.220.560 ✓
Shoulder ⌀ 18.140.714 ✓
Shoulder angle 15.7°— ✓
Base ⌀ 20.420.804 ✓
Rim ⌀ 20.420.804 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 2.260.089 ✓
Neck length 16.010.630 ≈
Case length 99.313.910 ✓
Overall length 138.435.450 ✓

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 BMG is highlighted below.

Factory loads

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

Suitable powders

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

20N29N565N570N170Accurate 310024N41Reloader 33N105H50BMGReloader 50
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 BMG

12 models in the database chamber .50 BMG. Browse all →

Desert Tech SRS-A2 .50 BMG 29-inchDesert Tech SRS-A2 .375 CheyTacMcMillan TAC-50 A1-R2 .50 BMG 29-inchBarrett Firearms M107A1 CQ .50 BMG 20-inchDesert Tech HTI .408 CheyTacBarrett M107A1 .50 BMG 20-inchBarrett M107A1 .50 BMG 29-inchBarrett M107A1 .416 BarrettDesert Tech SRS-A2 .308 WinDesert Tech HTI .375 CheyTacHecate Precision Hecate LP .50 BMG 29-inchAccuracy International AX50 .50 BMG

Lineage

Immediate parent
Root — no documented parent
Direct descendants (2)
.416 Barrett.510 DTC EUROP
Family TreeOpen .50 BMG in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

Loads53 factory loads for .50 BMGReloading10 suitable powders — cross-referenceFirearmsFirearms in .50 BMG

History

Designed by John Browning in 1918 to defeat armored vehicles and aircraft. Officially adopted by the US military in 1921 as the primary heavy machine gun round. Over 100 years later, it remains the standard heavy MG cartridge worldwide. Also used in the Barrett M82/M107 sniper rifle for extreme long-range precision and anti-materiel roles.

FAQs

What twist rate does .50 BMG use?
.50 BMG typically uses a 1:15 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .50 BMG?
.50 BMG uses a 0.511″ (12.98 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .50 BMG still in production?
.50 BMG is active; typical availability is common.
What is .50 BMG used for?
.50 BMG is primarily used for military, target.
What are the best powders for .50 BMG?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .50 BMG include 20N29, N565, N570, N170, among 10 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 52 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →