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50 Action Express Ammo For Sale

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Possibly the most powerful handgun cartridge in production today, the .50 AE (Action Express) generates 1,600 foot pounds of muzzle energy – making it great for hunting most any game animal on the planet. The .50 AE is also popular among metallic silhouette shooters. Learn More
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  1. Hornady 50 Action Express Ammo - 20 Rounds of 300 Grain JHP Ammunition

    $38.99

    69 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type JHP
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 1475 FPS
    • 20 Rounds
    • $1.95 per round
    • Made by Hornady
  2. Underwood 50 Action Express Ammo - 20 Rounds of 300 Grain XTP JHP Ammunition

    $44.99

    93 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type XTP
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Nickel-Plated Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 1580 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 1663 ft lbs
    • 20 Rounds
    • $2.25 per round
    • Made by Underwood
  3. Hornady 50 Action Express Ammo - 200 Rounds of 300 Grain JHP Ammunition

    $384.99

    41 In stock now

    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +10
    Bullet type XTP
    Primer Type Boxer
    Casing Type Brass
    Condition New
    Muzzle Velocity 1475 FPS
    Muzzle Energy 1449 ft lbs
    • 200 Rounds
    • $1.92 per round
    • Made by Hornady

History of 50 Action Express Ammo

The .50 Action Express (AE) cartridge, one of the world's most powerful pistol cartridges, features a .500-inch bullet diameter in a 1.285-inch straight-walled case with a rebated rim and an overall length of 1.610 inches, powered by a large pistol primer. With a maximum pressure of 36,000 psi according to SAAMI, the .50 AE delivers significant force, combining bullet size with high velocity and muzzle energy. Despite its substantial recoil and muzzle blast, firearms chambered for the .50 AE are heavy and equipped with a slide that absorbs much of the recoil, making it comparable to the .44 Magnum in perceived recoil.

Different Names for the .50 Action Express

Like many other ammunition sizes, the .50 AE is often called by and referred to by different names. Shooters may encounter such names as:

  • .50 Action Express
  • .50 AE
  • .50 caliber
  • .50 cal
  • 12.7x33mm

Sometimes, shooters can also encounter the ammunition labeled as 50 Action Express or 50 AE, without the dot in front of the number. Although the meaning is conveyed in the right manner, obvious that it’s a .50 caliber reference, writing the ammunition name this way is incorrect.

The number, along with the decimal that accompanies it, isn’t just the ammo’s name, but is the actual dimension of the projectile’s diameter. That means the decimal point is not arbitrary, and needs to be included when writing the caliber.

How does .50 AE Compare to Other Calibers?

Comparison Aspect .50 AE .44 Remington Magnum .50 Beowulf
Case Length 1.285 inches 1.285 inches 1.65 inches
Overall Length 1.61 inches 1.61 inches 2.25 inches
Primer Type Large Pistol Primer Large Pistol Primer Large Pistol Primer
Bullet Diameter 0.50 inch 0.429 inch 0.50 inch
Performance (300 gr bullet) 1,500 fps, 1,500 ft·lb force 1,250 fps, 1,041 ft·lb force 1,775 fps (350 gr), 2,448 ft·lb force
Handling and Recoil More power and blast, harder to manage Easier to handle, minimal difference in perceived recoil and blast with heavy projectiles Slightly more free recoil, but often perceived as less due to being fired from a rifle

50 Action Express Ballistics: Chart of Average 50 Action Express Ballistics

The choice of the .50 AE is a great one for the person who wants to shoot a unique, large bore handgun cartridge that kicks like a mule. It also makes a good sidearm for anyone in the backcountry who needs the ultimate defense against dangerous animals. And while it may not be the easiest of ammunitions to fire, there’s something to be said about having that much power in one’s hands. When paired with a champion firearm, such as the Desert Eagle, shooting the .50 Action Express is something most shooters won’t forget.

Note: This information comes from the manufacturer and is for informational purposes only. The actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from the advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type load.

50 Action Express Bullet WEIGHT Muzzle VELOCITY (fps) Muzzle ENERGY (ft. lbs.) Mid-Range TRAJECTORY (in.) Barrel Length (in.)
  Muzzle 50 yds. 100 yds. Muzzle 50 yds. 100 yds. 50 yds. 100 yds.  
300 Grain 1475 1251 1092 1449 1043 795 n/a n/a 6"
325 Grain 1400 1209 1075 1414 1055 835 0.2 2.3 6"
Molly Carter
Written by
Molly Carter

Customer Reviews

  • Matt said:

    Shot it in my Desert Eagle and it was spot on.

  • Hans said:

    The ammo cycled perfect and shot very very clean!!

  • bkfrompa said:

    High quality ammo from a well-known manufacturer. Consistent feed and powder loading. Price from Ammo.com was best found on the Internet.