| .50 Beowulf | ||
|---|---|---|
5.56 mm compared to .50 Beowulf cartridges. |
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| Type | Rifle | |
| Place of origin | United States | |
| Production history | ||
| Designed | 2001 | |
| Produced | 2001 | |
| Specifications | ||
| Parent case | .50 Action Express | |
| Case type | Rebated rim, straight | |
| Bullet diameter | .500 in (12.7 mm) | |
| Neck diameter | .525 in (13.3 mm) | |
| Base diameter | .535 in (13.6 mm) | |
| Rim diameter | .445 in (11.3 mm) | |
| Case length | 1.65 in (42 mm) | |
| Overall length | 2.125 in (54.0 mm) | |
| Primer type | Large pistol magnum | |
| Ballistic performance | ||
| Bullet weight/type | Velocity | Energy |
| 300 gr (19 g) Speer Gold Dot | 1,870 ft/s (570 m/s) | 2,330 ft·lbf (3,160 J) |
| 325 gr (21.1 g) Speer HP | 2,010 ft/s (610 m/s) | 2,916 ft·lbf (3,954 J) |
| 334 gr (21.6 g) Rainer FMJ | 1,980 ft/s (600 m/s) | 2,908 ft·lbf (3,943 J) |
| 334 gr (21.6 g) Rainer HP | 1,980 ft/s (600 m/s) | 2,908 ft·lbf (3,943 J) |
| 400 gr (26 g) Hawk JSP | 1,875 ft/s (572 m/s) | 3,123 ft·lbf (4,234 J) |
| Test barrel length: 24 Source(s): Alexander Arms |
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The .50 Beowulf [12.7×42 mm Rb] is a rifle cartridge developed by Alexander Arms for use in a modified AR-15 rifle. The cartridge utilizes a rebated rim, sized to match the rim of the 7.62×39mm and 6.5 mm Grendel rounds. It is very similar in dimensions to the .500 S&W Magnum revolver cartridge.
According to the manufacturer, it was descended from the .50 Action Express, a cartridge originally developed for the Magnum Research Desert Eagle pistol, with significant modification to improve functionality and safety in the AR-15 platform.[1]
The round is intended to improve stopping power greatly at short-to-medium range as compared to the standard 5.56×45mm NATO round. One of its advertised uses is at vehicle checkpoints, since the heavy bullet's flight path is not easily deflected by auto glass or standard vehicle body panels.
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With normal bullet weights between 300 and 400 grains (19 and 26 g), overall cartridge length shorter than that of an AR-15 magazine well, and holding to pressures limited by the AR gas system, the .50 Beowulf remains at best a medium-powered cartridge. Alexander Arms uses gas ports adjusted for a pressure of 15,000 PSI, making its ballistics roughly equivalent to those of early .45-70 Government rounds rather than the higher pressure rounds tolerated by modern lever action rifles such as the Marlin Model 1895. [2]
The .50 Beowulf is a proprietary caliber and its manufacturer controls the distribution process of its ammunition and components. This has resulted in supply bottlenecks.[2]