.50 Action Express
Pure spectacle — enormous muzzle blast, ammo north of two dollars a round, and a grin on everyone at the range when the Eagle comes out.
Family
Handgun
Introduced
1988
Origin
Evan Whildin, Action Arms, USA/Israel
History
Evan Whildin of Action Arms developed the .50 AE around 1988 as the ultimate chambering for the Magnum Research Desert Eagle. Its rebated rim let the huge case work in the Eagle's gas-operated action. Movie fame made the .50-caliber Desert Eagle one of the most recognizable handguns in the world.
What it's used for
Iconic platforms
The Magnum Research Desert Eagle, almost exclusively.
Common load types
Jacketed hollow point and jacketed soft point.
Reference only — not loading data, not ballistics advice, and KitID links to no ammunition sellers. Know your local law before you buy anything that goes bang.