Traditional sporting bullets
Flat-nose, round-nose, and soft-point designs remain important in these cartridge families. For tubular magazines, use ammunition specifically approved by the manufacturer.
THE CARTRIDGE LIBRARY · LARGE-BORE CENTERFIRE
.50 Beowulf
Alexander Arms' large-bore cartridge uses its own case and cartridge dimensions. Its name identifies a particular commercial cartridge, rather than every .50-caliber sporting load.
2A Ledger reference desk · Sources checked October 18, 2026
Bullet diameter · reference0.500 in12.700 mm
Case length · min–max1.644–1.655 in41.758–42.037 mm
Know the exact name
At a glance
- Cartridge family
- Large-bore centerfire
- Bullet specification
- 0.5000 in / 12.700 mmReference bullet Ø
- Factory examples
- 1 loadsSelected, sourced examples below
- Weight in cited examples
- 300 grGrains measure mass, not powder charge
.50 Beowulf is identified by its complete cartridge designation. The resource-table alternative is Beowulf. A caliber number, bullet diameter, or family resemblance on its own does not identify ammunition compatibility.
Do not substitute .50 Action Express or other .50-caliber ammunition based on bullet diameter.
Manufacturer reference; no SAAMI maximum is claimed.
Dimensions: open the named cartridge reference ↗. The displayed number is reference bullet ø, rather than an assertion that every manufactured projectile or barrel has this exact diameter.
Origins & evolution
Background & development
Bill Alexander introduced the .50 Beowulf in 2001 as a large-bore cartridge for the AR-15. Its strongly rebated rim accommodated a broad case body within that compact rifle system. The name came from the Old English epic, a theme continued by the later 6.5 Grendel.
Alexander Arms subsequently emphasized sporting use in its own account of the cartridge’s role. The Beowulf belongs to the early commercial wave of big-bore AR cartridges, pursuing a different purpose from the small, high-velocity ammunition usually associated with the platform.
Historical sources: Alexander Arms: Beowulf purpose and development context ↗ · American Rifleman: original Beowulf evaluation and introduction history ↗
Construction changes the story
Loads, variations & specialty offerings
Purpose-built modern loads
Flexible tips, bonded bullets, monolithic expanding bullets, and solids have different functions. A similar exterior shape or shared diameter does not establish equivalent behavior.
Firearm-specific ammunition
Some older cartridge families span firearms with very different operating limits. Keep any product restrictions with the ammunition record and use only loads authorized for that firearm.
In the cited .50 Beowulf examples, bullet weights are 300 grains. These are the weights actually present in this source selection, not a claim that every possible loading is listed.
Bullet construction background: Hornady: anatomy of a bullet ↗. Exact product descriptions and velocities are cited in the factory table.
From the factory catalog
300 grains
1,793 fps
FTX
Compare all 1 cited factory load records
| Maker / product | Bullet mass | Published construction | Muzzle velocity | Test barrel | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Arms300 FTX test | 300 gr 19.44 g | FTX | 1,793 fps 547 m/s | 16 in | Alexander Arms ↗ |
Explore the published data
Ballistics you can inspect
What can be plotted reliably?
The sources checked for this guide do not provide a comparable barrel-length series. A single factory muzzle-velocity specification does not establish a velocity curve. The factory records and any missing test conditions are identified below.
An estimate needs an anchor and a defensible method. No curve has been invented from bullet diameter or from another cartridge’s name.
How to interpret the comparison
Changing bullet weight also often changes bullet design and propellant choice. Two curves are comparisons of the listed products, not a controlled experiment proving that bullet weight alone caused the difference. Catalog downrange points are projections under the maker’s conditions; barrel-study points are recorded observations in the study firearm.
Direct answers
Common questions
What is .50 Beowulf?
Alexander Arms' large-bore cartridge uses its own case and cartridge dimensions. Its name identifies a particular commercial cartridge, rather than every .50-caliber sporting load.
What diameter does .50 Beowulf use?
The named identification reference gives 0.5000 inches (12.700 mm), reference bullet ø. This reference value is different from a casual caliber nickname.
Are similarly named cartridges interchangeable?
Do not substitute .50 Action Express or other .50-caliber ammunition based on bullet diameter.
Are the graph values measured or estimated?
This guide has no supported multi-point graph in the sources reviewed. Its factory specifications and source links are shown in the load section.
Does higher energy mean the best load?
Energy is calculated from mass and velocity. It does not establish accuracy, expansion, penetration, pattern density, recoil, or suitability for a particular firearm. Use the exact product documentation and firearm manual.
Trace the facts
Sources & methodology
Compiled by 2A Ledger from the linked standards, manufacturer publications, and identified test records. Checked October 18, 2026. Historical tests and older catalogs retain their original dates; a listing here does not establish current availability.
- Alexander Arms: cartridge identification reference · PDF p. 1 ↗
- Alexander Arms: .50 Beowulf background ↗
- Alexander Arms ↗
- American Rifleman: original Beowulf evaluation and introduction history ↗
Diameter figures preserve the cited drawing convention. Inch–millimeter conversion uses exactly 25.4 mm per inch. Factory specifications describe the maker’s test setup; your firearm, ammunition lot, temperature, and measuring method can produce different results. This is an educational factory-ammunition reference, not a reloading manual.