.50 Beowulf

The .50 Beowulf  is a rifle cartridge developed by Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms for use in a modified AR-15 rifle.

Design and specifications
The cartridge utilizes a rebated rim, sized to match the rim of the 7.62x39mm and 6.5 mm Grendel rounds. The case body is very similar in dimensions to the .500 S&W Magnum revolver cartridge, being slightly longer and fully tapered for automatic feeding in the weapon.

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.

Design limitations
With normal bullet weights between 300 and 400 gr, overall cartridge length shorter than that of an AR-15 magazine well, and holding to pressures of 33,000 psi limited by the AR bolt strength system, the .50 Beowulf is best described as a low-velocity, heavy caliber, 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. Adaptability is limited due to its use of the 7.62 x 39 bolt face.

Proprietary status
The .50 Beowulf is a proprietary caliber developed as a specialized cartridge and weapon. Alexander Arms oversees all aspects of the production of the system and related accessories. Their reluctance to divulge information has been a source of irritation to some writers.

Sporting uses
Although much has been written about its tactical uses, the .50 Beowulf is gaining recognition as a sporting cartridge. By virtue of its ballistics which are similar or superior to those of the venerable .45-70 Government cartridge it is becoming more widely recognized as being usable for a wide variety of North American game, including deer, moose and black bear.

Similar Cartridges
The cartridge has its lineage in 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.