50 Action Express Ammo For Sale Online At Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo

If you’ve ever wanted a true “big-bore” handgun round that hits hard and turns heads at the range, 50 AE ammo for sale at Smoky Mountains Guns and Ammo is the kind of listing you bookmark. When I buy 50 AE, I’m not chasing “cheap.” I’m chasing confidence, reliable ignition, consistent cycling, and clean performance that makes every box worth it. That’s why I like shopping at Smokymountainsgunsandammo.com: it’s a straightforward place to find 50 action express ammo in bulk quantities, compare loads, and stock up when 50 AE ammo in stock pops up.

With 50 AE ammo for sale, you can shop smarter by matching the load to your goal:

• FMJ for range sessions and function testing

• JHP for expansion-focused performance

• Heavy or specialty loads for deeper penetration and hunting-style use

If you plan to shoot more and stress less, buying in bulk also helps you stay on one lot longer, which keeps performance more consistent.

What Is 50 AE Ammo?

50 AE ammo for sale (also called .50 Action Express) is a powerful handgun cartridge best known for the Desert Eagle. It fires a .500-inch bullet and is built to deliver high energy from a semi-auto platform. In simple terms, it’s a large handgun round designed for shooters who want maximum impact, heavy recoil, and serious downrange authority.

A few quick facts that help explain what you’re buying:

• It’s a big-bore pistol cartridge with strong recoil and loud report.

• It’s commonly used for range shooting, handgun hunting, and “once-in-a-lifetime” fun sessions.

• It’s not a casual plinking round for most budgets, but it delivers a unique experience.

History

The .50 Action Express story starts in the late 1980s, when designers pushed semi-auto pistol power further than most people thought practical. It was developed in 1988 by Evan Whildin (Action Arms). The goal was to create a high-power pistol cartridge that could run in platforms like the Desert Eagle with smart engineering choices.

That “smart choice” is what makes the history fun: Whildin’s concept kept key dimensions close to .44 Magnum, then used a rebated rim approach. This helped simplify conversion in some platforms with a barrel change.

Types of 50 Action Express ammunition

Most buyers think “big hollow point,” but 50 AE ammunition comes in several practical variants:

• FMJ and FMJ-FN (range and penetration)

FMJ is a common choice for training. It tends to feed smoothly and keeps costs lower than premium hunting loads. Underwood, for example, offers a 300gr FMJ load with published velocity specs.

• JHP (controlled expansion)

Jacketed hollow points aim for expansion and energy transfer. Hornady’s 300gr XTP is one of the most referenced .50 AE loads because the data is clear and consistent.

• Flat point / RNFP (stable feeding, straight-line performance)

Flat-point profiles can support predictable penetration and reliable feeding in compatible guns. Some manufacturers market RNFP specifically for controlled penetration.

• Heavy hunting and deep-penetration loads

Buffalo Bore publishes multiple .50 AE loads and velocity figures from test guns, including heavier bullet options aimed at deeper penetration.

Specifications of the 50 AE ammo

Here are the core specs shooters compare when selecting 50 AE cartridges:

• Bullet diameter: .500 in

• Case length: 1.285 in

• Overall length: ~1.610 in

• Primer: Large pistol

• Max average pressure (SAAMI): ~36,000 psi

These numbers matter because they affect feeding, chamber fit, and performance consistency across brands.

Design of the ammunition

The design headline is the rebated rim. In plain terms, the rim is smaller than the case body. That design supported compatibility goals and helped the cartridge run in high-power semi-auto platforms. It also helped enable certain conversion concepts that didn’t require a full redesign of the firearm’s bolt face.

What is 50 AE ammo used for?

Most owners use 50 AE rounds for three reasons:

1. Handgun hunting (where legal and ethical).

2. Metallic silhouette shooting and long-range handgun fun.

3. Backcountry defense is a specialty option for large predators.

It is not a “casual plinking” caliber for most budgets. Still, it fills a real niche.

Best 50 Action Express ammo

“Best” depends on the job. Here are practical, buyer-focused picks based on published specs and common use:

• Best all-around premium JHP

Hornady 50 AE 300gr XTP
Hornady publishes clear velocity and energy numbers, including downrange data. That transparency builds trust when you’re buying in bulk.

• Best for range training (FMJ)

Underwood 300gr FMJ
FMJ loads often make the most sense for volume shooting. Underwood lists velocity for this cartridge line, and major retailers list consistent product specs.

• Best for deep-penetration hunting-focused setups

Buffalo Bore .50 AE loads (various bullet weights)
Buffalo Bore publishes test velocities and offers heavier options designed for penetration.

50 AE ammo box of 500

A “50 ae ammo box of 500” usually means a bulk pack or case quantity. Many .50 AE products ship 20 rounds per box. If you want 500 rounds, that often works out to 25 boxes of 20 (packaging can vary by brand). Hornady and major retailers commonly list .50 AE as 20/box.

Bulk buying matters with .50 AE because you reduce the chance of mixed lots. You also keep your training schedule steady.

50 Action Express ammo ballistics

Below is a clean, “snippable” look at common published ballistics.

Ballistics table (example published loads)

These numbers show why 50 Action Express ammo feels so different. Energy stays high even as distance grows.

50 AE ammo Hornady

Hornady’s Custom line in .50 AE 300gr XTP is a standout because it comes with transparent, published data at multiple distances. Hornady lists 1475 fps and 1449 ft-lbs at the muzzle from a 6″ test barrel.

If you want a premium JHP that many shooters recognize immediately, Hornady is an easy “trust pick.”

.50 AE ammo price per round 2025

Prices move fast, especially for specialty calibers. Still, here is what the current 2025 market tracking and live listings suggest:

• Price trackers observed .50 AE around $1.28 per round during a February 2025 move (market-trend view).

• Live aggregators show listings that can start near $1.50/rd depending on brand, bullet, and shipping.

• Major retailers may list higher per-round pricing for certain branded loads (example shown at $3.15/rd on a retailer listing).

Practical takeaway: buy in bulk when the price and brand match your plan. Bulk buying also helps stabilize your cost per session.

50 AE ammo vs 9mm

This is a “power versus efficiency” comparison.

Energy comparison (published examples)

• .50 AE (Hornady 300gr XTP): 1449 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

• 9mm (Hornady 124gr XTP): 339 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

That gap explains the recoil, the blast, and the cost. It also explains why 9mm dominates training volume.

Recoil reality

Smokymountainsgunsandammo.com’s comparison highlights how recoil can differ dramatically in common scenarios, with .50 AE producing far more free recoil energy than 9mm.

If you want fast follow-up shots, 9mm wins. If you want maximum handgun thump, .50 AE owns the conversation.

Magnum Research 50 AE ammo

Magnum Research has branded .50 AE ammunition listed through major retailers, often in 300-grain JHP configurations and 20-round boxes.

Many buyers like pairing “platform brand” ammo with the platform itself, especially for initial function testing.

50 AE ammo brand

When shoppers ask me what brands to trust for 50 AE ammunition, I point them to manufacturers that publish clear specs and have consistent distribution:

• Hornady (XTP loads with published downrange data).

• Underwood (high-performance options, FMJ, and specialty).

• Buffalo Bore (heavy-hitting, hunting-oriented options).

• Magnum Research (branded .50 AE listings).

Match the brand to the job. Then match the job to your budget.

Desert Eagle 50 AE ammo

Desert Eagle 50 AE ammo is simply .50 Action Express ammunition that runs in Desert Eagle pistols chambered for .50 AE. The cartridge uses a .500-inch bullet, a straight-walled case, and a rebated rim design. It was developed in 1988 and became famous through the Desert Eagle platform.

The round is powerful by handgun standards. SAAMI lists the maximum average pressure for .50 AE around 36,000 psi.

Why the Desert Eagle platform matters

The Desert Eagle Mark XIX is gas-operated, which is unusual for handguns. It also carries 7 rounds in .50 AE. That gives you real capability, but it also means ammo consistency matters.

The pistol itself is heavy. Magnum Research lists the Mark XIX at around 72 ounces (empty magazine). That weight helps manage recoil.

Where to buy 50 AE Ammo online?

If you want 50 AE ammo for sale in stock without chasing scattered listings, shop like a bulk buyer:

• Choose the bullet style first (FMJ, JHP, flat point).

• Decide your round count goal (200, 500, or more).

• Buy enough to avoid constant re-zero and lot changes.

For a bulk-minded, shooter-first experience, check Smokymountainsgunsandammo.com for 50 AE ammo for sale and bulk quantity options. Use their inventory filters to quickly compare 50 action express ammo loads by brand, bullet weight, and case quantity.

FAQ (inspired by common “People also ask” style queries)

• Is .50 AE the same as “50 AE”?

Yes. “.50 AE” and “50 AE” refer to .50 Action Express.

• What gun is the .50 AE most famous for?

The Desert Eagle is the most recognized platform for .50 AE.

• How many rounds come in a box of .50 AE?

Many loads list 20 rounds per box, depending on the brand.

• Is 50 AE ammo good for hunting?

It can be, when legal and used responsibly. It is often discussed for handgun hunting and silhouette shooting.

• How powerful is .50 AE compared with 9mm?

Published examples show .50 AE can deliver far higher muzzle energy than common 9mm loads.

• What is a good “first” .50 AE load to try?

Many shooters start with a known, published-spec load like Hornady 300gr XTP for consistent baseline testing.

• What is the typical 2025 price per round for .50 AE?

Market trackers and live aggregators show pricing that often sits around the low-to-mid dollars per round, depending on brand and shipping.

• What does “rebated rim” mean on .50 AE?

It means the rim diameter is smaller than the case body. That design supports feeding and platform compatibility goals.