The .50 Action Express cartridge, typically loaded with a jacketed hollow-point or full metal jacket projectile, is a powerful round designed for semi-automatic pistols. Chambered in firearms like the Magnum Research Desert Eagle, this ammunition offers significant stopping power. For instance, a common loading might feature a 300-grain bullet propelled to velocities exceeding 1,500 feet per second. This combination results in considerable energy transfer upon impact.
This high level of ballistic performance has made the .50 Action Express a popular choice among certain shooting enthusiasts and hunters seeking effective terminal performance on medium-sized game. Its development addressed a demand for a powerful handgun cartridge for hunting and self-defense, though its recoil and size limit practical carry for most. Historically, it represented a significant advancement in semi-automatic handgun cartridge power.