Need help ! trying to find more info on the .50 Beowulf.Has anyone had any experiance with this round.Would like any info i can get.The Alexander Arms web site does'nt give much info.
This seems like a great way to turn my AR into a better deer gun.I've used it a few times with 60gr. par.and never had any problems, but always uneasy and very particular with shot placement,Ihave let a couple walk cause i couldnt get both lungs.

I have a handfull of loaded rounds. Short & sweet! I think the bullets are 300 gr and run at about 2000 ft/sec. Extremely rebated rim to fit a .223 bolt face. Was thinking of chambering one up in a short bolt action for a close range dark timber elk rifle.

Its not a true 50 as we think, bullet diameter is 0.499", so obtaining correct bullets (and barrels!!) will be a problem until this cartridge becomes more popular.

Most of the data mentions 325 gr and 400 gr bullets; 400 at 1800 and 325 at 2000. Basically, it's a semiauto 45/70 class. For some reason, the actual factory loads I have seen in the stores are 300 grain. I suspect they made this change for recoil. That's a pretty low sectional density for a 50 caliber. The bullet issue what concerns me. Alexander Arms says the bullet is a true 50 (.500). I don't know of any bullets of this diameter. Several people list bullets for the round, but they are all Alexander dealers. I suspect Alexander arms went with this size to be proprietary and insure themselves all the ammo and component sales. I would be really uncomfortable with this situation. The round made for a normal 50 caliber bullet and barrel would be much more interesting.

Jim Brockman offers a small bolt action (I believe base on a CZ 527) in this chambering that weighs 6.4 punds with a scope and holds four in the magazine.

By the way, the correct bolt head size is 7.62x39, not the .223.

Have played with one for about 2 mo's now, it is impressive,it seems to be nothing more than the 458SOCOM opened up to the 50 cal range,according to A.Arms you have to modifiy the feed lips on the mag's, were you don't with the SOCOM round,Brockman's bolt gun looks like it makes more sense for the 50 round,it appears to be based on the 7.62x39 bolt face and the 458 is on the 223,both are great fun to shoot,if you check out the Trimox site it will give you more info on the 458, the Bewolf is some what cheaper on the pocket book, if you have a lower already,have not shot anything breathing with as of yet but on the run and gun course it is a little harder to keep on target, due to recoil doubles are not as quick,but this is with both rounds,
To me the 458 makes more sense, as you have a wider range of slugs to load it with,

I just did some surfing and discovered a little. There are basically three of these proprietary rounds which are similar; the Beowolf, the 458 SOCOM and the (I believe) 499 LW. They are all based on the .50 AE pistol cartridge which has been lengthened. Apparently the .499 bullet was used in the Beowolf because that is the diameter of the .50 AE. Significantly, one of the manufacturers made a comment on another board that, because they were based on the 50AE case, they were all limited by brass as to chamber pressure.

So, bottom line looks like they are all good solutions to the power problem in their target market, but due to pressure limits and bullet selection, would have limited sporting or handloading potential.

One other thing I forgot to mention. The new S&W 500 magnum revolver cartridge also uses a .499-.500 bullet. The common thread here is that CorBon loads and is responsible for all the ammo mentioned in this thread. It may be that CorBon and not Alexander is the one interested in maintaining a monopoly.

Their loading data is available with their dies. If you have a set, they'll give you the loading data. Send me a PM if you're interested in a Beowulf, I can get you a good deal on one.