Good Cheap .50 AE Jacketed Bullets?

Swifty Morgan · March 1, 2020, 07:27 PM

I started looking for .50 AE bullets, and it looks like a lot of them run close to 80 cents each. For that price, I might as well buy ammunition instead.

Are there sources I haven't found yet? I want jacketed bullets, not solid lead.

Schlitz 45 · March 1, 2020, 08:49 PM

I’ve been using Berry’s for my 357, 45ACP, & 45 Colt with great results & I would expect the same from their .50 bullets-just keep them under 2,000 FPS. They have two & they run around 28 cents a piece + shipping.
https://www.berrysmfg.com/product/bp...l-500-350gr-rs

Swifty Morgan · March 2, 2020, 11:47 AM

Thanks. I may try them.

TruthTellers · March 2, 2020, 01:06 PM

Yeah, I think Berry's is about the only option. I was thinking if I ever got a Glock .45 on the cheap and did a .50 GI conversion, I would use their bullets.

It's nice that Berry's makes an affordable .50 caliber pistol bullet, if only they could offer more for .32 caliber revolvers, maybe even some a .308 diameter too so people could have cheaper bullet options if they were loading for 7.62x25 Tok or .32 French Long or if they wanted to play around with some reduced power small game loads for .30 caliber rifles.

**44 AMP** · March 2, 2020, 01:29 PM

I would not recommend using plated bullets in a Desert Eagle.

I don't think the manufacturer would, either, but check with them to be sure.

I once saw a .44 DE turned into a single shot because the owner "knew better" and shot cast bullets. When his gun stopped being a repeater, he couldn't fix it. The gunsmith couldn't fix it, and the gun went back to the maker. They "fixed" it by replacing the barrel assembly, and returned the gun with a bill for that repair. (the cost of the new barrel assembly).

Plated might be the right thing for a revolver but I won't run them in my Desert Eagles.

your call.

T. O'Heir · March 2, 2020, 01:53 PM

Good, cheap and .50 AE generally do not go together. Well, 'cheap and .50 AE' anyway.
You have to look at the number per box too. Usually not 100 due to the size of 'em.
Midway lists 300 grain, polymer flexible tip boat tail, 'factory seconds'(that is not a horrible thing. Means there is a cosmetic flaw. Used Speer, 90 grain, FMJ, .243 second for eons. No fuss. No accuracy issues.) with no mention of what factory, at $24.49 per 50. Same price for 50 HP's, also 'seconds'. Both are a "One time offer" thing though.
50 Hornady 300 grain FTX run $35.99. $31.99 at Graf's.

**Unclenick** · March 2, 2020, 04:27 PM

In theory, there's no reason for them to be more expensive than same-weight bullets for the 45-70 are, but in practice, the market for 50 AE just isn't large enough for prices to be really competitive.

Road_Clam · March 3, 2020, 02:44 PM

.50 AE is pricey no matter how you slice it. When i was researching a Desert Eagle purchase i did all the math, read all the opinions , and when the dust settled i chose a DE in 44 mag. where i already owned a S&W 460 mag the 50 AE made no real practical sense. I shot a gun club buddies .50 AE DE and honestly it only felt slightly more stout of a shooter than my .44 however handloading the .50 was quite a bit more than 44, mainly due to the more obscure .50 brass.

Swifty Morgan · March 3, 2020, 02:49 PM

I already knew .50 AE made no sense. That's why I bought it!

TruthTellers · March 4, 2020, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44 AMP

I would not recommend using plated bullets in a Desert Eagle.

I don't think the manufacturer would, either, but check with them to be sure.

I once saw a .44 DE turned into a single shot because the owner "knew better" and shot cast bullets. When his gun stopped being a repeater, he couldn't fix it. The gunsmith couldn't fix it, and the gun went back to the maker. They "fixed" it by replacing the barrel assembly, and returned the gun with a bill for that repair. (the cost of the new barrel assembly).

Plated might be the right thing for a revolver but I won't run them in my Desert Eagles.

your call.

Berry's specifically states on the page for their .50 caliber bullets the cartridge OAL and velocity for .50 AE and .500 S&W Magnum, thus they're making these specifically for hi pressure, hi velocity handguns.

ATCDoktor · March 4, 2020, 08:39 AM

I have fired many hundreds of Berrys plated Bullets through my DE chambered in 50AE.

I have never had any issues with them.

Pictured here with 10” barrel and bipod attached:

50 yard group fired with Berry’s 350 grain bullet and near max charge of H110:

March 1, 2020, 07:27 PM	#1
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 467	Good Cheap .50 AE Jacketed Bullets? I started looking for .50 AE bullets, and it looks like a lot of them run close to 80 cents each. For that price, I might as well buy ammunition instead. Are there sources I haven't found yet? I want jacketed bullets, not solid lead.

March 2, 2020, 01:06 PM	#4
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,889	Yeah, I think Berry's is about the only option. I was thinking if I ever got a Glock .45 on the cheap and did a .50 GI conversion, I would use their bullets. It's nice that Berry's makes an affordable .50 caliber pistol bullet, if only they could offer more for .32 caliber revolvers, maybe even some a .308 diameter too so people could have cheaper bullet options if they were loading for 7.62x25 Tok or .32 French Long or if they wanted to play around with some reduced power small game loads for .30 caliber rifles. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

March 2, 2020, 01:29 PM	#5
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,860	I would not recommend using plated bullets in a Desert Eagle. I don't think the manufacturer would, either, but check with them to be sure. I once saw a .44 DE turned into a single shot because the owner "knew better" and shot cast bullets. When his gun stopped being a repeater, he couldn't fix it. The gunsmith couldn't fix it, and the gun went back to the maker. They "fixed" it by replacing the barrel assembly, and returned the gun with a bill for that repair. (the cost of the new barrel assembly). Plated might be the right thing for a revolver but I won't run them in my Desert Eagles. your call. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

March 2, 2020, 01:53 PM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Good, cheap and .50 AE generally do not go together. Well, 'cheap and .50 AE' anyway. You have to look at the number per box too. Usually not 100 due to the size of 'em. Midway lists 300 grain, polymer flexible tip boat tail, 'factory seconds'(that is not a horrible thing. Means there is a cosmetic flaw. Used Speer, 90 grain, FMJ, .243 second for eons. No fuss. No accuracy issues.) with no mention of what factory, at $24.49 per 50. Same price for 50 HP's, also 'seconds'. Both are a "One time offer" thing though. 50 Hornady 300 grain FTX run $35.99. $31.99 at Graf's. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

March 2, 2020, 04:27 PM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	In theory, there's no reason for them to be more expensive than same-weight bullets for the 45-70 are, but in practice, the market for 50 AE just isn't large enough for prices to be really competitive. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 1, 2020, 08:49 PM	#2
Schlitz 45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2018 Location: Colorado Posts: 385	I’ve been using Berry’s for my 357, 45ACP, & 45 Colt with great results & I would expect the same from their .50 bullets-just keep them under 2,000 FPS. They have two & they run around 28 cents a piece + shipping. https://www.berrysmfg.com/product/bp...l-500-350gr-rs

March 2, 2020, 11:47 AM	#3
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 467	Thanks. I may try them.

March 3, 2020, 02:44 PM	#8
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,695	.50 AE is pricey no matter how you slice it. When i was researching a Desert Eagle purchase i did all the math, read all the opinions , and when the dust settled i chose a DE in 44 mag. where i already owned a S&W 460 mag the 50 AE made no real practical sense. I shot a gun club buddies .50 AE DE and honestly it only felt slightly more stout of a shooter than my .44 however handloading the .50 was quite a bit more than 44, mainly due to the more obscure .50 brass. __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

March 3, 2020, 02:49 PM	#9
Swifty Morgan Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2018 Location: FL Posts: 467	I already knew .50 AE made no sense. That's why I bought it! __________________ People who think their guns shoot better than they do must not be shooting much rimfire.

March 4, 2020, 08:39 AM	#11
ATCDoktor Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Posts: 172	I have fired many hundreds of Berrys plated Bullets through my DE chambered in 50AE. I have never had any issues with them. Pictured here with 10” barrel and bipod attached: 50 yard group fired with Berry’s 350 grain bullet and near max charge of H110: