The 44 Magnum and the 50 Action Express are two powerful handgun cartridges that have gained popularity among hunters, shooters, and handgun enthusiasts alike. Both cartridges have a reputation for producing a lot of stopping power and are among the largest pistol calibers produced. So it would only be right to compare them to see which is better.
Here is the short answer:
The 44 Magnum has less energy, however, it is more popular lighter, and therefore more packable when in bear country, and is cheaper. The 50 AE, on the other hand, has more power and is therefore better for hunting large game like elk where the extra power is needed.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge, their ballistics, and see how they compare in-depth.
An In-depth Look at the 44 Magnum
The 44 Magnum was first introduced in 1955 and is based on the 44 Special case but with a longer, stronger case and a higher maximum pressure making it a cartridge that is ballistically superior to its parent. Even though this cartridge was initially designed for use in revolvers, it has over time been adapted for use in some semi-automatic pistols and various models of rifle actions.
The 44 Magnum has a bullet diameter of .429 inches and a maximum average pressure of 36,000 psi. It is available with bullet weights ranging from 180 grains to 300 grains with all kinds of bullets available from jacketed hollow points to lead soilds. The cartridge’s typical muzzle velocity is around 1,200-1,400 feet per second, depending on the bullet weight and powder charge.
The 44 Magnum has excellent stopping power and is commonly used for hunting medium-sized game such as deer but has seen some use for elk hunting. Additionally, this cartridge is considered to be the most ideal grizzly bear defense cartridge as it has enough energy to reliably stop a charging bear whilst not being too heavy to carry.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 44 Magnum with a 240-grain soft point:
| RANGE (YD) | DROP (IN) | WIND DRIFT (IN) | VELOCITY (FPS) | ENERGY (FT-LB) |
| 0 | -0.9 | 0 | 1230 | 806 |
| 25 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1169 | 729 |
| 50 | 0 | 1.1 | 1117 | 665 |
| 75 | -2.1 | 2.4 | 1073 | 613 |
| 100 | -6.1 | 4.2 | 1035 | 571 |
| 125 | -12 | 6.5 | 1003 | 536 |
| 150 | -20.1 | 9.1 | 974 | 505 |
| 175 | -30.6 | 12.1 | 948 | 479 |
| 200 | -43.4 | 15.5 | 925 | 455 |
An In-depth Look at the .50 Action Express
The 50 Action Express was developed in the late 1980s and was made to have a large caliber handgun round that could be fired from a semiautomatic platform. The semi-automatic pistol this was chambered for was the famous Magnum Research in their Desert Eagle pistol.
The 50 AE has a bullet diameter of .500 inches and a maximum average pressure of 36,000 psi. It is available with bullet weights ranging from 300 grains to 350 grains. The cartridge’s typical muzzle velocity is around 1,300-1,500 feet per second, depending on the bullet weight and powder charge.
The 50 AE is a potent cartridge that is ideally suited for hunting of larger game animals such as bear, moose, and elk. However, before using this cartridge you must consider its weight and the fact that it is hard to find ammo or pistols chambered in this round.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 50 AE with a 300-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -0.9 | 0 | 1550 | 1600 |
| 25 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1451 | 1402 |
| 50 | 0 | 1.1 | 1361 | 1233 |
| 75 | -1.2 | 2.7 | 1278 | 1088 |
| 100 | -3.8 | 4.8 | 1205 | 967 |
| 125 | -7.9 | 7.5 | 1142 | 869 |
| 150 | -13.6 | 10.8 | 1090 | 791 |
| 175 | -21.1 | 14.7 | 1046 | 729 |
| 200 | -30.6 | 19 | 1009 | 679 |
An In-depth Comparison
When comparing the 44 Magnum and 50 AE cartridges, several factors come into play. First, the 50 AE is a larger cartridge than the 44 Magnum, both in terms of bullet diameter and case size. This results in the 50 AE producing significantly more muzzle energy than the 44 Magnum, making it better suited for taking down larger game animals.
However, the 50 AE’s increased power comes at a cost. The cartridge produces significantly more recoil and muzzle blast than the 44 Magnum, making it more challenging to shoot accurately and quickly.
Another thing to consider is that the 50 AE is a more expensive cartridge and is harder to find than the 44 Magnum. So those who are planing on shooting often may want to shy away from the 50 AE and lean towards the 44 Magnum
Conclusion
Both the 44 Magnum and the 50 AE are two powerful pistol rounds but they are for different tasks. The 44 Magnum is better for those who are going to be at the shooting range for a long time or need a packable handgun for a hunt or for bear defense. The 50 AE is for those who want a more powerful cartridge or are hunting larger game like elk.