Went today and found a new FA in 50AE (but I don't see that on their website)for what seemed like a good price. Now I'm thinking about how I can make it happen. ugh!

what website are you talking about? the 50ae was one of earliest cartridges fa chambered along with the 454.

All I did was glance quickly at FA's website and saw the Wyoming Express.

I had a Freedom Arms Model 555 50AE. The gun was great. I had a field grade w/ a 7.5" barrel. Freedom Arms no longer produces the 50 AE, but can recamber the cylinder to 500 Wyoming Express.

c'mon guys this is the handgun hunting forum. How does this belong? Moderators...?????

Darned if I can see how it doesn't belong...just as any other discusssion of handguns used for hunting, that appear here frequently.
Two points: The .50 AE cylinder CANNOT be rechambered to .500WE -the base of the tapered .50AE is already too large to allow it. A second cylinder must be fitted to the gun.
Secondly, although FA dropped the AE for a couple of years, they have been furnishing it again for about 2 years as a second cylinder for revolvers chambered for the .500 Wyoming Express (WE).
I've used both cartridges in FA's on game as large as bison, and they performed well. The AE presents some special reloading problems because of the tapered rimless case that headspaces on the mouth, but these potential bullet back-out problems can be overcome by downloading it a bit. I load my WE's significantly heavier than the AE, although the case capacity is essentially the same, because the WE allows roll crimping, due to headspacing on the belt.

Runngun... I think he is talking about a handgun bro...


I could be way of, it would be the first time... LOL, But I Think the firearm in question looks something like this...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=178515264

500WE... my computer must be slower than yours... LOL

Sorry 500WE about the cylinder info, you're right, you must use a new cylinder. I checked the Dec. 2005 Sixgunner and you're exactly right. Good article on the round in that issue Ken.

Franchise- thanks for backing me up. I thought I was going crazy. lol
500WE- thanks for the info.
TCMAN- that's the gun but it has a more dull finish
The sales guy said it is a new gun but has been there a while.

What is or was the parent case for the 500WE???

It is prototype, designed by FA with a belt for headspacing due to the cylinder diameter in relation to the case head diameter.

Thanks Gregg!

The 500 WE really isn't a prototype any more, perhaps you mean proprietary? The 500 WE isn't based off of another "parent" case.

Yes, thanks Gary, for the correct lingo...