50 Beowulf and its host

[AbitNutz]

I'm a bit of a 50 caliber fan but I've never had a 50 caliber semi-automatic, with the exception of the recent unpleasantness we keep having in the middle east, and then it was only on loan to me.

Anyway, I'd rather just buy one off the shelf and see how things go from there rather than build it. So how are the Alexander Arms 50 Beowulfs out of the box quality-wise? They seem to be very reasonably priced as far as artillery goes.

Shooting HTC coated cast bullets through a gas gun must be interesting. I should think the port would do a fair job of peeling them.

I don't read or hear of much complaining about them so I'm taking that as a good sign. If anyone has any experience with the Alexander Arms 50 Beowulf rifles, please post it up here. I'm about to pull the trigger on one.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

I got an AA upper a few years ago - 16" tactical with the manticore rail. It runs like a champ and the recoil isn't terrible (no brake, and mine isn't threaded).

I've shot 300gr FTXs, lehigh 420 xtreme penetrators, 500gr XTPs, as well as AA factory 335gr Rainiers. Everything runs without a hitch. Accuracy is ... acceptable, but you're essentially throwing a bus at the target. But everything goes boom every time, and spotting trace, even at 100yds, is easy. It's a hoot on the range.

If I had it to do over again, it would be a tough decision against a 458 SOCOM.

 

[buffalowinter]

Got one for sale, custom built, brand new, test fired only, works perfectly. I beat Alexander Firearms prices, include brass and dies, and don't have a 10-12 week backlog. PM sent

 

[robozebra]

I have one that I haven’t shot in a long time. It’s always done well when I shoot it and reasonably accurate considering what it is. Never had any function issues. Would buy one again.

CWJ

 

[Skg_Mre_Lght]

I have an Alexander Beowulf that shoots fine. I've had to modify feed lips on magazines, including the AlexArms mags (considered the best for Beowulfs) to feed reliably.

All the research I've done pretty much boils down to it being a crap shoot as far as reliability if you don't go with an AA or Tromix upper.

I use it as my dark timber elk and bear gun, and the elk I have shot with it have been within 100 yards ,and drop like they were hit by a bolt of lightning with 350gr XTP handloads.

 

[AbitNutz]

So what's the deal with magazines? I see folks saying that just about everything works, even PMAGS, which sounds absolutely crazy to me. However, on AA's sight is specifically says they won't. I'm sure AA wants you to buy mags from them. Do they actually work better?

I can't imagine anything more frustrating than having one of these giant goobers getting jammed in the works. Is there a key to reliability besides luck of the draw?

Also, is there an upper that includes a dust cover? Not sure I care that much but I can't see what would stop them aside from the fact they don't want to make their own custom cover to cover that gigantic hole.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Loved my beowulf when I had it. Shot like a champ with 350g jhp bullets. I had a hydraulic buffer in it, so not sure what difference that made. All AA magazines worked fine as they came and it cycled good.

 

[AbitNutz]

I notice you don't have a muzzle brake on that rig. Uhm, discretion being the better part of valor and all of that, and it being threaded for one, why didn't you put one on it?

 

[Skg_Mre_Lght]

So what's the deal with magazines? I see folks saying that just about everything works, even PMAGS, which sounds absolutely crazy to me. However, on AA's sight is specifically says they won't. I'm sure AA wants you to buy mags from them. Do they actually work better?

I can't imagine anything more frustrating than having one of these giant goobers getting jammed in the works. Is there a key to reliability besides luck of the draw?

Also, is there an upper that includes a dust cover? Not sure I care that much but I can't see what would stop them aside from the fact they don't want to make their own custom cover to cover that gigantic hole.

Yes the AA mags work better, but I have modified PMags to work good. AA doesn't sell an upper with a dust cover because the ejection port is enlarged to eject the fat case, but I have seen on Arfcom where someone modified an upper to use a dust cover.

The magazine and feeding issues, which are almost always magazine related, just like with a 5.56, are from trying to get a fat stubby round with no taper and shooting blunt bullets through a system designed for little rounds. The key is to get the round to face at more of an upward angle to clear the feed ramps so it doesn't hang up during cycling.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

So what's the deal with magazines? I see folks saying that just about everything works, even PMAGS, which sounds absolutely crazy to me.

I have one AA mag and a box of PMAGs. PMAGs run fine. I've never had to tweak a thing.

I had a hydraulic buffer in it, so not sure what difference that made.

I too used a hydraulic buffer. I think it does make it a little softer on recoil.

I notice you don't have a muzzle brake on that rig. Uhm, discretion being the better part of valor and all of that, and it being threaded for one, why didn't you put one on it?

Because brakes are obnoxious, and the recoil isn't as bad as the noise. Which is worse with a brake. Also note, his is an older one like mine - no threading. Unless you added it to your order (and IIRC it was some oddball thread pitch).

 

[roostercogburn98]

NM

 

[AbitNutz]

Anybody shoot HTC lead bullets? I've got a 325gr NOE HP, no lube groove, gas check that I shoot through my desert Eagle with pretty fair success but that was at 1200 to 1300 fps...not at...more...a lot more.
I generally like HTC coated bullets and have always had good results. I'll try it but I'd like to know if anyone else already has. I worry about clogging up the gas port with plastic.