.50 B&M Alaskan (in a custom Marlin New Model 1895)

.50 B&M Alaskan (In a Custom Marlin New Model 1895)

The .50 B&M Alaskan is a modern large-bore cartridge developed specifically for hunters seeking extreme stopping power from compact rifles. Designed by Bill and Marshall Jones of B&M Rifles, the cartridge was created to deliver heavy .50-caliber performance in practical hunting platforms while maintaining reliable feeding and manageable overall rifle dimensions. Although the cartridge is commonly associated with bolt-action rifles, custom builders have successfully chambered it in strengthened lever-action platforms such as the Marlin New Model 1895, creating an exceptionally powerful and compact hunting rifle.

The cartridge is based on a shortened Winchester Short Magnum case necked up to accept .500-inch bullets. This design allows the .50 B&M Alaskan to produce substantial energy while functioning efficiently in shorter rifle actions. Typical loads use bullets weighing between 400 and 500 grains, with many hunting loads reaching velocities from approximately 2,000 to over 2,300 feet per second depending on bullet weight and barrel length. These performance levels place the cartridge among the most powerful modern medium-length .50-caliber sporting rounds available.

When chambered in a custom Marlin New Model 1895, the .50 B&M Alaskan creates a unique combination of traditional lever-action handling and modern heavy-caliber performance. Gunsmiths performing these conversions often reinforce internal components, modify feeding systems, and install upgraded barrels capable of safely handling the cartridge’s pressure and recoil. The result is a compact rifle designed primarily for close-range hunting of large and dangerous game such as brown bear, bison, and large African species.

Heavy hard-cast bullets are especially popular in the .50 B&M Alaskan because of their ability to penetrate deeply through dense muscle and heavy bone. Jacketed soft-point and monolithic solid bullets are also commonly used for hunting applications where controlled expansion or maximum penetration is required. Powders such as H-4198, Reloder 7, and Accurate 1680 are frequently selected by handloaders due to their ability to produce strong velocity and consistent pressures in large-bore cartridges of this size.

Recoil from the .50 B&M Alaskan is extremely heavy, particularly in lightweight lever-action rifles. However, enthusiasts appreciate the cartridge for its remarkable power, compact rifle platforms, and unique combination of modern ballistic performance with classic lever-action styling. Custom rifles chambered for the cartridge remain relatively rare, but they have developed a strong following among big-bore hunters and firearm enthusiasts who value authority and reliability in demanding hunting environments.

Source: Wolfe Publishing — Handloader Issue #310 – October 2017