[megatronrules]

Im in the market for a .50AE Desert Eagle. If I can get one,I have to start reloading for it. The only ammo I can find comes out to $1.05 a bullet. Not cheap at all. Is there a big difference in reloading this round versus buying 20 rounds at a time? Thanks.

[jjmorgan64]

I load for my cousins 50 DE

Yes you can save substantially, the only bullets available are speer's 300 and 325 gran bullets, $15-20 per 50

I use 2400 for mild loads and h110 for boomers

You can't use cast bullets in a DE due to the gas system, so I've heard.

Basically I figure i've cut the cost in half, but i've never done the exact math on it.

[Steve Smith]

Seems like you could use a gas check and a good hard cast bullet and still use lead. Am I wrong?

[jjmorgan64]

Steve, That is what I was thinking, i am simply taking the word of the folks over at http://pub64.ezboard.com/bthedeserteagle

were it my gun I would throw lead and just clean it well, but I'm a little more leary about his, my cousin, cleaning habits.

If anybody is shooting lead please let me know

[jjmorgan64]

Just checked my Speer #13 manual, it also states "Lead bullets should not be used in the Desert eagle because lead and bullet lube residue can clog the gas system."

of course there mold for the 50 isn't gas checked.

[jjmorgan64]

Me again,

Just talked to rainier bullets, they are making a 340 grain plated bullet in flat point and hollow point for the 50 ae.

And their sending me a free sample of both:D

[Porter Rockwell]

Hello, the DE has no provision/access to clean the gas system once you've welded everything up with lead residue.
I experimented with gas checks and cast bullets in the gas operated Wildey (which can be cleaned anyway) with lousy results.
Powders best suited for the DE in .50ae are AA-7, AA-9 and H-110/WW-296
FYI, the local wallyworld has the Speer GDs for $9.99 per 50
My biggest beef in reloading the AE is the price of carbide dies, I bought the cheaper dies and have to tumble the case lube off.

[Trisha]

Gas system aside, with the polyogonal rifling, lead is a bad idea (I don't reload with lead bullets for my G21 or my HK USPc). Ditto for plated bullets - go with jacketed, and remember, many soft-points will give trouble feeding.

Also - brass used in a Desert Eagle likely will NOT fire in a revolver even after resizing! (Yes, I only have experience with the .44mag, not the .50ae)

Trisha

[Porter Rockwell]

Hello!
Could you explain what the reloading problems were with the .44s?
BTW range brass hasn't been a problem in the .50ae for me using the standard RCBS dies.

[coonan357]

I know the .44 and the .357 mag DE's leave a lump on the sides of the cartridge like it was shot out of a glock ( unsupported ramp?? ) I had to pitch a bunch of these shells even after I resized them the buldge wouldn't press out . the >50 Ae should be easier since it doesn't have the rimmed base like the others

[Bruce H]

I figured the whole cost up once. Useing new Starline brass, Speer 325 JHP, CCI primers, Win.296, The first cost was .69 cents a round. Things are a hoot to shoot. Really picky about leaving case lube on the cases. Keep the ammo clean and keep the chamber clean they will work just fine. Load everything to full power. They don't like squibs.

[griz]

Your Wal-Mart sells components!?!?!

I might have to move.:D

[Porter Rockwell]

Wally World sure does sell components as well as guns here in Alaska!
Plenty of room in a state over three times larger than Texas and only 600,000 folks!

[jjmorgan64]

The 50 ae DE's are very easy on brass, no lumps no pressure sighns on very stout loads.

[1badmagnum]

my 50 ae loads average about 35 cents a piece.20 cents per bullet,10 cents for powder,and I figure a few cents for primer and brass,considering brass runs about $25 per hundred but can be used at least 20 times each.
starline 50 ae is some stout stuff.
44 magnum rounds are much cheaper because of the cheaper bullets,10 cents each.