Does anyone load for their Desert Eagle (.44 Mag) using Unique? I have seen some generic .44 Mag loads listed for 8-9 grains of Unique but these are for lead bullets. Can lead loading data be used interchangeably with FMJ bullets of the same weight? I have never reloaded .44s or used LRNs (which can't be used in the Desert Eagle) hence the questions.
Desert Eagle Loads With Unique
- Thread starter Havok7416
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The guns gas system is tuned for full power Mag loads using slower burning W-296/H110/2400 type powers with jacketed bullets.
It is doubtful Unique would give the correct pressure curve to operate the action with mid-range or full pressure lead loads.
Plus, you don't want leading in the gas system either, probably.
rc
It is doubtful Unique would give the correct pressure curve to operate the action with mid-range or full pressure lead loads.
Plus, you don't want leading in the gas system either, probably.
rc
JLDickmon
Member
yeah, it's best to only use jacketed bullets and fairly full power loads..
I say that because IIRC, Desert Eagle made a running change in the pistol way back in the '90's (one of the guys that works for me had one, and I remember it getting "recalled") and one of the disclaimers that came back with the pistol said not to use reduced loads..
I say that because IIRC, Desert Eagle made a running change in the pistol way back in the '90's (one of the guys that works for me had one, and I remember it getting "recalled") and one of the disclaimers that came back with the pistol said not to use reduced loads..
Well, I will disagree with everyone here and say you can interchange lead and jacketed data. However be sure to start low and work up. That being said I would not use Unique in a Desert Eagle. For one thing I don't think you will have enough gas pressure to cycle the action, and Unique has a tendency to burn dirty and that can jam the gas piston pretty quick. I use H110, and I don't think you can find a better powder for a Desert Eagle.
MachIVshooter
Member
Agreed. You can use cast bullet loads for jacketed bullets, and you can use jacketed bullet data for hard cast or gas checked lead.
However, in regards to the OP's question, see rcmodel's post. The DE will not function properly with lighter loads, and you do not want to use bullets with an exposed lead base in the DE.
I am aware that exposed lead in the Desert Eagle is bad with the exception of a few JSP factory loads that are on the DE Approved List from Magnum Research. I will most likely use Rainier bullets since I use those for everything else. They are plated but they have an enclosed base (Lead Safe). This gun is mostly a target gun but I may try and take down a deer or large squirrel with it eventually.
MachIVshooter
Member
You really could use cast bullets, to, as long as they're gas checked. It's not lead being scraped off the bullet as it goes past the port that's the problem; It the lead burning off the base that'll gum up the works.
highlander 5
Member
The best powders for the DE are H110/296 and AA 9. If I remember my DE days and the owners manual 2400 shouldn't be used in the DE as it caused undue stresses on the pistol. The pistol is a bank vault and IMI is worried about undue stresses?
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Thats mighty strange, as 2400 was THE factory .44 Mag powder for a very long time.
How would one know if a box of factory loads had 2400 powder in them or not??
rc
How would one know if a box of factory loads had 2400 powder in them or not??
rc
JLDickmon
Member
I asked Kurt yesterday..
Lead bullets are a no-no as the lube fouls the gas system.
The pistol I was mistakenly thinking about is his Automag. Separate issue.
Well here I am almost 2 years and many hundreds of 240-grain XTPs through my Desert Eagle and I need to figure out load data for the monster using plated bullets. It's simply costing me too much to shoot paper with XTPs.
I have 3 pounds of 2400 standing by just for this gun, as well as substantial supplies of dual-role AA#9 and I am looking into getting more H110 (reluctantly).
What's everyone's preferred plated .44 bullet? No need to post load data as I'm going to need to build a safe load just for the DE anyway. I just hope I can cycle the slide before I start stripping plating!
I have 3 pounds of 2400 standing by just for this gun, as well as substantial supplies of dual-role AA#9 and I am looking into getting more H110 (reluctantly).
What's everyone's preferred plated .44 bullet? No need to post load data as I'm going to need to build a safe load just for the DE anyway. I just hope I can cycle the slide before I start stripping plating!
Mad Chemist
Member
Xtreme and RMR are the favored plated purveyors round these parts. I have my 1st order pending with Xtreme so I can't yet vouch for their customer svc. I have made multiple orders with RMR. They usually ship the same day as the order is placed. RMR customer service is tops. I have heard that xtreme is just as good, but I can't confirm until my order is fulfilled.
blarby
Member
If wax based lube, and plain based lead are the issue- a gas checked alox lube bullet sounds like the answer to me.
Ran into this very same wall shooting suppressed 44 mag.
When we started taking the cans apart, the commercial wax type lubes were....... everywhere.
Thank god for boiling water.
Now we get to use mineral spirits, but the fouling is much less significant.
If plated is the route you wanna go, choose a good one- as full tilt 44 mag WILL shoot the lead outta that plate on cheapy bullets, believe. Was hard enough getting it outta a gun I could wrestle with, I can only imagine in an autoloader.
IF memory serves, the ones RMR sells can take the heat, so to speak.
Ran into this very same wall shooting suppressed 44 mag.
When we started taking the cans apart, the commercial wax type lubes were....... everywhere.
Thank god for boiling water.
Now we get to use mineral spirits, but the fouling is much less significant.
If plated is the route you wanna go, choose a good one- as full tilt 44 mag WILL shoot the lead outta that plate on cheapy bullets, believe. Was hard enough getting it outta a gun I could wrestle with, I can only imagine in an autoloader.
IF memory serves, the ones RMR sells can take the heat, so to speak.
Blarby, in the DE you pretty much have to shoot near max case capacity to get the action to cycle. Using bullets with exposed lead will cause the gas port to clog which ruins the barrel or is difficult to fix, depending on who you talk to. So, plated it is.
RMR looks pretty good with a max velocity of 1,500 FPS. That may be the way to go if I can dial the loads down below max.
RMR looks pretty good with a max velocity of 1,500 FPS. That may be the way to go if I can dial the loads down below max.
zerobarrier
Contributing Member
I use the rainiers with h110 or w296 and mag primer for my .50 desert eagle. I remember reading in my manual that if you use handloads in the desert eagle it voids the warranty(which is only a year anyway), so just don't tell them you used handloads if you ever have a problem.
HSM 300g .500 plated bullets - I've loaded and shot about 100 rounds recently. No signs of leading or plating. $97 for 500
http://store.iqmetals.com/hsmplatedhandgunbullets.aspx
http://store.iqmetals.com/hsmplatedhandgunbullets.aspx
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