Reliable .44 magnum Desert Eagle Ammo

[SullyVols]

The only ammo I have found to feed 100% of the time in my XIX .44 Desert Eagle is Magtech 240 grain FMC rounds. They are pretty hot rounds - comfortable to shoot in my Desert Eagle but almost too much for me in my 629.

I haven't found Magnum Research's guidelines to be very helpful. Anyone have a brand and type of ammo they know to work well?

Thanks

 

[tuj]

I think you will need to use full power loads to cycle the gas system.

 

[boricua9mm]

I just went through this with a couple different factory loads in my .357 MKI. When it comes to factory loads I've found that JHPs and semi-JHPs are usually loaded with enough juice to cycle the action. The "target" varieties with FMJs or flat points don't tend to be loaded very hot at all, and they won't cycle the action enough to either eject the fired casing or, if they do eject, they fail to load the next round in the magazine.

I would imagine similar results with factory 44MAG; that hollow point loads are loaded hotter due to the self-defense & hunting applications they are used for as opposed to the lighter (and cheaper) target loadings.

Reloading would make life infintiely easier for feeding the DE, but I'm not set up for it in my house due to limited space.

 

[ku4hx]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...-magnum-240-grain-full-metal-jacket-box-of-50

According to this, the round you're using is a rather mid-power 44 Magnum load at a advertised 1,180 fps. As usual, YMMV. A full power load for a 44 Magnum 240 grain JHP runs about 1,400 fps in an 7.5" barrel. I can equal that in my Ruger guns quite easily and in certain cases best it. Of course "full power" is always a term open to debate, but 1,180 fps is rather mild for a 240 grain bullet in the 44 Magnum.

As with all semi auto pistols, you're going to have to have a certain "power level" to effect proper slide operation. I suspect that slower burning powders will work better also.

Although having limited experience with your gun, I'd hazard a guess and say the Magtech stuff is pretty much the lower threshold of what will function reliably in your DE.

 

[rodinal220]

I only run full power 240 JHP through mine,late eighties vintage DE.I ran some IMI 180gr stuff years ago and while it cycled(barely) I could watch the slide cycle,it was very slow.

 

[CAR]

PMC 240gr JHP has been 100% for me in my 1980's vintage Mark pistol.

 

[readyeddy]

Blazer 240 grain always worked in my Mark VII.