Reloading the .44 Desert Eagle

[RB98SS]

Well I just got back from the range with my first reloads and things went pretty good. All my loads with H110 cycled fine with a big boom and flash! However, for the most part, my Blue Dot loads had a more difficult time of it, sometimes never cycling another round in the chamber. They all ejected but half did not chamber the next round. This happened with both 240 and 180gr Hornady HP/XTP. Neither load was max so I can increase the powder but I'm looking for some input from you experienced reloaders as to what bullit to try again. The 180gr was loaded with 16.3grs with a reloadable max of 17.3grs. The 240gr was loaded with 14.3 with a reloadable max of 15grs.

Here is my question; seeing as I will need to buy some more bullits, looking at the data provided, which do you think would have a better chance of cycling the action if I max load the round? Will the heavier bullit provide more recoil or will the lighter one with 1 additional full grain of powder work better?

Thanks again, Gary

 

[CZ57]

RB: I like your thinking here using a powder slightly faster than Magnum for reliable cycling. I use Blue Dot, myself, and actually started loading with it in the .41 Magnum, many moons ago. I don't want to throw another wrinkle at you, but because higher pressure with uniform burn characteristics might really help you here, you can kill two birds with one stone by trying AA#7. It is more uniform at high pressure than Blue Dot. Muzzle blast will be greatly reduced compared to H-110 and with the 180 gr. XTP it will give you velocity as high as you're likely to want. With the 240s, it will fall a bit short of H-110 performance, but not much. I'll put up a link to Accurate's .44 Mag data so you can take a look. Their velocities were recorded in a 7.5" Ruger Redhawk, so if it looks like there is a disparity in performance compared to H-110, W-296 etc. Remember that a lot of Data shows their loads chronographed in 10" ballistic barrels and I have always found Hodgdon rated velocity, a little more than optimistic. here's the link:http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/...7mm)/44 Remington Magnum pages 133 to 135.pdf

 

[Grumulkin]

I had the best success with a 44 Mag. Desert Eagle with 240 grain bullets. In such a heavy gas operated handgun, even with the heavier bullets the recoil is pretty mild with the 44 Mag. chambering.

 

[Bandit01]

same problem

I too reload for a DE .44. In using 240 grain bullets and loading to the max with H110 (as listed in Lyman's Reloading manual), I'm having problems with the pistol sometimes never cycling another round in the chamber. For those that have real experience with relaoding a DE, please, how much powder do you use and what could be the problem?

Thanks!!!

 

[RB98SS]

Bandit,

All of my reloads 180 and 240 worked perfect with H110. I loaded 29grns and 23grns respectively usind CCI350 and Winchester WLP primers. Does your Eagle cycle factory ammo fine? Mine didn't even do that and I tried everything that I felt comfortable trying. My Eagle is still under warranty and I did send it to MRI and they fixed all the minor issues I could not. They replaced the recoil springs, adjusted the magazines and replaced the small catch springs inside, and did some polishing/grinding of the bolt. It works great now. I would suggest sending it in if you cant get it to work with factory ammo.

Anyway, back to my Blue Dot question....anyone else?

 

[Grumulkin]

I used to load for a 44 Mag. Desert Eagle. Some loads with 180 grain bullets I tried would not cycle the action at all and the recoil was somewhat like a 22 WMR.

My powders of choice in the 44 Mag. are H110/Win. 296 and Blue dot. For reliable functioning, the loads will probably have to be toward the maximum safe range with bullets of 240 grains or heavier.

In my opinion, the Desert Eagle is at its best in 50 AE and even with this round, the recoil isn't too bad.

 

[highlander 5]

Try AA No 9 it's made specifically for the DE. When I had mine I used only 240gr jacketed and had no problems with feeding or ejection

 

[CZ57]

Highlander: I forgot to mention that there is Desert Eagle data at the bottom of the page of the link I posted. #7 and #9 are the powders used.

 

[RB98SS]

Well here's the report from the range. I loaded the 240's with 14.8 & 15.0grs of Blue Dot and all, with the exception of one round of 14.8 chambered fine. The 180's I loaded with 17.3grs and all of them chambered fine also.

So, all in all, it looks like I need to load Blue Dot to the max in order to have the rounds function in the Desert Eagle.

Thanks for all the replies, Gary