In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Reloading for Desert Eagle

Dom De LorenzoDom De Lorenzo Member Posts: 18 ✭✭
edited June 2002 in Ask the Experts
Folks,
I have been considering getting into a Desert Eagle Mark VII 44 Mag. Being and avid reloader AND a wheel gun fan, I am being scared off by the following:
1 - Picking up brass from all over the place.
2 - Brass being abused by the violence of the feeding process.
3 - Being limited by bullet selection due to:
A - Profiles that will feed properly.
B - Polygonal rifling precluding the use of cast bullets.

If anyone has experience reloading for the Desert Eagle, It would be great to get some input.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Dom De LorenzoDom De Lorenzo Member Posts: 18 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is there any chance anybody out there reloads for their Desert Eagle .44 Magnum. About 20 years ago I made half a dozen loads for a friend with one to try, and only one would cycle the mechanism. It was the hottest load. But I gave him the details, and don't know what it was any more.
    (As an aside, I do recollect that the 300 gr. Speer JSP's would not fit in the magazine. Just in case that can save anybody out there any trouble.)

    First Big Foot
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TaiChiTaiChi Member Posts: 179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Dom,
    Per Desert Eagle manual (NO LEAD BULLETS) The gas system will become clogged and convert your semi into a single shot. The gun is no worse on brass then a 45 ACP. Full length size your range brass and you should have no problems. As with any semi auto they work within a specific power curve, find that and your Desert Eagle will be happy. Mine feeds most semi-wadcutter bullet styles and I keep the load about a grain to grain and a half below max.

    Hope this helps
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    definitely not a light load gun. Heavier bullets and charges seem to work best. The heavy action needs the power to operate.

    A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • spclarkspclark Member Posts: 408 ✭
    edited November -1
    Get one. Shoot it. Reload the brass you can find, that doesn't look too beat up (I use a brass-catcher sometimes myself when shooting mine). DON'T USE CAST BULLETS - they WILL add build-up to the gas system. I use 180 - 300 grain plated & jacketed bullets with great results (25 - 50 yards target shooting) in my VII 44. I did add a set of Millett adjustable target sights to mine. Once in awhile a spent case might catch you in the forehead, last time I shot mine one went down my T-shirt (ouch!) but that's all part of the DE fun, believe me.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dom De LorenzoDom De Lorenzo Member Posts: 18 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the info so far... I'll stick to jacket/plated bullets that feed properly and be sure to button my shirt all the way up!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rg666rg666 Member Posts: 395 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    All the stuff the other guys have said is right on the money. I have two 50 AE's & a 44mag and reload for all of them. If you can afford it I would get the longer barrel (10 inch). The 4 extra inches get you so much more accuracy & power its almost uncanny. Good luck whatever you decide. RG
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.