reloading for a Desert eagle

[Crazy K38]

has anyone done it and what was the results? the manual says no lead and no reloads but I figure someone was as curious as me

[Snowbandit]

That gun is gas operated so the lead bullets would probably cause problems in short order. But I'll bet i could make some handloaded jacketed bullets run it just fine. Maybe start with H-110 or WW-296 for powder and magnum primers.

[johngalt]

Lead bullets supposedly clog the gas port. The loads need to be full power or the gun won't cycle.

I used to have one in .44 mag, I was very skeptical about reloading the brass because of the large unsupported area of the case. Brass shot in it had a very pronounced bulge (much worse than brass shot from a Glock .40). I decided I didn't want to worry about a case rupture at .44 mag pressures. The 'cool' factor soon wore off and I sold it.

[Crazy K38]

you know I noticed that same thing about my Brother in laws .50 AE Desert eagle, yeah I shot it and I shot it one handed and after that it was just a big heavy gun that's only purpose is to hunt or sit in the case.

[USAF385]

I have a .50 Desert Eagle that's been sitting in my gun safe for years. I used to reload for it with my uncle using FMJs. I haven't thought about it in so long.... I think now it may be time to sell it. A gun that doesn't get used isn't a happy gun after all.

[44forever]

As others have posted, you need full power loads to work the action. I used ww-296 in the .44 I had. The unsupportrd case area's only negative affect was it made the cases hard to resize. When cases finally failed, it was the typical split from the mouth, not a rupture. The ejector did tend to beat up the base of case rather
badly and mine threw the brass to hell and gone.

Shoot it in low light - the muzzle flash is box shaped - neat!!

[Smitty500Mag]

Did someone mention Desert Eagle's? That just happens to be one of my favorite gun manufactures.

I've reloaded a ton of .50AE ammo for mine. Like what has already been said I don't use lead bullets only jacketed bullets. If you get lead in the gas passage it'd be dang near impossible to get out.

This is the only caliber I load that Lee doesn't offer a Lee Factory Crimp Die for which is a bummer. On their site they say "The 50 AE cannot be made because the carbide ring necessary for this cartridge is too large for our manufacturing process" even though they make one for the 500 Mag.

Smitty

.50AE on top, 9mm Baby Eagle center, and .44 Mag on the bottom.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by Smitty500Mag

Did someone mention Desert Eagle's? That just happens to be one of my favorite gun manufactures.

I've reloaded a ton of .50AE ammo for mine. Like what has already been said I don't use lead bullets only jacketed bullets. If you get lead in the gas passage it'd be dang near impossible to get out.

This is the only caliber I load that Lee doesn't offer a Lee Factory Crimp Die for which is a bummer. On their site they say "The 50 AE cannot be made because the carbide ring necessary for this cartridge is too large for our manufacturing process" even though they make one for the 500 Mag.

Smitty

.50AE on top, 9mm Baby Eagle center, and .44 Mag on the bottom.

And just where is your new Micro .380 Eagle?

A guy came in the gunshop the other day with a really nice double pistol gun case. Opened it up and there were two matching Desert Eagles in 44 Mag. He sold them or traded them in. Looked like they never had been fired.

[Smitty500Mag]

Originally Posted by OCD1

And just where is your new Micro .380 Eagle?

If they made one you can bet it would be in the picture also.

Smitty

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by Smitty500Mag

If they made one you can bet it would be in the picture also.

Smitty

They do I have "fondled" several at the gun shop. It is a very well made pistol. At first it appears a bit "odd" looking but it kinda grows on you.

Micro Eagle Pistol: Magnum Research

I was going to by one as I love pocket 380's but I want to see the Kahr version first.

[mtb1bkr]

I've only ever shot one DE in 50AE. I fired one mag out of it and every empty came back and hit me square in the middle of my forehead. That hurt and I handed the gun back and said thanks, then went back to shooting my 500.

Bill

[Smitty500Mag]

Originally Posted by OCD1

They do I have "fondled" several at the gun shop. It is a very well made pistol. At first it appears a bit "odd" looking but it kinda grows on you.

Micro Eagle Pistol: Magnum Research

I was going to by one as I love pocket 380's but I want to see the Kahr version first.

Learn something new everyday. I'll have to take a look at one of those. Though it sounds a bit heavy at around 14 ounces. My Keltec P-3AT .380 only weighs about half that at 7.2 ounces.

Smitty

[Smitty500Mag]

Originally Posted by mtb1bkr

I've only ever shot one DE in 50AE. I fired one mag out of it and every empty came back and hit me square in the middle of my forehead. That hurt and I handed the gun back and said thanks, then went back to shooting my 500.

Bill

You have to hold the .50AE very firm or it'll twist in your hand and let the empties hit you in the face just about every time. The torque from the recoil turns that ejection port right toward your face if you don't stiff arm it.

Smitty

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by Smitty500Mag

Learn something new everyday. I'll have to take a look at one of those. Though it sounds a bit heavy at around 14 ounces. My Keltec P-3AT .380 only weighs about half that at 7.2 ounces.

Smitty

I have the Kel Tec and the Ruger also. Yes, it is a bit heavier but it's a "real" gun as in metal. More like NAA Guardian which is even heavier.

The only thing I did not like was the mag sticking out the bottom which kinda acts as a pinky rest. I would rather see the floor plate of the mag flush with the frame.

[Crazy K38]

it is REALLY fun to shoot one handed, you feel like superman with a huge maingun to play with

[Hook686]

I load 170 grain GDSP using 13.9 grains of Alliant 2400 for my .357 magnum DE, and 19.3 grains of Alliant 2400 with a 240 grain Nosler JHP in the .44 magnum DE. I have also loaded 300 grain Noslers using 14.8 grains of Alliant 2400.

I have had no problems with any of these reloads. I also use them in my S&W 627 (.357 magnum load) and in my S&W 629 (.44 magnum loads). I even shoot them in my Marlin lever guns.

[BiggSean]

Originally Posted by Smitty500Mag

Did someone mention Desert Eagle's? That just happens to be one of my favorite gun manufactures.

I've reloaded a ton of .50AE ammo for mine. Like what has already been said I don't use lead bullets only jacketed bullets. If you get lead in the gas passage it'd be dang near impossible to get out.

This is the only caliber I load that Lee doesn't offer a Lee Factory Crimp Die for which is a bummer. On their site they say "The 50 AE cannot be made because the carbide ring necessary for this cartridge is too large for our manufacturing process" even though they make one for the 500 Mag.

Smitty

.50AE on top, 9mm Baby Eagle center, and .44 Mag on the bottom.

New to the forum, and I just purchased a Desert Eagle .50ae. Sent you a pm regarding your reloading setup, as I'm very interested in reloading for this magnificent gun.

P.S. I'm also a Smith & Wesson owner, I have a 4506-1 with a full Robar NP3 makeover.

[Crazy K38]

welcome to the forum, and the DE is a great gun

[Smitty500Mag]

Originally Posted by BiggSean

New to the forum, and I just purchased a Desert Eagle .50ae. Sent you a pm regarding your reloading setup, as I'm very interested in reloading for this magnificent gun.

P.S. I'm also a Smith & Wesson owner, I have a 4506-1 with a full Robar NP3 makeover.

I just happened to see your post. There was not a PM in my mail box.

Anyway I use a Lee 4 Hole Turret Press and the Lee 50AE Dies. This is about the only caliber that Lee doesn't make a Factory Crimp Die for but the standard die will do just fine.

I use Star Line Brass, Speer 325 Grain Unicore Bullets and 32.5 Grs. of Hodgdon H110 powder for my reloads along with Federal Primers. This is the max. load listed on Hodgdon's web site in the reloading data section.
www.hodgdon.com

Of course you probably already know you always want to start out with the starting load which in this case is 29 Grs. of H110 powder for this 325 Gr. Speer Bullet according to Hodgdon's web site.

You say your new to the forum so welcome to the forum and just in case you're new to reloading also you want to start with the starting load on all new containers of powder to since there is a possibility of the powder not being constant with the last batch you have which could be dangerous starting out with a max load if the new batch has a lot more BOOM in it than your last container of powder.

Smitty

[BiggSean]

That's exactly the press I was thinking about getting. I've been trying to call Lee over the past couple of days during my lunch break, but their line is constantly busy.

This will be my first foray into re-loading, so the direction is greatly appreciated. Aside from the die and the turret press, did you purchase any other accessories?

[Smitty500Mag]

Originally Posted by BiggSean

Aside from the die and the turret press, did you purchase any other accessories?

If you purchase the 4 Hole Turret Kit you'll get most everything you need. I've been using mine for many years and it's never given me any problems.

Every brand has a learning curve and once you get the hang of it then it's a snap. Don't expect to just throw reloading components into the thing and pull the lever like it's a slot machine and expect perfect ammo to fall out every time. You've got to get the feel of it.

I bought quite a few extra turret plates so I could leave my dies and auto powder measures set up for different calibers so I don't have to readjust next time I used them. The plates only cost around $12 or 14 bucks each.

Some people like the Auto Powder Measures and some don't. I personally like them. I use them for min. loads only though in calibers that I use for target practice. While I've never had any loads way off with one you just don't want to take that chance with a max. load. A couple of Grs. of powder in some calibers can be enough to ruin your gun if not worse.

One thing I do recommend you buy is check weights for your scales. No matter what kind of scales you use you should always check to see if they're calibrated correctly. I use these Lyman check weights MidwayUSA - Lyman Shooter's Weight Check Set
that midwayusa.com sells. They're only $24.95 and that's some pretty cheap insurance.

I use the cheapo Lee Scales that come with the kit to because no matter how much money you spend on a set of scales the best they can be is 100% accurate and if you check the scales every time then there is no doubt they're calibrated. I've found that the Lee Scales have never been off enough to cause any damage even if I hadn't used the weights.

Some of the stuff like the auto primer seems a little flimsy but once you get the hang of using it you'll find they're built plenty strong enough for their use. I bought some extra heads for mine that ran around $5 bucks just in case. I did have to replace one but I had used it for a long time before the thing finally gave out.

Lee's 4 Hole Turret in my opinion is the most trouble free press that Lee sells besides their single stage presses. But that's comparing apples to oranges. The turret is much faster than the single stage.

Just besure to recheck everything and concentrate and if you're ever unsure of what you just loaded into a round like the weight of the powder or the type of powder pull the bullet and do it again. Speaking of which you'll need a bullet puller also. They're cheap to. A kinetic type works the best. They look like a plastic hammer. You can find them on midway's site also.

Good luck.

Smitty

[BiggSean]

I'm about to go ahead and order my class turret press setup this weekend. As far as the .50ae is concerned, will I be able to use a crimp from a .45acp kit since Lee's .50ae does not include a crimp?

[Crazy K38]

hey I am ordering my press this weekend as well, I decided to go progressive and found a great hornady with a ton of shellplates and other goodies for 250 so I am thrilled and can't wait to shoot off some custom loads

[BiggSean]

Do you have a link for your kit?

[Crazy K38]

no I am buying it used from one of our members, but Ebay has A TON of great deals!

[BiggSean]

I have one more question. Which lee shell holder kit should I buy if I plan on reloading .50ae, .45acp, 9mm and .40?

[Crazy K38]

I would scour the net and see if I could find them used for cheap individually

[BiggSean]

Ok, so I ended up ordering the classic turret press kit, along with a 4 piece .45acp, 9mm and 3 piece .50ae die set. The die sets come with a shellholder for each set, so the only thing I need is a crimp for the .50ae.

Waiting for the expert to chime in on that one.

[Crazy K38]

you are going to have to do some looking for that one I think

[Smitty500Mag]

Originally Posted by BiggSean

Ok, so I ended up ordering the classic turret press kit, along with a 4 piece .45acp, 9mm and 3 piece .50ae die set. The die sets come with a shellholder for each set, so the only thing I need is a crimp for the .50ae.

Waiting for the expert to chime in on that one.

Lee's .50AE die set comes with a crimp die. They just don't make a Factory Crimp Die is all. This die set is like the original dies that Lee has made for ever. There's 3 in the set and not 4.

Smitty

[BiggSean]

I see now. Will I still be able to use a 4 hole turret? Just curious because I ordered several of those and no 3 holes.

[Smitty500Mag]

Originally Posted by BiggSean

I see now. Will I still be able to use a 4 hole turret? Just curious because I ordered several of those and no 3 holes.

Yep, you'll just have one hole that there's nothing in when you use a 3 die set.

I doubt that the 3 hole turret plate will fit the 4 hole turret press, it might but there's no need in it.

The 3 hole turret was the first turret press that Lee made. The 4 hole came out later. Then the latest is the Classic 4 Hole Turret with the new upgrades.

They also make a kit to upgrade the old 4 hole Turret to a Classic 4 Hole Turret except the kit still uses the existing aluminum body instead of the newer cast iron that the Classic has.

In case you're interested I started using Lee reloading equipment back in the early 60s when I was 12 years old with the old Lee Loader for 20 Ga. shotgun shells. Similar to the 12 Ga. loader shown below. Sorta slow but I could load enough shells in the evening after school to have plenty of shells for Dove hunting by the weekend.

Smitty