• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

reloading for a Desert eagle

Crazy K38

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2009
Messages
1,738
Reaction score
7
Location
Dadeville, Alabama
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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!!
 
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.
MISCE059.jpg
 
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.
MISCE059.jpg

And just where is your new Micro .380 Eagle?:D

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

Smitty

They do:confused: 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.
 
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
 
They do:confused: 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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
Last edited:
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.
MISCE059.jpg

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. ;)
 
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
 
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?
 
Back
Top