.429 AE for the Desert Eagle

[AJ]

Has anyone reloaded for the .429AE? Ammo is next to nonexistent and so it seems for cases too. Sister bought one and now I am trying to figure out how to supply her with ammo. I checked Starline and they do not carry cases for it. So I am figuring that cases will have to be made from 50AE cases. probably very labor intensive. As I see it she has several options.
1. Return the pistol
2. Acquire reloading equipment and make own cases
3. Get another barrel and change the caliber.
4. Use it as a paperweight.
5. Find a couple of boxes of ammo someplace and shoot it once or twice, then
store it in the gun safe.

Any constructive hel will be greatly appreciated!

AJ

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

If you need 50 AE cases for forming, we can make arrangements. You can get as few as 10 or clean me out. I don't know if it is a simple neck reduction or if you need a slightly longer case. PM me if you are interested.

Ivan

 

[AJ]

If you need 50 AE cases for forming, we can make arrangements. You can get as few as 10 or clean me out. I don't know if it is a simple neck reduction or if you need a slightly longer case. PM me if you are interested.

Ivan

May get back to you. Not sure what she is going to do.

 

[AmStaff64]

Not sure you can simply return a firearm due to the paperwork. Maybe sell it back to the seller?
Has she shot a DE before? They are not the most ergonomic. I have medium sized man hands and mine did not fit me well.
Best option if she wants to keep it - get a 44 Mag barrel for it. I assume this will work, my DE had both the 50AE and 44Mag barrel when I sold it.

 

[AJ]

Not sure you can simply return a firearm due to the paperwork. Maybe sell it back to the seller?
Has she shot a DE before? They are not the most ergonomic. I have medium sized man hands and mine did not fit me well.
Best option if she wants to keep it - get a 44 Mag barrel for it. I assume this will work, my DE had both the 50AE and 44Mag barrel when I sold it.

Changing calibers is what I was thinking of........Thanks.

AJ

 

[6string]

As I posted here:
.429 Desert Eagle
the SAAMI specs suggest that 429 Desert Eagle cases can be formed from 50 AE.
Indeed, Lee sells 429 Desert Eagle dies and several users have reported that forming brass from 50 AE is a simple process of running it through the full length sizing die.

So, no need to worry about the process being "very labor intensive"! It's not!

Personally, at one time I really enjoyed the Thompson Center Contender because the T/CU and Herrett cartridges were easy to use wildcat cartridges.
I'm not really a fan of the Desert Eagle. But if I were, as an avid reloader, the 429 Desert Eagle cartridge sounds like it would be very appealing to work with.

PS: It looks like the Lee die set is very affordable (unlike so much else). The list price is $56.98 for a steel three die set, the same price as their straight wall 3-die carbide sets.
Street prices seem to be even less:
LEE .429 DESERT EAGLE 3 DIE SET STEEL - Titan Reloading

 

[IAM Rand]

Very interesting, I had never heard of this cartridge. Looks like they went the way of the 400 Cor-Bon and the 357 Sig. I read about it in a Guns and Ammo article. Said it was probably the most powerful 44 mag out there. Good thing is it can be reloaded with 44 mag bullets which should be more readily found.

I should imagine that there is a ready supply of 50AE out there somewhere. Couple of boxes of loaded on G Broker.

 

[Miracle Man]

WOW !!

I just read a short article from Guns & Ammo on the 429 Desert Eagle. 1,600 - 1,700 FPS with 210 to 240 gr. bullets. Article says basically 44 mag rifle velocity from a pistol.

They say it's not for everybody, to say the least. Your sister must be a very avid pistol shooter. I mean that scares me.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have thought of taking one of my 44 mag T/C Contenders and reaming it to 444 Marlin or doing something like this with 500 S&W. But I already have a 375 Winchester barrel and couldn't justify reaming to 375 JDJ. Just too much over kill!

Ivan

 

[AJ]

Just talked to my Sister and we will be buying extra barrels and a bolt. According to Magnum can change it to .44 mag, .429AE and 50AE by just changing the barrel. For .357 mag. it requires a barrel and bolt change. Will probably do the .357 conversion first.

 

[AJ]

If you need 50 AE cases for forming, we can make arrangements. You can get as few as 10 or clean me out. I don't know if it is a simple neck reduction or if you need a slightly longer case. PM me if you are interested.

Ivan

May get back to you. Not sure what she is going to do.

At the local gun range today and we were talking about this gun. Mentioned the .50AE. One of the range officer gave me a box of once fired .50AE's, about 500 in the box.

 

[Mark8]

According to Magnum can change it to .44 mag, .429AE and 50AE by just changing the barrel. For .357 mag. it requires a barrel and bolt change. Will probably do the .357 conversion first.

---> .44Mag and .357Mag use different magazines.

 

[Nemo288]

.429 DE - Wikipedia
has a short history of the cartridge (they call it the 429 Desert Eagle)
and some references including
SAAMI Accepts Three of New Cartridges | An Official Journal Of The NRA
Desert Eagle | Magnum Research, Inc. | Desert Eagle pistols and BFR revolvers
has a whole page with a video on the 429 DE

This cartridge looks to me like an auto version of the .445 Supermag which is a favorite of mine.
In a big gun like the original Dan Wesson 7445 these are not that hard to shoot for anyone used to the 44 magnum.
(I now shoot them in an Encore with 12 and 17" barrels).
Given the chance I'd definitely try the 44DE in the big Eagle.

As far as loading data is concerned, I didn't see anything pop out right away from net searches.
I guess one would have to contact Magnum Research directly.

Ammo boxes of 20 are $65 at Kahr Firearms Group.
Parts & Accessories - Magnum Research - Ammunition - Kahr Firearms Group

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Ammo boxes of 50 are $65 at Kahr Firearms Group.
Parts & Accessories - Magnum Research - Ammunition - Kahr Firearms Group

.

Better look again, there's just 20 rounds in those boxes.

.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

All the 50 AE I ever bought came in 20's!

Not only do the 357 mag DE and 50 DE use different mags, the 50 DE and 44 mag use different mags too (but the same bolt.)

Big box of free brass is always a good thing!

Ivan

 

[Nemo288]

.
Better look again, there's just 20 rounds in those boxes.

Thanks for the correction.
$3.25 a pop isn't exactly cheap.
Definitely a reloading situation if data can be had or if one is not put off by starting from scratch.
The .445 supermag is a similar proposition, one reason I am attracted to it.
One gets to forge new ground.
I have worked up .445 loads from 200gr. solids to 335gr. WFNGC.
Only needed one powder: IMR4227.

If I was working with the 44 DE, I'd be thinking of loading the Swift 240 A-Frame for hunting deer
and maybe the Speer 270 JFP for bigger game.
That one would definitely take you into unknown territory.

 

[AmStaff64]

As mentioned - 357/44/50 all use different magazines - not sure if the 429 uses the 50 mag or not - or has its own.
Also, most people tend to not use lead bullets in these as they can clog the gas port/system. Stick with jacketed.

 

[AJ]

As mentioned - 357/44/50 all use different magazines - not sure if the 429 uses the 50 mag or not - or has its own.
Also, most people tend to not use lead bullets in these as they can clog the gas port/system. Stick with jacketed.

This is from Magnum Research Customer Service:

The 429DE is a Mark XIX firearm. This can utilize all current Mark XIX accessories.

50AE
44 Mag
429DE
357 Magnum

To convert to 357, you will need a Mark XIX 357 barrel, Mark XIX 357 Bolt, and 357 Magnum magazine.

50Ae. 44Magnum, and 429DE all share the same bolt. The 357 Magnum utilizes a different bolt.

 

[venomballistics]

At the local gun range today and we were talking about this gun. Mentioned the .50AE. One of the range officer gave me a box of once fired .50AE's, about 500 in the box.

then you're in like sin.
While new is preferred, once fired can reform.
Welcome to the deep end of the pool where the wildcats grow.
a good solid single stage press and a set of dies will have you on your way.

 

[Dfish1247]

Don’t be shocked if you have feeding trouble at first.

Had to open the feed lips on my mags a tiny amount. I’m talking not thinking you done anything amount. 41 mag kit done the same so no big deal.

Oh, 240gr xtps do very well for me. If neither of you have ever shot one, a DE is full throttle loads or it won’t fully rack the slide.