44 mag ammo question

[411fan]

I was given a box of 44 mag ammo which is labeled as being for a Desert Eagle. I don't have one of those but do have a 629. Is there anything with the DE that would make this ammo unsafe to fire from a 629? Thank you for any help.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Desert Eagle is a gas-operated semi-automatic pistol. It does not function well with downloaded ammo. The ammo should not be unsafe (as long as it was produced commercially to SAAMI specs) but is likely to be a little intense.

 

[Skeet 028]

Factory or reloads?? if reloads they may be a bit hot for a S&W. Semi autos for some guns have to be at least equal to factory loads to operate

 

[bobsguns]

I have never in my life seen ammo labeled "for Desert Eagle".

And I own both a Desert Eagle & Smith 29............

 

[Richard93]

If the cartridges are commercial and are in SAAMI or CIP parameters they are safe. If the cartridges are made by someone and you don't know what's inside, forget it.
My opinion

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums. As mentioned, if it is factory made ammo, it's fine to shoot, but if it is someone's reloads, I would not use them. Reloads that are safe in the reloader's firearm may not be safe in another firearm.

 

[gwpercle]

Is this ammo Factory Loaded ... or Handload's ?

Any loading info on the label ?

When I handload I attach a label with all the pertinent details ...
I may want to load this one again and the details show bullet , powder charge , velocity , primer and such info ... would be usefull in determining how hot the reload is .
Gary

 

[ariandshan]

I would pull the bullets and reuse everything but the powder. Burn the powder and rebuild with your own. That way you know they are safe to shoot.

Rick

 

[dave1918a2]

I can tell You that a Desert Eagle has an upper limit and a lower limit. Mine functioned well with 18gr 2400/240 cast. Did fine with 23.5 WW296/240 cast. Jammed with 25gr H110/240 jhp. If those are not reloads, I would shoot them in My 629. If reloads, I would pull the bullets, dump the powder and start over.

 

[411fan]

Thank you for the replies. Yes it is commercial ammo from Freedom Munitions, they make new and remanufactured but this box is new. I had emailed them this question but just got a "CYA" response that I did expect.

 

[unspellable]

Desert Eagle doesn't like lead bullets. They clog the gas port. That may have some bearing on the labeling.

 

[BKLooney]

A 240 grain .44 Mag travelling at 1,500FPS is a monster but should pose no threat to your 629. They ought to be fun to shoot though!

 

[stansdds]

Thank you for the replies. Yes it is commercial ammo from Freedom Munitions, they make new and remanufactured but this box is new. I had emailed them this question but just got a "CYA" response that I did expect.

That is commercial ammo and should be just fine. I expect the part about being for the Desert Eagle relates to the bullet, a round nosed flat point, likely to feed better from a magazine than a truncated cone or semi-wadcutter style of bullet.

 

[Yendor357]

Get it chronoed, and you will know exactly what you have. Until then you simply don’t know.

 

[shil]

A 240 grain .44 Mag travelling at 1,500FPS is a monster but should pose no threat to your 629. They ought to be fun to shoot though!

Define "fun" in this case. Oh well; it is said that pain builds character!