Reloading .44MAG using LP primers

[OofieXD]

I'm thinking of getting a Desert Eagle and I'm somewhat planning my approach before buying the gun. Right now, I load for my 1911 using a Square Deal with Bear Creek projectiles, Remington large pistol primers and 5.0 gr of W231.

So my questions are, would I need Large Pistol MAGNUM primers for the .44 mag loads or will regular/standard large pistol primers do? Is W231 a good powder for .44mag? From hodgdon, .44 magnum loads using W231 will be 5.5(lswc cast) / 8.0(nos jhp) - 11.0 gr.

Thanks for any help!

-Ron

[waltrich]

It seems like the Hogdon website has some good .44 loads for W231:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

There are probably better powders but you have options with W231. Also, consider trying trail boss, if you're using cast bullets. It fills the case well, as opposed to something like 231 but it's supposed to be specifically used for lead-cast bullets. You loose some versatility but you'll still have your 231, in case you want to load some jacketed bullets...

As for the primers, you can use LP Primers in magnum cartridges but you will need to compensate to make up for it, if you recipe calls for magnum primers. There is some debate about how much to compensate but .3-.5 grains seems to be the typical range.

[OofieXD]

Thanks waltrich. How do I know if the recipe calls for magnum primers? Hodgdon doesn't really specify what primers I should use.

EDIT: I found my Speer #11 manual and the recipes they have use CCI 300 and 350 without the powder changing. So I guess that answers my question. Thanks again waltrich!

[waltrich]

Thanks waltrich. How do I know if the recipe calls for magnum primers? Hodgdon doesn't really specify what primers I should use.

EDIT: I found my Speer #11 manual and the recipes they have use CCI 300 and 350 without the powder changing. So I guess that answers my question. Thanks again waltrich!

I don't have the speer manual but I know that my Lyman manual usually says what type of weapon was used to test the load data for certain calibers. I mention this to you because since you are looking at an auto-loading .44 Mag (which is not common) you are going to have develop your loads a little better than someone shooting a revolver. A lower charge that would work fine in a wheel-gun might not cycle in your Desert Eagle, so be ready for some FTFs...

[dstiltner]

You will also need to use jacketed or plated bullets with the Desert Eagle since lead can plug up the gas ports.

[buffybuster]

W231 is NOT a good powder for the 44Mag. You can use W231 in the 44Mag but you will not get 44Mag performance. W231 is too fast of a powder to fully utilize the case capacity. You need to go to a slower powder. Unique is about the fastest powder that I would normally use in the 44Mag for mid-range loads. Also, very doubtful that W231 will fully cycle the gas system in a Desert Eagle.

Whether you need Magnum primers, refer to your loading manual for each individual load and powder.

[demo]

winchester LP primers are double duty. mag and normal. says so right on the box. I assume that the hodgedon stuff uses the win primers. thus they make no mention of mag vs normal primers on their online data.

might be BS, but I've heard that the eagle 44mag is very picky.

I love H110 in magnum cartridges in revolvers with win LPP. awesome.

[BlackICE]

I have read the the DE like near full power loads. That means using powders such as 2400, AA9, 296, H110. Might get buy with the slightly faster powders like AA7. But I would start with one in the 1st group.