The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Rem .44 Mag Loads

dmazur · April 14, 2010, 10:43 PM

I don't have an answer, but I have some cautions that might be useful -

1. Is "Clays" Hodgdon Universal Clays, or Hodgdon Clays, or International Clays. Three different powder types, not interchangeable. If you find load data that references one of these, I would make sure it is the powder you have.

2. A more or less "typical" load for 240gr JSP in .44 Mag is 23.0gr of Hodgdon H110. This is a full-power load that will cycle Ruger semi-auto carbines, so it should probably be OK in a Desert Eagle (which is also gas-operated).

3. I have read about concerns with pressure spiking in light loads of fast powders in .44 Mag. Powder position can be important, as I read about one overpressure incident which occurred after the shooter lowered the muzzle and then raised it before shooting.

4. I would try one of the loads you have data for to see if the Desert Eagle will cooperate. If not, you're looking for slower-burning powders.

April 14, 2010, 10:43 PM	#2
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	I don't have an answer, but I have some cautions that might be useful - 1. Is "Clays" Hodgdon Universal Clays, or Hodgdon Clays, or International Clays. Three different powder types, not interchangeable. If you find load data that references one of these, I would make sure it is the powder you have. 2. A more or less "typical" load for 240gr JSP in .44 Mag is 23.0gr of Hodgdon H110. This is a full-power load that will cycle Ruger semi-auto carbines, so it should probably be OK in a Desert Eagle (which is also gas-operated). 3. I have read about concerns with pressure spiking in light loads of fast powders in .44 Mag. Powder position can be important, as I read about one overpressure incident which occurred after the shooter lowered the muzzle and then raised it before shooting. 4. I would try one of the loads you have data for to see if the Desert Eagle will cooperate. If not, you're looking for slower-burning powders.