Bello wrote:Hello to the brains trust
I have just purchased a Desert Eagle 357Magnum pistol (the barrel is ported). I took it to the range at St Marys with some Winchester 125 gr bullets.
I wasn't able to get through one mag without a cycling problem.
I have been told this is not uncommon with this pistol. I belive action takes a bit of power to be cycled.
I have looked on line in this forum and found only one person who may have a pistol like mine, he uses
AR 2205 (15.3gr)
CCI magnum pistol primers
Hornady 158gr XTP JHP
I have contacted ADI and they basically said look at the ADI site, which I have. No great help.
Just wondering if anyone owns a pistol like this and can steer me in the correct direction.
The load for the pistol will be used at the range only. The pistol was purchased second hand.
from North Carolina: I just bought a DE357 L5 autoloader. Their web site has a listing of mfg ammo that should cycle the gun. In preparation of receiving the gun I bought 250 American Eagle bullets since the AE357A is listed. The gun would not cycle, the range gunsmith tried three different brands with no success. After more reading and searches on the internet I bought a box of American Eagle AE357A ammo. Ends up the 250 bulk buy was not AE357A but a lower powder charge. Sent the gun back, they replaced the recoil springs and worked on the ejector and with the AE357A ammo it shoots perfectilly. I bought 4 more boxes of AE357A but I also am researching reload data to reload my own. The factory stated that most of the 357 mag ammo is out of spec with regards to the case length which is not critical with a pistol like a Colt Python, it is critical for the DE' any calaber. . Reload data shows case length at 1.290. AE257A comes in right around 1.280 +- .002". Hornady measures 1.3+. AE357A has fps listed at 1240 with a 58 grain JSP (jacketed soft point).
get a copy of the ammo they recommend. Find a box and shoot it. I landed on the American Eagle because it's made in the USA and somewhat available.
a youtube.com vidio shows how to check head space (dissable the gun, remove the bolt ( and then remove the ejector pin) hold the barell, insert a round, insert the bolt face lugs into the barell and you should be able to rotate the bolt into the lock position with finger pressure. If not the case length is out of spec and unlike an AR15 where you can jam the cartridge into the barell, the DE uses only spring pressure to force the bolt forward.
Good luck and if/when I find/test different powders for my reloads i will try and post it.