.50 AE project

[Rum River]

I get to develop heavy hunting loads for my cousin's latest purchase, a Desert Eagle .50. He plans on carrying this on our September 2007 fly-in Alaskan caribou hunt.
I suggested a heavy revolver, like a Taurus Casull, but he has wanted an Eagle 50 for quite awhile anyway, and has made his choice.

I've never loaded for one of these, and had some questions.

Is it possible to shoot heavy cast bullets successfully in one of these? In the jacketed offerings, it looks like 350 grainers are available from Hornady and Sierra, and Sierra also has a 400 gr. I believe these are intended for the .500 S&W, but I wondered if anyone out there tried these in a 50AE? I've done some looking for data, and I think the only data I've found so far was for 325gr. I'm inferring from that bit of info that the 350 and 400gr. could possibly beat the crap out of the pistol. I don't know that for sure though, as I'm unfamiliar with just how tough all that machinery IS on a Desert Eagle.

Bottom line, any info on heavy hunting loads for a .50AE will be appreciated. Also, if anyone has info on actual performance on game, I'd be interested.

Thanks!

[Questor]

Rumriver:

From what I have read about them, cast bullets are not recommended because their use leads to fouling of the gas ports. My interpretation of this is that it's OK to use them, but that you need to keep the gun clean, especially before a major trip like the one to Alaska. All of the data I've seen for them, however, has been for jacketed bullets. Speer makes some bullets for it.

Having dealt with the nuances of lead fouling, my recommendation is to be very thorough about cleaning metal surfaces because they can be lead fouled without looking lead fouled. I don't know what the ports look like, but if they're big enough to run bronze wool through, then try bronze wool. It's the best thing I know for removing lead fouling.

[Doe]

A good friend of mine has the 44AE and yes you can shoot lead bullets but like the other guy said,  keep the gas port clean! that mean clean after evey session. Should not be a problem for your friend. Good luck and watch your pressure!!

[Lloyd Smale]

buddy had a 50ae desert eagle and shot a pile of cast out of it and never had a problem. JUst cast them on the hard side. One other trick is to use something i absolutley hate! Hard lube. It doesnt lube as well but is alot cleaner and doesnt gun stuff up. His gun would shoot inch groups with 400 lfns