Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

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Bill in Oregon
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Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by Bill in Oregon »

I was working with 200-grain boolit handloads with my Charter Arms Bulldog without much love. Loads shot low, gave extraction issues, etc.
So today I tried some loads with 255-grain Keiths out of my new RCBS mold. Results were muy bueno.
With the range-scrap Keith over 5 grains of Universal lit by CCI 300s in Starline brass, I got this double-action group at seven yards. Honestly, I would ask very little more of a three-inch five-shot snubby at this distance. Recoil was shockingly mild and extraction was marvelous. That Keith may not be moving much more than 700 feet per second, if that, but I am not concerned in the least if I ever get in close range scrape with just about anything in the lower 48.

Imagefullsizeoutput_1561 by ComeWatson, on Flickr
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Ray
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by Ray »

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Last edited by Ray on Wed May 18, 2022 9:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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3leggedturtle
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by 3leggedturtle »

Dont think there is much that could outrun it either! :mrgreen: How was the point of impact. Have you shot the factory .44Sp ammo?
30/30 Winchester: Not accurate enough fer varmints, barely adequate for small deer; BUT In a 10" to 14" barrelled pistol; is good for moose/elk to 200 yards; ground squirrels to 300 metres

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gamekeeper
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by gamekeeper »

I'm always interested in posts on the Charter Arms Bulldog, I like the concept of a small .44 spl revolver but can no longer be trusted to own one by my government... :evil:
How would you compare the recoil to other common handguns?
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Bill in Oregon
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Todd, the only factory I have shot is some Ultramag 200-grain cowboy loads.
GK, the recoil with this particular load was not much more than a standard .38 Special. If I get a chance I will chronograph it.
On the job, I carry one CCI snake load on top, then four solids.
stretch
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by stretch »

That load looks plenty good for social work.

A 255 gr. bullet should penetrate just fine, even at only 700fps.
Lots of energy there!

And it's accurate enough! :D

-Stretch
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KWK
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by KWK »

Hodgdon's data for 240 gr suggests 4 gr of one of the faster powders might do the same with a wee bit less recoil and blast. Thanks for the note. I've been thinking of late about getting one of their Classic Bulldogs.
piller
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by piller »

For interpersonal crisis situations, it seems as if it would work well. I do not want to be on the receiving end of that load. Sure it might put a hole straight through you without opening up much, but 2 holes of .429 inch diameter or more will cause some shock and a bunch of blood loss. Probably will cause loss of air in at least one lung. May not stop a determined attacker with the first shot, but with the mild recoil, you probably can get off 3 or more shots very quickly. By the third impact, the attacker is going to know that they are in serious need of an experienced Trauma Surgeon and a lot of O negative, or O positive blood. They might survive it, but they will know that they picked a fight that they should have left alone.
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Ray
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by Ray »

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Grizz
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by Grizz »

that bulldog model is the only charter arms revolver I was ever interested in, but I'm over it now. the 200gr JHP 44 Spcl resides in my Redhawk when it's indoors.
Bill in Oregon
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by Bill in Oregon »

I really like being able to shoot mine single action if I want to.
Bullard4075
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by Bullard4075 »

My Bulldog could be a twin except mine has a traditional hammer.
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BrianSH
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Re: Happy with new .44 Special load for the Bulldog

Post by BrianSH »

I'm fairly settled on 4 gr of 231 (metal can, screw top vintage) under a 240gr standard type 44 hcswc in my BullDog Pug.
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