I know this SW forums but... Has anyone fired the 180 gr hornaday XTP JHP from a CA bulldog 2.5 inch? Is it too hot for this gun or for self defense from 2 legged critters? Think it is 1000 fps from 4 inch barrel.
No, but I have fired the Hornady 180 gr XTP and the Winchester 200 gr Silvertip out of my S&W 696 3" .44 Special which is similar in size to the CA Bulldog. Both were easily manageable loads (not "too hot" at all) and would be my first two factory loads I would consider were I to carry the gun for self-defense. I found that shooting this gun with these loads generated a milder recoil than a similar size gun in .357 Magnum. The .44 Special produced more of a gentle shove as opposed to the sharp snap of the .357.
Thanks man. At first I didn't like my new CA bulldog but after some deleader and snap caps working the trigger alot it has really become a nice DA trigger pull. Its no smith but it will do what I need it for (car/ccw gun). Plus, god forbid, I ever had to use it, it is far cheaper then a SW to replace.
I have 3 .44 bulldogs and they will handle the 180 gn just fine. My current loading for these guns are the 200 gn CCI blazer using the gold dot bullet. Shoot it and enjoy!
I have just purchased some cowboy loads and want to see if they soften the recoil in my .44 bulldog. I think they are rated at 750 fps which is faster than most can move anyway. Does anybody have any experience with this load?
Also, I have a S&W 296 and hope these cowboy loads make the recoil manageable.I would like to fire all 5 rounds without great pain.
Charter arms bulldog pug
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