Charter Arms .44 Bulldog
- Thread starter Kilibreaux
- Start date
I have some 44 Russian for triple lock (and other older guns) friendly ammo.
If you 44 Russian is loaded within SAAMI specs for that caliber, you should be well under what the CA will handle. Same for cowboy loads.
If you 44 Russian is loaded within SAAMI specs for that caliber, you should be well under what the CA will handle. Same for cowboy loads.
Hey Starbuck, I picked up box of Winchester 240 gr Cowboy Loads and went to the range this past Tuesday. They were pretty mild, fairly accurate and made a load of smoke. No big deal, just much more noticeable smoke than my cast handloads. That said, they're cheaper than most other loads and I'll buy more to plink with so I can use the brass for reloading.
I bought the cowboy loads at a gun show from a local trusted supplier. He had two different kinds. One had black powder and the other he sold me had modern smokeless powder. I am wondering if you had the black powder loads and that is what caused all the smoke.
I bought some cowboy loads from him in .38 spl. and .44 spl. because I wanted to try them in the CA Bulldog and a S&W 296 and a S&W 242 which all have a healthy kick.
It is good to know they have a milder recoil. I believe the round drops about 50 fps with these loads but I don't know anybody that can move faster than 750 fps any way.
I bought some cowboy loads from him in .38 spl. and .44 spl. because I wanted to try them in the CA Bulldog and a S&W 296 and a S&W 242 which all have a healthy kick.
It is good to know they have a milder recoil. I believe the round drops about 50 fps with these loads but I don't know anybody that can move faster than 750 fps any way.
I hear you on the 750 fps LOL.
I'm wondering if the bullet lube they use may be the cause of the smoke. Paid $38 for a box of 50 at the local Bass Pro Shop. Here's the Winchester spec info FYI:
Product Information
Winchester Ammunition offers some of the best cowboy loads available. Every cartridge is loaded to lower velocities for rapid and comfortable shooting in both rifles and handguns featuring high-quality Winchester components and lead flat-nosed bullets. This ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in boxer primed, reloadable brass cases.
Technical Information •Caliber: 44 Special
•Bullet Weight: 240 Grain
•Bullet Style: Lead Flat Nose
•Case Type: Brass
Ballistics Information:
•Muzzle Velocity: 750 fps
•Muzzle Energy: 300 ft. lbs.
OP
Kilibreaux
Member
Based on the one I have...the quality is top-notch!
I mean, it only holds five shots, but it's very well-built!
Good to know about the Winchester ammunition.
I have 50 rds. of 200 gr. Lead*FP cowboy loads and I paid $30.00.The supplier told me they were rated at 750 fps.
So far I can shoot a full cylinder of the CA with standard ammo and with moderate comfort but with the S&W 296, after 3 rds., I am ready to unload the last 2 rds. The CA is a sweet carry gun but I am told to keep checking for tightness over time. Some maintenance is advisable but that is true will everything we shoot.
My local gun dealer has a large selection of carry guns yet he travels to his cabin in NC with his CA Bulldog on a regular basis. He claims it has never failed him and he shoots it regularly. Good to know.
I have 50 rds. of 200 gr. Lead*FP cowboy loads and I paid $30.00.The supplier told me they were rated at 750 fps.
So far I can shoot a full cylinder of the CA with standard ammo and with moderate comfort but with the S&W 296, after 3 rds., I am ready to unload the last 2 rds. The CA is a sweet carry gun but I am told to keep checking for tightness over time. Some maintenance is advisable but that is true will everything we shoot.
My local gun dealer has a large selection of carry guns yet he travels to his cabin in NC with his CA Bulldog on a regular basis. He claims it has never failed him and he shoots it regularly. Good to know.
I did buy one
There are practical reasons to collect one. Handy, carries well and tosses a big bullet. A big bullet makes a big hole. A big hole lets a lot of stuff leak out. The more they leak, the sooner they quit. Not quite on a par with rocket surgery, but handier than an RPG-7.
There are practical reasons to collect one. Handy, carries well and tosses a big bullet. A big bullet makes a big hole. A big hole lets a lot of stuff leak out. The more they leak, the sooner they quit. Not quite on a par with rocket surgery, but handier than an RPG-7.
OP
Kilibreaux
Member
Modern Blackpowder substitutes are decent choices for the .44 Spl. However, Blackpowder loads are by no means benign. I've got some BP loads I cobbled up a few years back that are substantially hotter than my smokeless loads - in .45 Colt.
The .44 Spl deserves a better when it comes to load development.
The .44 Spl deserves a better when it comes to load development.
Captain O
US Veteran
I won this .44 Spl. BD in an IPSC match back in the '80's.
Sold it once and bought it back when the other buyer didn't want it any longer.
The original CA wood grips won't stay tight any longer so it wears Pachmayr grips now.
Mine is the exact same revolver, but in stainless steel. (I even have the same grips). It saved my life on Christmas night of 2006.
6thtexas
Member
My PD issued me one to use as a back-up gun. I fired it with the Skeeter load (250 grain Keith SWC over 7.5 grains of Unique). The Bulldog did fine. My hand, not so much.
Way back in the early '70s I bought the 1st Bulldog I saw and tried the same load. The cylinder release chewed a hole in my hand and at 15 yds. the bullets were yawing for some reason. I would up shooting a 214 gr WC on top of a less than maximum charge of Bullseye. That shot great and penetrated well. I finally shot the thing loose (100s of rounds)and sold it in 1977. The grips were cracking bad along the grip frame.
I would mind having another one, though.
I carry a S&W MODEL 69 2.75" IN A HUME j.i.t. HOLSTER ON MY RIGHT HIP, AND BACK IT WITH A HAMMER-LESS C.A. DOG IN MY RF POCKET HOLSTER DAILY. THE 69 AND THE PUG BOTH HAVE TRIGGER JOBS AND SPRING KITS, MAKING THEM A SUPERB CARRY DUO. I LOAD 200 GR HBWC, 9 BHN (SOFT) PLATED .430" REVERSED IN THE CASE AT ABOUT 750-800 FPS IN BOTH REVOLVERS. GOOD ACCURACY AND SOLID SNAP RECOIL IN THE DOG BUT MILD IN THE SMITH. FEEL VERY WELL DRESSED! Sorry for the caps, but at 71 years of age, you have to forgive me, right?
I have a new C.A. Bulldog Pug, 2.5" barrel and DAO, and after a trigger action smoothing, and the same on the cylinder latch release, it is a GREAT concealed carry piece! I load it with 200 grn, soft lead HBWC reversed in the cases at about 750 fps. Not a heavy recoiling load in either my Model 69 2.75" and the C.A. PUG in a RF pocket holster. Excellent duo for a city of about 350,000, daily carry.
I carry a new model Bulldog Pug, 2.5". Did some trigger/hammer action polishing, and shoothed up the cylinder release too, and now have a 44 Special that beats the 3" S*W 3" Model 36 I carried for years! THUD! THUD! instead of Pop Pop! I love it now, and it is accurate too.
Would enjoy hearing the story behind your saved life. I have experience with HBWC reversed in the case at 800fps, in 38 Special, in two perps. I carry my .44 Special CA Dog with HBWC reversed at 200 grns and 750 fps.
I had one in the 70s and carried it as a BUG a lot. I let it get away in a swindle (not quite sure who got swindled?) but I found an old original 3" in a big lot of guns I bought from an estate and bought it, so now have one.
Back in the late 70's I asked Evan Marshall if the Charter would take hot handloads - he told me "Your hand will give out before the gun gives out" - he was right - I usually carry Lawman 200 gr. Gold Dots or a 200 gr. handload to 900 fps. in mine.
Riposte
Back in the late 70's I asked Evan Marshall if the Charter would take hot handloads - he told me "Your hand will give out before the gun gives out" - he was right - I usually carry Lawman 200 gr. Gold Dots or a 200 gr. handload to 900 fps. in mine.
Riposte
In my "Senior Years" I find the recoil a bit much. After the second round t
my trigger finger is bruised and bleeding.
my trigger finger is bruised and bleeding.
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I like mine; when I saw it sitting there in the dealer case, I knew I had to have it. Shoots fine, carry’s fine.
Dan W. Cady
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I also found mine in the Dealer About twenty years ago i found one in the PS Dealers case it was a Spokhandguns Custom with a 2.125' Douglas barrel, decent combat front sight and very smooth double action. Pachmayr round butt grips. Today I believe it still resides under the Judges Robe.
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