.44 Special

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I loaded .44 Special rounds with a 240 grain cast SWC with 5.0 grain Bullseye per internet information.

Found my old 44 edition manual and discovered 4.1 grains Bullseye is recommended ?

I am thinking 5.0 grains Bullseye might be a mite strong on my older model Charter Arms .44 Bulldog ?

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[kraynky]

I trust printed reloaded manuals over "internet" loads any day. I'd be checking a few other printed manuals for comparison. I have at least 8-10 manuals that I use for cross checking. I'd be glad to check any of mine for you if you don't get another verification from this thread. Just PM me.

I've never owned a CA Bulldog, and don't know how stout that are built. But you're doing the right thing by checking here if you only have one manual to check.

 

[RobertJ.]

On the Alliant website, their data doesn't have a starting or max load listed, but they do have a load of 5.2 grains of BE listed for the 240 grain LSWC, in .44 Special. I would guess that's max.

 

[eb07]

Hi:
I loaded .44 Special rounds with a 240 grain cast SWC with 5.0 grain Bullseye per internet information.

Found my old 44 edition manual and discovered 4.1 grains Bullseye is recommended ?

I am thinking 5.0 grains Bullseye might be a mite strong on my older model Charter Arms .44 Bulldog ?

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

Read Brian pearces 44 concise pressures article for the knowledge you seek:


http://www.goodrichfamilyassoc.org/44_Special_Articles/Brian Pearce on the 44 Special.pdf




Regards

 

[andy52]

My Lyman 49th edition shows 4.3 start, 4.8 max.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Yes, too strong . I would not exceed 4.5 grs Bullseye .

 

[2152hq]

The Alliant site shows that 5.2gr/Bullseye for the 240gr LSWC.

That's a MAX load. The instructions on the opening Reloaders Guide page says reduce all rifle and handgun data shown by 10% for starting load.

My opinion,,,I loaded 5.0 gr Bullseye and the 240gr LSWC in 44SP.
I shot them in a Colt 1872 OpenTop repro. They didn't show any signs of excess pressure (primer, case, ect) but they were very snappy loads and I got the feeling just too hot for what I was looking for.

I backed it down to 4.2 or 4.3gr (can't recall which) but it's from a Lyman manual.
Much better, 'Feels' like a light target load should if you know what I mean. Very pleasent to shoot and accurate.
I have no idea what the MV or ME is,,don't really care, nor do the paper targets or cans.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I use 5.0 gr of BE with all my 44 Spl target loads with a 204 gr WC.
The oldest is a 1923 target and the newest is a 2007 24-4.
It is no where a hot or max load in any N or L frame 44!

 

[model3sw]

They'd be OK in a .44 Magnum not that Charter Arms.

 

[bigedp51]

Don't feel bad I just bought a Ruger .357 Vaquero and pulled out some .357 ammo I loaded in the late 1970s and early 1980s to shoot. And all the loads with 2400 and Blue Dot are over max in todays manuals.

This begs the question what is the best way if possible to unload these cases and save the cast bullets without damage. All I have is a impact hammer and I'm wondering if the roll crimp will give and not damage the bullet.

 

[amazingflapjack]

My old Bulldog likes 6.5 - 7 gr of Unique over a 240 gr LSWC. I also have some critical defense stuff that comes out at around 1800 fps-I have fired some in error with no ill effects (at the range!).

 

[BLUEDOT37]

They'd be OK in a .44 Magnum not that Charter Arms.

Everything I see indicates 5.0gr/Bullseye with a 240gr LSWC is under the SAAMI max of 15.5K PSI / 14K CUP for a 44 Special, which Charter Arms designed the revolver for.

If the C-A is in good mechancial order there shouldn't be an issue with this load.

.

 

[Forrest r]

Owned bulldogs since the 80's, their an extremely lethal firearm/caliber combo. The people that own/reload for them, not so much.

SD loads for my bulldog.

When I setup the powder throw for 5.0gr of bullseye I reload:
Any 200gr to 230gr bullet in the 45acp
Any 160gr to 250gr bullet in the 44spl
Any 150gr to 175gr bullet in the 357mag

Your bulldog will easily use/shoot those 5.0gr/240gr cast bullet loads. I've shot countless 1000's of reloads over the decades in several different firearms chambered in 44spl using 5.0gr of bullseye and 10+ different bullets.

 

[Gamecock]

Speer #14 shows 4.7 to 5.2 grains.

If you like the 5.0 load, stick with it.

 

[Skeet 028]

While the 44 sp is probably my favorite(or 2nd fav) I do not load Bullseye in it. Have never been a fan of Bullseye. I've used about all the other powders commensurate with the cartridge though. Yes I still like Unique but some loads are just too stout for the Charter Arms Target Bulldog first generation I have and I don't load most 44 sp too hot. I do load for one gun that is perfect for the hotter loads. It is a 29-3 3 inch round butt gun. Being it is not very long of bbl it doesn't seem to use slow burners very well but with many powders you can still reach 950 fps without the muzzle flip and unpleasant recoil of 44 mag loads in the gun. The C-A T Bulldog is much easier to carry for personal protection mainly because it is so light. Red and Green Dot loads work just fine in the 44 Sp as will the Bullseye loads listed. I just have so much other powders

 

[mikld]

Since the Alliant website states 5.2 gr. as max. I would reduce that by 10%. Since you aren't hunting bears with your CA, why push your reloads to the max? Instead of beating a gun to death with max loads, I'd just use reduced/starting loads for easier to shoot loads that aren't so hard on the gun...

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Hi:
I loaded .44 Special rounds with a 240 grain cast SWC with 5.0 grain Bullseye per internet information.

Found my old 44 edition manual and discovered 4.1 grains Bullseye is recommended ?

I am thinking 5.0 grains Bullseye might be a mite strong on my older model Charter Arms .44 Bulldog ?

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

ebo7's link to the Pierce article says that your Bulldog should more than stand this load . He lists 4.8 BE and a 245 g Lyman round nose as being equal to Factory (246g ?) standard loads . 2/10 g Should not increase pressure to the point of not being safe . I shoot Keith and Skelton loads in mine and have never had any problem . Not saying anyone else should .

Eddie