Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Spl with warm ammo?

[Valmet]

I’m a Charter Arms Bulldog fan (I own two), and shoot lighter reloads, Winchester Silvertip and Hornady XTPs and it does fine, I’m curious if anyone has any experience with Cor-Bon, Buffalo Bore or Underwood ammo in their Bulldogs? I’ve heard mixed info but since there’s such a high number of wheelgun shooters on here I thought this might be the place to ask.

Any info is appreciated.

 

[Jessie]

No experience with hot loads myself, but I've always read not to do it.
At least not very much.
It is an alloy frame, afterall

 

[eb07]

The bulldog is not rated for that ammo. Best way to destroy the gun imho

 

[touchoneoff]

I never run "hot" or +P ammo in any of my firearms. If I can't get it done with standard pressure ammo, then I need to practice more. JMHO

 

[dr. mordo]

I have run Underwood 200gr Gold Dots in my Taurus 445, which weighs almost the exact same as a Bulldog.

They are manageable but very snappy. I carry the Taurus loaded with the Hornady Critical Defense 165gr, which are much less hot than the Underwoods, but have the Underwoods for reloads because my primary gun is a M29.

I wouldn't shoot much of either in these aluminum frame 44s though. Even though it's "just" a SPL, there a lot of power there.

 

[murphydog]

I think the ability to place accurate multiple rounds on target takes precedence over hotter loads. I have shot (long ago) 240 gr SWCs with 7.5 gr Unique and they were...vigorous, not suitable for rapid follow up shots. My arm and the gun did survive intact, however.

 

[Valmet]

I’m not disputing the effectiveness of a well-placed shot from a .44 Spl, just curious how the revolvers stand up to the warmer ammo.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I had the steel frame Taurus 5 shot, it is nowhere as strong as the 1926/M-24 the hot ammo was developed for!

 

[murphydog]

An Internet search did not show any "endurance" testing for it. My guess would be heavy use of hot loads might stretch the frame. Perhaps an email to the company might tell you how many rounds they or another customer have put through one.

 

[dr. mordo]

I’m not disputing the effectiveness of a well-placed shot from a .44 Spl, just curious how the revolvers stand up to the warmer ammo.

Truly not trying to be a jerk, but looking back your question was pretty vague.

So you are specifically interested in the effects of hot ammo on Bulldogs?

 

[Valmet]

Truly not trying to be a jerk, but looking back your question was pretty vague.

So you are specifically interested in the effects of hot ammo on Bulldogs?

It was pretty vague now that I consider it. I’ve heard folks say that they’ve used hotter ammo in their Bulldogs with no problems and I’ve heard others recommend against it. I’ll contact Charter Arms this week and check with them.

 

[Muley Gil]

No experience with hot loads myself, but I've always read not to do it.
At least not very much.
It is an alloy frame, afterall

The .44 Special Bulldog has a steel frame and an aluminum grip frame.

 

[jack the toad]

I’ll contact Charter Arms this week and check with them.

Please share the info here when you do.

 

[ShivasIrons]

Buffalo Bore makes a 44 Special Round specifically for Charter Arms.

ANTI-PERSONNEL 44 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

Their other 44 Special ammo is not rated for Charter Arms Bulldogs.

 

[kaaskop49]

The bulldog is not rated for that ammo. Best way to destroy the gun imho

The OP's valid question goes back to the intro of the Buldog in the early 70s. IMMEDIATELY, people asked, "Will it take the Keith load?" Not the intermediate Unique load with 240gr bullet, but the full 17.5gr of 2400 and the same weight bullet used in larger frame guns like the S&W N-frames and Ruger SAs. The only factory loads back then were the mild 246gr LRN from WW and RP, so I can understand the desire for a safe handload. But 17.5gr of 2400 in an 18-19oz gun??

I can only wonder if any Bulldogs were seriously damaged by the use of this full load.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[skipnsb]

To OP: See this 2005 article, I understand he later "derated" the Bulldog but I can't find that article:

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

There he rates the Bulldog for 22,000 psi, and shows a 255 grainer at 1181 fps as being under that psi.

Some time ago a member here stated he handloaded 300grainers for the Bulldog, but I never followed up with his velocity or pressure. I have only shot the factory 240 grain.

Anyone, please post a link to the later article if he derated the Bulldog, if you find it.

I would be willing to put up a few bucks for destructive testing a Bulldog, anyone else?