Thoughts about the Bulldogs

[Rem722]

I've owned several over the years,but never kept them long,really for no good reason as they general have performed well.My current Charter Arms Bulldog is a 4" Target Bulldog that I picked up dirt cheap.It's accurate and fun to shoot,and I want to try to take a deer with it this season with some hard cast leads. What's your experience & thought on these 44s?

 

[Valmet]

Owned my Bulldog since 2010 and have put prob 600-700 rounds thru it- all factory stuff, none of my warm handloads and it's been 100%. Not sure I'd try and take a deer with it though myself.

 

[murphydog]

I would think a 240 gr SWC at around 1000 fps would do well on a deer at shorter range, if you practice and are up to the challenge. Let's see those trophy photos!

 

[loc n load]

Bulldog 44 spl.

The C A Bulldog was the first 44 spl I owned. I bought mine in the 70's when they were introduced. Skeeter Skelton wrote an article about it, along with his experience of shooting his handloads through one.
My pet load in mine have been a cast 200 gr WC over a charge of Unique.
The 44/spl with the right bullet ( my choice would be the Lyman 429421),velocity and proper shot placement is capable of putting venison in the freezer.
I would limit my shots to 50 yds.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I had one of the original ones back in the 70s, but lost it when it was stolen out of my moving shipment when I was transferred by the Army from Belgium to Germany in the mid-80s. I have since gotten a 44 Bulldog Pug which has also given me great service. It is one of my EDC guns.

 

[Grayfox]

Every .44 Special lover should have a CA Bulldog.
I picked this one up about 7 years ago LNIB.

 

[mikerjf]

Deer hunting with a Bulldog? Very "Son of Sambi"!

(Boo-hiss…. sorry!)

 

[22lrfan]

I picked up this '70's Bulldog at a pawn shop several years ago. It shoots great but I've never considered hunting with it.

I found this used CA Boomer last week at our local police supply store. DAO with no hammer spur, no front sight and a 2" ported barrel. This may be the ultimate pocket cannon, belly gun. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet.

 

[hardluk1]

I would use your 44sp as a back up or for scouting trips but not for hunting. Its a slow low power cartridge that needs expert marksmanship and probably skilled hunter . I tend to say IF your have to ask done do it .

I say this do to many years experience using a 8" 357mag revolver since '76 with old school high velocity 170gr fn or hardcast 180gr for hogs . Also taken a few larger thin skinned game with an 8" 44mag . No interest is shooting deer with a low velocity swc or hp .

How tight a 5 shot group can you and that CA shot in the field at 15 yards . 2" ,, how at 25 yards ? If you do try and don't make a quick clean kill with no tracking needed your skills and handgun choice are lacking !

 

[Delta Expatriate]

When I saw the title to this thread, I thought you might be asking for thoughts on the Mississippi State Bulldogs' prospects for the upcoming football season (or what that matter, any team named the Bulldogs). I forgot I was on this forum, rather than a sports forum. Just a thought, not trying to hijack the thread.

 

[Waldo]

Every .44 Special lover should have a CA Bulldog.
I picked this one up about 7 years ago LNIB.

Now I am feeling inadequate. I have .44 Specials from Colt, Ruger and S&W, but no Charter Arms. I have thought about buying one, but whenever I handle one, I just don't see buying it. I have read lots of good things about them over the years. I guess I will have to look again.

 

[Dave Baird]

Haha! No, not sports.
I've had one type of Bulldog on and off for the past 35 years. If I had more money available for the hobby, I would have kept at least one. I've owned the original 3" which is the best, a Pug, a Tiger, and lastly a Boomer. I had to send the last two back to Charter for repairs right out of the box though. I love the idea and maybe when I get to where I don't feel responsible for other's safety and relying on follow-up shots, my last CCW will be a Bulldog, preferably an early one.

 

[DWalt]

I have a very early Bridgeport .44 BD, possibly first year, although dating production of a CA is not easy. Could one hunt with it? Sure, but it certainly would be nearly at the bottom of my list as a choice of a hunting weapon.

 

[mtgianni]

Forget the hardcast. Go with a 429421 of a BHN no greater than 16, 12 would be better. Limit your shots to 40 yards or less from a rest, whether that be a side rest or a bottom rest. Preference would be to put one in the ear hole at less than 20 yards.
If you tree stand hunt practice from the air and practice the straight down shot. Have a rifle for follow up shots.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Every .44 Special lover should have a CA Bulldog.
I picked this one up about 7 years ago LNIB.

mine is the classic version just like yours but made in the early 1990s, I think. It is never unloaded. I just took it out a while ago for a road trip we're taking. my standard handload is 240 grn store bought cast SWC lead bullets over 6.4 grns Unique. it. Is an essential gun to own if you're a .44 Specialaholic like me and many others here.