Buffalo Bore on Charter Bulldogs

I will keep a log for round count and will be watching for any issues that may crop up with the gun. The only thing is, with the cost of .44 special factory ammo, I'm going to have to take up handloading!
 
a good modest load for the lightly built bulldog is 240gr. SWC over 5.3 grains of Unique. will still get the job done but wont be hard on the gun.
 
I'm going to have to take up handloading!
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Yep.... Volume shooting of .44 Special does require hand loading ... unless you have deep pockets. I like 6.0g Unique under 240g SWC for the Bulldog. For my 'other' .44Specials they get the Skeeter load (7.5g Unique under 240g SWC bullet).
 
Thanks gang!

Well, I can't contain myself. I'm headed to the range right after work to shoot Mr. Bulldoggle again!! Mini range report to follow!
 
Okay, just got back from the range.

Shot about 75 rounds of the same LAX 240 grain FMJ loads, and 15 rounds of Blazer 200 grain GDHP loads. All fired at 7 yards. I fired most of the Blazer loads into the head. Here is a range pic:

20150424_143454.jpg


The gun shot everything very well! But, the aluminum cased Blazer ammo stuck in the chambers and didn't eject very well. I don't think that I'll be using it for defensive ammo. I had to pluck all the rounds out after getting them halfway out with the ejector rod. This disqualifies this ammo for defense use, needless to say.

During shooting, I did have the cylinder release button bind up once or twice. I believe the reason for this was due to the LAX reloaded ammo that I was firing. It was leaving behind significant amounts of gritty unburnt powder residue... after a few shots, I could feel it all over the gun and my hands. Upon inspecting the fired cases, there was quite a bit of unburnt powder residue in the bottoms. I blame this problem on the very dirty ammo, that otherwise shot fine. The gun's cylinder release button works perfectly fine now that I've got the gun cleaned up. I should note, this dog has some bite! Recoil was manageable with both loads, but after the hundred or so rounds I have a couple of small blisters on the web of my strong hand. Certainly not a .22 in terms of recoil!

I just have to say, I am DIGGING this gun. Not only does it look cool, but it feels great in hand with the new grips and balances well. It's got plenty of power for such a small and light gun, and has worked really well since Charter Arms repaired it. I look forward to shooting it more!!!
 
Nice... But now you have to move out to 15Y, then 25Y :) . I like to hit the 77 yard metal targets with mine sometimes too. More challenging.
 
Nice... But now you have to move out to 15Y, then 25Y . I like to hit the 77 yard metal targets with mine sometimes too. More challenging.
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Thanks! I was more concerned about how the gun was from a reliability standpoint. I'm not the best shot, but those Blazer GDHPs sure did group well. My first five shot group with them was below two inches... too bad they stuck so badly in the chambers! I've heard of that happening... the only bad thing about the .44 Bulldoggiedogglepies are the lack of good performing hollow points for the caliber out of the short 2.5" barrel on the new BeeDawgPupperPuppykins... at least ones that won't tear the gun apart! I'm about to say "to hell with it" and order some of the Buffalo Bore 180 grain hollow points. Like Buffalo Bore said, limited use of that load should be fine in the new Bulldogs, and boy do they seem like they'd gitter done!!! :D!!!
 
buy some SPEER gold dots AND some CCI gold dots. same ammo for the most part except the SPEER uses nickel plated brass.

load gun with SPEER gold dots, and keep a reload of the aluminum cased CCI gold dots.
 
Jerry, I've read that the Speer load gets worse velocity than the Blazer load, which already doesn't meet the 800 FPS velocity needed for reliable expansion of the 200 grain Gold Dot bullet.
 
Mod12, with the 200 gr. slug and the wide hollow point face, I'd take the chance on account of increased velocity is at the cost of slower follow up shots from the increased recoil with the same weight bullet. also, the two rounds I mentioned are readily available at GM or Academy Sports in my area, no need for the wait of mail order and additional shipping costs.

I wish there were some ballistic jell tests with the various commercial rounds that are fired from a bulldog instead of longer barrel guns or test barrels.
 
With the big 'fat' rounds, big hole, expansion isn't necessary. I load mine with SWCs for my SD needs (load what I shoot, and shoot what I load). And I would not load 'hot' .44Spec in the Bulldog.... At least I wouldn't. Standard pressure .44Spec only.
 
I agree!

Most all the .44 special gel tests I've seen are being fired from larged .44 magnum revolvers with much longer barrels.

The only gel test I've seen where they used a Bulldog with 2.5" barrel, was a Hornady demonstration of their 165 grain Critical Defense load. Penetration was only 10.5" though and that was in bare gel. Not the best performance methinks. Here is the product page, the video can be seen in the video tab:

http://www.hornady.com/store/44-SPECIAL-165-GR-Critical-Defense/

As you can see, in the gel blocks they show and in the video, this round underpenetrates though it doesn't seem to be bothering Hornady LOL!

I have been in contact with two companies, Underwood Ammunition, and Cor Bon. Underwood offers a load called the "Bull Dog" made specifically for Charter Arms .44 specials, and it's a 200 grain GDHP bullet in a brass case that is a step up in velocity from the Blazer or Speer loads. It's designed to were it will be fast enough to expand from a Bulldog, but not so hot as to hurt the gun. They are out of stock right now, and I messaged them asking them to make some more. They said they've had some trouble finding the GDHP bullets to load the ammo, and said they are looking into making a batch of Bull Dog loads using Nosler 200 grain hollow point bullets instead. I'd prefer the GDHP bullet but I'm still going to buy several boxes of this load when Underwood finally makes some again.

As for Cor Bon, they make a 200 grain all copper DPX load that has gotten rave reviews, and seems like it will perform great from a Bulldog in the research I've done. I also messaged them, and they said they have gotten several requests to make a run of that load and to check back in about 90 days so hopefully they are making some. This is a warm load, but I think it should be okay in the Bulldog for light shooting and to carry.

Alas, finding good performing .44 special hollow point defense ammo for the .44 Bulldogs is quite a chore. Just not many options...
 
Give the C.O.P. ( copper only projectiles ) 44 special 200 grain HP ammo a try....I've used it in other handgun calibers and it seems to perform pretty well and it is not that expensive in comparison to other defense ammunition prices ! The .44 special load advertises 200 grain HP@945fps which sounds like a good compromise without getting too hot for your small framed handgun ! Found mine at Midway for .38 special , 10mm auto , 44 magnum calibers !
 
Thanks for the suggestion. I've seen that load for sale online, I wonder what barrel length that velocity is from? I take any factory muzzle velocity with a grain of salt. It's almost totally meaningless unless it was specifically recorded from a specific gun and barrel length, like how Buffalo Bore does.
 
I had to post some pix because, well because I like guns. here are three charter arms revolvers: an 80s Off Duty .38, a charter 2000 .44, and a 1973 Bridgeport made bulldog .44. the Bridgeport .44 lost timing twice. the second time in the shop (I paid for both repairs), they had to replace the cylinder and crane in order to get it timed right. you might notice the matt black/bluing of the new version cylinder and crane compared to the beautiful polished bluing on the original frame and barrel. also the ejector rod has a shield as part of the new crane, which is different from the original guns. I haven't shot the 44s since I got them back, will report on those results. the Off Duty is one of my best revolvers, and its timing and lock up are still tighter than Dick's hatband.







 
well, range trip went well. both bulldogs functioned as they should. the Charter 2000 is noticeably tighter than the Bridgeport gun even with its news cylinder and crane. the 1980s Off Duty is still putting both of them to shame with regards to well it has held up. after sorting brass I found that some primers are struck off center, though i do not know which gun did this because i didn't check at the time i was firing. both have new cylinders and cranes, so it wont be until my next outing when i can take note of the culprit. .44 special loads were 240SWC over 5.3 grains of Unique. this is about the best Bulldog load I've found that is reasonably comfortable to shoot but still smacks the plates with authority.



 
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