Bulldog .44 loads?

[Tellico]

I have noted that there are a few .44 Bulldog owners on the Forum. I have recently bought one and zipped up to the range to try it out. I touched off my first round and almost threw the darn thing over the backstop! It felt like someone had hit my trigger finger with a hammer! This was a 265gr SWC with 7.5 Universal. After my finger quit aching I tried one more (dumb) with the same results! I guess a lighter bullet is called for in a 21oz gun? Any load advise to cut down the pain factor? I thought the S&W scandium .357 was bad at 11.4oz and a full boogy 125 gr. but this .44 is worse. What are you shooting in your Bulldogs?
Thanks,
Fred

 

[Cholo]

Right now its loaded with 6.5 grs. of Unique and a 240 gr. SWC. I've shot hundreds using 6.3 grs. I don't find it particularly uncomfortable to shoot in my old blue 3" BD with the factory wood grips. I do believe I'll drop it to 6 grs. of Unique though. I don't believe a BG could tell the difference.

 

[Tellico]

Thanks Cholo. I have some 240 gr coming ( and 200 gr JHP) and I'll try 6.3-6.5 Universal with them. I may change to wood grip also. I think the rubber has too much give allowing the trigger guard to smack my trigger finger. I would like to take the recoil on the palm instead. Those 265 gr with 7.5 are mild in the NM flat top though and very acc.
Fred

 

[Jimbo357mag]

...This was a 265gr SWC with 7.5 Universal.

If you want to stay with a SAAMI load it is;
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Universal - 6.5gr for a 200gr lead bullet at 960fps.
Universal - 5.6gr for a 240gr lead bullet at 873fps.

 

[tsubaki]

Try 9.0gr of Unique with a 180gr XTP.
I got 985fps out of that and it will expand fully in a 25lb block of clay.

 

[stevemb]

The last bullets I just got from Matt's are 210gr RNFP's, and they've been tried with 4.5gr of Bullseye and 7gr of Unique. I have a variety of 160-185gr bullets that I've tried over 6-7 grs of unique. If you want to stick to nominal weight SWC's I'd drop your charge to 6grs of Unique, then maybe edge up to 6.5gr's.. I like Penn's 185gr DEWC on 7grs of Unique. For daily use I have Pachy Compacts, the ones with the single finger notch, for the pinky. If to open carry or longer strings of fire(rare) I use Pachy Presentation grips. My Bulldog is a mid-80's SS 3".. Welcome to the club ! steve

 

[Tellico]

Thanks all! I'll try some or all of the recommendations.
Fred

 

[mikld]

I have been shooting some Matt's Bullets 250 gr full wadcutters in my .44 Magnums. I believe if I had a Bulldog, I'd load up a medium load with these wadcutters. Not hot enough to sting, but easier to shoot. A 250 gr. bullet with a full .44 caliber flat face going about 800 fps will put a definite hurt on anything it contacts...

 

[gramps]

I use 14 grs 2400 under 240 gr lswc .430. I have just loaded up some H4227 14 grs under 200 gr RNFP .430. I haven't shot yet.
gramps

 

[308 Scout]

I'm a new Bulldog owner too. I started off with 5.0 grs. of HP-38 and a 260 gr. SWC. they ran, depending on the exact bullet, 670 - 700 fps and recoil was all there. Then I switch to my standard load of 6.5 grs. of AL 20/28 and seated a 247 gr. SWCHP I'd cast some months earlier. This load recoiled even more (YIKES!) and it ran 830 fps.



I just got this mould in today and cast up a mess of bullets. They weigh 185 - 186 grs. Hopefully I'll get to try them in a couple of days.

 

[Rclark]

I load 6.0g Unique under 240g SWC exclusively for my Bulldog. That is my 'carry' load. I save the Skeeter load 7.5g of Unique/Universal for my SA flattops.

 

[Tellico]

Got that load ready to try today Rclark. Going to be 60-62 deg. here today!

Are there any grips that would improve on the stock rubber ones? They look like the Pachmayr gripper but I don't know if they are? Has anyone tried Hogue grips
Fred?

 

[Tellico]

Well I retried the little bugger with some 240gr and various loads of Trail Boss, Unique (which I normally don't use) Clays, Titegroup and 4227. Much more comfy. I liked the 13gr 4227 load the best. It busted some fair size rocks, but the range is closed Mon. and Tues. so I will see how acc. they are later. I think 3" at 25yds should be plenty good for 2" barrel. Thanks again all who helped out here.
Fred

 

[Rclark]

I think 3" at 25yds should be plenty good for 2" barrel.

Yep. I also plink out to 77 yards (back of the range) with mine... and hit with it. Considering the gun would normally be used in less than 10 yard situations ... plenty accurate.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

I gave my Bulldog to my son. His brother moved out of the house they were sharing and took all the guns. :? I loaded him a bunch of 240 XTP's over 5.5 gr of Unique. It was a good shooting load with very managable recoil.

I liked that Bulldog - I'll have to get another...

 

[Jimbo357mag]

4227 isn't the best 'low flash' powder you can choose. I think for self-defense I would use a faster powder, maybe Tightgroup or Universal. :D

 

[Tellico]

4227 isn't the best 'low flash' powder you can choose. I think for self-defense I would use a faster powder, maybe Tightgroup or Universal. :D

The Titegroup and universal loads I tried were a bit anemic. I may work up to my recoil tolerance ( which will be below the 265 gr at 1000fps) and then back off .5 gr. Not scientific but works. Still waiting on the 200gr HP bullets in the mail.
I didn't see any flash up in the woods in the snow, but with a 2in barrel and that slow a powder I know it has to be there. I bet it would be a flamethrower with power pistol! :shock: :lol:
Fred

 

[stevemb]

I'm feelin' the Bulldog love now ! Mine's going steelhead fishing in Erie in a few hrs..

 

[gramps]

I shot (yesterday PM) the 200 gr RWFN over 14 grs H4227. Shot low and to the left. Tried 240 gr lswc over 14.5 gr of 2400 shot to poa and a stouter load! :)
gramps

 

[stevemb]

Tellico, check out this'n.. http://levergun.com/articles/44_Special_Bulldog.htm Ole McPhearson knows his Bulldogs. ole weird steve

 

[Tellico]

Tellico, check out this'n.. http://levergun.com/articles/44_Special_Bulldog.htm Ole McPhearson knows his Bulldogs. ole weird steve

I guess he about covered everything a guy needs to know! Thanks for the link.
Fred

 

[Desertdog]

I have really enjoyed using 4227 in the Special....13-15gr works pretty well...I have the
15gr loaded with 240gr. SWC and use them mostly in my Blackhawk.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Right now its loaded with 6.5 grs. of Unique and a 240 gr. SWC. I've shot hundreds using 6.3 grs.

Hi,

That 6.3 gr under a 240 gr SWC shoots like a .38 Spl in my 7 1/2" Redhawk. Oughta be real nice in those smaller guns...

Rick C

 

[weemsf]

I use 205 grain bullets almost exclusively in my 44 Specials. Trail Boss is a good powder for soft ball loads. WW231 can be used as well.

 

[Merle1948]

I have noted that there are a few .44 Bulldog owners on the Forum. I have recently bought one and zipped up to the range to try it out. I touched off my first round and almost threw the darn thing over the backstop! It felt like someone had hit my trigger finger with a hammer! This was a 265gr SWC with 7.5 Universal. After my finger quit aching I tried one more (dumb) with the same results! I guess a lighter bullet is called for in a 21oz gun? Any load advise to cut down the pain factor? I thought the S&W scandium .357 was bad at 11.4oz and a full boogy 125 gr. but this .44 is worse. What are you shooting in your Bulldogs?
Thanks,
Fred

For carry I use the Federal 200 gr LSWC-HP. For practice I use 200 gr cowboy loads. The load you mentioned would be good in a S&W M624, or similar - it's meant for full sized guns.

 

[gramps]

I shoot CorBon 165 gr, Blazer 200 gr, and 240 gr lswc over 14 gr 2400!
gramps

 

[stevemb]

Gramps, I need to follow your path. As bears become an increasing threat to me'n mine, here and at camp. I need to think about a most lethal loading for big furry critters and my Bulldog. It is most often on my person. This a different path than the one I've followed.