The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

44caliberkid · April 23, 2024, 03:57 PM

I started with the 44 Special in 1975 when I bought a Charter Bulldog. I also started reloading then, making 44 and 357 rounds on my desk, in my cubicle, in the barracks. Wanted a 44 Special and 44 Magnum because I read Skeeter and Elmer. The Bulldog was all I could find at the time. My first handloads of 7.8 - 8.0 grains of Unique with a 180 grain JHP. I think the max load was 7.5. I split the cylinder open, right down the thin side of the chamber. I sent it back to Charter and they replaced it, also threw in a set of, then new, rubber grips.
So definitely don’t max load a Charter Bulldog. But a Ruger Blackhawk, 240 grains at 1000 fps is fine. I would be willing to take the same chance with a Pietta or Uberti 1873 in 44 Special also. Or 3rd generation Colt SAA.

April 23, 2024, 03:57 PM	#54
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,129	I started with the 44 Special in 1975 when I bought a Charter Bulldog. I also started reloading then, making 44 and 357 rounds on my desk, in my cubicle, in the barracks. Wanted a 44 Special and 44 Magnum because I read Skeeter and Elmer. The Bulldog was all I could find at the time. My first handloads of 7.8 - 8.0 grains of Unique with a 180 grain JHP. I think the max load was 7.5. I split the cylinder open, right down the thin side of the chamber. I sent it back to Charter and they replaced it, also threw in a set of, then new, rubber grips. So definitely don’t max load a Charter Bulldog. But a Ruger Blackhawk, 240 grains at 1000 fps is fine. I would be willing to take the same chance with a Pietta or Uberti 1873 in 44 Special also. Or 3rd generation Colt SAA.