Mike McNett (of Double Tap Ammunition fame) has just released his GDHP version of the .44 Special! He's achieving 950 fps from the 'new' Charter 2000 Bulldog's 2 1/2" barrel! Imagine how such a load will perform from either a 4, 6, or 6 1/2" barrel. (Multiply the speed by 75 fps per inch of barrel!) This bad boy makes ANY .44 Special a "new breed of cat." Rock on Mike, ROCK ON!

You really can't help but LOVE that!

Scott

This post has been edited by gunfan: October 26th 2007 7:51 PM

Gunfan, this is 'great news' from the desk of Mr. McNett. This will make the .44 Special, the 'true performer' that it was destined to be. Whether fired from a .44 Magnum tube, or dedicated .44 Special. Most of the current fodder is really tame. All I can say is, excelsior!

That is good news!

Awsome Mike! I just bought a CA Bulldog Pug last week. It is so accurate, I love it so far. CCI for practice, DT for poker games! Loaded with the 200 gr. Speer gold dot soup bowl I suppose?

gunfan - what are you carrying your bulldog in? Have any advice for an IWB holster?

About time someone got the .44 special rolling back on track.

You're absolutely correct, Sicdaug! Mike is using the 200-grain GDHP "soup bowl" as you put it. I don't carry my 3" 1991-vintage Bulldog in a IWB. I carry it in a butt-down, muzzle-up-behind-the-armpit, shoulder holster. Then again, I'm constantly wearing a sportcoat, shirt, tie and slacks. No one EVER suspects me of being armed... unless I go through a metal detector! I manage to go many places undetected and walk confidently!

Were I you, I would look one of six different places. Galco USA, Ted Blocker of Tigard Oregon, Kramer Leather, in Tacoma Washington, Bianchi Holsters or Milt Sparks.

You can even go to Charter Arm's website and buy a holster from the manufacturer himself!

I wish you the best in your quest.

Scott

This post has been edited by gunfan: October 28th 2007 3:58 AM

Holster - belt holster
Price:$29.95
The Charter belt holster is a leather belt holster (uncovered full barrel) with elastic retention and two belt loops. It is inclined on the right side position. This holster fits all available Charter models.

This model fits outside the waistband, but may suit your needs.

Scott

Um, not to quibble, but I think you mean ADD 75 fps per inch.

In any event, this sounds like exactly what I want to stoke my S&W M21 Classic with.... when I get it, that is.

I just bought a box of the 44 Spec ammo recently (my introduction to Double Tap ammo) Its terrific stuff ! Got it for use in S&W 629 & 329PD (and maybe a 3" barrel M24 if I decide to get one). I'm definitely going to order some more of it. - - I'm impressed with the ammo and am looking at some DT 10mm loads to use in my Dan Wesson Razorback (one of the original 150 from the pre-CZ days). The Dan Wesson is very accurate but has been shot very little, so its time to remedy that with some good ammo. I bought it as a woods gun, so am especially interested in the 200 gr cast 10mm ammo. Regards, - -

This post has been edited by Pointshoot: October 3rd 2008 8:16 AM

WHOOPS! Thank you Boomer, that's precicely what I meant. (Talk about your mistakes!) Sorry, Kid.

Scott

Greetings,

Would anyone know how an ORIGINAL CA Bull Dog would hold up to this ammo? I've had one just about forever and don't know how much it can safely take. If it would be ok, this would make a great carry round. TIA!

Regards, Jim

Greetings: Would anyone know how an ORIGINAL CA Bull Dog would hold up to this ammo? I've had one just about forever and don't know how much it can safely take. If it would be ok, this would make a great carry round. TIA Regards, Jim.

I wouldn't put it through MY 1991 SS Bulldog! This would likely be too much for the revolver to take on any kind of regular basis. For the Bulldog, I would recommend that you use the CCI-Speer 200-grain GDHP loads. They'll do the job without abusing the revolver.

Scott

Greetings Scott and group,

Thanks much! That's why I asked. What's different on the new models that allows for the high performance ammo?

Regards, Jim

Perhaps I am wrong. I think that I'd like to purchase some for my "older" Bulldog. Wait... NOW I remeber! The ammunition that shoudn't be used in the Bulldogs comes from Buffalo Bore! (Its a .44 S&W Special +p load for the cartridge.)

I'm sorry, it was my mistake!

Scott

Why not use a 44.mag?

Greetings,





Well that's actually a very good question. My reasons are several. First, the Charter Arms Bulldog is .44 spcl only. It's an easily concealable hand gun that fits the (my) hand well (and MUCH better with the new Pachmyer grips I just put on it). Far as I know, there haven't been many (if any at all) "full house" factory loads for it available in recent times. The new version being discussed in this thread would IMO absolutely be carry/defense only, as the recoil would no doubt be punishing as well as cost prohibitive for target shooting.

So, if your question is why bother with the .44 special AT ALL if you don't already have a hand gun chambered exclusively for it? Probably no reason at all to; just go for .44 mag. There are plenty of loadings to choose from for that.

Now looking in the other direction, as in regards to any of the revolvers actually chambered for the .44 mag. Using .44 spcl can provide a lower recoil and less expensive "plinking" round. I've done that for target shooing in my S&W 629s (3" and 6.5"), specifically the aluminum cased Blazer "flying ashtray".

I guess the main point would be for those of us who own a .44 special and the enthusiasm for ANY new factory loadings. ALL of this does end up somewhat irrelevant if you hand load (which I don't at this point, but hope to start doing some day).

Regards. Jim

This post has been edited by jim-analog: February 4th 2009 10:10 PM

For defense, I prefer the .44 S&W Special because I can shoot it well, and it doesn't bear the "magnum" moniker (and its accompanying stigma). In its standard loadings, the .44 S&W Special mimics the .45 ACP with a little more sectional density. This permits for deeper penteration, and more positive expansion, when compared with the .45. The .44 Special is also an older cartridge (1907) and is rimmed. This distinction places it in an honored place in the era of modern handgun cartridges. The .44 S&W Special revolver cartridge, as Mike McNett loads it, is right up there with the ".44 Magnum light" when it comes to stopping capabilities.

I see it as one of the better sixgun "manstopper" cartridges on the face of the earth! I would use it with confidence in the new Charter Arms Bulldog. It looks as if this one is a winner!

Scott

This post has been edited by gunfan: April 15th 2009 2:26 PM

Another great option.