CA Bulldog Club

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Ended up pulling 50 bullets last night, I even had the 4.3-4.8grns, right next to my reloading machine, must be getting old. I've never done that before, in fact the only time I've used my bullet puller (kinetic) is when a primer goes in up side down. Again I thank you, I've used 240grn SWC commercial bullets using 4.3 which is the starting load, so I decided to go up to 4.5grns with my hand cast, never intended to go up to 4.8grns using my Charter Arms Bulldogs. That could have been a disaster for sure. I must have had them pretty well seated as it took 3 good blows in order to unseat them.
 
Great catch, Gordon; thanks. And glad you were able to successfully pull them, Loose Noose.

Still itching to get back to the range myself. Work is very busy, compounded by a bout of illness ("just" a cold, but miserable all the same). Perhaps some time this weekend ...

My new-to-me Pitbull is back at the factory. I'm guessing they'll have to replace the barrel. I took some "before" pics, so we'll see.
 
DSCN2013.JPG DSCN2014.JPG DSCN2011.JPG DSCN2012.JPG Finally got out his morning, and tried my hand cast .44 SWC 230grn in front of 4.5grns of Bullseye, (finally got the others, overloads undone) using WW primers. The average velocity at 3 yards in front of the screen for the 2.5" Charter Arms Bulldog was 709fps, with a low of 696fps and a high of 722fps, note I fired 15 rounds in order to come up with that velocity. The 3" Classic Bulldog had an average velocity of 729fps, with a low of 718fps, and a high of 741fps, I also shot 15 rounds to come to that conclusion. Below are photos of that target shot at 7 yards, and my hands after the punishing recoil of those rounds.
 
try 4 grains and see if it takes the edge off. I presume these are range loads and 650+ FPS is plenty and duplicates the old Webley load which was said to be a "stopper"
 
I thought the 4.3grns of Bullseye was the starting load, going much below the minimum load can be just a dangerous as going over, especially using a fast burning powder like Bullseye. I could be wrong as I have before. BTW does anyone have any idea of how that Super Moly bullet lube by Lyman goes?
 
loose noose said:
I thought the 4.3grns of Bullseye was the starting load, going much below the minimum load can be just a dangerous as going over, especially using a fast burning powder like Bullseye. I could be wrong as I have before. BTW does anyone have any idea of how that Super Moly bullet lube by Lyman goes?
Click to expand...
Not with Bullseye, that is what it is good for. No doubt you could safely use two grains and get 450 FPS cat fart loads (or less) the only thing you don't want is getting bullets stuck in barrel.
 
I cast 180 grain Lyman 429348 full wadcutters and run them thru a Lyman 450 Lubrisizer ,430 " with various lubes. I load 5.9 grains of Trail Boss and get 800 FPS in my CA 3" bull dogs . This load seems to shoot close to the sights on my two examples and is relatively mild on recoil and report, My blued Bridgeport one shoots 2" 15 yard groups with it. I wouldn't want to get hit with that brutal flat point. It also was a reasonably comfortable load in my S&W 296 2.5" and for some reason still shot around 800 FPS. the shot to shot deviation is low and the wad cutter crimped hard in top groove.
http://www.westernbullet.com/ly4gr4.html
 
I'll have to try the 4.0grns of Bullseye, next time I get to the reloading bench on those 230grn cast bullets, once my trigger finger heals up, I know I started jerking toward the end of the 100 rounds. I do like the accuracy of those loads though, the ones at the head of the silhouette were from 10 yards, all the others were from 7 yards using for the most part the chronograph. I also shot at some rocks that were out there on my desert range at different distances, up to 50 yards according to my range finder and after several rounds was able to even hit them on occasion.
 
Hey fellas, I picked up am old Bulldog this weekend with serial number 2527XX which should put in in the early 70's. However, it has the nasty goodyears on it. Its in pretty decent shape and has a pretty darn tight lock-up also. I'll post some pictures when I get time so I can be an official club member. BTW, if anyone has a line on some original wood grips I would greatly appreciate it! Kevin.
 
I'm a little late to the party, but here's my Bulldog.

index.php
 
I will order a 3" Bulldog Classic the next time I get to town. I see some photos of grips with a 'T' adapter. Do they help with recoil? Also when I went to the web site I did not see Charter Arms listed. I know I could get rubber grips but would prefer wood.
 
Here's the old girl. Serial number 252733. According to Mr. Jim's research, this one should be early 70's. Gotta find some period correct wood grips though, these Pach's look horrible. Although they feel real nice in the hand I think they take away from the asthetics of the revolver.



20170411_152243_zpsrzgneqon.jpg
 
My classic has a 5 digit serial number 86XXX, and I do believe I bought that around 1975, I also had the wooden grips on mine but shortly after I bought it I put Pachmayr Gripper grips on it. Definitely tamed the felt recoil down. Thinking about getting a pair of Rosewood grips for my newly purchased 2.5" SS Bulldog just for looks.
 
ak-kev said:
Here's the old girl. Serial number 252733. According to Mr. Jim's research, this one should be early 70's. Gotta find some period correct wood grips though, these Pach's look horrible. Although they feel real nice in the hand I think they take away from the asthetics of the revolver.

I don't like Pachys USUALLY , but if there is any gun where they really help and work well it is the .44 Bull Dog . Also those Compact Pachys are about the best of the breed. It is what has been on my Bridgeport for 35 years, I took off the wood grips loooooong ago. Yes they can stick on outer jackets ect. but the Cpmpacs aren't that bad.


20170411_152243_zpsrzgneqon.jpg
Click to expand...
 
You are most certainly correct Gordon. I fully agree with the need for the Pachys on the little Bulldog. I'm just really drawn to the classic lines of this little revolver with the wood stocks. In my opinion you just cant beat blued steel and wood grips on revolvers :) I'll have to find a nice OEM set of wood for show, and slip on the Pachys when I go to the range.
 
bfox, thanks for the link to rosewood grips for the Bulldog, fortunately I can save $10.00 over Charter Arms, any time I can save some money for the same product, you bet I will.
 
ak-kev said:
You are most certainly correct Gordon. I fully agree with the need for the Pachys on the little Bulldog. I'm just really drawn to the classic lines of this little revolver with the wood stocks. In my opinion you just cant beat blued steel and wood grips on revolvers :) I'll have to find a nice OEM set of wood for show, and slip on the Pachys when I go to the range.
Click to expand...
I wish Esmeralda would carve some up ! They haven't really changed the frame over the years , which is important to her. but the Compac on a Bull Dog is the answer. In my post of my two notice how close to a Compac the factory rubber grip became. I guess form does follow function :)
 
I just returned from my small LGS and ordered a CA Classic 3" Bulldog. I could have same a few $ by ordering on line and paying FFL but if everyone does that we will not even have a small LGS. I will try and post a picture after it arrives.
 
I'm watching for a deal on a Classic.

Should be getting my .40 S&W Pitbull back from Charter Arms later today. Here are a couple of photos showing why it went back to the factory. First shows some of the tool chatter in the grooves. Second shows a rough patch about midway down the barrel. It isn't leading; sharp protrusions that snag cleaning patches.
barrel3.jpg barrel4.jpg
 
... and after. New barrel. Target with a nice, tight group on it ... of course, I don't know the distance or the load. Nevertheless, very happy with Charter's customer service.

Now to get it to the range ...

barrel5.jpg barrel6.jpg pitbull.jpg
 
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