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.44 American Bulldog rounds

bigbossman
[:D] I just won, on another auction format, an Iver-Johnson American Bulldog in .44 caliber, using something called a .44 bulldog round. This is probably a 15-20 grain black-powder load behind a lead slug.

Two questions, if I may:[?][?]

1. Does anyone have the specs for that load? I am told it can be made
by shortening .44 special brass and loading light black powder
charges.

2. Is it interchangeable with a .44 Russian? This load is another
short vintage .44 round from that era and I know where some of
that load is right now.

Thanks as always. Peace...........

Fight Crime- Shoot Back!
Trashballs Prefer Defenseless Victims!!!!
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • Contender Man
    Smith & Wesson produced a 44 "American" round, which if I recall correctly was slightly shorter than the 44 Russian. I hope this helps you, my Cartridges of the World book is over at my son's house (kid's regardless of how old they are ... are good at borrowing, but slow at returning[:D])

    One of the other members, especially the serious ammunition fellas, should be able to help, but if for some reason they don't catch your post try your local library as most keep a copy of the Cartridges of the World in their reference section.


    2470100-M.jpg
    If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
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  • Xracer
    No current .44 round will fit your Bulldog.

    You can make cartridges for it by shortening .44 Special cartridge cases from 1.16 to .57, and loading for an OAL of .95.

    Don't expect much accuracy though. The Bulldog was a true 44 caliber, having bullet diameter of .440.....and current 44 caliber bullets are .429.

    As for loads....your guess is as good as mine, but I'd be tempted to start with something like 1.7 gr of Bullseye and work up very, very slowly.
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  • v35
    The 44 S&W American and the 44 Bulldog are different rounds and cut down 44 Specials will swim in the chamber. The closest case is the 45 Webley.
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  • hrf
    Must disagree with v35: The .44 S&W American case was smaller diameter then the .44 S&W Russian and Special, thus it is the American that will "swim in the chamber"

    The I.J. American Bulldog's were chambered for the obsolete .44 Webley cartridge, the USA name for .442 British round. It would also chamber the .44 Bulldog round, which was just a shorter version of .44 Webley, with lighter powder charge and bullet. These guns date from mid 1880s, and I'd strongly recommend using black powder only!
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  • b.goforth
    i must agree with hrf, the 44 caliber american bulldog by iver johnson was discontinued in 1899 and never meant to be fired with somkeless powder. use of smokeless powder in these revolvers can be hazardous to your health.
    b.goforth
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  • cactus-man
    Old Western Scrounger in Calif. has rounds for the 44 Bull Dog. I believe about 56 dollars for 50 rounds.
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  • Iconoclast
    The Bulldog is a unique - and orphaned - cartridge, definitely not related to the S&W American, Russian, Special, etc. Essentially, it was a .44 caliber "Saturday Night Special" round similar to the lower grade .32 & .38 revolver cartridges of the 1880 - 1920 era. Caution and mild loads must be your guides.

    Most of my references are packed, else I probably could cite some basic loads / brass conversions. This was never one of the more popular cartridges and ammo is accordingly scarce. OTOH, original rounds sell for about $1 each when you can find them, so your costs will be about the same whether you buy that or OWS's over-priced products.

    Absent my references, I'd suggest checking out the RCBS website. They sell forming tools for just about anything which can be made from another, existing, case. If there is a way of making the brass, they will offer the tools to do so. Doesn't mean there won't be a less expensive route to take (those tools are almost all in the three figure range!), but it should provide an insight into which - if any - current production case to use in forming brass.



    "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)
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  • oldammo
    I sell original W R A 44 BD rounds and would never sell for $1 each. I would like to know where I can buy at this price. OWS at $56 a box and if reloadable is a super bargain.

    Old Ammo, have lots always looking for more.
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  • bigbossman
    Thnks to one and all. Black powder only I knew about. Take care.

    Fight Crime- Shoot Back!
    Trashballs Prefer Defenseless Victims!!!!
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  • Iconoclast
    OOOOPS!! oldammo is correct, these do bring more than $1 a round . . . originals start at around $2.25 and go up from there, depending on headstamp / condition. Teach me to shoot my keyboard off without consulting my database! I just bought a box for a very good price and for some reason had it in my mind it was a $1 round . . . looks like I'll make more money than I expected . . . always upsetting when that happens . . . NOT! [:D]

    "There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain) ". . . And liberals / DemoWipes" (me)
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  • rsnyder55
    44 Bulldog was loaded up until 1938/1939. It was produced in both blackpowder and smokeless. According the my references, Winchester listed it for Webley, British Bulldog, and H&R revolvers. It was a 168-170 gr bullet w/ a muzzle velocity of 460 ft/sec and ME of 80 ft/lbs.

    Unfortunately, I cannot find the dimensional specs......
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  • farfromnormal
    According to "The Handloader's Manual Of Cartridge Conversions", brass can be made from .45 auto rimmed brass. You turn the rim to .503" dia. and thin to .048". Trim to length of .570". Then full length size. The load they show is a 170 gr. lead bullet over 3.5 grains of Bullseye. OAL should be .950". As stated by others, any load should be used with much caution in these old guns. Good luck and happy shooting.[:D]

    A BAD DAY OF HUNTING IS BETTER THAN A GOOD DAY AT WORK!
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