While the Bull Dog term has become part of the gun vocabulary, it is seldom applied to modern handguns, the majority of which are now of a semiautomatic type. An exception exists in a new version recently produced by the Charter Arms Corporation of Stratford, Connecticut. Named as the BULLDOG PUG, it differs from the more usual form in featuring a swing-out cylinder released by movement of a sliding catch at the left-hand side. Although still a relatively small weapon, a large single-piece wooden or rubber stock surrounds the grip frame to ensure a good firm hold on the weapon when fired. This calibre .44 Special model is acknowledged to have the highest power-to-weight ratio of any similar-sized pocket revolver. At a weight of only 20 ounces and with a barrel of 2.5 inches it falls well within the standard “Bull Dog” range.
The H&R Bull Dog: Calibre .32 six-shot model produced by Harrington &Richardson. Note absence of hinged loading gate from behind cylinder and use of pins to hold trigger guard.
Young America Bull Dog: Calibre .38 Rimfire five-shot model with two-inch barrel. YOUNG AMERICA BULL DOG is stamped on top strap while full address of Harrington &Richardson Arms Company appears on left side of barrel.
Charter Arms Bulldog Pug: Calibre .44 five- shot model produced by Charter Arms Corp. Title and calibre are stamped onto left side of barrel, while company address appears on right side of barrel. Weapon is nicely blued and has London Proof marks. Serial No. 972787. Courtesy Imperial War Museum, London.
© Gordon Bruce. (The author wishes to thank Homer Ficken, Frank Michaels and William Goforth for the kind help given during the preparation of this article.)
Life begins at ▪40
BY DR. GEORGE E.
DVORCHAK, JR.
Revockwise from top right: Freedom Arms and Mag-Na-Port custom Stalker single action revolver in .454 Casull with Bushnell Elite 2-6 scope; Ruger, a double action Super Redhawk in .480 Ruger with Simmons 2-6X scope; another DA Ruger but a Redhawk in .44 Magnum with a Burris 1-½X4 scope; .460 S&W with Burris 1-½X4 scope; and .500 S&W DA customized by Mag-Na-Port with a Trijicon Re flex sight.
Examples of four 40+ calibers in the T/C Encore and Contender. From top: SSK barrel in .444 Marlin on a Contender with a Bushnell 2-6 scope; ribbed SSK T/C Contender in .45-70 Government with Bausch & Lomb 4X scope; T/C Encore barrel in .480 Ruger with T/C 1.25X4 scope; T/C Encore in .450 Marlin with T/C 2.5X7 scope.
As we’re all aware, big bore firearms are known for their stopping ability, which is why we like them. On the negative side, they are also known for their recoil. Yet there are many big bores, meaning 40-caliber-plus, that depending on the round, load and firearm, will not bite the hand that feeds them. Also in this category there are cartridges that cannot reach out there as effectively as some others and are at their best at shorter range.
When it comes to handguns, we have single and double action revolvers that are usually chambered for cartridges designed for use in a cylinder. Then there are the single shots which, although they do chamber traditional handgun cartridges, can also be chambered in what most would think of as rifle cartridges.
It’s not always easy to categorize big bore cartridges as being “for” one application but not “for” another. Some cartridges such as the .45 ACP have a major role in pistols for both defense and target use, yet I’ve found that this round also makes for a great close-range varmint number. On the other side of the spectrum, the .450 Marlin was designed for lever action carbines for big game. Today the T/C Encore, which can safely handle high pressure cartridges, is also chambered for the .450, and it is a handful. Then we have other cartridges as the .45 Winchester Magnum, which most would think of as a competition cartridge but which is a great cartridge for game such as whitetail. (Unfortunately it’s slowly slipping into oblivion.)
The following is a summary of some popular – and some not-quite-so-popular – big bore cartridges that are found in revolvers and single shot handguns. All are effective for the jobs they were designed to perform.
(Note: For some bullets, two sizes are listed, an apparent ambiguity which is due to which make of bullet is available for a specific cartridge. This is an example of why it is important to use the loading data developed for a specific make of bullet and follow such guidelines closely. Variations also occur in bullets from the same company, depending on whether they’re lead or jacketed.)
.44 REMINGTON MAGNUM
(0.429" or 0.430”) This revolver cartridge, which was introduced in 1955-56 as a joint venture by Smith & Wesson and Remington, is likely one of the most well-known revolver cartridges of all time. Even those who know nothing about guns have heard about this cartridge and the S&W Model 29 because of the popular Dirty Harry movies of the 1960s. The positive aspect of the publicity was that the name got out there; the bad, at least for me at that time, was that to purchase a Model 29 for hunting, if a store had one at all you could expect to pay $100 or more than the list price. The other “bad” aspect was that the .44 Magnum had a reputation of being Mr. Punishment, especially when it came to recoil. What that did was scare people away from using this fine cartridge and revolvers for hunting.
Yet by the standards we have today, this is a middle-of-the-road cartridge when it comes to power and recoil. But when introduced, it was the most powerful handgun cartridge of all time. In reality, in a single action or double action handgun, the recoil is not that bad. What’s bad is the blast! This I feel is what causes one to flinch and close one’s eyes when the trigger is pulled, not the recoil. I have dispatched many whitetail with it and it was quite effective. But then, with a 2X scope or an electronic dot sight and most all shots within 20 to 70 yards, what a nice handgun and cartridge to use! My experience is with 180- to 300-grain bullets with a preference being a 200- or 240-grain. Shot capsules are also available which if used within 10 or so feet, drop a snake with a head shot.
.444 MARLIN
(0.429" or 0.430") This “rifle” cartridge is kind of like a .44 Magnum case that took vitamins and got taller. In a joint venture with Remington in 1964, Marlin introduced a new big bore lever action rifle appropriate for short to moderate ranges, and the .444 Marlin hit the market. In 1965, I bought one and used it until 1989, when JD Jones at SSK Industries made me a Thompson/Center Contender barrel so chambered. On introduction, the .444 cartridge lacked an effective bullet, since the thinner jacketed 240-grain .44 Magnum bullets were all we had available, and they couldn’t stand up to the .444’s increased velocity. Then Hornady in 1967 introduced a 265-grain bullet specifically for this cartridge, one that generated higher velocities than the .44 Magnum. I have used 240- and 300-grain bullets but in my handloads back then and with factory ammunition today, the 265-grain is what I prefer for deer and black bear. If your T/C Contender or Encore is ported or has a special brake, this cartridge’s recoil is in the 44 Magnum class.
Cartridges reviewed, from left: the .500 S&W, the .460 S&W Magnum, the .454 Casull, the .45 Colt, the .45 Winchester Magnum, the .45 ACP, the .480 Ruger and the .44 Magnum.