Lindcott Armory Compare / .38 S&W vs .44 Bull Dog
Cartridge comparison
.38 S&W vs .44 Bull Dog
.38 S&W is faster (767 vs 700 fps); .44 Bull Dog carries more energy (218 vs 206 ft·lb).
.38 S&W →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.44 Bull Dog →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .38 S&W | .44 Bull Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Revolver | Revolver |
| Introduced | 1877 | 1878 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.361″ | 0.44″ |
| Case length | 0.775″ | 0.57″ |
| Velocity | 620–767 fps | 650–700 fps |
| Energy | 176–206 ft·lb | 188–218 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 14,500 psi | 18,000 psi |
| Recoil | 2.5–4 ft·lb | 2.5–4 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 50 yd | 20 yd |
FAQs
- Is .38 S&W faster than .44 Bull Dog?
- .38 S&W is faster — up to 767 fps versus 700 fps.
- Does .38 S&W hit harder than .44 Bull Dog?
- .44 Bull Dog carries more muzzle energy (218 vs 206 ft·lb).