Pistol · Not SAAMI standardized

.44 AMP

.44 AutoMag.44 Auto Mag Pistol

The flagship cartridge of the Auto Mag pistol — .44-caliber semi-auto magnum performance from a pistol weighing nearly 4 lbs loaded.

Caliber
0.429″ · 10.897 mm
Introduced
1971
Case
Rimless
Parent
.308 Winchester
Primary use
Hunting, Target
Status
Discontinued
Velocity1,300–1,600 fps
Energy676–1,364 ft·lb
Typical grains66 · 240 gr
Identity
Introduced
1971
Type
Pistol
Origin
United States
Inventor
Harry Sanford / Auto Mag Corp
Manufacturer
Auto Mag Corporation
Standard
Not SAAMI standardized
Status
Discontinued
Availability
Collector
Build
Case capacity
43.2 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:20
Primer
Large Pistol Magnum
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
25,000 psi
Eff. range
100 yd
Max range
300 yd
Recoil
20–30 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−136″136″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
By real loads
1,450–2,200 fps · 18 loads
Parent case
.308 Winchester

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingUnderwood JHP240 gr · JHP · 1,640 fpsBuy now →
Best for DefenseLiberty Defense Liberty Halo-Point66 gr · Halo-Point · 2,200 fpsBuy now →
Best for TargetGraf Standard240 gr · FMJ · 1,500 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .44 AMP ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

SAAMI · approximate
Measuremmin
Bullet ⌀10.900.429·
Neck ⌀11.610.457~
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀11.940.470·
Rim ⌀11.940.470·
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness
Neck lengthn/a
Case length32.971.298·
Overall length40.641.600~

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .44 AMP is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 18 active loads across 17 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
Liberty DefenseLiberty Halo-Point66Halo-Point2,200709
Lehigh DefenseLehigh Max Exp240Max Expansion1,9201,964
UnderwoodJHP240JHP1,6401,433
Buffalo BoreJSP240JSP1,6401,433
DoubleTapJSP240JSP1,6401,433
Buffalo BoreHeavy240Jacketed Hollow Point1,6001,364
DoubletapHardcast240Hard Cast1,5501,280
HSM AmmunitionBear Load240Wide Flat Nose1,5501,280
GrafStandard240FMJ1,5001,199
Buffalo ArmsCustom240Jacketed Hollow Point1,5001,199
PPUJHP240Jacketed Hollow Point1,5001,199
Sellier & BellotJHP240Jacketed Hollow Point1,5001,199
Cor-BonHunter240JHP1,4801,167
HornadyCustom240JHP1,4801,167
GrizzlyWC240JSP1,4751,159

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .44 AMP

2 models in the database chamber .44 AMP. Browse all →

AutoMag .44 AMPPasadena Research AutoMag I .44 AMP 6.5-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent
Family TreeOpen .44 AMP in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

History

The primary cartridge for the Auto Mag, introduced in 1971. Harry Callahan's weapon of choice in 'Sudden Impact' (though used earlier in 'The Enforcer'), the .44 AMP and Auto Mag pistol became one of the most recognized film firearms of the 1980s. The Auto Mag Corporation's manufacturing problems meant the pistols were as famous for jamming as for power. Original factory ammunition is now collector-grade; handloaders form brass from cut-down .308 Winchester cases.

FAQs

What twist rate does .44 AMP use?
.44 AMP typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .44 AMP?
.44 AMP uses a 0.429″ (10.897 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .44 AMP still in production?
.44 AMP is discontinued; typical availability is collector.
What is .44 AMP used for?
.44 AMP is primarily used for hunting, target.
What is .44 AMP based on?
.44 AMP is derived from the .308 Winchester (cut down) case.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →