Lindcott Armory Pistol · Not SAAMI standardized
.44 AutoMag
Harry Sanford's semi-auto pistol cartridge from the early 1970s, designed for the AutoMag pistol.
- Introduced
- 1971
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Harry Sanford / Auto Mag Corp
- Manufacturer
- Auto Mag Corporation
- Standard
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Limited
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.429″
- Case length
- 1.298″
- Overall length
- 1.61″
- Base ⌀
- 0.471″
- Rim ⌀
- 0.473″
- Case capacity
- 43.2 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:20
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 40,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Recoil
- 8–13 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 1,400–1,600 fps
- Energy
- 784–1,364 ft·lb
- By real loads
- 1,500–1,640 fps · 18 loads
- Typical MSRP
- $0.85/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load. Real published loads span the "by real loads" range above.
Factory loads
In production — 18 active loads across 14 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bore | JSP | 240 | JSP | 1,640 | 1,433 | — | $0.85 |
| DoubleTap | JSP | 240 | JSP | 1,640 | 1,433 | — | $0.85 |
| Hornady | Custom | 240 | XTP | 1,640 | 1,433 | — | $0.85 |
| Underwood | JHP | 240 | JHP | 1,640 | 1,433 | — | $1.30 |
| CorBon | Performance | 200 | JHP | 1,600 | 1,137 | — | — |
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 240 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,600 | 1,364 | — | $0.85 |
| Doubletap | Hardcast | 240 | Hard Cast | 1,550 | 1,280 | — | — |
| HSM Ammunition | Bear Load | 240 | Wide Flat Nose | 1,550 | 1,280 | — | — |
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 240 | JHP | 1,550 | 1,280 | — | $0.85 |
| Graf | Standard | 240 | FMJ | 1,500 | 1,199 | — | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 240 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,500 | 1,199 | — | — |
| AMT | Standard | 240 | JHP | 1,500 | 1,199 | — | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | JHP | 240 | Jacketed Hollow Point | 1,500 | 1,199 | — | $0.85 |
| DoubleTap | Defense | 240 | JHP | 1,500 | 1,199 | — | $0.85 |
| Speer | Gold Dot | 240 | Gold Dot HP | 1,500 | 1,199 | — | $1.20 |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Dimensions
Reloading cost
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.
Connected reference
History
Designed by Harry Sanford in 1971 for the AutoMag, the world's first large-caliber gas-operated semi-automatic pistol. Created to deliver .44 Magnum ballistics in a self-loading action using modified .308 Winchester brass. The AutoMag project was financially troubled; pistol production ceased in 1982.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .44 AutoMag use?
- .44 AutoMag typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .44 AutoMag?
- .44 AutoMag uses a 0.429″ (10.8966 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .44 AutoMag still in production?
- .44 AutoMag is limited; typical availability is limited.
- What is .44 AutoMag used for?
- .44 AutoMag is primarily used for hunting, self-defense.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →