Lindcott Armory Revolver · Obsolete
.44 Colt
Colt's first metallic centerfire revolver cartridge, used in the 1871–72 Open Top revolver and converted cap-and-ball revolvers.
- Caliber
- 0.451″ · 11.455 mm
- Introduced
- 1871
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military, Self Defense
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1871
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Colt
- Manufacturer
- Colt
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 24.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:20
- Primer
- Large Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 100 yd
- Recoil
- 2.5–4 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open .44 Colt 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.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 11.46 | 0.451 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 11.46 | 0.451 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 11.58 | 0.456 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.27 | 0.483 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | — | — | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 27.94 | 1.100 | · |
| Overall length | 38.10 | 1.500 | · |
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 Colt is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 5 active loads across 5 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 18 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Arms | Lead RN Reproduction | 210 | Lead RN | 700 | 228 | — |
| Fiocchi | Lead RN | 210 | Lead RN | 700 | 228 | — |
| Ten-X Ammunition | Lead RN Cowboy | 210 | Lead RN | 700 | 228 | — |
| Black Hills | Cowboy Action | 215 | LFP | 650 | 202 | — |
| Graf & Sons | Graf Heritage | 210 | Lead RN | 650 | 197 | — |
| Graf | FMJ Standard | 220 | Lead Round Nose | 700 | 239 | — |
| HSM Ammunition | Cowboy | 220 | Lead Round Nose | 700 | 239 | — |
| Jamison | Custom | 220 | Lead Round Nose | 700 | 239 | — |
| Bertram | Custom | 220 | Lead Round Nose | 700 | 239 | — |
| Hirtenberger | Standard | 220 | Lead Round Nose | 700 | 239 | — |
| Doubletap | Hardcast | 220 | Lead Round Nose | 700 | 239 | — |
| Winchester | Lead RN | 210 | Lead RN | 700 | 228 | — |
| OWS | Standard | 220 | Lead Round Nose | 700 | 239 | — |
| Fiocchi | Classic | 225 | Lead Round Nose | 700 | 245 | — |
| Black Hills | Cowboy | 220 | Lead Round Nose | 700 | 239 | — |
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 Colt
10 models in the database chamber .44 Colt. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Introduced in 1871 for Colt's first cartridge revolvers — conversions of cap-and-ball percussion revolvers and the new 1871–72 Open Top model. The US Army briefly used .44 Colt revolvers before adopting the .45 Colt with the Single Action Army in 1873. The cartridge survived in civilian use until the early 20th century; original ammunition is extremely rare antique material. Reproduction brass and cartridges are available from specialist suppliers for shooters of antique Colt conversions.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .44 Colt use?
- .44 Colt typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .44 Colt?
- .44 Colt uses a 0.451″ (11.455 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .44 Colt still in production?
- .44 Colt is discontinued; typical availability is antique.
- What is .44 Colt used for?
- .44 Colt is primarily used for military, self defense.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 5 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →