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Lindcott Armory

Revolver · SAAMI

.44 Magnum

Also known as .44 Mag · 10.9x33mmR · .44 Remington Magnum

At its 1955 introduction, the most powerful production handgun cartridge in the world.

Caliber
0.429″ · 10.897 mm
Introduced
1955
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.44 Special
Primary use
Hunting, Self Defense
Status
Active

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VelocityBeing verified
EnergyBeing verified
Typical grains200 · 225 · 240 gr
Identity
Introduced
1955
Type
Revolver
Origin
United States
Inventor
Elmer Keith / Smith & Wesson / Remington
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson / Remington
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
37.9 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:20
Primer
Large Pistol
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
36,000 psi
Eff. range
100 yd
Recoil
22–35 ft·lb

Ballistics

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .44 Magnum. Parent case: .44 Special.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified
Best for Withheld until verified
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

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

SAAMI · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 10.900.429 ✓
Neck ⌀ 11.610.457 ✓
Shoulder ⌀ n/a
Shoulder angle n/a
Base ⌀ 11.610.457 ✓
Rim ⌀ 13.060.514 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.520.060 ✓
Neck length n/a
Case length 32.641.285 ✓
Overall length 40.891.610 ✓

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 Magnum is highlighted below.

Factory loads

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

Suitable powders

32 reloading powders listed for .44 Magnum, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Vihtavuori N320Vihtavuori N340RS36SP3540Winchester 571Power Pro 2000-MR572N350HercoGM3EnforcerCSP2D036.3LongshotHS-6Blue DotHS-7CSP3Vihtavuori 3N37
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 Magnum

12 models in the database chamber .44 Magnum. Browse all →

Ruger 1894 SBLMarlin Model 1894 .44 Magnum RugerMarlin 1894 ClassicColt Anaconda .44 Rem Mag 4.25-inchMarlin Firearms Model 1894 .44 Mag 16.5-inchHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Hardwood 44Ruger 1894 ClassicHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Brass .44 Mag 20-inchRuger/Marlin Marlin 1894 .44 Mag 20-inchMarlin 1894 Classic .44 Mag 20-inchMarlin Marlin Model 1894 Classic .44 MagMarlin 1894 Competition

Lineage

Immediate parent
.44 Special
Direct descendants (2 · 3 total)
.50 AE.445 SuperMag.357-44 Bain & Davis
Family TreeOpen .44 Magnum in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

Loads219 factory loads for .44 MagnumReloading32 suitable powders — cross-referenceFirearmsFirearms in .44 Magnum

History

Developed in 1955 by Elmer Keith, S&W, and Remington. Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry (1971) made it legendary. 'Do you feel lucky, punk?'

FAQs

What twist rate does .44 Magnum use?
.44 Magnum typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .44 Magnum?
.44 Magnum uses a 0.429″ (10.897 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .44 Magnum still in production?
.44 Magnum is active; typical availability is common.
What is .44 Magnum used for?
.44 Magnum is primarily used for hunting, self defense.
What is .44 Magnum based on?
.44 Magnum is derived from the .44 Special case.
What are the best powders for .44 Magnum?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .44 Magnum include Vihtavuori N320, Vihtavuori N340, RS36, SP3, among 32 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 181 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →