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Revolver · SAAMI

.44 Magnum

.44 Mag10.9x33mmR.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
Velocity1,200–1,650 fps
Energy750–1,200 ft·lb
Typical grains180 · 200 · 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

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Federal American Eagle JSP 240 gr, 1,230 fps, BC 0.190 G1 · 25 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd1230806-0.9″—
25 yd1179741+0.1″0.2
50 yd1131682-0.6″-1.1
75 yd1089632-2.9″-3.7
100 yd1052589-7.0″-6.7
125 yd1020554-13.1″-10.0
150 yd991524-21.4″-13.6
175 yd966497-31.8″-17.3
200 yd943474-44.5″-21.2

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Custom XTP300 gr · XTP JHP · 1,150 fps · BC 0.210 G1Buy now →
Best for DefenseBuffalo Bore Standard Pressure240 gr · JHP · 1,350 fps · BC 0.185 G1Buy now →
Best for TargetFederal American Eagle JSP240 gr · JSP · 1,230 fps · BC 0.190 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .44 Magnum 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 · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀10.900.429✓
Neck ⌀11.610.457✓
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀11.610.457✓
Rim ⌀13.060.514✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.520.060✓
Neck lengthn/a
Case length32.641.285✓
Overall length40.891.610✓

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

In production — 426 active loads across 49 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 440 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
FederalHi-Shok180JHP1,6101,0360.162 G1
Buffalo BoreJHP200JHP1,6001,1370.173 G1
HornadyXTP180XTP1,5509600.162 G1
Buffalo BoreDeer Greaser Hard Cast255LFN GC1,5401,3430.175 G1
HornadyAmerican Gunner XTP HP200XTP HP1,5009990.173 G1
HornadyCustom200XTP1,5009990.173 G1
HornadyCritical Defense165FTX1,4757970.185 G1
CCIPersonal Protection200JHP1,4008700.162 G1
HornadyXTP240XTP1,3509710.185 G1
Buffalo BoreStandard Pressure240JHP1,3509710.185 G1
HornadyCustom XTP240XTP JHP1,3509710.185 G1
FederalHydra-Shok240Hydra-Shok JHP1,3509710.185 G1
Black HillsEXP JHP240EXP JHP1,3009000.185 G1
FiocchiJSP 240gr240JSP1,3009000.190 G1
ArmscorJHP 240gr240JHP1,3009000.185 G1

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

Suitable powders

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

SP3Winchester 571540RS36Power Pro 2000-MR572HercoGM3N350EnforcerCSP2LongshotD036.3HS-6Blue DotHS-7CSP3H4227S130N110
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 →

Colt Anaconda .44 Rem Mag 4.25-inchMarlin 1894 ClassicMarlin Firearms Model 1894 .44 Mag 16.5-inchRuger 1894 SBLHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Hardwood 44Marlin Firearms 1894 Dark .44 MagHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Compact 44Marlin Marlin Model 1894 Classic .44 MagMarlin Firearms 1894 Classic .44 MagMarlin 1894 Classic .44 Mag 20-inchColt Anaconda 2021 4in GrayRuger Marlin 1894 Classic

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

Loads440 factory loads for .44 Magnum↗Reloading28 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .44 Magnum↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

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 SP3, Winchester 571, 540, RS36, among 28 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 426 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →