What twist rate does .44 Russian use?

.44 Russian typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .44 Russian?

.44 Russian uses a 0.429″ (10.897 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .44 Russian still in production?

.44 Russian is active; typical availability is limited.

What is .44 Russian used for?

.44 Russian is primarily used for military, target.

What is .44 Russian based on?

.44 Russian is derived from the .44 S&W American case.

Revolver · SAAMI

.44 Russian

.44 S&W Russian10.67x32mmR

Direct ancestor of the .44 Special and .44 Magnum.

Caliber: 0.429″ · 10.897 mm
Introduced: 1870
Case: Rimmed
Parent: .44 S&W American
Primary use: Military, Target
Status: Active

Velocity770–820 fps

Energy323–367 ft·lb

Typical grains200 · 240 · 246 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1870
Type: Revolver
Origin: United States
Inventor: Smith & Wesson
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Limited

Build

Case capacity: 20.7 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:20
Primer: Large Pistol
Case type: Rimmed

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 14,500 psi
Eff. range: 50 yd
Max range: 100 yd
Recoil: 2.5–4 ft·lb
Subsonic: Capable

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics 247 gr, 780 fps, BC 0.210 G1 · 25 yd zero.

Compare tooverlay up to 2

Range	Velocity	Energy	Drop (in)	Drop (MOA)
0 yd	780	334	-0.9″	—
25 yd	768	323	+0.1″	0.4
50 yd	756	313	-2.6″	-5.0
75 yd	744	303	-9.1″	-11.6
100 yd	732	294	-19.6″	-18.7
125 yd	721	285	-34.0″	-26.0
150 yd	710	277	-52.7″	-33.6
175 yd	700	268	-75.7″	-41.3
200 yd	689	260	-103.1″	-49.2

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 HuntingBuffalo Bore Hard Cast255 gr · Hard Cast LFN · 900 fpsBuy now →

Best for DefenseBuffalo Bore Hard Cast255 gr · Hard Cast LFN · 900 fpsBuy now →

Best for TargetFiocchi Shooting Dynamics247 gr · LRN · 780 fps · BC 0.210 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .44 Russian 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.

CIP TDCC · verified

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	10.90	0.429	✓
Neck ⌀	11.61	0.457	✓
Shoulder ⌀	n/a
Shoulder angle	n/a
Base ⌀	11.61	0.457	✓
Rim ⌀	13.08	0.515	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.52	0.060	~
Neck length	n/a
Case length	24.64	0.970	✓
Overall length	36.32	1.430	✓

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 Russian is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 12 active loads across 11 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 21 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Fiocchi	Shooting Dynamics	247	LRN	780	334	0.210 G1
Buffalo Bore	Hard Cast	255	Hard Cast LFN	900	459	—
DoubleTap	LFN	240	LFN	870	403	—
Starline	Cowboy	246	Lead RN	820	367	—
Sellier & Bellot	LRN	246	LRN	820	367	—
PPU	LRN	246	LRN	820	367	—
HSM	Cowboy	240	RNFP	800	341	—
Fiocchi	Standard	246	LRN	755	311	—
Ultramax	Cowboy	200	RNFP	750	250	—
Ten-X	Cowboy	200	RNFP	700	218	—
Black Hills	Cowboy Action Lead RN	246	Lead RN	600	197	—
Magtech	Lead RN	246	Lead RN	600	197	—
Graf	FMJ Standard	246	Lead Round Nose	780	332	—
Doubletap	Hardcast	246	Lead Round Nose	780	332	—
HSM Ammunition	Cowboy	246	Lead Round Nose	780	332	—

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.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

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

Firearms chambered in .44 Russian

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

Ruger Blackhawk .44 Spl 4.62-inchCimarron Firearms Cimarron 1872 Open Top .44 Special 7.5-inchTaylor's & Company Taylor's 1873 Open Top .44 Colt 7.5-inchCimarron 1872 Open Top .44 Colt 7.5-inchCimarron 1872 Open Top Army .44 ColtCimarron 1872 Open Top .44 ColtUberti 1860 Army Conversion .44 Colt 7.5-inchSmith & Wesson S&W Triple LockSmith & Wesson S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model 5"Colt Colt New Service .45 Colt 5.5-inchSmith & Wesson .44 Double Action 1st ModelMerwin Hulbert Merwin Hulbert Pocket Army 44-40 WCF

Lineage

Immediate parent

.44 S&W American · improved from

ⓘ inside-lubricated rework

Direct descendants (1 · 5 total)

.44 Special

Family TreeOpen .44 Russian in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads21 factory loads for .44 Russian↗FirearmsFirearms in .44 Russian↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Developed by Smith & Wesson for a Russian Imperial Army contract in 1870. The Russian government specified refinements to the .44 S&W American that produced a superior cartridge — the inside-lubricated heel-less bullet and rounded case mouth were Russian improvements to the original S&W design. The .44 Russian was adopted as the world's most accurate revolver cartridge by competitive target shooters in the 1870s–1890s. Smith & Wesson later lengthened the case to create the .44 Special (1907), which was in turn stretched to make the .44 Magnum (1955).

FAQs

What twist rate does .44 Russian use?: .44 Russian typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .44 Russian?: .44 Russian uses a 0.429″ (10.897 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .44 Russian still in production?: .44 Russian is active; typical availability is limited.
What is .44 Russian used for?: .44 Russian is primarily used for military, target.
What is .44 Russian based on?: .44 Russian is derived from the .44 S&W American case.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 12 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →