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Lindcott Armory

Revolver · SAAMI

.44 Special

Also known as .44 S&W Special

Elmer Keith's favorite cartridge before he convinced Remington to make the .44 Magnum.

Caliber
0.4291″ · 10.9 mm
Introduced
1907
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.44 Russian
Primary use
Self-Defense, Target Shooting
Status
Active

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VelocityBeing verified
EnergyBeing verified
Typical grains200 · 240 · 246 gr
Identity
Introduced
1907
Type
Revolver
Origin
United States
Inventor
Smith & Wesson
Manufacturer
Smith & Wesson
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
28.5 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:20
Primer
Large Pistol
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
15,500 psi
Eff. range
50 yd
Max range
250 yd
Recoil
5–8 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Introduced by Smith & Wesson

Ballistics

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

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.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 10.900.429 ✓
Neck ⌀ 11.600.457 ✓
Shoulder ⌀ n/a
Shoulder angle n/a
Base ⌀ 11.600.457 ✓
Rim ⌀ 13.060.514 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.520.060 ✓
Neck length n/a
Case length 29.461.160 ✓
Overall length 41.021.615 ✓

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 Special is highlighted below.

Factory loads

Verification

Being verified

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

Suitable powders

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

Vihtavuori N320N330Vihtavuori N340UniversalHP-38N350IMR 4227
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 Special

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

Marlin Model 1894 .44 Magnum RugerMarlin 1894 ClassicColt Anaconda .44 Rem Mag 4.25-inchMarlin Firearms Model 1894 .44 Mag 16.5-inchRuger 1894 ClassicHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Brass .44 Mag 20-inchMarlin Firearms 1894 Classic .44 MagMarlin Firearms 1894 CST .44 MagMarlin Firearms 1894 Dark .44 MagHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Side Gate .44 Mag 16.5-inchHenry Repeating Arms Side Gate .44 MagnumColt Anaconda 2021

Lineage

Immediate parent
.44 Russian
Direct descendants (1 · 4 total)
.44 Magnum
Family TreeOpen .44 Special in the interactive cartridge family tree

Connected reference

Loads91 factory loads for .44 SpecialReloading7 suitable powders — cross-referenceFirearmsFirearms in .44 Special

History

Developed by S&W in 1907 as an improvement to the .44 Russian. Factory loads are mild, but Elmer Keith demonstrated it could be loaded much hotter. His experiments eventually led Smith & Wesson and Remington to create the .44 Magnum in 1955.

FAQs

What twist rate does .44 Special use?
.44 Special typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .44 Special?
.44 Special uses a 0.4291″ (10.9 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .44 Special still in production?
.44 Special is active; typical availability is common.
What is .44 Special used for?
.44 Special is primarily used for self-defense, target shooting.
What is .44 Special based on?
.44 Special is derived from the .44 Russian case.
What are the best powders for .44 Special?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .44 Special include Vihtavuori N320, N330, Vihtavuori N340, Universal, among 7 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 88 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →