Elmer Keith's favorite cartridge before he convinced Remington to make the .44 Magnum. Accurate, mild-mannered, and highly regarded by handloaders.
Type: Revolver
Introduced: 1907, United States
Parent case: .44 Russian
Standardization: SAAMI
Bullet diameter: 0.429" (10.9 mm)
Case length: 1.16" (29.46 mm)
Overall length: 1.615" (41.02 mm)
Max pressure: 15,500 PSI
Rim type: Rimmed
Primer: Large Pistol
Typical twist rate: 1:20
Muzzle velocity: 700–900 fps
Muzzle energy: 220–400 ft-lbs
Effective range: 75 yd
Common bullet weights: 180, 200, 240, 246 gr
Primary use: Self-Defense, Target Shooting
Production status: Active
Also known as: .44 S&W 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.
Notable firearms: S&W Model 24, S&W Model 29 (also chambers .44 Spl), Charter Arms Bulldog
Similar cartridges: .44 Magnum, .44-40 Winchester