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 Universal, HP-38, IMR 4227.

Revolver · SAAMI

.44 Special

.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

Velocity700–900 fps

Energy220–400 ft·lb

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

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Federal Personal Defense 200 gr, 900 fps, BC 0.185 G1 · 25 yd zero.

Compare tooverlay up to 2

Range	Velocity	Energy	Drop (in)	Drop (MOA)
0 yd	900	360	-0.9″	—
25 yd	881	345	0.0″	-0.1
50 yd	863	331	-1.9″	-3.7
75 yd	846	318	-6.8″	-8.7
100 yd	829	305	-14.7″	-14.0
125 yd	814	294	-25.7″	-19.6
150 yd	799	283	-40.0″	-25.4
175 yd	784	273	-57.7″	-31.5
200 yd	770	263	-79.0″	-37.7

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 Heavy FN Hard Cast255 gr · Hard Cast FN · 1,000 fpsBuy now →

Best for DefenseFederal Personal Defense200 gr · LSWCHP · 900 fps · BC 0.185 G1Buy now →

Best for TargetFederal Personal Defense200 gr · LSWCHP · 900 fps · BC 0.185 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .44 Special 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 ⌀	11.60	0.457	✓
Shoulder ⌀	n/a
Shoulder angle	n/a
Base ⌀	11.60	0.457	✓
Rim ⌀	13.06	0.514	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.52	0.060	✓
Neck length	n/a
Case length	29.46	1.160	✓
Overall length	41.02	1.615	✓

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

In production — 212 active loads across 39 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 215 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Federal	Personal Defense	200	LSWCHP	900	360	0.185 G1
Cor-Bon	JHP +P	165	JHP	1,150	484	—
Underwood Ammo	Xtreme Penetrator	150	XP	1,100	403	—
Lehigh Defense	Xtreme Penetrator	160	XP	1,050	392	—
Cor-Bon	Self Defense	165	JHP	1,050	404	—
Cor-Bon	DPX 165gr	165	DPX	1,050	404	—
Hornady	Custom XTP JHP	180	XTP JHP	1,000	400	—
Buffalo Bore	Heavy	255	Hard Cast	1,000	566	—
Buffalo Bore	Heavy FN Hard Cast	255	Hard Cast FN	1,000	566	—
Buffalo Bore	Heavy SWC Hard Cast	255	Hard Cast SWC	1,000	566	—
Buffalo Bore	JHP	180	JHP	1,000	400	—
Buffalo Bore	JHP	200	JHP	1,000	444	—
Buffalo Bore	Outdoorsman Hard Cast WFN	255	Hardcast WFN	1,000	566	—
Buffalo Bore	JHP +P	180	JHP	1,000	400	—
Buffalo Bore	Hard Cast	255	HC-WFN	1,000	566	—

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

Suitable powders

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

Universal HP-38 IMR 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.

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 Special

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

Colt Anaconda .44 Rem Mag 4.25-inchMarlin 1894 ClassicMarlin Firearms Model 1894 .44 Mag 16.5-inchMarlin Firearms 1894 Dark .44 MagMarlin Firearms 1894 Classic .44 MagRuger Marlin 1894 ClassicHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Brass .44 Mag 20-inchRuger 1894 ClassicColt Anaconda .44 Mag 6-inchColt Anaconda .44 Rem Mag 6-inch (2021 Reissue)Colt Anaconda .44 Rem Mag 8-inchColt 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

Loads215 factory loads for .44 Special↗Reloading3 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .44 Special↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

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 Universal, HP-38, IMR 4227.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 212 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →