Lindcott Armory Compare / .44 Magnum vs .44 Special
Cartridge comparison
.44 Magnum vs .44 Special
.44 Magnum is faster (1,650 vs 900 fps); .44 Magnum carries more energy (1,200 vs 400 ft·lb); .44 Special recoils less.
.44 Magnum →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.44 Special →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .44 Magnum | .44 Special | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Revolver | Revolver |
| Introduced | 1955 | 1907 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.429″ | 0.429″ |
| Case length | 1.285″ | 1.16″ |
| Velocity | 1,200–1,650 fps | 700–900 fps |
| Energy | 750–1,200 ft·lb | 220–400 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 36,000 psi | 15,500 psi |
| Recoil | 22–35 ft·lb | 5–8 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 150 yd | 75 yd |
FAQs
- Is .44 Magnum faster than .44 Special?
- .44 Magnum is faster — up to 1,650 fps versus 900 fps.
- Does .44 Magnum hit harder than .44 Special?
- .44 Magnum carries more muzzle energy (1,200 vs 400 ft·lb).