About .44 Magnum

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about .44 Magnum today. This iconic magnum handgun caliber is well-known among shooters and enjoyers of popular culture. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of the .44 Magnum while delving into things such as traits, uses, considerations, and more. Without further ado, let’s talk about .44 Magnum.

What is .44 Magnum?

The .44 Remington Magnum, commonly referred to as .44 Magnum, is the product of a collaboration between Elmer Keith, Smith & Wesson, and the Remington Arms Company. The cartridge was designed in the 1950s and made its debut in 1956 alongside the revolver which would become the Smith & Wesson Model 29. Soon after the debut of the cartridge and initial Smith & Wesson revolvers, Ruger began producing single action Blackhawk revolvers chambered in the .44 Magnum.

The .44 Magnum is noticeably longer than its parent case, the .44 Smith & Wesson Special, or .44 Special. The cartridge was purposefully designed to feature a longer casing to prevent the more powerful .44 Magnum cartridge from being chambered in .44 Special firearms. When compared to its parent cartridge, the .44 Magnum boasts superior pressures, energy, and velocity potential, making it a true magnum round.

.44 Magnum loadings feature large diameter, heavy projectiles and exhibit high velocities for their size. For example, a 240 grain jacketed hollow point (JHP) loading from Corbon is capable of achieving velocities of around 1,475 FPS. High velocities and heavy, large projectiles produce a considerable recoil impulse and degree of energy. This translates to higher felt recoil by a shooter and significant effect on target due to high levels of energy transfer being imparted by large fast-moving projectiles.

Other Names for .44 Magnum

While the cartridge is most commonly referred to as .44 Magnum, or .44 Mag for short, other names for the round exist. The official designation for the cartridge is .44 Remington Magnum, a name which references Remington’s involvement with the round. From this longer name, we get the shorter .44 Rem Mag, .44 Magnum and .44 Mag nomenclature. Though not commonly encountered in the United States, an unofficial metric designation for the cartridge exists in the form of 10.9x33mmR. The big takeaway here is that regardless of which of these naming conventions you encounter in reference to ammo, it will work with your .44 Magnum firearm.

Relationship with .44 Special

.44 Magnum and .44 Special are two distinct cartridges. These two pistol calibers share a relationship similar to that of the .357 Magnum and .38 Special. This is to say that in the context of a firearm chambered in .44 Magnum, a shooter will be able to use both .44 Magnum ammunition and .44 Special ammo. The inverse, however, is not the case as .44 Special firearms cannot accommodate .44 Magnum ammo.

What is .44 Magnum Used For?

.44 Magnum is employed by a variety of shooters for many purposes. Many recreational shooters utilize the round for plinking and silhouette shooting. The round is also popular with those who participate in Cowboy Action matches and those who enjoy Western-style firearms. Some shooters will employ the cartridge in a defensive capacity, taking full advantage of modern loadings optimized for dispatching threats.

The .44 Magnum is also commonly employed in hunting use cases in both revolvers and rifles. Hunters can take advantage of loadings optimized for hunting use and dispatch a wide range of medium to larger-sized game. Additionally, as a straight-walled cartridge, one can utilize .44 Magnum ammunition in many areas which restrict the use of rifle calibers.

How Available is .44 Magnum Ammunition?

At this point in time, one will find that many companies produce .44 Magnum ammunition. These ammunition companies hail from multiple countries and produce a variety of loadings. These loadings range from standard full metal jacket (FMJ) loadings to specialized JHP loadings for self-defense. .44 Magnum ammo offerings of this type are produced by PMC, Underwood, Federal, Remington, and Magtech to name a few. Additionally, a variety of loadings optimized for hunting or use in lever-action rifles are also produced by companies such as Hornady.

Ammunition for the cartridge may not be as prevalent or common as 9mm Luger or even .357 Magnum and .38 Special, but one will certainly be able to find it if they set their mind to it. .44 Magnum ammo is by no means exotic and can generally be found at most places where ammunition is sold. If one chooses to shop for ammo online, they will be able to browse a wider selection of ammunition. When you buy ammo online, you are not limited by what is locally in stock or on shelves, granting shooters more options. All in all, one will be able to get .44 Magnum ammunition in a variety of forms if they truly want to.

How Available are Firearms in .44 Magnum?

The firearms market currently offers a wide range of support for the .44 Magnum cartridge. Firearm offerings will typically be found in the form of revolvers and lever action rifles. Companies such as Henry Repeating Arms, Smith & Wesson, Colt, Ruger, and Taurus are some present producers of these firearms. Revolvers can be had in either single action or double action form, providing shooters with various wheelgun offerings. Additionally, some semi-automatic hand offerings exist such as the Desert Eagle from Magnum Research.

One will also be able to find old production and vintage .44 Magnum chambered firearms. These are generally found in the form of revolvers and lever action rifles. In addition to these offerings, one may find a Ruger Model 44 carbine, a semi-automatic rifle reminiscent of the 10/22 chambered in .44 Magnum. Some of these older, out of print offerings hold their value well and may demand a premium. All in all, one will be able to find a firearm in .44 Magnum if that is what they are after.

Is .44 Magnum the Most Powerful Handgun Cartridge in the World?

In the film Dirty Harry, Clint Eastwood referred to his Model 29 as “the most powerful handgun in the world.” This was in reference to the .44 Magnum chambering of the revolver and its revolutionary power at the time. A lot of time has passed since 1971 and many other calibers and types of loadings have been developed and introduced. Newer calibers such as .454 Casull, .460 Smith & Wesson, .50 Action Express, and .500 Smith & Wesson are some examples of calibers which boast more power than the .44 Magnum. While the cartridge is far from the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world, it is not unviable by any means and still does its job quite well.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the .44 Magnum continues to be a popular cartridge nearly 70 years after its introduction. The cartridge continues to be employed by shooters of all types for practical, recreational, and collecting purposes to name a few. If you are looking to buy .44 Magnum ammo, we here at True Shot Ammo carry a wide range of loadings. Our inventory of ammo for sale covers range loadings, defensive loadings, and hunting loadings, allowing shooters of various types to find what they need. Regardless of whether you are wanting to buy .44 Magnum ammunition or something else we stock, we here at True Shot Ammo have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.

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Tyler Elsberry

Tyler Elsberry is an author for True Shot Ammo, boasting over a decade of experience in the firearms industry. His extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to the True Shot team. Tyler's deep understanding of firearms, coupled with his passion for the ammunition industry, allows him to provide insightful and practical guidance to enthusiasts and professionals alike. His writings often reflect his commitment to delivering accurate, up-to-date information on the latest trends, products, and advancements in the field. Tyler's ability to convey complex technical details in an accessible manner has earned him a loyal following among readers seeking reliable advice and information in the world of firearms and ammunition.