AmmoSight

.44 Magnum Trajectory Calculator

See how .44 Magnum stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every handgun caliber side by side.

The .44 Magnum is a powerful revolver cartridge used for hunting and bear defense. With a 180-grain bullet at 1,750 fps and a 25-yard zero, expect about 0.3 inches of drop at 50 yards, 1.5 inches at 75 yards, and 3.6 inches at 100 yards. Muzzle energy runs around 1,224 ft-lbs, retaining 790 ft-lbs at 100 yards. This makes the .44 Magnum effective on deer-sized game to 100 yards and adequate for backup against dangerous game.

Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Loads range from 180-grain JHP to 300-grain hard cast for deep penetration. You can also factor in wind and atmospheric conditions.

.44 Magnum Trajectory Chart

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.44 Magnum Ballistics Data

Range (yd) Elevation (in) Elevation (MOA) Elevation (MIL) Windage (in) Windage (MOA) Windage (MIL) Time (s) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lbs)
0 -0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1750.0 1224.35
5 -0.34 6.21 1.807 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.009 1730.56 1197.3
10 -0.21 1.94 0.565 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.018 1711.91 1171.62
15 -0.11 0.68 0.196 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.027 1693.42 1146.46
20 -0.04 0.18 0.052 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.036 1675.11 1121.8
25 0.0 -0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.045 1656.97 1097.63
30 0.01 -0.02 -0.007 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.054 1638.99 1073.94
35 -0.02 0.05 0.015 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.063 1621.18 1050.73
40 -0.08 0.18 0.053 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.072 1603.53 1027.98
45 -0.17 0.36 0.104 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.082 1586.05 1005.69
50 -0.3 0.56 0.164 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.091 1568.75 983.87
55 -0.46 0.79 0.231 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.101 1551.63 962.51
60 -0.66 1.04 0.304 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.111 1534.69 941.6
65 -0.89 1.31 0.381 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.12 1517.92 921.14
70 -1.17 1.59 0.462 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.13 1501.31 901.1
75 -1.48 1.88 0.546 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.14 1484.92 881.52
80 -1.83 2.18 0.633 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.15 1468.72 862.39
85 -2.22 2.49 0.724 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.161 1452.72 843.71
90 -2.65 2.81 0.817 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.171 1436.92 825.45
95 -3.13 3.14 0.913 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.182 1421.31 807.62
100 -3.64 3.47 1.01 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.192 1405.91 790.21

Take this table to the range

The .44 Magnum reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.

Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.

Customize this card

Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.

Available .44 Magnum Ammunition Ballistics

Product Velocity (fps) BC 25yd Drop 50yd Drop 75yd Drop 100yd Drop
Ammo Inc Signature .44 Magnum 240gr JHP Ammo Ballistics 1589 0.205 0.0" -0.5" -2.0" -4.6"
Ammo Inc Signature .44 Magnum 240gr TMC Ammo Ballistics 1430 0.205 0.0" -0.7" -2.7" -6.0"
Armscor .44 Magnum 240gr JHP Ballistics 1097 0.17 0.0" -1.4" -5.0" -10.8"
Atomic .44 Rem Mag 240gr Bonded Match Hollow Point Ammo Ballistics 1500 0.175 0.0" -0.6" -2.4" -5.6"
Black Hills .44 Magnum 240gr JHP Ballistics 1260 0.18 0.0" -1.0" -3.7" -8.2"
CCI Blazer .44 Rem Mag 240gr JHP Ammo Ballistics 1200 0.17 0.0" -1.2" -4.2" -9.1"
DoubleTap Hunter .44 Rem Mag 320gr Hard Cast Solid (HCSLD) Ammo Ballistics 1300 0.23 0.0" -0.9" -3.3" -7.3"
Federal HST .44 Magnum 230gr JHP Ballistics 1085 0.175 0.0" -1.5" -5.1" -11.0"
Federal Power-Shok .44 Magnum 180gr JHP Ballistics 1460 0.123 0.0" -0.7" -2.8" -6.6"
Federal Power-Shok .44 Magnum 240gr JHP Ballistics 1230 0.18 0.0" -1.1" -3.9" -8.6"
Fiocchi .44 Magnum 200gr SJHP Ballistics 1475 0.17 0.0" -0.6" -2.5" -5.8"
Fiocchi Defense Dynamics .44 Mag 240gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) Ammo Ballistics 1310 0.175 0.0" -0.9" -3.4" -7.6"
Hornady Backcountry Defense .44 Magnum 240gr DGH Ballistics 1620 0.205 0.0" -0.4" -1.9" -4.4"
Hornady Custom .44 Magnum 240gr XTP JHP Ballistics 1350 0.205 0.0" -0.8" -3.1" -6.9"
Hornady LEVERevolution .44 Magnum 225gr FTX Ballistics 1410 0.15 0.0" -0.8" -2.9" -6.7"
HSM Bear Load .44 Rem Mag 305gr Wide Flat Nose (WFN) Ammo Ballistics 1260 0.21 0.0" -1.0" -3.6" -8.0"
HSM Cowboy Action .44 Rem Mag 240gr Semi Wadcutter (SWC) Ammo Ballistics 1150 0.165 0.0" -1.3" -4.6" -9.9"
HSM Pro Pistol .44 Rem Mag 240gr Jacketed Hollow Cavity Ammo Ballistics 1146 0.185 0.0" -1.3" -4.5" -9.8"
Magtech .44 Magnum 240gr SJSP Ballistics 1617 0.172 0.0" -0.4" -1.9" -4.6"
PMC Bronze .44 Mag 180gr JHP Ammo Ballistics 1750 0.185 0.0" -0.3" -1.5" -3.6"
PMC Bronze .44 Rem Mag 240gr Truncated Cone Soft Point (TCSP) Ammo Ballistics 1497 0.185 0.0" -0.6" -2.4" -5.5"
Remington UMC .44 Magnum 180gr JSP Ballistics 1610 0.165 0.0" -0.5" -2.0" -4.7"
Sierra Sports Master .44 Rem 240gr JHP Ammo Ballistics 1250 0.172 0.0" -1.0" -3.8" -8.4"

Zeroing the .44 Magnum

Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 180gr G1 .185 at 1,750 fps, with a 0.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). Handgun zeros are short because the sight sits close to the bore and the bullet arcs little inside 50 yards; the choice is really about where you want the crossover. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.

.44 Magnum zero comparison

.44 Magnum 180gr reference load zero comparison at 0.5" sight height over bore
10-yd zero 15-yd zero 25-yd zero
Near zero 10 yd 15 yd 25 yd
Far zero 75 yd 52 yd 33 yd
Max ordinate +0.7" +0.2" +0.0"
Max ordinate distance 43 yd 34 yd 29 yd
Hold-dead-on window (4" vital zone, ±2") 0–100 yd 0–89 yd 0–82 yd
Sight in at 25 yd +0.5" (+1.9 MOA) +0.2" (+0.7 MOA) 0.0" (0.0 MOA)
Drop at 50 yd +0.7" +0.1" -0.3"
Drop at 100 yd -1.7" -3.0" -3.6"
Energy at 50 yd 984 ft-lb 984 ft-lb 984 ft-lb
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How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 4" vital zone, ±2" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 100 yards.

Key terms

Near zero
Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
Far zero
Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
Max ordinate
The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
Point blank range (MPBR)
The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.

.44 Magnum with a 10-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 10 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 180gr load crosses the line of sight on the way up at 10 yards, peaks +0.7" at 43 yards, crosses back down at 75 yards, and is +0.7" at 50 and -1.7" at 100 yards.

Download CSV
.44 Magnum 180gr reference load, 10-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 1,750 1,224 0.1
5 -0.2" -4.34 -1.26 1,731 1,197 0.1
10 0.0" -0.07 -0.02 1,712 1,172 0.1
15 +0.2" +1.20 +0.35 1,693 1,146 0.1
20 +0.4" +1.69 +0.49 1,675 1,122 0.2
25 +0.5" +1.87 +0.54 1,657 1,098 0.3
30 +0.6" +1.89 +0.55 1,639 1,074 0.4
35 +0.7" +1.82 +0.53 1,621 1,051 0.5
40 +0.7" +1.69 +0.49 1,604 1,028 0.6
45 +0.7" +1.51 +0.44 1,586 1,006 0.7
50 +0.7" +1.31 +0.38 1,569 984 0.9
55 +0.6" +1.08 +0.31 1,552 963 1.1
60 +0.5" +0.83 +0.24 1,535 942 1.3
65 +0.4" +0.56 +0.16 1,518 921 1.5
70 +0.2" +0.28 +0.08 1,501 901 1.8
75 0.0" -0.01 0.00 1,485 882 2.0
80 -0.3" -0.31 -0.09 1,469 862 2.3
85 -0.6" -0.62 -0.18 1,453 844 2.6
90 -0.9" -0.94 -0.27 1,437 825 2.9
95 -1.3" -1.27 -0.37 1,421 808 3.3
100 -1.7" -1.60 -0.47 1,406 790 3.6

180gr G1 .185 at 1,750 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.

.44 Magnum with a 15-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 15 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 180gr load crosses the line of sight on the way up at 15 yards, peaks +0.2" at 34 yards, crosses back down at 52 yards, and is +0.1" at 50 and -3.0" at 100 yards.

Download CSV
.44 Magnum 180gr reference load, 15-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 1,750 1,224 0.1
5 -0.3" -5.56 -1.62 1,731 1,197 0.1
10 -0.1" -1.29 -0.38 1,712 1,172 0.1
15 0.0" -0.02 -0.01 1,693 1,146 0.1
20 +0.1" +0.47 +0.14 1,675 1,122 0.2
25 +0.2" +0.66 +0.19 1,657 1,098 0.3
30 +0.2" +0.68 +0.20 1,639 1,074 0.4
35 +0.2" +0.60 +0.18 1,621 1,051 0.5
40 +0.2" +0.47 +0.14 1,604 1,028 0.6
45 +0.1" +0.29 +0.09 1,586 1,006 0.7
50 +0.1" +0.09 +0.03 1,569 984 0.9
55 -0.1" -0.14 -0.04 1,552 963 1.1
60 -0.3" -0.39 -0.11 1,535 942 1.3
65 -0.5" -0.65 -0.19 1,518 921 1.5
70 -0.7" -0.93 -0.27 1,501 901 1.8
75 -1.0" -1.22 -0.36 1,485 882 2.0
80 -1.3" -1.52 -0.44 1,469 862 2.3
85 -1.6" -1.83 -0.53 1,453 844 2.6
90 -2.0" -2.15 -0.63 1,437 825 2.9
95 -2.5" -2.48 -0.72 1,421 808 3.3
100 -3.0" -2.82 -0.82 1,406 790 3.6

180gr G1 .185 at 1,750 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.

.44 Magnum with a 25-Yard Zero

Zeroed at 25 yards with a 0.5" sight height, the 180gr load crosses the line of sight on the way up at 25 yards, peaks +0.0" at 29 yards, crosses back down at 33 yards, and is -0.3" at 50 and -3.6" at 100 yards.

Download CSV
.44 Magnum 180gr reference load, 25-yard zero, 0.5" sight height over bore
Range (yd) Drop (in) Drop (MOA) Drop (MIL) Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) Wind drift, 10 mph (in)
0 -0.5" 0.00 0.00 1,750 1,224 0.1
5 -0.3" -6.21 -1.81 1,731 1,197 0.1
10 -0.2" -1.94 -0.57 1,712 1,172 0.1
15 -0.1" -0.68 -0.20 1,693 1,146 0.1
20 0.0" -0.18 -0.05 1,675 1,122 0.2
25 0.0" 0.00 0.00 1,657 1,098 0.3
30 +0.0" +0.02 +0.01 1,639 1,074 0.4
35 0.0" -0.05 -0.01 1,621 1,051 0.5
40 -0.1" -0.18 -0.05 1,604 1,028 0.6
45 -0.2" -0.36 -0.10 1,586 1,006 0.7
50 -0.3" -0.56 -0.16 1,569 984 0.9
55 -0.5" -0.79 -0.23 1,552 963 1.1
60 -0.7" -1.04 -0.30 1,535 942 1.3
65 -0.9" -1.31 -0.38 1,518 921 1.5
70 -1.2" -1.59 -0.46 1,501 901 1.8
75 -1.5" -1.88 -0.55 1,485 882 2.0
80 -1.8" -2.18 -0.63 1,469 862 2.3
85 -2.2" -2.49 -0.72 1,453 844 2.6
90 -2.7" -2.81 -0.82 1,437 825 2.9
95 -3.1" -3.14 -0.91 1,421 808 3.3
100 -3.6" -3.47 -1.01 1,406 790 3.6

180gr G1 .185 at 1,750 fps, 0.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight.

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Stock Up On .44 Magnum Ammo for the Range

PRODUCT PRICE/RD
PMC Bronze .44 Mag 180gr JHP Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$0.81
400 Rounds
HSM Cowboy Action .44 Rem Mag 240gr Semi Wadcutter (SWC) Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$0.82
400 Rounds
PMC Bronze .44 Rem Mag 240gr Truncated Cone Soft Point (TCSP) Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$0.82
400 Rounds
CCI Blazer .44 Rem Mag 240gr JHP Ammo
Sold by: Fast Ammo
$0.97
400 Rounds
Magtech .44 Magnum 240gr SJSP
Sold by: Lucky Gunner
$1.09
50 Rounds
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