.44 Magnum Prices
| PRODUCT | DEALER | QUANTITY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL PRICE | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Ammo | 400 | $269.47 | $40.99 | $310.46 |
$0.78
400 Rounds
|
|
| Fast Ammo | 500 | $368.37 | $39.99 | $408.36 |
$0.82
500 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 400 | $284.00 | $48.34 | $332.34 |
$0.83
400 Rounds
|
|
| Lucky Gunner | 500 | $400.00 | $21.52 | $421.52 |
$0.84
500 Rounds
|
|
| Sentry Ammo | 400 | $357.98 | $13.99 | $371.97 |
$0.93
400 Rounds
|
|
| Sentry Ammo | 400 | $376.87 | $13.99 | $390.86 |
$0.98
400 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 400 | $424.00 | $40.99 | $464.99 |
$1.16
400 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 400 | $416.00 | $51.99 | $467.99 |
$1.17
400 Rounds
|
|
| Sentry Ammo | 400 | $461.99 | $13.99 | $475.98 |
$1.19
400 Rounds
|
|
| Sentry Ammo | 400 | $462.18 | $13.99 | $476.17 |
$1.19
400 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 50 | $53.25 | $14.99 | $68.24 |
$1.36
50 Rounds
|
.44 Magnum Overview
The .44 Remington Magnum represents a milestone in large-bore handgun development. Created in 1955 through the efforts of Elmer Keith, Smith & Wesson, and Remington, it was designed to be the ultimate big game hunting handgun cartridge. The .44 Magnum dramatically increased the power available from a revolver, essentially doubling the velocity potential of the parent .44 Special cartridge.
While famous for its starring role in film and television, the .44 Magnum's true purpose is as a serious hunting cartridge. It offers excellent terminal performance on large game, while maintaining enough accuracy for precise shot placement. The cartridge excels in both revolvers and carbines, making it a versatile choice for hunters who appreciate the challenge of handgun hunting or desire a powerful woods gun.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Excellent terminal performance on large game
- Can use .44 Special ammunition for practice
- Effective in both handguns and carbines
- Good accuracy potential
- Strong penetration with proper bullets
Cons
- Substantial recoil in handguns
- Expensive ammunition
- Heavy revolvers required
- Limited practical range
- Too powerful for general defensive use
.44 Magnum Ballistics
The .44 Magnum achieves velocities between 1,200-1,800 fps from revolvers, depending on barrel length and bullet weight. From carbines, velocities can exceed 1,900 fps with proper loads.
Similar Calibers Compared
| Caliber | Typical Bullet Weight | Muzzle Velocity | Muzzle Energy | Energy at 50 yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .44 Magnum | 240gr | 1450 fps | 1124 ft-lbs | 890 ft-lbs |
| .44 Special | 240gr | 900 fps | 432 ft-lbs | 375 ft-lbs |
| .41 Magnum | 210gr | 1350 fps | 849 ft-lbs | 695 ft-lbs |
| .454 Casull | 250gr | 1800 fps | 1798 ft-lbs | 1425 ft-lbs |
What .44 Magnum Does Best
Handgun Hunting
The .44 Magnum truly shines as a hunting cartridge. Its power and accuracy make it suitable for game up to and including elk at reasonable ranges. The cartridge offers excellent penetration with proper bullet selection, while generating enough energy for reliable expansion. The ability to practice with milder .44 Special loads allows hunters to develop proficiency without the punishing recoil of full-power magnum loads.
Brush Gun
In lever-action carbines, the .44 Magnum serves as an excellent brush gun. The heavy bullets maintain momentum through vegetation, while the carbine platform makes the recoil very manageable. These characteristics, combined with good accuracy at woods ranges, make it particularly effective for hunting in heavy cover or dense forest environments.
Silhouette Shooting
The cartridge's inherent accuracy and power make it popular for metallic silhouette competition. Its ability to reliably knock down heavy steel targets at distance, combined with good resistance to wind drift due to heavy bullets, has made it a standard choice in this discipline. The same characteristics that make it effective for hunting translate well to competition use.
Types of Projectiles
Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
- Controlled expansion for hunting medium to large game
Hard Cast Lead
- Maximum penetration for dangerous game and hunting applications
Soft Point (SP)
- Traditional hunting loads with reliable expansion
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
- Practice ammunition and target shooting
Common .44 Magnum Bullet Weights
180-200 grain
- Lighter bullets for higher velocity and flatter trajectory
240 grain
- Standard weight balancing power and shootability
300-320 grain
- Maximum weight for deep penetration and heavy game