Best .44 Special Ammo
Compare loads for defense, target, competition & more
The .44 Special was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1907 as a smokeless powder upgrade to the .44 Russian cartridge. It uses a .429" bullet in a rimmed, straight-wall case. Factory loads typically push 200-246 grain bullets at 700-900 fps, generating 250-350 ft-lbs of muzzle energy.
Revolver shooters value the .44 Special for its accuracy and moderate recoil. The cartridge's reputation for precision dates back to Elmer Keith's handloading experiments in the 1920s. Those experiments eventually led to the .44 Magnum, but many shooters prefer the Special's milder manners for target work and everyday carry in medium-frame revolvers.
Modern defensive loads from Hornady, Federal, and Speer push the .44 Special closer to its potential. A 200-grain JHP at 900 fps delivers solid terminal performance without the punishing recoil of magnum loads. The caliber works well in compact revolvers like the Charter Arms Bulldog, where .44 Magnum would be unpleasant to shoot.
All .44 Special Loads
Compare ballistics and prices across 6 products
| PRODUCT ↕ | GRAIN ↕ | VELOCITY ↕ | ENERGY ↕ | BC ↕ | USE CASE ↕ | BEST PRICE ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Federal Personal Defense Punch .44 Special 180gr JHP Ammo
180gr
• 815 fps
|
180gr | 815 | 265 | .145 | — | $1.32/rd |
|
Fiocchi Cowboy Action .44 Special 210gr LFP Ammo
210gr
• 750 fps
|
210gr | 750 | 262 | .17 | — | $0.74/rd |
|
Hornady Critical Defense .44 Special 165gr FTX Ammo
165gr
• 900 fps
|
165gr | 900 | 297 | .125 | — | $1.28/rd |
|
HSM Cowboy Action .44 Special 200gr RNFP Ammo
200gr
• 850 fps
|
200gr | 850 | 321 | .155 | — | $0.31/rd |
|
Magtech .44 Special 240gr FMJ Ammo
240gr
• 722 fps
|
240gr | 722 | 278 | .175 | — | $0.42/rd |
|
Magtech Cowboy Action .44 Special 240gr LFN Ammo
240gr
• 760 fps
|
240gr | 760 | 308 | .177 | — | $0.69/rd |
.44 Special Trajectory Calculator
Calculate drop, velocity, and energy at any range
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Lower recoil than .44 Magnum while using the same bullet diameter
- Excellent inherent accuracy from the cartridge design
- Fits in medium-frame revolvers that would be too small for magnums
- Can be fired in any .44 Magnum revolver for reduced-recoil practice
- Modern defensive loads offer genuine stopping power
- Cowboy action loads are soft-shooting and widely available
Cons
- Limited semi-automatic options (almost exclusively a revolver cartridge)
- Fewer ammunition choices than .44 Magnum or common calibers
- Factory loads are often downloaded from the cartridge's potential
- Slower velocity limits effective range compared to magnum cartridges
- Higher cost per round than 9mm or .38 Special
- Cylinder capacity typically limited to 5-6 rounds