.44 Magnum
Also called: 44 Mag, forty-four mag
A big, powerful revolver cartridge for deer and hogs at close range, and a common choice for protection in bear country.
- Type
- Handgun
- Bullet diameter
- .429 in
- Case length
- 1.285 in
- Overall length
- 1.61 in
- Typical bullet weights
- 180 to 300 grains
- Typical muzzle velocity
- About 1,150 to 1,600 fps
- Recoil
- Heavy recoil
- Quarry
- Deer, hogs & pronghorn, Backup & defense
- Typical range
- Deer and hogs at short range where handgun hunting is legal; defensive use at close range
- Availability
- Common
Safety: A .44 Magnum revolver can fire .44 Special, but a .44 Special revolver can never fire .44 Magnum. Never put .44 Magnum ammunition in a revolver not marked for it.
What it is good for
- Handgun hunting of deer and hogs at short range.
- Backup protection against large animals and people.
- Lever-action rifles chambered in the same cartridge for brush hunting.
Where it falls short
- Recoil and muzzle blast are heavy, and it takes real practice to shoot well.
- Handguns are heavy, and shots are limited to short range.
- Revolvers and ammunition are expensive.
Easily confused with
- .357 Magnum: a smaller, milder revolver cartridge with a narrower bullet.
Field notes
Introduced in 1955, the .44 Magnum became the standard big-bore hunting revolver cartridge. Hunters also use it in compact lever-action rifles for brush hunting.
Related guides
Numbers are typical factory-load figures, not guarantees. Use only ammunition that matches the cartridge stamped on your firearm and is made by a reputable manufacturer, and follow the manual. Legal game cartridges, minimum calibers, and non-toxic shot rules differ by state and area. Check your state's current regulations; our state resources directory links to each state's official rules. Not sure which rifle to buy? Try our hunting rifle wizard.