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Q: What is the typical bullet weight of .44 Special?

Common bullet weights range from 200 to 240 grains.

Q: How does the .44 Special compare to the .357 Magnum?

.44 Special uses heavier bullets at moderate velocity; .357 Magnum offers faster, lighter bullets.

Quick Look

The .44 Special cartridge traces back to 1907 as a refinement of the .44 Russian, designed for improved accuracy and manageable recoil. Its design philosophy blends moderate power with versatility, appealing to handloaders and shooters seeking precision and control. Today, it remains popular with revolver enthusiasts and hunters who value its classic performance.

Why It's a Top Choice

Balanced recoil for improved shooting comfort
Highly accurate for self-defense and hunting
Wide availability of hollow-point and lead rounds
Compatible with many classic and modern revolvers
Favored by handloaders for tailored loads

Key Variants

44 Special Lead RN

Traditional lead round-nose loads favored for range training and target shooting.

44 Special HJHP

Hollow jacketed hollow-point rounds designed for enhanced self-defense terminal performance.

44 Special Semi-Wadcutter

Semi-wadcutter bullets optimized for clean target holes and precision shooting.

Competitor Comparison Table

Feature	.44 Special	.44 Magnum	.357 Magnum
MSRP (ammo)	$1.20–$1.50/round	$1.50–$2.00/round	$1.00–$1.50/round
Capacity/Size	6–8 rounds (revolvers)	5–6 rounds (revolvers)	6–8 rounds (revolvers, pistols)
Weight	240 grains (typical bullet weight)	240–300 grains	125–158 grains
Optics-Ready	N/A (ammo caliber)	N/A	N/A
Trigger Type	Revolvers: single/double-action	Revolvers: single/double-action	Revolvers, pistols: single/double-action
Notable Pro	Moderate recoil, accurate, versatile	High stopping power, widely available	More controllable recoil, faster follow-up
Notable Con	Less powerful than .44 Magnum	More recoil, heavier firearms needed	Lower bullet mass, less energy

Best Use Cases

Target shooting and precision practice
Self-defense in medium-range scenarios
Light hunting and small to medium game
Handloading enthusiasts tailoring performance
Collectors valuing classic revolver calibers

FAQs

Can I use .44 Special ammo in a .44 Magnum revolver?

Yes, .44 Special cartridges safely function in .44 Magnum revolvers because the .44 Magnum chamber is longer to accommodate higher pressure rounds.

What is the typical bullet weight of .44 Special?

Common bullet weights for the .44 Special range from 200 to 240 grains, balancing recoil with sufficient terminal performance.

How does the .44 Special compare to the .357 Magnum?

The .44 Special offers heavier bullets at moderate velocity, while the .357 Magnum is faster with lighter bullets, favoring different roles in power and recoil.