.44 S&W Special Ammo.
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.44 Special is the smooth-shooting big-bore revolver round that gave birth to the 44 Magnum. It delivers a heavy bullet with moderate recoil, which makes it a great choice for home defense, target shooting and practice in any 44 Magnum revolver. At Gunners Outlet we carry .44 Special ammunition from 180 to 240 grains, including JHP and FMJ loads from Fiocchi, PMC, Magtech and Hornady. Order online and we ship fast from our New Hampshire warehouse. Every listing shows the price per round.
About .44 Special Ammunition
Smith & Wesson introduced the .44 Special in 1907. Handloaders like Elmer Keith pushed it hard in the decades that followed, and their work led directly to the 44 Magnum in 1955. Today .44 Special lives on in compact revolvers and as the mild practice round for magnum owners.
Most .44 Special loads weigh 180 to 240 grains. Lighter hollow points such as Hornady Critical Defense are built to expand from short barrels, while 240 grain lead or FMJ loads are a classic for target work. Recoil is firm but comfortable, far gentler than full magnum loads.
Any revolver chambered in 44 Magnum fires .44 Special safely, but a .44 Special revolver must never fire 44 Magnum. If you own a magnum, keeping a supply of .44 Special lets you shoot longer sessions and practice more without the punishment of full-power loads.
Revolvers Chambered in .44 Special
Compact revolvers like the Charter Arms Bulldog, Smith & Wesson Model 696 and Ruger GP100 in .44 Special make the cartridge a practical big-bore carry option. Light-recoil loads keep them controllable while still firing a heavy bullet.
Lever-action rifles chambered in 44 Magnum also feed .44 Special, offering mild, fun shooting at the range.
.44 S&W Special Ballistics Table
| Bullet Weight | Bullet Type | Loads | Brands | Price From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180 gr | JHP / Hollow Point | 2 | 2 | $0.88/rd |
| 200 gr | JHP / Hollow Point | 1 | 1 | $0.84/rd |
| 210 gr | — | 1 | 1 | $0.85/rd |
| 240 gr | FMJ | 1 | 1 | $0.79/rd |
Frequently Asked Questions
Difference between 44 special and 44 magnum?
44 Magnum uses a slightly longer case loaded to much higher pressure, so it is far more powerful than .44 Special. Both fire the same diameter bullet. A 44 Magnum revolver can shoot .44 Special, but never the other way around.
Is 44 special for self defense?
Yes, .44 Special is a solid self-defense round with a heavy bullet and manageable recoil. Use a hollow point designed for its velocity, such as Hornady Critical Defense, and practice with your revolver.
44 special vs 357 magnum: which is better?
.357 Magnum is faster and more powerful, while .44 Special fires a heavier, wider bullet with milder recoil. For hunting .357 Magnum has the edge; for comfortable big-bore defense many prefer .44 Special.
44 special vs 38 special: which is better?
.44 Special fires a much heavier bullet with more energy, while .38 Special is cheaper and fits smaller revolvers. Both are mild classic revolver rounds. Choose .44 Special if you want a bigger bullet without magnum recoil.