44 Special Ballistics and Cartridge Guide

44 Special Ballistics

This 44 Special ballistics chart shows 165 Grain Hornady FTX Critical Defense rounds tested out of a 2.5 inch barrel:

	Muzzle	25 YDS	50 YDS
Velocity (FPS)	900	873	847
Energy (FT/LB)	297	279	263

This 44 Special ballistics chart shows 200 grain Federal American Eagle Semi Wadcutter Hollow Point rounds tested out of a 4 inch barrel:

	Muzzle	25 YDS	50 YDS
Velocity (FPS)	870	848	826
Energy (FT/LB)	336	319	303

44 Special History:

The 44 Special, also known as 44 Spl or 44 SPC, is an iconic centerfire revolver cartridge released to the public in 1907. The parent case for the 44 Special is the 44 Russian, but lengthened.

The 44 Special is an important cartridge in ammo history and design that helped to bridge old technology to some of the powerhouse cartridges we have today.

The 44 Special was the case responsible for one of the most potent handgun cartridges developed because people saw its potential for power in hunting.

Elmer Keith and others took to increasing the ballistics of this 44 caliber cartridge, which would eventually make the 44 Magnum. And when this happened, the 44 Special began to fade into obscurity, taking a backseat to the more powerful cartridge.

44 Special can be fired in a 44 magnum rifle or revolver. This is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because if you have a 44 magnum firearm, you can shoot the lighter recoiling 44 Special.

It’s kind of a curse, because it diminishes the demand for guns specifically chambered in 44 SPL.

In fact, it’s actually harder to find 44 Special chambered guns (though they are out there) that are specifically chambered for 44 Special than it is to find 44 Magnum chambered guns, which will shoot both calibers effectively.

It’s also harder to find ammo for it. Hornady, for example, only has one current offering for 44 Special (the one listed above in the ballistic chart) and five loads for 44 Magnum.

Conclusion:

The 44 Special is a good cartridge for people who want to practice with a lighter recoiling cartridge in their 44 Mag, or for people who want a decent performing revolver for defensive purposes.