BIG BORE MASTERPIECE: THE .44 MAGNUM

What started as an experiment in handgun power became an iconic cartridge.

Let’s take a look at the great .44 Magnum cartridge from a historical and modern perspective.

It all started with the little brother and predecessor to the .44 Magnum, the .44 Special. The late great gun writer Elmer Keith was experimenting with a cartridge that could be loaded hotter for revolvers than anything on the market at that time. With some interesting mishaps and lots of talks with leading gun and ammunitions manufacturers a longer cartridge was born, the .44 Magnum.

The .44 Magnum became the go-to for outdoorsmen in rough places. It also became a big game taker that could harvest like no other handgun cartridge before it. Early on both Smith & Wesson along with Ruger had revolvers chambered in it. Hollywood spurred on the fame with Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” character. Later Desert Eagle and other interesting handguns sprang up and became favorites for those who craved the “most powerful handgun”… well it was mostly true back then. Below I sport a modern Smith & Wesson 329 Scandium frame .44 Magnum revolver carried in a 1791 Gunleather Pathfinder Chest Holster. With this combination I am ready for the wilds!

Where the .44 Magnum really shines is it’s incredible flexibility for loads. So far from my research and personal use the projectiles range from 180 grains to an incredible 340 grains! Now that is an amazing flexibility from a handgun cartridge. Also, powder charges can range from mild recoiling range target loads to some real T-Rex level loads. If you are a handloader, the options are very rewarding.

I have found Starline Brass to be an excellent case to reload for the .44 Magnum cartridge. What can make a handloader more happy than a bag of shiny new .44 Magnum cases?

What powder and charge weight to use? Consult your new reloading manuals and adhere to the recipes. I never start out at full charges, but work my way up to use what the firearm I am using them in likes the most. Be sure your powder scale is calibrated correctly too.

I have become a fan of cast lead bullets out of frugalness and a new hobby. My Lee mold casts a hard cast 240 grain semi-wadcutter projectile that not only cuts nice holes in target paper but when loaded hotter is a great big game projectile. Heck, Mr. Keith liked them so you should too. Lube them and load them with your manual approved powder selection and weight. Put a good case mouth crimp on them to keep the projectiles from migrating out under recoil. This little bundle of joy below is ready for the range or the hunt.

Oh, did I mention that the .44 Magnum cartridge makes a dandy short to medium range rifle cartridge? Early on The Ruger .44 Magnum autoloading rifle was quite popular in the deer, hog and bear woods. It was quick shooting, handy and packed a punch. It is a very popular find (and pricey) if found used now at your local gun shop or swap meet. Other carbine and rifle makers saw the cartridge’s potential in a long arm and also manufactured various models. Some are still here, others have been discontinued.

Lever actions rifles are a naturally for the .44 Magnum. The Henry Arms Big Boy Carbine below in .44 Magnum turns a handgun cartridge into a quick shooting big game cartridge in close quarters.

This group was off a benchrest at 50 yards. Any whitetail, feral hog, varmint or two legged foe would be in deep trouble from a carbine armed .44 Magnum shooter!

Modern hollow points and jacketed projectiles have turned this classic cartridge into a real tack driver. The Hornady FTX cartridges above have revolutionized performance in the last decade. Other deep penetrating cartridges that are very hard cast work great on dangerous critters that can ruin your day. A heavyweight 340 grain projectile. It is on par with a freight train in cartridge form.

Are you a fan of the .44 Magnum cartridge? From paper targets to bears it might just be your new best friend!