NAME – 11x33mmR

NAME (COMMON) – .44 Magnum

TYPE – Rimmed centerfire

YEAR OF INTRODUCTION – 1955

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – USA

CASE TYPE – Rimmed straight

CARTRIDGE LENGTH – 40.9mm (1.61 in)

CASING LENGTH – 32.6mm (1.285 in)

CASE HEAD DIAMETER – 11.58mm (0.456 in)

CASE RIM DIAMETER – 13.06 mm (0.514 in)

BULLET TYPE – Jacketed soft point semiwadcutter

BULLET DIAMETER – 10.97 mm (0.432 in)

BULLET WEIGHT – 15.6 g (240 grains)

POWDER WEIGHT – 1.04 g (16 grains)

CASING WEIGHT – 7.84 g (121 grains)

TOTAL ROUND WEIGHT – 24.43 g (377 grains)

MUZZLE VELOCITY – 448 m/s (1470 fps)

NOMINAL BARREL LENGTH – 16.5 cm (6.5 in)

MUZZLE ENERGY – 1562 j (1152)

     This round was initially developed by Elmer Keith to maximize the potential in the 11x29mmR (.44 Special) round when used in large-frame Smith & Wesson handguns. As for the 9x33mmR (.357 Magnum) round, the casing of the new round was lengthened by 3.3 mm (0.13 inch) to prevent the new round from being used in older, and weaker, revolvers. The power and accuracy of the new round made the 11x33mmR (.44 Magnum) round the most powerful commercially produced handgun ammunition.