and the .44 Special's parent case, the .44 Russian all use 0.429 inch diameter bullets. The .44 Magnum is based on the .44 Special case but lengthened and loaded to higher pressures for greater velocity and energy.

Famously called "the most powerful handgun [cartridge] in the world" by the title character in Dirty Harry, the .44 Magnum has since been eclipsed in power by the