The .44 Auto Mag, also known as .44 AMP (Auto Mag Pistol), is a powerful semi-automatic pistol cartridge designed in the late 1960s by Harry Sanford. It was intended to bring magnum revolver-level power to a semi-automatic platform. The cartridge is based on a cut-down and reformed .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield case, necked up to accept .429-inch diameter bullets, similar to those used in the .44 Remington Magnum revolver cartridge.
The .44 Auto Mag typically fires a 240-grain bullet at velocities of around 1,200 to 1,600 feet per second, achieving a high level of stopping power and long-range accuracy. It was originally chambered in the Auto Mag Pistol, often noted for its robust construction and unique design.
Use cases for the .44 Auto Mag include hunting large game, metallic silhouette shooting, and for enthusiasts and collectors of high-powered handguns. However, due to limited production and the specialized nature of the firearm, it remains a niche cartridge with a dedicated but small following.