The round has a flatter trajectory, and leaves the barrel considerably faster than either the .50 AE or the .44 Mag.

Consequentially, Magnum Research no longer produces a Desert Eagle in .440 Cor-Bon, but has introduced a similar cartridge, the .429 DE.

The round is generally considered to be for hunting big game, rather than for defensive purposes, for a number of reasons.

Its excessive penetration and recoil make it unsuitable for self-defense, it is a physically larger cartridge, commonly chambered in a large pistols such as the Desert Eagle, and it is not particularly practical to carry it concealed.

Some gunsmiths are chambering lever-action rifles to take full advantage of this cartridge on large game.