I think the .44 Mag is a good starter pistol for the one who is just getting started on heavily recoiling revolvers. Let's face it, the .44 Mag really isn't that bad, even loaded to spec. That said, I don't think any of the bigger revolver rounds need to be loaded to maximum velocity to be effective on game, but bigger is better (I'm talking diameter now) when hunting and/or protecting oneself as long as the shooter and shoot it accurately. But again, I reiterate, it doesn't have to be loaded to obnoxious levels to work well.
