The 44 mag, like other large handgun cartridges, is a few different critters. The first and most well-known guise is the 180-240 gr shooter, the one we are talking about for deer hunting.
The second guise is more recently developed, and it is all about shooting heavy bullets 300-400 gr. A 44 loaded this way is a behemoth of killing power, punching animals end to end. Pioneers with heavy bullets in the 44 mag took all manner of big, dangerous game with it. I'm sure it still happens.
