I lived with the 44 Magnum for 30 years- carried it daily, handloaded for it and hunted with it. Fooled with the 44 Special some too. I kept the 45 Colt for its mild manners and ability to handle anything, loaded properly and from the right gun. Even the basic 1870's load, or an equivalent reload, kills all out of proportion to its 'paper ballistics' so long as you use a bullet with a healthy meplat.