When searching for factory self-defense loads, regardless of caliber, just do yourself a huge favor and grab a box of Speer GoldDot loads (ShortBarrels, if your tube is abbreviated).
I've tested just about ever weight and caliber they make and never had any do anything other than impress. They are as good as any get, IMHO, and better than most.
For the .44 Special, a flying ashtray of 200 gr. at 800-900 fps is going to be about all anything ever needs to get hit with.
+1
