The 44 special has seen quite a renewal of interest the last few years because of the Ruger midframe guns brought out by Lipsey's, they are built right, give wonderful accuracy & great packing sixguns.
I've taken several deer with my 4 5/8's, my 5 1/2" & my 7 1/2" specials. They can run 250 gr slugs up to a top end of 1200 fps with correct loads & are easy on the shooter. They are a natural for deer & will work on elk although they are marginal....just like the 41 maggie.
Brian Pearce double tapped a "mature" bull a few years ago with this exact combo (250 gr Keith at 1200 fps) dead bull. I think any real sixgunner has to have at least one 44 special, they really are special.
The old Keith load of a 250 gr Keith slug & 17.5 grs of 2400 will give an honest 1200 fps in most guns but with todays new Alliant 2400 should be reduced to 16.5-17.0 grs because its just a touch faster burning than the old Hercules 2400. An additional 50 fps isn't worth straining a good sixgun over. Another time proven load in Ruger specials is 7.5 grs of Unique, its my most used load for white tails & muleys, 6 shots, 6 deer, never recovered a bullet. Figure on 950-1025 fps, depending on barrel.
The biggest problem with medium calibers is, the shooter sometimes tries to stretch the distance, usually the shooter runs out of ability before the caliber does.
Always remember, if you are great at 1100 fps, good at 1200 fps & average at 1300 fps, whats most important...hint, the answer starts with an "A".

Dick