With a caveat. One reason the 44 allows for more pressure, and hence more velocity, is that there is more steel surrounding the smaller case in a standard cylinder. In a 5 shot 45 Colt with a heavy cylinder you can step on it a bit and run right with the 44 mag with heavy slugs, and even exceed it. The difference on game between the two is rather insignificant, although the 45 seems to be slightly less violent on the shooter to me.