RE: .44 MAG QUESTION
Accuracy won't be a problem. However Shootability might be. If you put a short barreled handgun in a shooting rest, they are very accurate. They are not however real shootable. A little wiggle here or there on a short barrel will cause some big misses. BB has it right on the effective ranges.
Its also true that with a revolver, 100 yards is about as far as the average handgunner will be successful.