James B

While the 44 Mag is no longer the big boy on the block, with heavy cast bullets it is very effective on big game. It also pretty easy for most shooters to control recoil wise for follow up shots. There is no other handgun that I would rather carry as a back-up than the 44 Magnum. In the city though, give me the 45 ACP every time.

TomFromTheShade

You should see if you can find a good HARD cast bullet. Because you shoot a revolver you have an option that us semi-auto guys don't. That would be my first recommendation. If you can't find that then I would go with high velocity ball ammuntion. That should get you the penetration that you want.

Briman

All you really need for a good cast bullet is a mould, a melting pot and a supply of wheel weights to pour. I've probably shot 30 lbs worth of homemade cast bullets through my 1911 so far. Best thing about it is that when you make your own bullets, the bullet shop is never closed.

As far as 'hard cast' goes, I don't know where people get their terminology from. pure lead has a brinnel hardness of 5, wheelweights run about 9-10. Wheelweights are good for velocities up to around 2000 fps with the proper lube and have the added bonus of being soft enough to expand well without shattering and are typically a lot softer than commercially made cast bullets.