There's no doubt that the .44 Mag is more versatile then owning a .44 Spl as it can fire some pretty hot or mild loads. But, if you reload the Spl you can get some fairly stout loads out of it.

I still own 2 624's, one with 6.5" the other 4" and a 24-3 with 4". I don't load them hot as I see no need to. I like to keep velocity around 950 fps to a max of 1050 fps.

I also have 3 S&W .44 mag revolvers. These I load to the same specs as I see no need to beat myself or the guns up.

The .44 Spl can do just about anything you need if loaded properly. The joy for me is going to the range and watching someone with a .44 mag fire 12 rounds and put the gun away. I just keep firing. That is the beauty of the .44 Spl.