Glad to hear you had a fun outing and everything worked out well.
Run a patch or two soaked with penetrating oil (any kind) Liquid Wrench, Blaster, Kroil) and let it sit in the barrel overnight. Helps get under the lead and cleans out easier.
I usually just go with the lowest start loads on the 44 Mag. The paper doesn't know the difference. 18-19 grs of 2400 is enough "boom" for me.
Unique and Blue Dot (the only thing it's good for) make some nice loads that will not wear out you hand and gun.