Just trying to decide on a 4" barrel .44mag for backwoods carry. Is the 329 really that bad to shoot. I would probably carry the lighter recoil Buffalo Bore ammo.

I would consider the 2.5" barrel guns but I feel that you give up accuracy and velocity.

My only .44 experience is my wife's 9.5" super red hawk, but there is no way I would carry that every day. My SW99 .40 is a bit small for some of the critters we may run into.

I've had two friends run into moose with their sled dog teams this winter up in Alaska, and it has me thinking way too much. The moose here in Utah are generally more standoffish but they are definitely in the area where we are.