I'm a believer in Hornadys XTPs. I've shot half a dozen or more deer with the 44 mag, using the 240 XTP and W296...had good results on all. Two years ago , I lost a nice buck to my 44 Encore...I was using a 240 Nosler HP. Maybe the shot placement , maybe not....I'll never know. I'm using Hornadys again. I have yet to try the 45s on deer. Good luck. BTW my 44 mag load is pushing around 1350 + FPS from my 7 1/2 inch Blackhawk.
regards , irold