Thanks to all for the replies!
Farm23: I'd be interested in hearing more about what weight of bullet you settle on. I really like the Classic with 3" barrel and blued finish and probably would have gotten that if it had been available, but my 2.5" stainless is growing on me. I may have to give those large wood grips a try at some point.
Crowman: Do you think that I should go with the harder 18 Brinell bullets would be better even with coated bullets such as MBC offers? I thought that softer bullets would obturate better given the softer .44 Special loads I am using. Missouri Bullet Co. lists their 18 Br. bullets as "for magnum loads", which these definitely aren't. Their softer bullets are 12 Brinell hardness. I'd like to get some 200 grain wadcutters but haven't seen them in coated and right now I'm anxious to avoid leading as much as possible. I do cast some in other calibers and have thought about getting a mold for the .44, but I want to settle on a bullet weight and profile that I'll be happy with