I just looked up the load data in the Speer Reloading manual. With both test rifles having 20" bbls the .44 Mag (with rifle loads) will throw a 200 gr JHP a mere two feet per second slower than a .30-30 Win will throw a 170 gr JSP. 2 FPS is far less than most loads deviate shot to shot, so .44 Mag rifle velocity with 200 gr pills is really the same as .30-30 with 170 gr pills.
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According to the HITS calculator on the Hornady web site, a 300 grain .44 cal at 1600 fps is considerably more potent than a 160 grain .30 cal at 2300 fps.
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Hogdon web site max velocity 30-30 rifle loads and corresponding Hornady HITS results:
170gr 2332fps 1015 HITS
Hogdon web site max velocity 44 *rifle* loads and corresponding Hornady HITS results:
200gr 2106fps 653 HITS (H110 load) 37,800 CUP pressure
300gr 1473fps 1025 HITS (H110 load) 38,800 CUP pressure - no other powder or load listed higher in pressure.
The 200gr 44 load, well, I just don't see it.
The 300gr 44 load, OK, based on these measures, a whisker better right out of the muzzle. But if short range is farther away than a bear could swipe you with its paws, the 30-30 ballistic coefficient will still come out on top. Pushing the 44 300gr load to 1600fps? Not something I'd try. Compare loads you can actually buy, versus specialized handloads, and the differences remain compelling.
Both will of course do the job, but the 30-30 gives up nothing to the 44 up close, and has more versatility for longer range.