Elmer Keith had a pretty high regard for what the .44 Special could do also. I don't think anything that I shoot with my Special will be able to tell me that they were NOT shot with a .44 Mag. I have the GP100 SS w a 3" barrel. I shoot 200gr Rimrock cast bullets over 5.5 gr of HP38. It was the first load I tried and it is really accurate with little to no recoil so I have not messed with any other load. Everyone that shoots it falls in love with it. They appreciate the accuracy and the lack of recoil. I can shoot 200 rounds through the Special and my hand feels great the next day. If I shoot 75 through my .357 my hand is sore the next day. The Special does have a rubber Hogue grip while the .357 mag Match Champion has a wood grip.