QUESTIONS - What is a "liberal dose" of Winchester 296? I want to increase ft/sec over factory but don't want to damage my 629 (dash 4).
With H110/W296 (same powder, different label on the bottle) there really isn't anything LESS than a liberal dose. The range of suitable charge weights for this powder is very narrow. However, within that range you will likely find a very consistent and accurate load. It is also likely to be THE fastest load possible with a 44 Magnum and most bullet weights. Unless the "factory" ammo you're trying to go faster than is a reduced plinking type of round, trying to improve upon it is going to be difficult.
One other powder to look at, for big-boy, full-throttle 44 Magnum hunting loads, is 2400. You can't get quite as much velocity from it, but you CAN safely back off a bit, if you'd like a little less recoil. You can't do that with H110/W296.