I think the 30 spline '30 axle shaft is something close to the diameter of the 44. The other thing that is not apples to apples is high pinion vs low pinion. In the front, a high pinion is stronger than a low pinion (the reverse is true in the rear). Many years ago when I put an HP pro-rock 60 in the rear, I was told by Dynatrac that it was something like 20-30% weaker than the low pinion. I did smoke that thing a few times.
As I understand it, going forward in the front, low pinion gearsets tend to separate under load, where high pinion gears tend to draw together. Without running a load bolt like I think the Currie stuff does, I believe that's the difference.
But to your numbers, nearly and inch and a half in ring gear diameter is a lot to make up.