I run a 1.5-step-plus-granny with 12-13-15-17-19-21-24-28 (made from parts of three cassettes) in back and 48-40-28/48-40-24 up front. When I use the 24, I do have to take the 24-40 upshift gently and slowly, but it does work fine with my SunTour XC derailleurs. I like your 48-44 half-step, but by going to 1.5-step you might be able to reduce your granny-to-middle jump and still have a nicely interleaved set of ratios. (Your current jump, before dropping to 24T, is the same as my 40-24, which, as mentioned, does push the envelope somewhat.)
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069