I am sorry; I do not get back to threads very often as I have many irons and too many fires.
Goodoldboy,
In my post there was but one true pistol bullet mentioned, that was the 170 Sierra. The 180 RCBS is a rifle and pistol bullet, the 200 RCBS is a rifle bullet, the 180 Hornady SP is a rifle bullet and the 200 Remington is a rifle bullet. My reference to revolvers was intended to give the information that the intended OAL for a carbine, based on the revolver, was attainable. Sorry that the reference confused anyone. No you do not need glasses, if you missed it, I did not write it clearly.
It hurts me to say this (I am an RCA member) but, here goes, the GP is not known as a very accurate 357. The barrels are known to be of poor quality with almost non-existent QC. I have owned six GPs, none shot and two were found to have oblong bores about midway down the barrel. Several smiths I know have had the same experience with more guns than I. My comment is not about your choice of a revolver, it is about the gun itself and the GP being the basis of anyone's opinion regarding the 357 as a hunting or heavy bullet cartridge. The GP should not be the basis for any opinion except about a GP.
If you ever have the opportunity you should try a good accurate 357, like a Freedom Arms. The FA is amazing, especially the 353. The 353 will shoot right along with a rifle and handle pressures that boggle the mind. The difference between a GP and a FA is the difference between a 1962 VW Beatle and a F-16. They are only similar in that both have wheels or cylinders as the case may be.
You might enjoy reading the following info about the 357 by Paco Kelly:
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:g...%2520Heavy.htm
If you would like to know more about the 353, take a look at the articles by John Taffin. As a member of the IHMSA, John did some testing with the 353 as a pre production gun and his results are on his web site.
The 357 is a cartridge that has been overlooked today by many shooters, as a hunting cartridge. However, in the field, with heavy loads, it can be very effective and in a rifle is a good choice for a lad, young lady or the wife.
Ed