One more thing to add to the good advice above. I would stay away from ANY FACTORY LOADED 357 MAGNUM unjacketed loads. Lead bullets which are often loaded to 357 velocities can lead the HELL OUT OF YOUR BARREL. For lead bullets stay with the 38 special unless you load them yourself and keep the velocity level down to 38 special levels. One of the best defense loads is the +P 38 special lead hollow point semi wad cutter know as the FBI load.