i use a 180gr XTP over 15gr of lil'gun. this has proven effective for me. it shoots 1" at 25yards from my gp-100 6" bbl with an estimated velocity of 1300fps or so. It will punch thru any deer as long as you keep the shots pretty close (under 50 at least until you use it a couple of times to judge its performance for yourself). go only for good standing double-lung broadside shots only, i wouldnt try breaking the shoulder with a 357. as i said this load has done it for me and if a .35 cal entrance and .50cal exit wounds with a path that goes thru the lungs wont kill a deer then we need to start hunting with bazookas.
the .357 is a fine performer as long as one recognizes that it has limitaions that must be taken into consideration.