Josey,
Sometimes you make me wonder about your responses?!?! USFA does make single actions in .357 Magnum! They don't chamber the Rodeo as such for their own marketing reasons, but their other revolvers are available in .357 as a matter of course. No one would want to chamber a Colt sized SA in .44 magnum, it isn't large enough in the frame and cylinder to safely handle the cartridge. That is what you want a Ruger for, brute strength. That doesn't make the Ruger a better revolver, just one able to handle .44 mag pressures. USFA frames, BTW, are CNC machines from bar stock, not cast. All parts are American made, no Italian parts to be found at all.
I own many Rugers, and have owned many Colts, and can safely assure you, the USFA is light years ahead of either, in both fit and finish. If you respect it for what it is (a Colt clone built to higher standards than a Colt) and load it accordingly, it is as safe as any handgun on the market. And that includes any .357 loads you might want to try.
Mine happens to be a .44 Special, and since I have .45 Colt Ruger for use with heavy loads, I use my .44 Special with loads just a bit warmer than factory, 240 grains at about 900 fps. No problems there, and I have no need for anything more......from this gun.
Saxon Pig, I agree, Bowen seems to think that there is a need for mucho machine work at healthy prices on virtually any gun. He has, however, noted many times that the USFA is the best production SA on the market. For a fellow who considers a couple of grand for a revolver to be the opening price, that is saying quite a bit. And the USFA's are available with a color cased frame if you so choose, just not in the lower priced Rodeo version. Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choices, as they say.