Howdy
I am not a hunter, so I have nothing at all to say on that subject.
I have been shooting single action revolvers chambered for 45 Colt for over 40 years. My first one was this Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt/45ACP convertible that I bought in 1975.
The same year I bought my first 357 Magnum, this S&W Model 19-3.
Since that time I have managed to acquire 8 S&W 357 Magnums and 11 45 Colt single action revolvers made by Ruger and Colt.
The Smiths are all double action, all either the medium size K frame like my Model 19, or the large N frame; a few Model 28s and a Model 27.
Almost all 45s I own are single action. I only own one double action 45 Colt revolver, this Colt New Service from 1906. No, I would not dream of putting any high powered stuff through it.
I can tell you that personally I do not care for the muzzle blast of the 357 Magnum cartridge. In fact, I seldom shoot my 357s with 357 Mag ammunition, I shoot them almost exclusively with 38 Specials. There is no need for magnum power when bouncing a soup can around at the 50 foot berm. These days I mostly load 45 Colt with Black Powder, but way back I was loading it with Unique and 250 grain bullets.
You mention you will start reloading, whichever caliber you settle on. I can tell you that you will spend more money loading 45 Colt, because the bullets are larger and weigh more than the typical 357 Magnum bullet. It so happens 45 Colt was the first cartridge I learned to load. Every thing is nice and big, so the brass and bullets are easier to handle than a 357 diameter bullet. Not a whole lot easier, but they are a bit easier to handle. But no matter how you load your 45s, it will cost you more to shoot them, either with store-bought factory ammo or your own reloads, simply because more lead is involved. You can buy Cowboy Action 45s, for low recoil but they tend to be expensive. You can always shoot relatively inexpensive 38 Specials out of any 357 Magnum revolver. I will tell you that many years ago I started loading 38 Specials, not too long after 45 Colt. I will also tell you that I have never, ever loaded a 357 Magnum round. I don't shoot them that much, if I want to, I can always buy some at the store. But I save a lot of money loading my own 38s. And I save a lot of money loading my 45s too. None of that Ruger Only stuff, I have no need for that. Simply standard 14,000 psi Saami standard stuff.