Paladin, you may want to check your data - that second paragraph implies that a +P from a 4" is the same 74% Mv of a 2.5" .357M as a 6".
My views come from the practical needs of a civilian in defending his person, whether at home, on the street, or in the Alabama boonies. One should always use 'enough' for protection. Too much, I feel, is actually worse than not enough as you can endanger others - and you just don't have that 'right'. Recall the developmental criteria the .357 Magnum was designed for - to pierce the steel car doors of the day while shooting at fleeing felons - a LEO use. Sure, civilians could use it - it was demonstrated to be a great large game getter. You can also make the stand that today's .357M's are closer in energy to the .38-200's, too - you might be right. Still, for a mere civilian, they are a bit much - like a .44 Magnum to a .44 Special - or a .454 Casull to a .45 Colt. When 'home invaders' start wearing body armor, I reserve the right to rethink this!
BTW, I chrono-ed the softer Remington +P R38S12 158gr LHPSWC's at:
1 7/8" - 2" .38's (442/642 - 2" 10) -- 822-860 fps
3" 65 -- 912 fps
5" h-l 686+ -- 990 fps
6" 66 -- 997 fps
The GA Arms practice rounds I use were within a few fps from the 2" 10 and 6" 66 - very good to practice with - and carry the Remingtons. A 2L pop bottle full of water - at 12-15yd - produces quite a geyser when hit by a 642 launched Remington R38S12. I no longer fear marauding pop bottles full of water. YMMV. I feel safe. Of course, I also have 200gr .44 Special Gold Dots for my .44's - and 250gr Gold Dots for my .45 Colts. The .38/.357M's are my front line, however.
Stainz