Wow, the cranks are out in force today - guess it's April 1!
SparkyGuy, go look at the ballistics of the .44spc and .45 acp and then tell me that a .38spcl offers the same level of stopping power. Just ain't so, and saying it won't make it so. Yes, a .38spcl SHOULD suffice, and a .44 or .45 would work better. A .44 magnum will work even better, if you can tolerate the flash, bang, and recoil, and still get a follow-on shot rapidly and accurately. Most can't.
A .44mag SHOULD work even better, if you can get an expanding bullet AND hit a large bone or solid organ longitudinally enough to not overpenetrate and end up in the neighbors place - risks that just aren't necessary. Also, in a night time or indoors encounter, the noise and flash of a full .44 magnum is going to disorient lots of shooters and significantly reduce follow-on shots and usually accuracy. Importantly, you need to practice with the gun in question
I shoot .38spcl, .357magnums, .44spcls, .45acp, .44 magnum, and .45 Long Colts. I reload for all of them. If I am forced to shoot inside my home, it's going to be with the .45acp or .44spcl, loaded with deadly HPs and going subsonic (e.g., under 1070fps) to provide a lethal dose, and non-disorienting recoil, but not with anything else. If I carry outside my home, I'll use a .357 magnum or .44 magnum mainly, and a .45acp, .38 or .45LC much less frequently.
While it certainly sound macho, it's NOT about using the "biggest weapon you can lay hand on" - it's about the best weapon you can use effectively and consistently. For most folks, that limit is the .357/.44spcl/.45acp level when under stress, in the dark, and indoors.