The .45ACP is one of the two greatest centerfire cartridges ever invented, the other being the '06. The .45 ACP is the preeminent self-defense cartridge, especially when paired with a 1911A1.
The .357 Mag, while beneficiary to mostly undeserved accolades, might just be the best trail gun ever invented. 6 180 grain .357 Mag rounds would convince black bears to look elsewhere for dinner. Loaded with shot, it'll tear the hell outta rattlers and take game birds within reasonable distance. With suitable magnum rounds, it'll reliably take deer. With .38 Special wadcutters, it'll reliably take small game. With .38 Special 158 grain LSWCHP +P, it's a pretty good self-defense gun. Add to all of that that it's the largest magnum revolver that probably 90% of all hand gunners can shoot without recoil becoming an issue make the .357 Mag one of the best revolver cartridges ever designed.
