What does "merit" have to do with it? The definition of "obsolete" is 'replaced with something newer'.
If you don't think the .357 Mag has been almost completely replaced for serious self-defense and hunting use you're in dreamland. That has nothing to do with effectiveness - simply that the buyers voted and the .357 Mag lost.
True .357 is a great round, but who really uses it? That's right. Almost no one.
.45. Almost same thing. Too big for military use, too big for most CCW--yeah there's a few die hards, but most of us carry something smaller. 380 is the most popular handgun among the masses. We're not typical on this forum.
.45 is still alive mostly for certain competitions and nostalgia.
