Small and fast or fat and slow
Just wondering if YOU prefer a really fast but light round to a heavy slow round for personal defense? The example I have in mind, if you have a better caliber example, please share, is a 125 grain. 357 Magnum to a 158 grain. 357 Magnum.
Thank you
Speaking in general, regarding the common defensive/service calibers?
Sure. Either/or.
It does kind of depend on the mission-specific circumstances, though, including anticipating some different conditions and potential influences that
may need to be addressed.
In your specific example of the .357 Magnum, for common defensive/service usage I've long favored middleweight bullets, meaning 125-145gr. The light 110gr, and heavier 158/180gr, options offer some characteristics that may be less advantageous, in some ways. (Such as reduced or excessive penetration, for example, and different muzzle blast & controllability, etc.)
Then again, some revolver shooters find themselves more affected by muzzle blast and recoil/controllability issues than others, and while this can be affected by bullet weight, it can also be affected by loads and power levels commonly used for different bullet weights.
I tend to usually
prefer:
180gr for .40 S&W
124gr-147gr for 9mm
230gr for .45ACP
125-135gr for .38 Spl
85-102gr for .380 ACP
When it comes to the .44 Mag/.45 Colt, I tend to consider what I envision needing to do with the bigger revolvers, or what sort of range session/enjoyment I'd like to experience, and select my loads accordingly.