I'd say the 158 grain LSWHP +P is universally acclaimed. It'll put a big hurt on anything with two legs that you are forced to shoot with it. In my experience, lighter bullet weights, even in the +P genus, just don't generate enough velocity in sub-6" barrels for my taste (YMMV). I've never had the poor misfortune to have to shoot anything but paper and cans with them, but the 158 +P's out of my S&W 642 certainly command respect at both ends of the barrel. I've never really noticed a practical difference between manufacturers, though I shoot the Federal most of the time, since it's available locally.
vanfunk