Bluecow -- your recollection is correct that the "new 357 mag" was used on a variety of large game animals. If my memory serves me correctly, polar bear was one of them in addition to many African species.

Likewise, around the turn of the last century a man-eating griz was killed with the then "new" high velocity cartridge 30 WCF (30-30). While I would not hesitate to shoot a griz that had me in mind for his supper with a 30-30, I also would not choose the 30-30 today as the ideal weapon for the job.

I do not believe that a knowledgeable person would argue the fact that the 357 has been used and can be used to harvest game animals from deer on up. However, IMHO today we have better choices available to us. I personally choose to shoot a revolver with a larger hole in the bbl. However, if one chooses to use the 357 (one of Paco Kelly's favorites), I will not complain.