I wouldn't take a shot over 100 yards with a 357 mag, and would prefer closer to 50. A 38 Special with +P loads and a good bullet is viable but I'd limit it to 50 yards and under. The real limiting factor is the shooter's ability to put it in the right place.

I like red dot sights on my revolvers. They are lighter, smaller and faster on target for me than a scope. No issues with eye relief, nor parallax either with a dot.

With a revolver I tend to keep it within 100 yards. With a scoped specialty pistol and a good rest one can stretch it a lot further.

Welcome aboard!