ntex2000,
Welcome to the forum. As far as reloading, the cost to reload any of the calibers mentioned using your cases would be pretty close to .26 each using smokeless.
If you cast your own bullets and buy alloy at $1/lb, the bullet cost would be reduced to .03 ea = .09 per cartridge.
primer.... .035
powder.. .025 (1,000 rounds /lb smokeless)
bullet .... .20 ( 20.00 / 100)
total - .26 ea
I have rifles in 357, 44-40 and 45 Colt, all of which I have fired at 300 meters and couldn't tell any real difference between them running loads producing 1,200 f.p.s., except that the 250 gr .45 Colt bullet kicked up a bit more dirt.
Personally, since I am somewhat of a history nut, I prefer the 44WCF (44-40) since that would be historically correct as would the 38 WCF (38-40). The 357 and 45 Colt are fine rifle cartridges as well.
44-40 @ 300 meters
45 Colt @ 300 meters
What distances will you be shooting?
w44wcf