Loading for a .357
Shooter John--I too load light and heavy loads alike in .357magnum cases, and I too don't care to fool with using .38spl cases at all.
I keep my cases for the heavy hunting loads separate--They last for far fewer loadings, but I don't load nor shoot nearly as many hunting rounds. So those cases still last for years.
I shoot bullseye pistol with the same S&W 586 revolver, loading .38-level rounds of lead double-ended wad cutters. Of these I load quite a few, and the cases seem to last forever. I think that most bullseye pistol shooters who use a .357magnum weapon do it this way.
This DOES avoid the development of a ring of residue in the chambers at the .38spl length, which would make chambering a .357magnum case difficult. And shooting bullseye league, plus practicing 2-3-4 times/week, I do NOT clean my revolver after every range session.
So, I'm sorry, Cheygriz; to each his own, and I have one less bucket of empty cases to sort than you do. Please yourself--Do your reloading your way, but that doesn't make my way B. S.