For "fun" I shoot .38's. For back country use, maybe one .38 for a warning shot then 4 .357's with a speed loader of 5 .357. Because of the lightweight/high recoil, you need to use quality .357 ammo with a good crimp as the recoil can unseat the unfired rounds and lock the cylinder. For city carry, I usually carry three .38+P and two .357 JHP.
And yes it can be brutal to shoot .357 but tolerable.