In my own case, I have the .357 & .44 Marlins, not because they're superior necessarily ballistically, but because they're relatively light & handy with 16-inch barrels & they mate with handguns in the outback where I need a certain level of power.
I use heavy-for-caliber loads in both calibers in the carbines & the handguns.
They're far from do-it-alls, but they fit a niche, for me.
If I think I need more distance, or more horsepower, I take along something else.
Denis