210 gr. Speer Gold Dots are the strongest FACTORY rounds that go through my 3" 657 and are a handful but manageable with a firm grip and proper stance. I do not use the pretty combats as they suck in absorbing recoil and will bloody my hand within six stout loads. A good set of rubbers that cover the backstrap really help. I carry it with a set of Ahrends combats that I've sanded down to custom fit them to my hand and remove the sharp edges on the finger grooves. A pair of shooting gloves plus double hearing protection also make a big difference in perceived recoil. I haven't tried out the Buffalo Bores but after reading your post am going to try them in my 6". Sounds like a great deer/hunting round!