Several calibers have multiple tiers which might effect your choice:
The 45 Colt is a prime example going from mouse farts to fire breathing dragons. You MUST have a stout, strong gun for higher pressures/higher velocities. A huge issue is that all the 45 Colt cartridges will fit in all the cylinders.

38 special cartridges can be loaded hot or weak, but don't have Tiers. They do have age though which effects strength of steel.

The .32 caliber is an excellent example as well for Tiers.
I have questionable shooters (H&R break-top, 750fps) that get weak 32 H&R mag. But I have a Ruger Buckeye Convertible and a Ruger 8 that are both tanks. I shoot hot 32 H&R mag up to about 1200fps. Of course the Ruger 8 can shoot 327 federal magnum(1700fps) as well; and the Ruger Buckeye can shoot hot 32-20 WCF (1330fps).
It is good luck that the 327 is longer and will not fit H&Rmag cylinders. Neither will fit a .32 S&W long, thank God.
I have found that most people prefer the 32H&Rmag over the 327fm.
So it is dangerous to mix the hot 32H&Rmag ammo with the weak 32H&Rmag ammo. I do believe the hot 32mag would blow up that old H&R breaktop.
I handload and Powder Coat. I use red PC for hot and pink PC for weak bollets. That keeps them separate for me.

I have no way of realistically comparing the 38special with the 32mag for a purchase. Lots of calibers have overlap with other calibers ( 38spl/357mag). Just because there is some overlap between 32mag and 38spl, doesn't mean they are the same in any other way.

Prescut