The fixed 2.5 isn't a handicap hunting. You won't be shooting little bug hole groups with it, but it will not hamper practical hunting. I use a Winchester 94 in 30-30 with a Weaver k2.5 fixed and hold 1.5 to 2" groups without difficulty. Hitting deer in the vitals at 100 or 150 is no problem....
The 1-4X works well. The wider field of view on 1 o 2x is a help on moving deer in close in the woods. 4 works well....
The illuminated: In open field hunting the illuminated reticle is not needed. You can identify the cross hairs on deer right up to the end of legal hunting (30 minutes after sun down in most places) without an issue. In deep woods, like cedar swamps, the reticle can disappear. In truth, the deer disappears too.... The illuminated helps, but you still really cannot see the deer in many scopes...
I am a fan of buying the best scope you can, regardless of power. Better scopes typically has better light transmission, meaning see more later into dusk. The Freedom series are "OK". If you really want decent, up grade to a VX3i or VXR....
If it means anything, I've got a whole bunch of deer rifles... 90% of them run scopes in the 1-6x range, and this is on 308s, 30-30, 30-06, 35 rem, etc. 1-4X is COMPLETELY suitable for 357. Just get the highest light transmission you can...
Ballistic turrets, complex reticles, and the other doodads are not required. Know your trajectory. Sight 2" high at 100 yards, and know where your bullet strikes at 150. Anywhere From muzzle to 150, put the cross hairs in the center of the heart lung complex, and squeeze. The deer is dead....