The best way to use a CR + IR on a DAW is to use them on an AUX channel and use a send from the audio track to that AUX. This will save you a ton of processor power. I've also played around with splitting the IR into its two components: early reflections and tail, and putting those on separate AUX channels. So there's two instances of the convolution reverb plugin. Very helpful when using a bunch of virtual instruments. You send each track to both AUX channels, and can give a 3D feel to the mix by the amount of early reflections you have set on the send. For instruments to the rear use more early reflections, and for those in the front use less early reflections. I'd still use a default amount on the tail though.
And yes you can use Redwirez guitar cabinet impulse responses to substitute for a guitar cabinet if you record direct from a modeler, and AXE FX I think allows you to add them to your presets.