NO, a 38 Special is actually .357 caliber. NO, a 38 Special is actually .357 caliber. A 38 special is NOT a 357 magnum. Both bullet heads are about .357 in diameter. The difference between the 38 and 357 is the length of the brass case. The 357 brass case is a bit longer then the 38 special case, and the gun powder load is a bit higher then the 38 special load...... Further, you can shoot a 38 special case in the 357 magnum revolver, however, you cannot fire a 357 magnum round in the 38 special. The 38 special cylinder is too short for the 357 round......
38 is the size. This answer is actually correct, but more specifically, .38 special (and many of the other .38 caliber cartridges) are actually .357. The caliber ".38" was chosen to distinguish between .357 magnum and .38 special.
No, but a 38 special will work in a 357
No. <><><> Above is correct- however, ,38 Special CARTRIDGES can be used in a .357 magnum revolver. The .38 Special is actually not .38 caliber, but .357 caliber. .38 caliber bullets, such as used in the .38 S&W catridge, cannot be used.
.38 Special cartridges may be safety fired in a .357 Magnum firearm. The .38 Special is actually not .38 caliber, but is .357 caliber. After shooting them, it is a good idea to scrub the chamber well, as the shorter .38 Special may build up a ring of fouling that will make chambering .357 cartridges difficult (until it is cleaned). .38 Special is basically a .357 Short. This does NOT apply to other .38 ammo, such as .38 Super, .38 S&W, etc.
case length is the main criteria. If the 357 is loaded and placed in the 38 special it will extend beyond the cylinder. But the 38 special can be used in the 357 with no problems.
Assuming you're talking about a .38 special and a .357 magnum, the difference is, the .357 magnum has a slightly longer chamber. The two cartridges (commonly, but incorrectly called "bullets") are the same diameter, but the .357 is slightly longer, and normally produces higher pressure and velocities when fired.You can fire a .38 special in a gun chambered for .357, but cannot fire a .357 in a gun chambered for .38 special.
NO,NO,NO,NO,NO.........you CANNOT shoot the 357 cartridge in a 38 special, but you can shoot a 38 special cartridge in a 357 pistol.................the 38 cal. cylinder was not made to house the 357 cartridge or take the pressure.............
No. 357 SIG and 357 Magnum are two very different cartridges. You can use .38 Special in a .357 magnum gun, but not 357 SIG Adding to the above, the compatibility of .38 Special and .357 Magnum applies only to revolvers. You cannot cycle .38 Special in a magazine fed .357 Magnum lever action or semi automatic.
Well, yes and no. Both the .357 Magnum and the earlier .38 Special catridge both use a bullet that is .357 inches in diameter. The .38 Special in not a TRUE .38 caliber cartridge.
There are a dozen different cartridges with 38 in their name, and SOME are compatible with the .357 Magnum. A .357 will fire .38 Special, .38 Short Colt, .38 Long Colt- but NOT .38 S&W.
.357, considerably.