If you quickly glance at 38 Special ammo and 357 Magnum ammo, you might not notice any differences and think they were the same round. Although they are close in overall length, the 38 Special and 357 Magnum are extremely different.
In this article, we’ll look at why 38 Special ammo can be fired in a 357 Mag firearm (but not the other way around), as well as compare the two rounds’ recoil, stopping power, self-defense viability, and cost.
Let’s take a deeper dive into these two legendary revolver cartridges and discover what’s so great about wheel guns!
What’s the Difference Between 357 and 38?
The “38” in 38 Special comes from the diameter of its loaded case: .38 inches. Alternatively, the 357 Magnum is named after its bullet diameter, which is the more standard method of cartridge nomenclature.
A cartridge’s caliber often begins its name. Take the 45 ACP, for example, which fires a .45 caliber bullet, or the 40 Smith & Wesson (aka “.40 cal”).
Despite their different names, the 38 Special and 357 Mag both fire identical .357" diameter bullets.
(The 38 Special is frequently confused with the 38 S&W. See our 38 Special vs. 38 S&W comparison for the key differences between these distinct cartridges.)
The 38 Special and 357 Mag’s case dimensions are identical except in length. The 357 Magnum’s shell is 0.135” longer. That brings A LOT of new shooters to the question:
Can a 38 Special Revolver Fire 357 Magnum Rounds?
NO! You should NEVER fire a 357 Magnum round in a 38 Special revolver or carbine.
A 38 Special revolver is NOT rated to handle the higher pressure 357 Magnum produces. You can safely fire lower-pressure 38 Special in any 357 Magnum firearm, but the opposite is not true.
Which Is Right for You: Use-Case Comparison
| Use Case | Better Cartridge |
|---|---|
| Recoil Sensitive | 38 Special |
| Stopping Power | 357 Mag |
| Trajectory | 357 Mag |
| Hunting | 357 Mag |
| Self-Defense | 357 Mag |
| Cost | 38 Special |
Continue reading 38 Special vs 357: Key Differences Explained on Ammo.com
https://ammo.com/comparison/38-special-vs-357#38-special-vs-357-magnum-cartridge-specs