What is the difference between a 38 and 357 bullet?

Answer 1

Your question should really be something like: "What is the difference between bullets designed for the .38 S&W Special revolvers and the .357 Magnum revolverss?? There is no difference in bullet diameter. Both are a nominal .357" diameter. But there is a big difference in composition, length, and weight; depending on the intended use. The .357 Magnum bullets must be made to withstand higher velocity, greater pressure and higher impact due to higher speeds, therefore most Magnum bullets have alloy jackets to prevent bore-leading and pre-mature disintegration upon impact. The differences are in the bullet construction, due to the speed that the bullets travel and the uses they could encounter. For target work, lead will do the job nicely, but for defense, a jacketed bullet designed to open wide, yet hold together on impact, are sometimes used in .38 S&W Special guns, as well as Magnums. I suggest a visit to your local gun shop to examine both cartridges and to visually see the differences. For more information: email Don Schimpff at guncollector@att.net