What is the difference between a 38 special bullet and a 38 caliber bullet?

Answer 1

The .38 Special is actually .357 inches in diameter, named ".38 Special" because it's based off the .38 Long Colt cartridge. There was also a .38 ACP that was not largely popular, but .38 in modern times refers to the semi-auto cartridge, the .380 ACP that many guns use.

So, in the old days of revolvers, ".38" was a .38 Long Colt, and ".38 Special" was a .357 round based on the .38 Long Colt. In modern times, .38 probably mis-refers to the .380 Auto.

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Part of the above is accurate.. The .38 Special was based off the .38 Long Colt, (which was based on the .38 Short and came from converting cap & Ball revolvers to metallic cartridges). But the .38 caliber dates well before metallic cartridges. The .38 Special is alive and well. Is still made by a number of firearm manufactures and ammunition companies. The "Special" while based off the .38 long colt was named as it was developed for it's high accuracy potential over the offerings of other .38 caliber chambering of the day. Which was in 1907. It was originally made with black powder and made the transition to smokeless powder easily. Other popular .38 cartridges of the period were the .38 S&W. Common in break-top action revolvers from 1877 through 1945. Until the .38 special replaced it for most usage. Popular with Police, Military and compact 2 inch barrel revolvers such as the Colt Detective Model and the Chief Special. .38 S&W Special, .38 Super (Still popular in competitive circles), .380ACP (Auto Colt Pistol).

Chambering of this caliber in large numbers lasted well into the late sixty's, early seventy's when it was bumped by revolvers in the .357 Magnum cartridge. The .357 (Introduced by S&W in 1935), was based off the .38 Special +p. That .357 Magnum cartridge was made .135 longer than the .38 Special & P+ to ensure it was not fired in lighter .38 special firearms. As .357 revolvers could safely shoot .357 Magnum & .38 Special ammunition, but .38 firearms could not safely fire the .357 Magnum.

But as the the question of "What is the difference between a 38 special bullet and a .38 bullet" The answer is the "Bullet" which is but one component of a cartridge. Which consists of 1. A Bullet. 2. A metallic cartridge case. 3. A propellant (Gun Powder usually). 4. Primer So, the "Bullet" in any .38 caliber cartridge is the same. (Including 9MM parabellum and .380ACP (Also known as 9MM Kurz). It is the cartridge case which is the principal difference. The Bullets are all the same .357 OD (Outside Diameter). The weight in grains of a bullet may be fired in many different type pistols and revolvers. But the diameter will be consistent. In jacketed bullets .357. (Lead bullets maybe .358 for better glide through the lands and grooves of a barrel.)