Despite its name, the caliber of the .38 Special cartridge is actually .357–.358 inches (9.0678 mm), with the ".38" referring to the approximate diameter of the loaded brass case.
Though .38 and .357 would seem to be different diameter chamberings, they are in fact identical. 0.357 inch is the true bullet diameter of the .38 Special cartridge. The .38 Special nomenclature relates to the previous use of heeled bullets (such as the .38 Short Colt), which were the same diameter as the case. Thus, the only external difference in the two cartridges is a slight difference in length, solely for safety purposes as explained below.
Not all calibers are measured equally, and sometimes the "name" of a caliber isn't always the size of the bullet.
.38 Special - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.357 Magnum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The .22 rimfire is the last heel based bullet that we commonly use. At the beginning of brass cartridge development, lots of calibers were heel base design.
To make it more interesting, the .380 acp is also called the 9mm kurtz in german lingo. this roughly means 9mm short, and it's bullets are about .355.
Good question.
Unless I missed math class, .38 of an inch is bigger than .357 of an inch. Am I missing something???
To make it more interesting, the .380 acp is also called the 9mm kurtz in german lingo. this roughly means 9mm short, and it's bullets are about .355.
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Unless I missed math class, .38 of an inch is bigger than .357 of an inch. Am I missing something???
Also, .44 Spl., and .44 Mag., are not .440, they are .429, same reason, heeled bullets, long time ago .....