Does anyone know why a .38 special is called a .38 when it actually measures .357? Had a friend ask me the other day and I was stumped.

IIRC, .38" is the diameter of a loaded round and "Special" is due to improved ballistics over the original .38 Short Colt.

the 38 colt was a heeled bullet and it measured 38 cal.
and most 38 cal bbls measure 358 not 357
even a lot of 9mm bbls measure to 358

quote:

Originally posted by Buliwyf:
IIRC, .38" is the diameter of a loaded round and "Special" is due to improved ballistics over the original .38 Short Colt.

I think there was a 38 long colt in there some where.
Bill

When I ream 38 special chambers out to 357 mag, I use a .380" straight fluted reamer.

I have reamed all my 38s to 357 and load them hotter than max book load for 357 mag.
I only shoot 38sp book loads in my 357 mag.

I only do these things after 10 years of WWW and 5 years before that of news groups talking about 38 sp vs 357 mag. I am rebelling.