Did you know that the first firearms were created in China during the 9th century? Firearms remained rudimentary for hundreds of years, and only recently experienced any advancements. Today, there are a variety of very efficient and powerful guns on the market. 

There is also a wide variety of powerful bullets to go along with them. One of the most well-known types of ammo is the 38 Special. You may have also heard about the 357 Magnum. 

But what is the difference between these handgun ammunition types? Is one better than the other? Do most handgun owners prefer one over the other?

Keep reading and learn more about how it works below. 

What You Need to Know About the 38 Special

When looking at the 38 Special next to the 357 Magnum, you’ll find that they are very similar in appearance. The casings are almost identical in diameter and color, although their heights are different. But don’t let their appearances fool you. 

While they might look similar, they have very different capabilities. The 38 Special is a very old bullet that Smith & Wesson released in 1898. This bullet was designed to be used by the military and police. 

But the bullet soon entered the public realm and became very popular. You might not think that such an old bullet would still be relevant today, but you would be wrong. This bullet is a classic in the ammo community. 

It has also gone through some improvements over the years to stay relevant. The first iterations of this bullet were black powder cartridges. The problem with these cartridges is that they produce a lot of smoke. 

Soon after the bullet was released, the manufacturers made the switch to smokeless powder instead. This is what the bullet still uses today. Smokeless powder is much more efficient since there won’t be any thick, black smoke getting in your way when you fire the gun. 

How It Works

Making the switch to smokeless powder also made the bullet more powerful. You don’t need as much smokeless powder to propel the bullet at the same speed as black smoke powder. Because the bullet didn’t need as much powder, its size shrank. 

This smaller size was a problem, as the bullet couldn’t fit properly inside a gun’s barrel. This led to newer variations of the bullet that were designed for high velocity. These more powerful bullets were larger to accommodate more powder which would propel them farther and faster. 

The 38 Special Hi-Speed bullet is an example of this. This option came out in the 1930s and was a great success. It could easily break 1125 ft/s. 

This was revolutionary at the time since most bullets weren’t so powerful or so fast. The 38 Special +P is another example of this type of bullet. The +P stands for the extra pressure that this bullet is under when it’s fired. 

The more pressure the bullet experiences, the faster it will fly and the more powerful it will be. This bullet was favored by policemen during the 1950s and 1960s. There is also the 38 Special +P+ / Treasury Load. 

This is similar to the original +P. But as the name suggests, this version has more pressure and is even more powerful. This bullet can travel 1200 ft/s when shot out of a small revolver with a 4-inch barrel. 

If you have a gun with a 2-inch barrel, it will still go 1100 ft/s. It is very important to use a strong, modern handgun when shooting this bullet. This is because the high pressure of the bullet would destroy older or cheaply-made handguns.

This could also be dangerous for you. 

Understanding the 357 Magnum

When the high-velocity 38 Special options came out in the 1930s, it was soon discovered that shooting these bullets could be unsafe. The guns at the time were not strong enough to accommodate the increased pressure that these bullets created. 

This would often lead to the bullet causing the gun to explode. You can imagine that whoever was holding the gun could be seriously injured. Smith & Wesson realized that they could create a solution to this problem. 

They created a new bullet: the 357 Magnum. While the Magnum looks almost identical to the 38 Special, it has a very small height advantage. It was specifically ⅛” longer than the 38 Special. 

This may not seem very important, but this extra length made it impossible to use in a standard 38 Special handgun. Since it was a hair too long to fit, 357 Magnum platforms had to be created to accommodate the new size.

The 357 Magnum soon showed how powerful it could be. It boasts 35,000 psi, which is double the pressure of the original 38 Special. The great thing about 357 Magnum revolvers is that they can accommodate high-velocity 38 special bullets. 

They could do this without the usual risks that traditional 38 Special platforms would have with high-velocity ammo.

The Details

This bullet goes around 1450-1500 ft/s. It can accomplish this with ease when shot out of a 4-inch barrel. 

It can go even farther when shot out of a 6-inch barrel, around 1700-1750 ft/s. This bullet soon became known for its unique power. It was quickly incorporated among police departments around the United States.

The public soon grew to like this bullet as well. Many discovered that it is a great option for hunting. It is perfect for shooting game from long distances. The bullet is also powerful enough that it isn’t strongly affected by wind drift or other factors. 

Many people also love to use this bullet for target practice. Shooting this bullet out on a gun range is a great way to test how powerful it is and how far it can go. 

It is also a popular option among those looking for a powerful self-defense option. This cartridge is usually used for lever-action rifles and revolvers. But some people also like to use this option for semi-automatic pistols. 

After the 357 Magnum rose to fame, it inspired a variety of other bullets. But the Magnum remains one of the most powerful and influential bullets you can find. 

The 38 Special vs the 357 Magnum

When comparing the 38 Special vs 357 Magnum, you might be wondering if one is better than the other. Both of these options are great for a variety of reasons. They are both classic handgun choices that have been around for a long time. 

One is not necessarily better than the other. They have different strengths and weaknesses. It is important to consider these factors before you buy one. 

Think about what kind of shooting you plan on doing. Are you looking for the perfect hunting ammo? Do you want something for self-defense?

Or do you want something you can play around with on the shooting range? Both of these options are very popular because of their great performance and efficiency. The 38 Special has many variations that you can choose from. 

If you want something classic and not too crazy, you can opt for the original 38 Special. But if you want something with more power and speed, consider one of the high-velocity versions. Just make sure that you have a strong,  modern pistol to load them into. 

What to Know

The 38 Special is a very versatile type of bullet, no matter what variation you get. It’s great for target practice, hunting, and so on. The 357 Magnum is similarly versatile. 

It offers double the pressure of the original 38 Special. This makes it much more powerful and more on the same level as the high-velocity variations of the 38 Special. Many people love using this extra power to see how far they can hit a target on a shooting range. 

It is a popular option in shooting competitions as well. It is super accurate which is also why it is popular among hunters. You can take on all the small and medium game you want with this bullet. 

It can also fit in several different guns. Your options are lever-action rifles, revolvers, and more. If you can’t decide which bullet to pick, why not choose both?

Shooting both of them will give you a better idea of how they operate and feel. It also gives you a chance to balance their nuances yourself.

All About the 38 Special and the 357 Magnum

Many people wonder if the 38 Special is better than the 357 Magnum or vice versa. But the truth is that both of these bullets are great. They look very similar and have many strengths and weaknesses.

They are also very classic choices that have been around for almost a hundred years. Are you ready to get your hands on some high-quality ammo? Check out the options we have to offer.