We get it – understandingfirearm measurementslike the size of a.38 caliber bulletinmillimeterscan be quite the head-scratcher, especially if you’re a passionate gun enthusiast.
It seems like we’ve all experienced this confusion at one point or another and went down thatresearch rabbit holeto find answers. Luckily, our article simplifies these calculations for you! By usingeasy-to-grasp explanationsof bullet sizes and providing a handyconversion chartfromcalibers to millimeters, we’ll work through unraveling this mystery together! So buckle up, let’s dive into this knowledge journey.
Key Takeaways
- Thediameter of a .38 caliber bullet is approximately 9.65 millimeters.
- The term “.38 caliber” refers to the size of the bullet used inrevolvers and handguns.
- Othervariations of the .38 caliber include the .380 ACP, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and .38 Casull.
- Using aconversion chart, we can see that.38 caliber is equivalent to around 9mm.
Overview of. 38 Caliber Bullet
The .38 caliber bullet is a common choice for revolvers and handguns. It gets its name from the diameter of the bullet, which measures .38 inches or 9.65 millimeters. The bullet has a heeled design, meaning that the base of the projectile is slightly larger in diameter than the bore of the firearm.
This design allows for better sealing and accuracy when fired. The .38 caliber has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century, with various types and cartridges developed over time.
Heeled .38 caliber bullet
Theheeled .38 caliber bulletis a type of ammo we find in old guns. The “heel” part means thebase of the bullet is smallerthan the rest. Thisdesign was common long agowhen bullets had to fit inside the gun’s barrel.
But, newer designs have changed this pattern. Now, most bullets are the same size all around and fit right into their casing.
Why it’s called .38 caliber
The term “.38 caliber” refers to thediameter of the bulletused in certain firearms, specifically revolvers and handguns. It is named after its bore size, whichmeasures 0.38 inchesorabout 9.65 millimeters.
The numerical part of the name represents the bullet’s diameter, while “caliber” indicates that it is a measurement used in firearm terminology. Thisstandardized naming conventionhelps people identify and select ammunition that is compatible with their firearms.
Historically, .38 caliber bullets have been widely used due to theirversatility and effectiveness for self-defense purposes.
History of the .38 caliber
The .38 caliber has a long and interesting history. It was firstdeveloped in the late 1800sas a revolver cartridge. The name “.38 caliber” refers to the diameter of the bullet, which is approximately 0.357 inches or 9 millimeters.
Over the years, different variations of the .38 caliber have been created, including the .38 Special and the .357 Magnum. These cartridges werecommonly used by law enforcement agencies and civiliansfor self-defense purposes.
Today, there areother types of .38 calibers available, such as the .380 ACP and .38 Casull, each with its own unique features and uses. The history of the .38 calibershowcases its evolution and importance in firearms technology over time.
Caliber to MM Conversion Chart
In this section, we will provide a comprehensive conversion chart so that you can easily understand the relationship between different calibers and millimeters.
List of cartridges and their caliber to mm conversion
Here is a list of popular cartridges and their caliber to millimeter (mm) conversion:
– .22 LR (Long Rifle): 5.6 mm
– .32 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol): 7.65 mm
– .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol): 9 mm
–.38 Special: 9.1 mm
Types of. 38 Calibers
– .38 Special: A popular revolver cartridge with a diameter of 0.357 inches (9.07 mm).
– .357 Magnum: A powerful revolver cartridge designed to be fired from a .357 Magnum revolver, also with a diameter of 0.357 inches (9.07 mm).
– .380 ACP: An automatic pistol cartridge, also known as 9mm Short, measuring approximately 0.355 inches (9 mm) in diameter.
– .38 Casull: Developed by Dick Casull in the late 1950s, this powerful handgun cartridge has a diameter of 0.375 inches (9.53 mm).
– .38 Short Colt: Originally used in Colt’s first revolvers, this old and now obsolete round has a slightly smaller diameter of around 0.360 inches (9.14 mm).
.38 Special
The .38 Special is a popular handgun cartridge. It has abullet diameter of .357 inches or 9.07 mm. The .38 Special ismainly used in revolvers, although itcan also be fired from some semi-automatic pistols.
It was firstintroduced in 1898and has since become one of the most commonly used ammunition for self-defense and target shooting purposes.
.357 Magnum
The .357 Magnum is a type of ammunition used in revolvers and handguns. It has acaliber size of .38 inches, which isequivalent to 9.1 millimeters. The .357 Magnum cartridge wasdeveloped in the mid-1930sby Elmer Keith and others, and it was designed to havemore power and velocity than the standard .38 Special cartridge.
The bullet diameter for a .357 Magnum is typically around .355 inches or 9 millimeters. The .357 Magnum is known for its high velocity and stopping power, making it popular among law enforcement officers and handgun enthusiasts.
.380 ACP
The .380 ACP is apopular cartridgeused in handguns. It stands for Automatic Colt Pistol and has acaliber of 9mm. This means that the diameter of the bullet is about 9 millimeters.
The .380 ACP is often chosen for itscompact size, making it ideal forconcealed carryorself-defense purposes. It provides enough power to be effective while still being manageable in terms of recoil.
Overall, the .380 ACP offers a goodbalance between size and performancefor many shooters.
.38 Casull
The .38 Casull is apowerful handgun cartridgethat wasdeveloped by Dick Casullin the early 2000s. It is based on the .454 Casull cartridge and is known for its high velocity and muzzle energy.
The .38 Casull has alarger case capacitycompared to other .38 caliber cartridges, allowing it to produce greater velocities and stopping power. Itsbullet diameter measures approximately .357 inchesor 9 millimeters, making it compatible with firearms chambered for .357 Magnum.
The versatility of the .38 Casull makes itsuitable for self-defense, hunting, and target shootingpurposes.
.38 Short Colt
The .38 Short Colt is a type of ammunition used in firearms. It has acaliber of .38, which means thediameter of the bullet is 0.38 inchesorabout 9.65 millimeters. The .38 Short Colt wasintroduced in the late 19th centuryand was commonly used in revolvers during that time.
It is important to note that the .38 Short Colt is different from other variations like the .38 Special and .357 Magnum, which are more powerful cartridges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding thesize of a .38 caliber bulletin millimeters is important for firearm enthusiasts and anyone interested in ammunition. By referring to a caliber to mm conversion chart, we can see that .38 caliber isequivalent to around 9mm.
This knowledge helps uscompare different bullet sizesandchoose the right ammunitionfor our handguns or revolvers. So next time you come across a .38 caliber cartridge, you’ll know that itmeasures approximately 9mm in diameter.
FAQs
1. What does .38 caliber mean in millimeters?
When converting firearm measurements, the .38 caliber is about 9.65 millimeters big.
2. How can I understand bullet measurements like caliber and mm?
Understanding handgun ammunition measurements means knowing how to convert caliber to millimeters using a conversion chart.
3. Is a .38 Caliber the same as an Automatic Colt Pistol or ACP?
A .38 Caliber and ACP are not the same; they are different sizes of snub nose bullets used in automatic guns.
4. Can we compare calibers with mm to know which bullet is bigger?
Yes, by understanding bullet size standards and calculating calibers in millimeters, you can compare which bullet is bigger.
