How long is a .38 caliber bullet

Fer · November 1, 2009, 02:57 PM

I have some S&B fmj .38 ammo, if you have seen it it is a big slug, but how much more slug is in the case?? Can you please post pictures of different bullet weights and how far they go into the casing please.

Regards,

**Unclenick** · November 1, 2009, 03:57 PM

Length, even for a single weight, will vary with the bullet construction and profile. A blunt shape, like a wadcutter, for example, would be shorter than a same-weight round nose made of the same alloy, if you could find one. Jacketed bullets are less dense than swaged lead, so they have about 5% more volume. Usually, if the nose form is the same, the difference will all be in the length of the cylindrical portion at the base, adding that 5% to it.

Examine your cartridges carefully or apply a caliper to their diameter. The bullet is pressed into the slightly undersized case, so it widens the portion of the case that is over it. You should find the diameter of the cartridge drops off a few thousandths when you get below the bullet base, so you can tell where it ends that way. Just adjust the caliper jaws to barely slip over the case near the case head, then see where they stop against the wider diameter of the bullet.

A typical 158 grain round nose lead bullet is about 0.7 inches long.

Sport45 · November 1, 2009, 08:33 PM

If you're asking because you are concerned about setback, just take a close look at the mouth of the case. Most jacketed .38 special or .357mag bullets are cannelured (grooved). The end of the case (mouth) should be crimped (rolled into) the cannelure on the bullet. If it is, you are good to go.

.45 COLT · November 3, 2009, 04:15 AM

If you want to know the length of a particular bullet, you cam probably look it up HERE.

DC

Fer · November 3, 2009, 06:24 PM

I only ask because I was looking at a .38 cartridge and I can see rim mark that goes arond the casing a complete circle but it is half way the total height of the cartridge it give the impresion that is where the bullet ends inside the casing, I guess I will have to pull it out and see for my self_

What is the best ways to pull out the bullet in a safe manner

Sport45 · November 3, 2009, 08:54 PM

Some cases have a cannelure (groove) around the middle. This used to mark the end of the bullet but nowadays can just be for decoration. Sometimes you can see a slight bulge in the brass from bullet seating and in these cases you can see where the base of the bullet is.

Quote:

What is the best ways to pull out the bullet in a safe manner

If you do not have a kinetic bullet puller or a reloading press I suggest you simply shoot the thing into a box of tightly packed newsprint. Retrieve the bullet and hold it up against an unfired cartridge for comparison.

Fer · November 5, 2009, 10:47 AM

Ok thanks a lot!

November 1, 2009, 02:57 PM	#1
Fer Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2005 Location: Honduras, Central America Posts: 360	How long is a .38 caliber bullet I have some S&B fmj .38 ammo, if you have seen it it is a big slug, but how much more slug is in the case?? Can you please post pictures of different bullet weights and how far they go into the casing please. Regards, __________________ "It is unwise to Lower your Defences"

November 1, 2009, 03:57 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Length, even for a single weight, will vary with the bullet construction and profile. A blunt shape, like a wadcutter, for example, would be shorter than a same-weight round nose made of the same alloy, if you could find one. Jacketed bullets are less dense than swaged lead, so they have about 5% more volume. Usually, if the nose form is the same, the difference will all be in the length of the cylindrical portion at the base, adding that 5% to it. Examine your cartridges carefully or apply a caliper to their diameter. The bullet is pressed into the slightly undersized case, so it widens the portion of the case that is over it. You should find the diameter of the cartridge drops off a few thousandths when you get below the bullet base, so you can tell where it ends that way. Just adjust the caliper jaws to barely slip over the case near the case head, then see where they stop against the wider diameter of the bullet. A typical 158 grain round nose lead bullet is about 0.7 inches long. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

November 1, 2009, 08:33 PM	#3
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	If you're asking because you are concerned about setback, just take a close look at the mouth of the case. Most jacketed .38 special or .357mag bullets are cannelured (grooved). The end of the case (mouth) should be crimped (rolled into) the cannelure on the bullet. If it is, you are good to go. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.

November 3, 2009, 06:24 PM	#5
Fer Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2005 Location: Honduras, Central America Posts: 360	I only ask because I was looking at a .38 cartridge and I can see rim mark that goes arond the casing a complete circle but it is half way the total height of the cartridge it give the impresion that is where the bullet ends inside the casing, I guess I will have to pull it out and see for my self_ What is the best ways to pull out the bullet in a safe manner __________________ "It is unwise to Lower your Defences"

November 5, 2009, 10:47 AM	#7
Fer Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2005 Location: Honduras, Central America Posts: 360	Ok thanks a lot! __________________ "It is unwise to Lower your Defences"

November 3, 2009, 04:15 AM	#4
.45 COLT Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 308	If you want to know the length of a particular bullet, you cam probably look it up HERE. DC