38 ammo?

[splitshot]

   is all 38 ammo the same?   will they all shoot in a 357?   mike w

[ellensburgpo]

No

[JohnVH]

I think you need 38 special

[hillbilli]

a .357 chanbered revolver will take .38 special ammo. pretty sure you can also shoot the old .38 s&w long, but you rarely see it.. .38 special should be common and easy to find.

[JackOfAllTrades]

All 357mag revolvers will chamber and fire 38special. 
 
I would not advise chambering and firing 38 S&W Long in a 38special or 357 mag revolver.  The bullet is .003" larger in diameter. This might not be a big deal for .357" barrels when shooting soft lead bullets, but shooting jacketed or hard lead bullets would not be good for the forcing cone or barrel from a bullet that only travels some 650fps. The case rim is the same size, but the case base is large enough to cause tight extraction. The Long is also a slightly tapered case unlike the 38spl or 357mag.
 
-Steve

[h20hunter]

Didn't see this mentioned..... "+ P" is also a different specification.

[JackOfAllTrades]

+P is not a dimmension change for the 38special cartridge. The brass may be a tad thicker at the heal, but not outer dimmensions. +p pressures will not excede 357mag pressures in a revolver built for 357 Remington Magnum.
 
-Steve