.38 Super Bullet Diameter

"Most modern pistol manufacturers that chamber this round use 9mm Luger barrel stock, which makes it suitable to be used with .355-inch bullets."

- By Brian Pearce

Q: I have a question regarding the .38 Super bullet diameter. I have found jacketed bullets for handloaders that are listed in both .355 and .356 inch. I also have a reloading manual that lists the bullet diameter as .355, .356 and .357 inches. Are all of these numbers acceptable? I normally purchase bullets that are listed specifically for the .38 Super and are .356 inches. Any insight that you can offer will be appreciated.

B.I., via email

A: You raise a great question. The .38 Super is specified to use bullets of .356 inches. However, today, most modern pistol manufacturers that chamber this round use 9mm Luger barrel stock, which makes it suitable to be used with .355-inch bullets. It should be noted that Hornady offers .356-inch bullets specifically for the .38 Super in its HAP competition line of bullets, as there are still many guns that are best served with bullets of the correct diameter. Regarding .357-inch bullets; they can be used but they will cause pressures to jump and may require a reduction in powder charges. Most .357-inch bullets (designed for the .357 Magnum) do not have the proper nose profile to function perfectly in autoloading pistols. If they are deep-seated to compensate for the incorrect nose design, powder charge weights will need further reduction.

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