[RecentConvert]

"shouldn't .38 and .380 be "close"?"

they are the same numeric value. If I remember correctly the "0" in .380 is called a significant value. This means that the third digit to the right of the decimal point in .380 is significant in the calculations and should not be omitted. So, if the number turns out to be .381 or .386 or .380, the "1," "6" or "0" should not be omitted.

I could be wrong on all this of course. I only have a GED diploma.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

""shouldn't .38 and .380 be "close"?""

No, they are not REALLY named for their actual bullet diammeter- they got these names for historical reasons, not mathematical ones, and you cannot treat the last digit as a "significant digit" at all. For example, as pointed out above, the .38 Special and the .357 bullet are the same diameter - the difference is in the length of the cartridge case, primarily.

[VietnamFatCatDJ]

Not to worry, Rudy. I have a Taurus .357 mag and I shoot .38+Ps in it all the time. Also I have a college degree, but half this stuff is over my head, too!