What is this bullet?

[zdawg3579]

I found a bullet a few inches down in an old Apache fortress, but I don't know much about it. It's 18.45mm tall and it's a 35 caliber round with a rounded off concave at the base. Any additional info you guys could give me? Like how old is it or which side may have been firing it?

 

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[NOLA_Ken]

What is the excact measurement of the diameter in 100/ths of an inch? Looks a lot like a .22 lr to me

 

[zdawg3579]

What is the excact measurement of the diameter in 100/ths of an inch? Looks a lot like a .22 lr to me

.358 inches

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

"which side may have been firing it?"

The good guys. 1930's police officer. It looks like a .38 Special round lead nose.

 

[zdawg3579]

"which side may have been firing it?"

The good guys. 1930's police officer. It looks like a .38 Special round lead nose.

I found it at an Indian fortress in the middle of no where, is that likely?

 

[BosnMate]

.357-.358 is the exact size for the .38 caliber colt revolver bullet. This cartridge was originally developed in 1875 and adopted by the U S Army in 1892, but the diameter of those was .361, which rules out yours for being that early. Colt came out with the smaller .357 bullet with the idea of adapting the .36 caliber muzzle loading revolver over to metallic cartridges, in 1874, so it was the parent of the colt long, which lost favor in the war in the Philippines, 1899-1902, when the army decided they needed a larger pistol cartridge and adopted the 1911 .45 ACP. In the mix of all the .38 pistols and cartridges from that time until now, the .357 bullet has remained constant. Even though the model 1911 was the service pistol for years, the military used .38 caliber revolvers for various purposes at the same time, and the bullet you found has been real common, especially with the police. I know a pilot that flew Corsair's off the USS Princeton during the Korean war, and they all carried .38 specials. I've hand loaded many .38 cartridges, and I'm not familiar with the hollow base, which makes me think your bullet is an early one, but I have no proof. After all I've said, .38's are still used today, as are .357 magnums, which are the same size bullet. All of this is from an old man's memory, perhaps someone with younger brain cells will have something to say, and we will find out more. One fact is true, you have a .38 bullet.

 

[BosnMate]

I found it at an Indian fortress in the middle of no where, is that likely?

What years was it an Indian fort, when did the Apaches leave the area? Cowboys packed a lot of .38's. I've never cowboyed in Arizona, but I buckarooed in Nevada, and I packed a .38 Colt single action Army. I can vouch for a lot of .38 bullets out in the pucker brush in Nevada.

 

[zdawg3579]

What years was it an Indian fort, when did the Apaches leave the area? Cowboys packed a lot of .38's. I've never cowboyed in Arizona, but I buckarooed in Nevada, and I packed a .38 Colt single action Army. I can vouch for a lot of .38 bullets out in the pucker brush in Nevada.

The Indians populated that area until 1880 or so.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I found it at an Indian fortress in the middle of no where, is that likely?

You were there, so obviously the site has been contaminated with the present at least once.

I carry a .38 Spl currently when I'm out. It's still a useful caliber.

 

[Red James Cash]

I carry a .38 Spl currently when I'm out. It's still a useful caliber.

If you have a larger frame .38 try the .38special + P.I dont know if I'd trust the smaller frame like a detective special.I used them sometimes in a .357.

 

[Tedyoh]

If you have a larger frame .38 try the .38special + P.I dont know if I'd trust the smaller frame like a detective special.I used them sometimes in a .357.

I would NOT recommend doing this in any .38 handgun ( or any +P caliber ammo) unless the "+P" is stamped in the barrel - any .38 +P in a .357 should be fine. Always lean on the side of safety when it comes to ammo and firearms , I'm just try to save someone's vision and or hand.