Can you actually tell a .38 bullet from a 9mm bullet?

[BRTCP88]

I was watching the latest episode of Blue Bloods and when they were saying that the dead BG couldn't have been shot with the gang leader's 9mm cause the bullet they recovered from the body was a .38, it raised my BS-ometer. I thought that the actual lead projectile was the same in a 9mm round and a .38? Am I wrong? Is there a difference in the bullets?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[WC145]

.38spl bullets are .357", 9mm are .355", plus the shapes (9mm is more conical) and available weights are different.

[BRTCP88]

.38spl bullets are .357", 9mm are .355", plus the shapes (9mm is more conical) and available weights are different.

OK, thanks. I didn't know that.

[msgt/ret]

As a general rule revolver bullets have a cannelure and bullets for semi-autos do not.

[ArmyCop]

Ok, I'm ignorant - whats a cannelure? Pic's would help.

[Guantes]

The groove around the projectile for the case crimp to go in.
Here's some with and some without.

http://www.sierrabullets.com/index.c...6&displayAll=1

[HotGuns]

.38 bullets are typically heavier than 9mm bullets are.

Commonly used .38 bullets are 110,125,140 and 158 grains.

Most 9mm's are 115,120 and some 147's.

The cannelures are used to crimp the bullet in the case. It gives the crimp a bit more "bite". Some bullets have them and some dont. Many match grade target bullets dont have them as it is thought to be detrimental to accuracy, other commonly used pistol bullets do.

[GM]

Ok, I'm ignorant - whats a cannelure? Pic's would help.

The bullet´s cannelure is the crimp grove. Bellow is a link that explains it very well:
http://exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/crimp.cfm

[OldVet]

Sure you can tell. That ditzy blonde on CSI Miami can take one look at a .30 cal bullet and tell you it came "from a sniper rifle."

[JT]

Sure you can tell. That ditzy blonde on CSI Miami can take one look at a .30 cal bullet and tell you it came "from a sniper rifle."

She has a 50/50 chance of being correct. Didn't you know that all rifles are either assault rifles or sniper rifles?

[21bubba]

Sure you can tell. That ditzy blonde on CSI Miami can take one look at a .30 cal bullet and tell you it came "from a sniper rifle."

When you wear a pair of pants as well as she does, you're permitted to be "ditzy".

[Old School]

When you wear a pair of pants as well as she does, you're permitted to be "ditzy".

We don't have any CST that look like her..... oh wait ours are real CST's.

[chiefrcd]

I thought anything painted black was an assault rifle and anything with a scope was a sniper rifle....according to the anti-gunners.

[1 old 0311]

I thought anything painted black was an assault rifle and anything with a scope was a sniper rifle....according to the anti-gunners.

And if its black, AND has a scope it is a Stinger Missile.

[ntg]

I was going to say if you know what you're looking for the rate of twist could tell you but then I see that 9mm rate of twist varies between some manufacturers. Ruger, puts a 1:10 on theirs.