Gun question: 308 W

BTW, the 38 Special/.357 Magnum compatibility is not unique, but rare. In fact it only works one way. You can fire a .38 Special from a firearm chambered for .357 Magnum, but you can't fire a .357 Magnum from a firearm chambered for .38 Special. This is because the .38 Special cartridge is just a shorter version in every way of the newer .357 Magnum cartridge. The .357 Magnum was developed to be a more powerful alternative to the .38 Special. And, BTW, the .357 Magnum is not a smaller bullet, both use the same size bullet .357 inch in diameter. They were just lazy back in the old days and rounded up when they named the .38 Special ... it uses a .357 in. diameter bullet, too. There are other cartridges for rifles/shotguns/pistols that are interchangeable. An example being that you can generally fire a .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 Long Rifle from a firearm chambered for .22 Long Rifle, but again, ya can't fire a .22 Long Rifle from one chambered for .22 Short. But it's a very specific case by case thing, and extremely dangerous when you choose wrong. In shotguns, you can generally fire a shorter shot shell in one chambered for a longer one. That kinda thing. But always be clear on what you can or can't try before attempting. Explosive consequences can occur, so you did the right thing here, for the safety of yourself and everyone who may be around, always research or ask.