Not sure if you are right or not about the official size but I just measured the bullet from a .38 Long Colt Case. It measures exactly .357.
You are right about the hollow base. The bullet does have a cavernous cavity in the base. It actually looks like a small mini ball.
I was surprised how little powder was in the case. It looks like bullseye but is old and black.
Thanks for the correction.
As I said, "IIRC" (If i recall correctly); it's been over 40 years since I packed the old '01 around, but I was somehow under the impression that it used a slightly larger bullet.
Guess not!
I also can't garuntee the bore dia. of the '01 Colt, but remember that it was some larger than the standard .357.
If any of you have an '01 (I don't know of any other pistols chambered for the .38LC, although there probably were some) try the .38 spl wadcutters in it; the pressures are down to safe levels in these old wheel guns, and they are a whole lot cheaper and easier to find than the LC, which is getting to be a scarce "collectable" round.
I don't think anybody manufactures them any more, and hasn't for some time.
While you're at it, you can "slug" the bore and refresh my memory as to the actual bore dia..
My elder Brother, the last I knew, still has his late Father-in-Law's '01 which I got to play with as a youth, and I have been trying to wheedle it out of him for some time now.
He once asked me if he could load it with .38 Special +P rounds for protection from the bears when he was working in the woods, and I allowed as to how that probably was not a real good idea for a number of reasons - not the least of which was blowing up a fine old antique revolver.