Can you fire .38 cal ammo in a firearm chambered for .357 Magnum?

.38 Special cartridges may be safety fired in a .357 Magnum firearm. The .38 Special is actually not .38 caliber, but is .357 caliber. After shooting them, it is a good idea to scrub the chamber well, as the shorter .38 Special may build up a ring of fouling that will make chambering .357 cartridges difficult (until it is cleaned). .38 Special is basically a .357 Short. This does NOT apply to other .38 ammo, such as .38 Super, .38 S&W, etc.