Yes, you can shoot38 Smith and Wesson specialammunition in any 357 magnum caliber firearm, with the exception of certain lever action rifles which might not feed the shorter 38 special cartridge.
The 357 magnum cartridge is based on the 38 Smith and Wesson Special cartridge case, which is the "parent case". The magnum case is lengthened by .100 inch so that the magnum will not chamber (fit) into a 38 Smith and Wesson special firearm.
However the 38 Smith and Wesson special will always fit into a 357 magnum chamber.
The pressures generated upon firing the 357 magnum cartridge are much higher than the 38 special, the maximum allowed pressures being 35,000 psi for the 357 magnum and 17,000 for the 38 special. For this reason it would not be safe to fire the 357 magnum in a 38 special chamber.
The 38 special will not damage a 357 magnum firearm in any way, but firing 38 specials in a magnum chamber might allow dirt residue to build up in front of the shorter 38 special cartridge, eventually causing a problem chambering the longer 357 magnum once again. A cleaning of the chamber should solve this.
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