LOL! I just caught the "not a bird".

There is also "Wild Turkey" an affordable and tasty liquor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Turkey_(bourbon)
I really enjoy target shooting my Ruger GP100, a .357 magnum revolver that will also shoot the less powerful .38 special ammunition. It is the same caliber as the Python pistol. If you have an opportunity to shoot a revolver in .357 magnum, i recommend you try it out for fun.
Perhaps the person who was telling you of "exploding bullets" meant to say "expanding bullets"? As others have said, the hollow-point bullets are designed to expand on contact with a semi-liquid target/meat.