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350 Legend Ammo

Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.

Credentials:

  • • 2x Team Safari Competitor
  • • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
  • • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
  • • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified

350 Legend: At a Glance

Key Characteristics
Firearm Type Rifle
Primer Type Small Rifle
Used For Hunting, Sport Shooting
Case Design Straight-walled
Year Introduced 2019

350 Legend: At a Glance: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • ✔ Legal for deer hunting in straight-wall-only states
  • ✔ Low recoil compared to other .35 caliber cartridges
  • ✔ Effective for medium-sized game at moderate ranges
  • ✔ Compatible with AR-15 platform rifles
  • ✔ Good penetration due to bullet design

Cons

  • ✘ Limited ammunition variety compared to established calibers
  • ✘ Relatively new, so less field-proven than older cartridges
  • ✘ Not ideal for long-range shooting
  • ✘ May be overkill for small game
  • ✘ Less readily available than more common calibers

350 Legend Ammo: In Depth

The 350 Legend is a straight-walled cartridge introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms in 2019. It was designed to meet the demand for a powerful, yet legal cartridge for deer hunting in states with straight-walled cartridge restrictions. The 350 Legend offers excellent performance for medium-game hunting, combining low recoil with high energy transfer and penetration. Its design allows for use in AR-15 platform rifles, making it a versatile option for both hunting and sport shooting.

History and Development

The 350 Legend was developed by Winchester Repeating Arms and officially introduced at the 2019 SHOT Show. It was created to address the need for a straight-walled cartridge that could be used in states with regulations prohibiting bottleneck cartridges for deer hunting. These regulations, primarily in Midwestern states, were aimed at increasing hunter safety by limiting the range of bullets in densely populated areas.

Winchester based the 350 Legend on a modified .223 Remington case, removing the shoulder to create a straight-walled design. This allowed the cartridge to comply with hunting regulations while still offering excellent ballistic performance. The cartridge was designed to be compatible with AR-15 style rifles, which increased its appeal to a broader range of shooters.

The 350 Legend quickly gained popularity among hunters and sport shooters due to its low recoil, flat trajectory, and impressive terminal performance on medium-sized game. It offers a significant power increase over traditional straight-walled cartridges like the .45-70 Government, while still maintaining manageable recoil.

Since its introduction, various ammunition manufacturers have developed loads for the 350 Legend, ranging from lightweight practice rounds to heavy hunting bullets. This variety has further increased the cartridge's versatility and appeal to different types of shooters.

Ballistic Performance

The 350 Legend offers impressive ballistic performance for a straight-walled cartridge. It typically fires bullets weighing between 145 and 265 grains, with muzzle velocities ranging from 2,100 to 2,350 fps for heavier bullets and up to 2,800 fps for lighter bullets. This combination of bullet weight and velocity results in muzzle energy between 1,800 and 2,250 ft-lbs, making it highly effective for medium-game hunting at moderate ranges.


Compared to other straight-walled cartridges, the 350 Legend offers a flatter trajectory and higher velocities, which can make shot placement easier for hunters. Its recoil is also notably lower than many comparable cartridges, making it more comfortable to shoot and allowing for quicker follow-up shots if needed.

Timeline of 350 Legend Development and Adoption:

Year Event
2023 350 Legend continues to gain popularity among hunters and sport shooters, with more manufacturers offering rifles and ammunition options.
2021 Several major ammunition manufacturers introduce new 350 Legend loads, expanding options for hunters and target shooters.
2020 350 Legend sees widespread adoption in Midwestern states for deer hunting seasons.
January 2019 Winchester officially introduces the 350 Legend at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas.
2018 Winchester Repeating Arms finalizes development of the 350 Legend cartridge.
2017 Winchester begins development of a new straight-walled cartridge to meet hunting regulations in certain states.

350 Legend Performance

The 350 Legend offers excellent performance characteristics that have made it a popular choice for hunting and target shooting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:

Characteristic Performance
Velocity 2,100-2,350 fps (180-265 grain bullets)\n2,600-2,800 fps (145-160 grain bullets)
Varies based on barrel length and load type
Energy 1,800-2,250 ft-lbs at the muzzle
Provides excellent performance for medium-sized game
Effective Range 200-250 yards
Optimal for deer hunting within legal straight-walled cartridge jurisdictions
Recoil Low to moderate, less than .243 Winchester
Manageable in lightweight rifles, suitable for a wide range of shooters
Accuracy 1-2 MOA in quality rifles
Suitable for hunting and recreational target shooting

Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity

This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common 350 Legend loads.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

350 Legend: Effective Range for Different Applications

This table provides estimated effective ranges for 350 Legend ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.

Application Effective Range (yards) Notes
Hunting (Medium Game) 0-250 Excellent for deer and similar-sized game
Target Shooting 0-300 Good accuracy for mid-range target shooting
Self-Defense 0-100 Effective for close-quarters defense with proper ammunition

Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The 350 Legend is known for its straight-walled case design, making it legal for hunting in some areas where bottleneck cartridges are restricted. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.

Applications for 350 Legend

The 350 Legend's performance profile makes it suitable for several applications:

Hunting
  • Designed primarily for deer hunting in straight-walled cartridge-only areas
  • Effective for medium-sized game at ranges up to 250 yards
  • Low recoil compared to other straight-walled cartridges
Target Shooting
  • Suitable for mid-range target shooting up to 300 yards
  • Low recoil allows for comfortable extended practice sessions
  • Growing availability of match-grade ammunition
Home Defense
  • Can be effective in short-barreled rifles for home defense
  • Moderate power with less over-penetration risk compared to some rifle rounds
  • Low recoil allows for quick follow-up shots if needed
Competitive Shooting
  • Emerging use in some competitive shooting disciplines
  • Potential for use in straight-wall cartridge specific competitions
  • Offers an alternative to traditional bottleneck cartridges in some events

350 Legend Ammo Comparisons

To understand the 350 Legend's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:

350 Legend vs. .30-30 Winchester ▼

350 Legend vs. .450 Bushmaster ▼

350 Legend vs. .223 Remington ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of 350 Legend with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads, firearm weight, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of 350 Legend with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 100-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of 350 Legend with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of 350 Legend with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

350 Legend Ammo Sectional Density Comparison

The 350 Legend is a straight-walled cartridge designed for hunting in states with restrictions on bottlenecked cartridges. This table compares the sectional density of various 350 Legend loads.

Cartridge Bullet Weight (gr) Sectional Density
350 Legend 145 0.164
350 Legend 150 0.170
350 Legend 160 0.181
350 Legend 180 0.204
350 Legend 200 0.226

Note: Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². The 350 Legend has a bullet diameter of 0.357 inches. Higher sectional density generally indicates better penetration, but other factors like velocity and bullet construction also play significant roles in overall performance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is 350 Legend ammo?

A: 350 Legend is a straight-walled cartridge introduced by Winchester in 2019. It was designed to meet regulations for deer hunting in states that require straight-walled cartridges, while offering improved performance over traditional options like .450 Bushmaster.

Q: What is the effective range of 350 Legend?

A: The effective range of 350 Legend is typically around 200 yards. It maintains good accuracy and energy for deer-sized game within this distance.

Q: Can 350 Legend be used in AR-15 platforms?

A: Yes, 350 Legend can be used in AR-15 platforms. It requires a specific barrel, bolt, and magazine, but can be easily adapted to many existing AR-15 lower receivers.

Q: What is the typical bullet weight for 350 Legend ammo?

A: 350 Legend ammo is commonly available in bullet weights ranging from 145 to 180 grains. The most popular options are typically 150 grain and 160 grain bullets.

Q: Is 350 Legend good for hunting?

A: Yes, 350 Legend is excellent for hunting medium-sized game like deer and hogs. It offers good terminal performance, reduced recoil compared to larger straight-walled cartridges, and meets regulations in states that require straight-walled cartridges for deer hunting.

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