Thoughts on the new 350 Legend caliber?

[243sniper]

So Winchester unvieled this caliber at Shot Show and it doesn’t seem like anyone really cares. The caliber is marketed mainly to people in states that only allow straight walled cartridges for deer. But I think this caliber will be fun to shoot and fun reload. Looking for a kind of “unique” caliber to reload. (Something different and uncommon) And where I hunt most shots are under 200 yards. Thinking of getting the Winchester XPR sporter (wood) model. What do you guys think about the caliber? Do you think there’s a better option?
What do you think of the rifle?

 

[someguy2800]

Its an interesting option for short range hunting with an AR15, or for straightwall only states, but beyond that it doesn't look very interesting to me. I do have a 357 maximum pistol, which is fun, but I wouldn't personally want that round in a bolt action rifle, and for a single shot I'd rather have a 357 maximum. Lots of energy for 100 yards, but kind of a rainbow after that. Should be really easy to reload for but it is a tapered case so you will still need to lube cases unlike 357 maximum. Just my thoughts, if you like it don't let me dissuade you.

 

[mcb]

If it had come out a few years ago I would have been all over it but I already have a 450 Bushmaster for a straight wall AR and two 300 BO guns for sub-sonic stuff. I think the 350 Legend could easily replace those two cartridges given what I use them for but I already have those three guns and would rather spend my money on a 700 Chassis gun at present than another AR-15 in that new cartridge despite how interesting I find the new cartridge.

 

[Texas10mm]

The "caliber" of the .350 Legend is .357, same as the .357 Mag, .38 Spl and other cartridges.

The CARTRIDGE of the .350 Legend is new. Not the caliber.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I was interested when I first heard about it but that faded rapidly. It does sound like a good low recoil alternative for deer in strait wall cartridge states.

 

[PapaG]

Luddite Stan here thinks it is a lot of hype over another solution looking for a problem. Personally, I like pistol caliber cartridges in rifle/carbines and some rifle caliber cartridges in some pistols but don't see much here that isn't already covered. Reminds me of the 357 max. I guess I will stick with my 357, 44, 444, 45-70, as well as 30-30 bottlenecks. If it succeeds, good. Ultimately it will go or glow on its merits. (I do have an AR but it is fine as issued). The name "Legend" has not yet been earned.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I was interested until I heard it isn't based on 223 brass. If it flops, it will be fun finding brass.
Since I have a 357 carbine, I am staying no until I need a new AR barrel. When that happens, I will reevaluate.

 

[troy fairweather]

winchester could have had a nice cartridge, but they missed the boat. the perpritary brass, odd grove size, tapered case, the lies on the power and performance rubbed many the wrong way.

 

[LRDGCO]

But perfect for jurisdictions where 357 Mag/Max, 30-30, and 35 Rem are banned...

 

[243sniper]

Good responses! I think I’m gonna look for an old used marlin 336 in 35 Remington or 44 magnum lever action instead.

 

[gotboostvr]

Since I'm in one of those straight wall only states, I'll bite. I realize they took some liberties with regards to performance, but it should still perform as long as I put the bullet in the right spot.

I'm hoping for a Ruger American or Savage AXIS personally. I might build an upper if I can find a barrel at an agreeable price.

 

[mavracer]

If it had come out a few years ago I would have been all over it but I already have a 450 Bushmaster for a straight wall AR and two 300 BO guns for sub-sonic stuff. I think the 350 Legend could easily replace those two cartridges given what I use them for but I already have those three guns and would rather spend my money on a 700 Chassis gun at present than another AR-15 in that new cartridge despite how interesting I find the new cartridge.

I'm similar I already have a Blackout and a Bushmaster, I've recently became enthralled with long range shooting so I'm playing with a 224 Valkyrie and have no interest in the 350.
I suppose it would make a good deer round in straight wall states.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Everybody in the straight wall states are used to huge projectiles and the 450 Bushmaster delivers sub-MOA accuracy to boot.

I know there are plenty who use .357 rifles with success but I think the Bushy is the way to go. Cheap bolt guns from Ruger and Savage as well as relatively inexpensive upper conversions for the millions of AR owners out there. Bear Creek had some complete 450 uppers on sale for around $200 not long ago. They shoot too.

Maybe the .350 Legend will be good for the kids but even the 450 recoils about like a 20ga. Maybe a tad less with a good muzzle device.

 

[tallpaul]

I grabbed a 450 upper and would love either the legend or the ar max... full capacity mags and cheaper projectiles that will perform fine for deer n hog etc... I have a .223 axis I might rebarrel if the barrels become available cheap and maybe an upper... an upper is cheap enough to try one or should be

 

[mcb]

Everybody in the straight wall states are used to huge projectiles and the 450 Bushmaster delivers sub-MOA accuracy to boot.

I know there are plenty who use .357 rifles with success but I think the Bushy is the way to go. Cheap bolt guns from Ruger and Savage as well as relatively inexpensive upper conversions for the millions of AR owners out there. Bear Creek had some complete 450 uppers on sale for around $200 not long ago. They shoot too.

Maybe the .350 Legend will be good for the kids but even the 450 recoils about like a 20ga. Maybe a tad less with a good muzzle device.

350 Legend uses a 223/556 bolt it can't get any cheaper or easy. The only thing you have to do to convert a 223/556 AR to 350 Legend is change the barrel and the magazine. Everything else is standard AR-15 compatible.

I like the cartridge I just don't have a niche that needs filled by it at the moment. If I already had a 9mm/357 Mag rated suppressor then this would be a very different situation.

 

[someguy2800]

The people I see it appealing to the most are people with a 9mm suppressor, people that want to swap uppers for hunting hogs or deer with an AR, and people deer hunting in straight wall states who find 450 bushmaster recoil a bit too much.

The most exciting thing to me is it means there will be new handloading bullets for it which I can use for my 357 maximum, but who knows, if the brass is cheap enough and I stumble on a cheap enough barrel I might put an upper together to try it.

 

[.455_Hunter]

A 180 gr .35 caliber bullet at 1800 - 2000 fps real ballistics.

Can you say .351 Winchester? I guess it's 1906 all over again.

Nothing is really "new" these days.

 

[Garandimal]

The RUGER 77/357 will push factory 158 gr. JSP to 1850 fps, and 180 gr. XTP handloads to 1800+.

There may be an application in the semi-auto rifle environment.




GR

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I like to see new things come out. However, this one isn't for me (great for those who do like it). Lack of available platforms on the store shelf, reliable magazines, and too much hype have reduced any interest I had in it. I think it is a niche round and will be great for some who also have the patience to track one down.

 

[BigBore44]

When it came out I was intrigued. I like the concept. But for me, I already have a 357, 35 Rem, 44 Mag, 444, and 45-70 for hunting. And in the AR I already have a 5.56, 7.62x39, and 308 and am thinking about a 450. The 350 just doesn’t offer ME anything. Just bad timing. However, if someone wants one, I’m certainly not going to scoff at them for it.

 

[earlthegoat2]

350 Legend uses a 223/556 bolt it can't get any cheaper or easy. The only thing you have to do to convert a 223/556 AR to 350 Legend is change the barrel and the magazine. Everything else is standard AR-15 compatible.

That is quite true. I suppose that could sway folks who would otherwise stick with their particular status quo to give the .350 a try.

Like you, it definitely does not fill any niche for me. I do a lot of hunting in MI and that is why I have the .450. The .350 was a day late, a dollar short, and IMO, does not have near the utility value. Especially for someone like me who already has a Marlin .35 Rem.

 

[Bfh_auto]

A 180 gr .35 caliber bullet at 1800 - 2000 fps real ballistics.

Can you say .351 Winchester? I guess it's 1906 all over again.

Nothing is really "new" these days.

Or 357 mag with lil gun. The main positive of new cartridges is the fact that no old metal is around that fired it. This means you can load it to proper pressures.

 

[adcoch1]

Or 357 mag with lil gun. The main positive of new cartridges is the fact that no old metal is around that fired it. This means you can load it to proper pressures.

This is a lot of the reason for some of these new cartridges, getting around the old firearms design. Like the creedmoor cartridges being equivalent to older ones, but coming out anyway in new guns with different barrel twists for more modern bullets. Almost takes the fun out of reloading the oldies though...

 

[greg_r]

I am a sucker for the Ruger American Ranch Rifle and have bought one in each caliber offered and built an AR upper to go with it.

Do I like the 350 Legend? Yeah, but then again, I can’t think of many cartridges I do not own. The 350 Legend is at the bottom of the heap though. Proprietary cases and magazines, the round does not live up to the hype, and it appears that at least one of the straight wall states says it is not legal. SAAMI shows a .355 bore where it takes a .357 to be legal.

If I could form cases from .223 brass and it used STANAG magazines I would like it a lot more. I have been buying my brass in the form of WWB at the LGS where it sells for $9.99 for 20 rounds. Starline has brass, I need to buy up a bunch of those.

 

[mcb]

I am a sucker for the Ruger American Ranch Rifle and have bought one in each caliber offered and built an AR upper to go with it.

Do I like the 350 Legend? Yeah, but then again, I can’t think of many cartridges I do not own. The 350 Legend is at the bottom of the heap though. Proprietary cases and magazines, the round does not live up to the hype, and it appears that at least one of the straight wall states says it is not legal. SAAMI shows a .355 bore where it takes a .357 to be legal.

If I could form cases from .223 brass and it used STANAG magazines I would like it a lot more. I have been buying my brass in the form of WWB at the LGS where it sells for $9.99 for 20 rounds. Starline has brass, I need to buy up a bunch of those.

Which state is not allowing it due to the caliber?