350 Legend

[Intell]

I'm getting 2350 fps with 180s in my 16" max encore with RE 7.
That's good enough for me. I'm working on a load with the 200 gr seira RN bullets for better penetration.
It's become my favorite deer gun and still short with a suppressor on the end.
If I didn't have max stuff already I might be interested, but not to the point of changing out what I already have.

 

[rich44]

I have not heard of anyone turning down the rims for AR use, there wouldn't be any rim left. I have heard of guys using .223 basic brass from starline trimming to 1.6 they say it works, but I haven't found anyone to talk to who's actually done it, just Facebook rumors and a guy who knows a guy.

Alot of guys here https://mdws.forumchitchat.com/?forum=645266 using the 357AR basically a 357 max rimless using the Starline basic brass.
Mad Dog Weapons Systems have made quite a few AR barrels and they also make Savage barrels, I'm having a barrel made for the 1.80 version using the Starline basic brass for the kids for deer hunting here in Ohio.

 

[scubohuntr]

1. It headspaces on the case mouth, which means minimal crimp. You can't headspace on a rebated rim.

2. Did anyone else see the bore diameter of .355? Means you can only shoot 9mm bullets or cast, no? Bullets of .357 or .358 may result in pressure issues, and will certainly be disappointing for accuracy. Just like the .450 BM using .452s.

 

[IowaGeologist]

Just picked up a barrel for my AR. Plan on shooting some Win 145 FMJs, and try out some 150s and 180s for hunting this fall to build up a brass supply and then start reloading. What bullets are people trying with this right now? My barrel is 0.355", so I know I can use the Winchester 145, 150, and 180 proprietary bullets they made for this, but I was also wondering about other cheap 0.355" bullets made for pistol. Are any holding up to 350 Legend velocities? Are many people running 0.358" bullets through their 0.355" barrels? I've seen some mentions of it online, but would like to hear more info from those on here who might have tried it.

Thanks for any info.

 

[Marksman]

Couple of things to note.

I was going to order a .350/.358 barrel in 350 Legend, but got talked back to a .346/.355. Constricting a bullet 0.5% of the bore diameter really isn't much, and is even less of a problem when you consider you'll be handloading and working up to a safe load anyways. I might consider using .358 bullets at some point, but for now, I'm planning on focusing in on the 140gr FTX .357 bullet.

Also worth noting, Midwayusa is listing the Winchester components used in their loaded ammo as being .357.

 

[284winner]

I'd say it will fill a decent niche in the junior/ female hunting community. Most that currently own the 450 Bushmaster for Ohio/ S. Mi hunting will stay with that choice. Not sure really other than significant recoil reduction if it has any real advantage over the 450s. Less range, less velocity and less energy. Keeping range between 100-200 yards, it should do ok.

 

[IowaGeologist]

Couple of things to note.
Also worth noting, Midwayusa is listing the Winchester components used in their loaded ammo as being .357.

I noticed this as well. I'm 99% certain this is due to the same marketing strategy when rolling out the cartridge. By calling it a 0.357" but allowing for 0.003" variance , they meet the hunting regulations for states like Iowa. The bullets in their factory loaded rounds have been checked and repeatedly show 0.355". These bullets on Midway look like the same "proprietary" 0.357" bullets used in their factory ammo which are really 0.355". I say "proprietary" because that is what one of the Winchester Execs kept referring to the bullets as in one of the YouTube videos I watched. I think they're very cautious to state they are using 0.355" bullets in their factory loads to avoid any more confusion.

I wish I knew more of why they went the 0.355" but calling it 0.357" route, but oh well.

 

[Dale264]

Just picked up a barrel for my AR. Plan on shooting some Win 145 FMJs, and try out some 150s and 180s for hunting this fall to build up a brass supply and then start reloading.

Have you been able to shoot this barrel yet? Hoping to find a little more info before this fall.

 

[IowaGeologist]

Have you been able to shoot this barrel yet? Hoping to find a little more info before this fall.

Sorry Dale, just noticed your post. The barrel was a cheap AR Stoner off Midway and shot surprisingly well with factory Federal and Win 180 gr. Having some issues cycling right now but once those issues are resolved I think it will serve me very well in the fall. I have one friend dying to use it as well after seeing how it preformed.

 

[Dale264]

Sorry Dale, just noticed your post. The barrel was a cheap AR Stoner off Midway and shot surprisingly well with factory Federal and Win 180 gr. Having some issues cycling right now but once those issues are resolved I think it will serve me very well in the fall. I have one friend dying to use it as well after seeing how it preformed.

Sounds like you've got a mighty fine single shot until you figure out that cycling issue. Best of luck and glad to hear it groups them well.

 

[IowaGeologist]

Sounds like you've got a mighty fine single shot until you figure out that cycling issue. Best of luck and glad to hear it groups them well.

Haha, you're not wrong on the single shot aspect at the moment. If it comes down to it and I can't get the bugger fixed by the season start, I'll still have a pretty quick follow up shot by racking the charging handle. Sure beats a muzzle-loader, I know that. Good luck this season to you and yours.

 

[F224]

I might consider using .358 bullets at some point, but for now, I'm planning on focusing in on the 140gr FTX .357 bullet.

I have tried this bullet in my 357Max CVA Apex single shot build by Dave Smith. On one of my 80 yard shots, with a starting velocity if 2400fps, it shed 100gr of weight and only penetrated 2/3 of the way through a big doe on a broadside shot. However every deer I have hit with it drops in it's tracks inside of 160 yards, including the one in this example. Velocities above 2200fps might be a bit fast for this bullet inside of 100 yards.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

For deer in a mature hardwoods, this cartridge should be a winner. Accuracy, trajectory and energy will be more than adequate to 150 yards with a 16" barrel. Using reasonably priced components, the rifle will weigh 7# without optics. If I did not already have a 6.8SPC, I'd have one of these for hunting the woods.

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/bc...-gas-system-w-1-16-twist-750-gas-block-system

 

[SeabeeKen]

350 Is a huge improvement over the slug option. Using a Savage Axis, shooting Hornady 170 gr SP over Accurate 11FS powder, I was able to get .2" groups @ 2266 fps and SD of less than 2. I also found the harder I tried to drive them, the more the accuracy fell off. I tried some 5744 just for fun but this rifle hated it with horrible groups although ES/SD #'s were impressive. Used RCBS dies and Lee FCD. Wanted to try some N-110 and 2400 but data was nonexistent.

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I've sold a few .350 Legends to some of my deer hunting group (Savage Axis's). I considered getting one but I have a MGM .357 Max barrel for my Encore (typically use the single shot in the tree-stand & the 77/44 doing deer drives). Last year there was some talk from the IA DNR about the .350L not being a legal cartridge since by their definition the straight-wall cartridge had to be .357 or larger. Apparently it was sorted out & declared legal. The guys in my deer group are not serious shooters & have sighted their .350Ls for 50 yards with the cheapest factory ammo on the shelves...

 

[sw282]

Though its called .350 its bore is most certainly .357''... ALL in the name... 300Win Mag is .308''. 30-30 is .308''.
Most ctgs names are different from their true size. 221FB, 222Rem, 223Rem are all .224''. Hopefully the IA DNR owns a micrometer or calipers and know how to read these measuring instruments

 

[IowaGeologist]

The 350 worked pretty well for me last season. Know of quite a few people making the switch this year.

 

[Treerat-sniper]

SW282, I believe their initial problem was that when 1st introduced, the bullet diameter was .355." That .002 was enough to cause a review or examination (typical bureaucratic nonsense). I see Winchester still lists bullet diameter as .355"... The IA DNR used to list legal cartridges individually in the regs but changed it for this year to measurements. Still a minimum diameter of .357." I had a DNR officer do a spot check on me in my yard last year, he checked my tags & license but didn't even mention seeing my rifle.

 

[tommeboy]

It is a TRUE 9mm. Bore is 0.355" and so are the bullets. Win has a +- of 0.003" tolerance. The DNR of several states said they go off what the manufacturers print states.

Win did this on purpose. The case had to have a certain amount of taper to help extract. That is why they did a rebated rim case and the 0.355" bullet. If a 0.357" bullet was used they could not get the right taper.

And, the 0.358" rifle bullets are too hard and will not expand at the 350 velocity. And the pistol 0.357" bullets are to fragile and would blow up at the 350 Vel.

 

[Dale264]

And, the 0.358" rifle bullets are too hard and will not expand at the 350 velocity. And the pistol 0.357" bullets are to fragile and would blow up at the 350 Vel.

I don't disagree with this. Specifically with the factory loaded Fed 180s. I believe they ran Speer .358 180gr hot-cor through a sizing die down to .355 and loaded up ammo with it (merely speculating). Last year I was able to recover 1 of these bullets from a buck and it had zero expansion. On the other hand, I think that the XTPs and FTX bullets hornady has loaded up along with the Win 150s are soft enough to expand yet tough enough to hold together. Clearly a bullet specific to this cartridge will need to be used to avoid issues. Im working on a load right now with the 180gr TTSX (resized to .356) and lilGun. Barnes claims reliable expansion down to 1800fps which allows me about 110yards before is slows too much and in Iowa thats a decent poke during a deer drive. Ive had great performance with barnes in the past.