Iowa Deer Rifle

[gunman870]

I have been itching to build something again which as we all know is rather dangerous, and typically not cheap. So here are the parameters. Iowa has been allowing straight wall cartridges for some gun seasons for a few years. I've played with many of the options I already have so I am wanting to try something new. I have been looking into both the 350 legend and the 450 bushmaster. I have a ruger ranch in 450 but have never shot it, bought it for the wife but she still prefers her muzzleloader so it hasn't been to the range yet. I don't personally really care for it with the real short barrel and clunky muzzle brake. I am in hopes someone on here has insight into either of these two rounds in a full grown gun. Thinking something around 22" barrel length. Likely a 700 action. I feel a little more drawn to the 450 but I truthfully haven't dug real deep into the 350 information yet to see if it holds true potential. I would ideally like it to be a 300 yard gun or a touch longer. Doesn't really gain me much over some of my slug guns, muzzleloaders, or other acceptable rifles, but essentially just something new to play with. Also, possibility if it works out to use it for a kids rifle in youth seasons in the coming years. Thanks all.

 

[Mark W]

I think @IA_shooter was building something based off of a Savage action.

 

[IA_shooter]

I think @IA_shooter was building something based off of a Savage action.

Yes I did. I built one off of a Savage 12 action. Dropped it into a laminate stock to start with as pictured but I decided the stock was too pretty to be hunting in the woods with to be scratching it up and I now have the barreled action in a plain jane tupperware stock. It shoots well enough out to 250 yards I have no doubts I can kill any deer within that range with relative ease. It's loud with the brake obviously, but reduces the recoil effectively so I am happy with it as is. I used a standard 308 family magazine but had to spread the upper lips just slightly to get reliable feeding with the 450 rounds.

Pic I took of it when I 1st got it all together............

 

[gunman870]

Yes I did. I built one off of a Savage 12 action. Dropped it into a laminate stock to start with as pictured but I decided the stock was too pretty to be hunting in the woods with to be scratching it up and I now have the barreled action in a plain jane tupperware stock. It shoots well enough out to 250 yards I have no doubts I can kill any deer within that range with relative ease. It's loud with the brake obviously, but reduces the recoil effectively so I am happy with it as is. I used a standard 308 family magazine but had to spread the upper lips just slightly to get reliable feeding with the 450 rounds.

Pic I took of it when I 1st got it all together............

Thank you for posting. What is your barrel length if I may ask? Have you run it over a chronograph? Experimented any with a load or shooting factory? I was thinking of trying the Barnes 275 TSX as one possibility.

 

[IA_shooter]

Barrel length is 18". I have only shot some factory Hornady Black through it and I have not run them through a chrono yet but it's shooting about 3 to 3-1/2 inch groups at 200 yards which is just fine for deer to me.

 

[gunman870]

Thanks for your response.

 

[lb-ft]

I'm a LR bolt guy. That means big, heavy, long barrels, etc.

You might give that Ruger Ranch 450 B a try. I love shooting one, didn't think I would.

Muzzle brake is easy to swap if you feel the need. Might try as is first, it has some recoil.

350 Legend is great if recoil sensitivity is an issue. If not, I don't really see it as a very good deer round for anything but shorter ranges.

 

[gunman870]

I'm a LR bolt guy. That means big, heavy, long barrels, etc.

You might give that Ruger Ranch 450 B a try. I love shooting one, didn't think I would.

Muzzle brake is easy to swap if you feel the need. Might try as is first, it has some recoil.

350 Legend is great if recoil sensitivity is an issue. If not, I don't really see it as a very good deer round for anything but shorter ranges.

Thank you for your input. I tend to like big long heavy rifles also, and i think thats part of why the ranch has always looked goofy to me. I should atleast try it and give it a fair shake.

 

[Dale264]

I've shot a 16" 350 legend AR and was impressed with the mild recoil and decent 3 shot accuracy. However, I dont think that cartridge is capable of 300+yrd shots on deer unless you're willing to do some tracking after the shot.

 

[Terry]

I have a .358 Housier. Could be for sale.

 

[johnmyers]

I have a .358 Housier. Could be for sale.

358 Hoosier a good 300yd rifle. 225gr Sierras 2400-2500 fps

 

[WVHick]

I did a 450 BM on a Tikka Action for my Dad for Ohio.

17” CarbonSix Barrel
McMillan Sako Varmint Edge Fill
Razor HD 2-10x42 LH
American Rifle Company Rings
Atlasworxs Bottom Metal

It slings the Cutting Edge 160gr Raptor at 2900 FPS. I can get a little over 2500 FPS out of the 250gr bullets. I love the thing. Shoots great. Recoil is a little punishing.

 

[gunman870]

I have a .358 Housier. Could be for sale.

Terry, thank you, I hadn't heard of that round. However, Iowa requires straight wall so unfortunately that's out. Thank you again tho for the offer. Maybe someone else can grab on!

 

[gunman870]

I did a 450 BM on a Tikka Action for my Dad for Ohio.

17” CarbonSix Barrel
McMillan Sako Varmint Edge Fill
Razor HD 2-10x42 LH
American Rifle Company Rings
Atlasworxs Bottom Metal

It slings the Cutting Edge 160gr Raptor at 2900 FPS. I can get a little over 2500 FPS out of the 250gr bullets. I love the thing. Shoots great. Recoil is a little punishing.

I appreciate you posting, that's more what I'm looking for. Is there a reason you went 17" instead of stretching it out to maybe 24 or 26"?

 

[WVHick]

I appreciate you posting, that's more what I'm looking for. Is there a reason you went 17" instead of stretching it out to maybe 24 or 26"?

Yea I use it suppressed with a SiCo Hybrid and I also hate long rifles. I like short and compact as we use em a lot on driven hunts and in heavy brush.

 

[tommeboy]

If you decide to go a 350 Legend do NOT get a barrel that is threaded for 1/2x28 or 1/2x36. They are both out there. Get a barrel that is threaded 5/8x24. If you hang a suppressor onto a 1/2" thread it can break off really easy.

 

[sawcarver]

Ive shot a 357 Max for several years using 150gr cutting edge raptors. It is a legitimate 400 yard gun. My family has killed lots of whitetails in Michigan with it. This year we will be trying a 350 legend to see how it does, should be very similar to a 357 Max. If I was building one id go with a .357 1-14T barrel

 

[F224]

Like sawcarver, I shoot a 357 Max. Mine is in a 20" Dave White barreled CVA Apex. It shoots MOA with everything from 140-180gr and I'm pushing 2500+fps with the 140gr FlexTip bullets. At close range (under 100 yards) the 140gr pistol bullets expand too fast. It's every bit a 300 yard deer rifle and every one hit inside of 150 yards has dropped in it's tracks. From 150-300 yards they only run 50-80 yards if hit in the lungs.

Hopefully the Winchester 150 gr pointed bullets will be available soon.

 

[UltraBR30]

The legendary 45-70 and its proven accuracy and distance capability is my choice for straight walls.
Philip

 

[F224]

Ive shot a 357 Max for several years using 150gr cutting edge raptors. It is a legitimate 400 yard gun. My family has killed lots of whitetails in Michigan with it. This year we will be trying a 350 legend to see how it does, should be very similar to a 357 Max. If I was building one id go with a .357 1-14T barrel

Where did you find your load data for this particular bullet?