350 legend bolt action build

[Ugly Dog]

I'm looking at building a small action rifle Legal deer for Iowa, I was thinking legend since it relatively cheap to shoot and not much recoil for the wife and grand kids. I'm thinking of building one on a howa mini action since I can't find a factory howa in 350 legend.
Questions on a 350 legend build.

What is optimal barrel length
What is optimal twist
How many groove for the rifling
Rebore a 223 or buy a new barrel?

 

[belldar]

I don't think optimum twist and barrel length is going to be much of an issue with a 350 legend. I bought a Bear Creak side charge upper to try out the 350 legend. Was surprise that the recoil was what seamed to be less than a 223. The accuracy with cheap FMJs was also quite good. What I am saying is I don't think you can really go wrong with any direction for a 350 legend. It's not like its going to be shooting over 200 yards if that.

 

[snox801]

I would say 16" is plenty. It's straight wall. Just look at what twist the savage is and use that.
I can say I've tested the crap outta this and for game and no other bullet works like the 125 hammer. I can sent load data and have had large deer taken at 238 more than once. Tried for 300 this year but was a bit to busy at work.

 

[Muddyboots]

Out of curiosity I looked at allowable cartridges for Iowa. Holy !!! A .35 Whelen is legal!!!!! It is specifically listed as legal!!! I know what cartridge I would use!

The 350 Legend is a sweetheart to shoot especially in comparison to 450BM!

 

[Ugly Dog]

Out of curiosity I looked at allowable cartridges for Iowa. Holy !!! A .35 Whelen is legal!!!!! It is specifically listed as legal!!! I know what cartridge I would use!

The 350 Legend is a sweetheart to shoot especially in comparison to 450BM!

Yea they opened it up to basically anything 35 cal and bigger. The Whelen is one I like to use.
I thought the legend would be the way to go and they could possibly shoot pigs with it too

 

[DoneNOut]

Yea they opened it up to basically anything 35 cal and bigger. The Whelen is one I like to use.
I thought the legend would be the way to go and they could possibly shoot pigs with it too

Run the 125 Hammer.

 

[WanderingGoatie]

In watching roughly 20 deer attempted to be taken with 350 legend in Iowa…

Go with a better caliber.

The industry hasn't figured out a bullet design that is good for deer recovery. 450 bushmaster would be my choice if I hadn't built a rifle and ordered a suppressor specifically for Iowa. If you do decide to stick with 350, keep your shots less than you would with a slug gun and go with either a soft point or hollow point jacketed round. Especially avoid anything browning has to offer.

 

[DoneNOut]

In watching roughly 20 deer attempted to be taken with 350 legend in Iowa…

Go with a better caliber.

The industry hasn't figured out a bullet design that is good for deer recovery. 450 bushmaster would be my choice if I hadn't built a rifle and ordered a suppressor specifically for Iowa. If you do decide to stick with 350, keep your shots less than you would with a slug gun and go with either a soft point or hollow point jacketed round. Especially avoid anything browning has to offer.

I know Winchester 160gr Bonded powermax is total garbage.

 

[WanderingGoatie]

I know Winchester 160gr Bonded powermax is total garbage.

I've had issues with ar's feeding on four of the five I've built regardless of ammo. If we're talking about performance, I've seen good success with lighter bullets with light construction. For the caliber I think it's a terrible idea to try killing and recovering beyond 150 yards.

 

[DoneNOut]

I've had issues with ar's feeding on four of the five I've built regardless of ammo. If we're talking about performance, I've seen good success with lighter bullets with light construction. For the caliber I think it's a terrible idea to try killing and recovering beyond 150 yards.

Yes. 150 max

 

[Ckgworks]

Tag.....I've been considering putting together a AR in this for another youth deer rifle to go with the 6.5 grendel. There seems to be a wide swing on love em or hate em. I've read more than a few good reports on the 150 gr bullets. My thoughts were to treat it like a 30 herrett and use lighter bullets. Most of our blacktail hunting is well under 150 yards so I don't need long range.

 

[Hoss50]

Ruger ranch rifle in 350 legend seems like a cheaper and easier route.

 

[Ugly Dog]

Ruger ranch rifle in 350 legend seems like a cheaper and easier route.

Ok I'm probably not going to hear the end of this one for those who love the lower end ruger rifles. While yes it is cheaper route. I have no love for the ruger ranches, Americans, etc. in other calibers. I have had two of them and while they shot ok at best after stock work. I just can't get used to the sloppy bolts in them and the poor feeding issues I had. I'd rather spend a few bucks more and get something of a little more quality and reliability. I know it's a somewhat rather large target (deer) and only shooting a 100-150 yards but I'm kinda anal about accuracy, reliability and quality within reason. Especially when in experienced hunters will be using it.

 

[TK 1985]

For all intents and purposes this is a .357 maximum. I've watched more than a few deer taken out to 200 with it out of revolvers and T/C pistols. Not to mention many, many with .357 mag as well, especially in lever actions.

It's a fantastic round for short range, load with a 158 gr bullet and go to town. 140 gr FTX would be good too, and IMHO the 130 mono flex that Hornady puts in their .357 handgun hunter would be perfect for smaller game or even whitetail within 100-150 when they start offering just the bullets. There isn't enough room in the case to worry about high pressure loads out of a bolt action for the most part.