350 Legend

I have a 357/38 pistol so I was leaning towards a 357 Magnum Rifle so that I can use my 357 ammo in both the Pistol and the Rifle, I won't be using it to hunt, just to enjoy shooting it at the range, which ever one I get I plan on reloading for it. With that in mind what would be the pros and cons about getting the 357 Magnum Rifle or the 350 Legend Rifle.
This is a total guess so forgive any bad info. But I think the 350 legend has a longer case than the 357 Magnum . Unless your using a different parent case and reforming. Seems like a lot of work to me.you can buy 350 cases ready to go.
 
I have had tons of luck with my 350 legend. Mine doesn't do great at 100 yards but doesn't seem to open much at 300. In fact I was able to consistently hold 3.5" groups at 300 yards. Was able to go through 4 water jugs at 300 and Bullets ended in backstop. I'm using the 150 gr.
Hammer Bullets has finished at 124gr sledge hammer for it recently.
 
Hi, I just got some maker bullets to try. There 150 t-REX MONO BULLETS. THEY HAVE A 3 PEDAL EXPANTION. Had them to 2600 fps so far with cfe black, and cci 450 primers. That's out of a 16" ar 15, looking good
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It seems to me like a rimless Max is a step up, rather than back from the Legend. A 150gr. .355" at 2290fps from a 20" barrel from a .350 Legend versus 2300-2400fps with 180gr .357s that I can get hardcast doesn't seem like going backwards to me. It doesn't seem like a longer case or higher max pressure is making a difference. The limitation of bullets constructed for 9mm velocities is kind of a big deal to me, too. Besides, if I want the "fastest straight walled cartridge" as the Legend advertises, I'll go .444 Marlin, which still beats it with heavier bullets in factory ammo. https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/winchester-350-legend-cartridge/359189
You just have to use the right power, primer, bullet combo. I'm getting over 2600 fps with a 16" ar15 with cfe black, and cci 450 primers, and a 150 maker mono bullet. They are .356 in size.
20200214_180815.jpg
 
I saw the Drury guys are shooting the .350 Legend in Iowa shotgun season. I didn't think Iowa allowed centerfire rifles, but I guess they do?
They allow straight cased cartridges that as I believe were blackpowder to an extent.They will not allow the big sharps but I have loaded for 45/70 single shot rifles. I am getting 2400 with the 300 ttsx.
 
You just have to use the right power, primer, bullet combo. I'm getting over 2600 fps with a 16" ar15 with cfe black, and cci 450 primers, and a 150 maker mono bullet. They are .356 in size.View attachment 175865

That's Awsome hammer just finished up the Purple Heart donation rifle for me for this year.
Pushing the new hammer at around 2600 from a 16" barrel. Was under 2" at 200 yards.
Can't wait to get it back and get some turrets built.
 
350 Legend Dwg
Everything starts here. The dwg. Winchester looked at all the regulations and made something that minimized their cost to hit them all!

In the process of simplifying their costs and checking all the regulation boxes, Winchester has created a bunch of new tooling....Every bullet maker has to make new bullets. That said their were no 150 gr - 180 gr 0.358 bullets available either, so....new bullets were needed anyways.

I think 0.355" is driven by making 223 brass into a straight wall cartridge, but that doesn't really work because the 223 shoulder diameter is 0.358"! So, they had to go bigger in the base. Well, it still has to fit in AR15. This drove the exclusive case and exclusive bullet diameter. The dwg was made to show 0.357" throat so it could show 0.357" +0.000" -0.003" for bullet diameter....we all know bullet manufacturers are controlling diameter to like 0.0003". With a 0.356" bore, I'm really surprised the bullets are not 0.356". Maybe that change is coming after they see the volume produced....or the bores will shrink. Common 0.355" bullet dies for now....0.356" after volume is understood better.

Then there are the similar issues with the OAL. The round needs to hit 2300-2400 FPS in a 170gr +/- bullet to be a solid killer out to 250 yards, IMO. The current level is good enough though. It seems driven by the AR15 platform too. My XPR mags will hold 2.380" roughly. My throat is set for a 2.375" loaded Hornady bullet....hmmmm not very AR15 like. At 0.155" longer than AR mag length, not very AR like again! I wonder if I load at lands -0.060", and add a bit of powder, if I can't get a little more from this deer slayer. Any reason not to try lands - 0.030"? ....or closer?
 
I'd give it a try I'd say load like you normally would.
Find pressure then ply with seating depth a bit. See what it likes.
Basically my plan, but straight wall cartridges don't give much bolt lift....I guess I can read primers....
 
I try and always go primer it's usually the first to show unless you have really crap brass that's what I read followed by half moon. By the time you have a sticky bolt you are already way over.
 
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