New Winchester Cartridge ,can Transform Ar15 Variants Into A Decent Whitetail Deer Rifle

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The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
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winchester-350-legend-cartridge-f.jpg



With the introduction of the 350 Legend cartridge, Winchester Ammunition adds to its lineup of high-performance rifle cartridges. Perfect for use in states that require a straight-walled cartridge for deer hunting, the new 350 Legend is fastest straight-walled rifle cartridge in the world, delivering more power with each shot than .30-30 Win., 300 Blackout or .223 Rem.“The 350 Legend is a high-performing, straight-walled cartridge that dominates in velocity, energy, recoil and affordability,” said Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “Winchester innovation began decades ago and it’s paramount that we continue to deliver meaningful, technology driven products that have a tremendous impact on the hunting and shooting sports industry.”Other key features of this innovative new cartridge are:

  • Approximately 20 percent less recoil than .243 Win.
  • 20 more more penetration than .243 Win.
  • Less recoil than 450 Bushmaster
  • Uses a modified, straight-walled .223 Rem. shell case and a .356-inch bullet
The 350 Legend round is initially offered in six variations:

  • Deer Season XP - 150-grain Extreme Point
  • Super X - 180-grain Power-Point
  • Hog Special - 180-grain Power-Point
  • USA White Box - 145-grain FMJ Flat Nose
  • Power Max Bonded - 160-grain Bonded JHP
  • Super Suppressed - 265-grain Open Tip
Winchester also announced a XPR bolt-action rifle, chambered in 350 Legend, packing all the features we’ve come to expect from Winchester’s XPR line, such as their exclusive MOA trigger system, a nickel Teflon coated 60-degree bolt, free-floating barrel, cross mounted recoil lug and advanced ergonomic stock design. The XPR rifle, combined with the new 350 Legend, is sure to be a winner both in the field and on the range. More information about the new innovative 350 Legend cartridge and the new XPR Rifle is available at winchester.com.




Should work in AR platforms. And I believe Winchester is releasing their XPR rifle in it as well.

With the Industry Day at the Range underway at SHOT Show 2019, Winchester is one of the 1st companies to pop off something new! They have introduced a NEW straight-wall cartridge to the shooting world dubbed the 350 Legend! This cartridge could be the next “sliced bread” for hunters because it will be legal in 47 of 50 states for hunting purposes. It also is going to boast some pretty impressive ballistics.
At the moment, only Winchester has firearms chambered in the 350 Legend because they have kept this tucked so tightly under their hat. The 1st rifle being offered is a Winchester XPR bolt-action. The cartridge will be working within a grain weight of 145 – 265 grains. Within that spectrum you have your choice of a 145 Grain FMJ (Full-Metal Jacket), 150 Grain Deer Season XP, and 180 Grain PowerPoint for factory ammo.
350 legend
The explicit bullet diameter is .357″ with a 1.71″ case length. This cartridge is a true straight-wall round and is not necked up. Because of that it will be serviceable as a legal hunting round in 47 of 50 states. If you are wondering if this cartridge is going to be expensive to shoot like other straight-wall rounds it will not be. Simple FMJ boxes of 20 rounds are expected to sell for $9.99 making them very affordable.
350 legend
Some of the other enticing points to this caliber are the fact that it has less recoil than comparable cartridges. It affords the shooter more penetration. It also has more energy upon impact to humanely down game. In fact, the men and women of Winchester have successfully harvested over 30 whitetail deer. All of which were downed in 30 yards or less.
350 legend
So being presented with this NEW cartridge from Winchester, what do you guys and gals think? Is this something you would be willing to entertain on your next big-game hunt? Or do you have some more questions that need answering? Let us know what you think in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
350 legend

https://www.outdoorhub.com/news/2019/01/21/shot-2019-winchester-new-350-legend/

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2019/1/22/first-look-winchester-350-legend-cartridge/

 
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Sounds interesting though right now I would not consider it for a hunting round I need to look into it for another AR build. I still like traditional rifles for hunting and as of now big brother hasn't infringed upon that right yet where I am
 
Just another odd caliber to have and not as many as popular calibers that are plentiful. JMTCW which ain't much these days.
 
looking at the price of a new deer rifle,
this AR15 upper assembly available from a dozen sources looks like a decently priced option,
if your intention is hunting deer with an ar 15 style rifle
, Id certainly consider it a better option than a 223 for deer, or hogs,
and its legal in places a 223 will not be.
but consider the options like a 25/45 or a 6.5 Grendel upper


https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021111763

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/bc...arbine-length-gas-system-1-16-twist-w-15-mlok

https://www.swfa.com/great-lakes-350-legend-ar15-complete-upper-receiver-1.html

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...upper-rec-resolute-350-legend-prod126814.aspx

https://pmbr.us/ar-15-complete-uppe...rbine-length-gas-system-1-16-twist-w-15-mlok/

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/whats-going-on-with-350-legend/amp/

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021111763
many of the people reading the thread have access to an AR15 lower assembly
purchase this upper and its a cheaper route to a decent whitetail deer rifle than purchasing a new rifle
 
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Allen, one of my hunting buddies just dropped over, to show me his newly purchased 350 legend caliber AR15 clone,
I got the strong and distinct impression he expected me to be insanely jealous and almost seemed disappointed,
in the fact I was not in a blind mad rush to go out and purchase a similar one.
now keep in mind that here in florida, almost any centerfire rifle can be used on big game,
and semi-auto rifles are restricted while hunting, to 5 cartridge capacity on hunting rifle usage.
his rifle looked nice and I hope it lives up to his expectations, but its been over 24 years since,
Ive needed a second shot on big game so having a semi-auto , with a 5 shot back-up capacity on tap does little for me.
its not that I.m the best shot,
its only due to my reluctance to shoot until and favorable, or the correct conditions exist.
http://www.eregulations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/19FLHD-LR.pdf
most game in florida is shot at well under 250 yards and I have a browning BLR in 358 win,
and one in 450 marlin calibers that have both proven to be excellent/ thus I feel no immediate lust for a new rifle.
(which I,m sure was not the reaction he expected)
 
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many of the people reading the thread have access to an AR15 lower assembly
purchase this upper and its a cheaper route to a decent whitetail deer rifle than purchasing a new rifle

No jealousy involved when you are confident in your own guns and preferences. He knows he has more money than you right now and just trying to rub it in.

But you already have the beginnings of the lower assembly if you would just finish it. Just think of all the different calibers you could enjoy shooting including big bore calibers.
 
all true!

https://www.fieldandstream.com/story/guns/the-best-223-loads-for-deer/#:~:text=Yes, the .223 Remington is a suitable deer,is up to the job of deer hunting.

locals are gearing up, and the AR15 clones seem to be more popular than ever
personally I like them as a toy , the standard 223 cartridge is minimally effective on larger game like deer,
while its certainly lethal if the shots placed correctly, its just not a larger game cartridge/
AND YES... the 350 legend or 6.5 Grendel caliber versions will be markedly more effective.

but personally I think the better option is the 6.8spc cartridge as it provides a good mix of extended range,
increased stopping power/lethality and you can use 25 round capacity magazines.
remember the 6.8spc cartridge was designed from the start for combat use,
and high dependability and well tested in combat
it uses a modified 30 remington case and a .277 diameter bullet
and its rather ideal out of a 20"-24" barrel and hand loads with 110-120 grain bullets

barrels shorter than 16" should be avoided in my opinion






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but even if they gain even more popularity.
I would grab my m1a1 in any real emergency,
and while either semi-auto rifle is very easily used as a tool for hunting,
Id prefer a BROWNING BLR, in caliber 450 marlin as my main go-to strait case, rifle for hunting,
Browning_BLR.jpg

as its hard to ignore a 400 grain 45 caliber bullets effectiveness at 1900 fps from a handy carbine.
(maybe Im old school)
and its been a while since I needed to shoot over 150 yards, or more than once.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/reminder-on-florida-hunting-dates.15721/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...23-wildcat-or-6-5-grendel-for-the-ar15.15718/
 
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https://www.starlinebrass.com/350-legend/




So, with information that is now fact, and straight from the company who designed and developed the new 350 Legend cartridge, let's try this again...

Key Features of the 350 Legend Cartridge, as listed by Winchester -

More ENERGY than 30-30 Win, 300 Blackout and 223 Remington...

World’s fastest straight-walled cartridge...

Approximately 20% LESS RECOIL than the 243 Winchester...

20% more PENETRATION...

LESS RECOIL than the 450 Bushmaster...

Effective deer hunting ranges up to 250 yards, plus it delivers more energy than the 5.56mm, 300 Blackout or 30-30 Winchester...

This is a new case design and is NOT made from straight walled 223 Remington brass...

Compliant in states that allow straight wall cartridges for deer hunting...

2019 - 350 Legend Ammunition Offerings From Winchester:

350 Deer Season XP® 150 grain Extreme Point / 2,325 fps...

350 Super X® 180 grain Power-Point / 2,100 fps...

350 Hog Special 180 grain Power-Point / 2,100 fps...

350 USA White Box 145 grain FMJ Flat Nose / 2,350 fps...

350 Power Max Bonded® 160 grain Bonded JHP / 2,225 fps...

350 Super Suppressed™ 265 grain Open Tip / 1,060 fps...

The 350 Legend is rated at a s.a.a.m.i. maximum average pressure of 55,000 psi...

BORE/GROOVE is .346/.355........... Now knowing this information, I would NOT use .358 diameter bullets in a factory chambered rifle! Reason being is that the factory chamber is cut with a .357 diameter throat, then it tapers down to .355 (which is 9mm)...

Factory barrel's are 9mm and are NOT .357 or .358, but with the throating that Winchester is using, and using bullets of softer construction, those bullets can and do squeeze down in diameter to pass through the bore without issue!

New rifles or barrels offered through me, will have the correct 9mm bore and groove diameter and will be throated specifically for. 357 diameter bullets...

I should be able to tweak a few dimensions on the reamer to make it BETTER, since it is now s.a.a.m.i. spec'd reamer and the final dimensions have already been made...
 
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I can see where it would have its uses in some situations but not for me at the moment and this can all change like the direction of the wind but for me my next AR type rifle is going to be a AR10 in 308 I have 308 rifles, dies and brass and just ran into a couple thousand military rounds but they are brass cases, and boxer primed what Im looking to build is a better quality rifle than the every day AR I'm looking more for accuracy and reliability in this one I'm in the planning stage but am looking at a 20 and a 24 inch SS bbl and a little more than the minimum for the rest of the build. What is your opinion on bbl length and twist I'm not really thinking long range just a little more bite at longer ranges for an AR for any kind of range I'm grabbing any number of deer rifles to reach out and touch someone
 
I fully agree that an AR10 with a 308 chamber
armalitesupersass.jpg

is a MUCH better hunting rifle
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but ID still vastly prefer a M1A1
 
I don't disagree one little bit I have been looking for a Garand for a couple of years and have had a couple slip through my hands and a couple that were false advertised I was also at the CMP store I wont say what military base but out of about 500 rifles I looked at there was not 1 that I would have even thought about buying I have made up my mind to quit looking for a Garand and have one look for meI will find one some day at a gun store , a pawn shop , a gun auction or just trip over one someday in the meantime there are other semi auto military rifles out there that someday I will find what I want for a price I am willing to pay and I don't want a new one in 308 there is nothing wrong with them but I want a WW2 type gun to go with my Mauser and SKS
 

If you're enamored with the AR basic rifle platform,
the new 6.8mm looks like a very decent option to increase punch,
over a typical 223 rem, on an AR platform,
if it's to be used defensively, you want all the firepower and punch you can get!
one that certainly shoots flatter and carries its impact energy better than a 350 legend, out past 250 yards.
and a legend is very limited in magazine capacity,
and not designed for military use.
yeah, its a military cartridge, but so is the 30/06, 308 win and the 5.56/223 rem.
but keep in mind the militarys limited to full metal jacket,bullets
for hunting we have options, if we reload that cartridge,
with commercial projectiles its much more effective.
for that unfamiliar 6.8mm=.277, like the 270 win,
so theres plenty of commercial 110-115-130 grain projectiles out there already.


if its going to be primarily a hunting rifle,
Id rather carry a civilian BLR
in 257 roberts , or 308 win for deer, or maybe in 300 win short mag,
or 358 win, if your looking for elk.
its certainly accurate and lethal, and much faster to use on a snap shot,
from the standing position at point blank ranges, on moving game.
(a rather common hunting issue)
I can,t remember needing more than one or at most two shots while hunting in decades


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.8mm_Remington_SPC

https://sofrep.com/news/5-56mm-vs-6-8mm-can-better-bullet-keep-bad-guy/



5.56mm and 6.8mm Rounds: The Facts
There are many ballistic charts that you can view on the web, most showing that velocity is reasonably similar between the 5.56mm and 6.8mm rounds. Compare a 77gr 5.56mm projectile against the 115gr 6.8 and it is very close indeed, however kinetic energy is anywhere from 40-50% greater at shorter ranges, and up to 35% out to 600 yards.

The 6.8 SPC round has the same energy at 250 yards as the M855 has at the muzzle. At 600 yards it has the same energy as a 7.62mm M43 at 275 yards, M193 at 250 yards and M855 at 375 yards. Since the 6.8mm is of a larger calibre and greater sectional density than the 5.56mm, it will use this energy more effectively when producing terminal damage. Performance can be increased slightly by using 110gr ammunition, giving you more velocity and less bullet drop over range.

The lower velocity of the 115gr ammunition combined with more kinetic energy makes this round less susceptible to deflection from soft cover such as foliage, shooting through glass (in the case of vehicle interdictions) and chest rigs.

6.8mm upper receivers will fit AR lowers, but you will need to change the bolt though and use specific 6.8 mags. I have fired 6.8 SPC ammunition from 5.56mm magazines but the heat that was generated expanded the mags – causing stoppages. The tolerances inside the mag are quite tight because the 6.8 cartridge is bigger in diameter. Although the calibre is larger, the difference in recoil is hardly evident and is quite controllable when engaged in rapid fire.

Ok, 6.8 will significantly increase your chances of neutralization or incapacitation with a first round strike. It goes without saying that different types of projectiles will produce different results, and that shot placement is still the key no matter what type of round is used. However, we can’t always achieve this, so the introduction of a large caliber that fills the gap between 5.56mm and 7.62mm is vital for the safety of our troops and is necessary in our fight against terrorism.

My guess is that money is the overriding problem. But perhaps it would work out cheaper to supply something that will do the job more efficiently without wasting ammunition…or lives!!
 
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Well I blew my whole thought process out of the water last night I ran into a new DPMS AR10 that was priced to where I couldn't turn it down so building my AR10 isnt going to happen I really wanted a longer barrel one but the price was right and I couldn't say no so I'm going to put a scope on it and see how it shoots I'm not sure of a red dot or a hunting scope that I have laying around
 
its nice, on those odd times, when you have the cash to take advantage of deals that rarely come your way

 
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Sometimes I can kick myself in the a$$ I bought that AR last night and today on one of the sites I keep an eye on there were 3 Savage 99s all in calibers I would like to have oh well I mounted a scope on the AR and am headed to the range but I can't find the 750 rounds of ammo that I bought last year and I know its here somewhere but I did find 2000 rounds of cheap 9mm that was in my 308 ammo can
 
the only savage 99,s Id like to own are two, rather rare versions,
one in caliber 257 roberts and one in 358 win,
but I've generally preferred to use and own browning BLR's which,
(personal choice/opinion ) I think are better quality and more accurate guns
 
I just want a Savage 99 something about them that I just like and nothing against the BLR .I went through a few rounds 60 of older ammo and loose 308 I had laying around I mounted a older 3x12 scope on my AR quickly I used old rings and didn't spend much time putting it on and didn't torque it or sight it in but it was on paper at 100 yds and I didn't mess with it I checked it out for cycleing etc. and no problems I don't know what scope that I want to put on it for long term but this one can't stay on it because its in the way of the charging handle any recommendations on a scope or red dot are welcome
 
the scope you select will be mostly determined by the intended use.
personally I would select one of the newer 30mm tube designs and not one with much over magnification.
Id want something small fairly short and very rugged/durable
you don,t want much over 2x-3x for close range defensive work ,nor do you need more than about 7x-9x for long range

 
I found this linked/posted info,
posted else-ware but thought it had interesting info
(not all of which, info contained, Id agree with BTW)


keep in mind a great deal of the versatility of a AR 15 platform is determined at least partly by your selection of barrel length and rifling twist rates ,as those factors have a huge effect on what projectile types will perform well in your rifle
a 1 in 8 twist rate , a 64-68 grain projectile weight and at least a 20" barrel length goes a long way toward getting max performance out of a 223 REMINGTON.
and Id point out most deer are shot at under 250 yards and as always shot placement ,
and a knowledge of game anatomy, and accurate range estimation, is always critical to getting good results

350 Legend vs 223: Which One Should You Purchase?


The .223 Rem and 350 Legend were created for two different purposes, yet when you compare the 350 Legend vs 223 side-by-side, they have a few strikingly similar characteristics that allow these calibers to overlap in their intended uses partially.

Below we compare the calibers in several categories that the average shooter will find essential.

If you can't wait, the .223 Remington won 5/10 sections and is the overall winner for most shooters.

However, if you're a deer hunter in a state that only allows straight-walled cartridges, the 350 Legend should be your choice.

If you're ready to see which sections it prevailed in, keep scrolling!

350 Legend vs 223

There are several noticeable differences when you look at 350 Legend and .233 Remington rounds next to each other.

First, you'll see the 350 Legend is a straight-walled cartridge, and the 223 Rem is not. Next, you'll notice how much more aerodynamic the .223 Rem bullet looks compared to the 350 Legend bullet.

Lastly, you'll also notice how much larger the 350 Legend bullet is than the 223 bullet.

While we can pick all this up from glancing at the rounds, let's take a closer look at the dimensions of each cartridge because though there are glaring differences, there are also some shocking similarities.

Cartridge Specs

The .223 Remington and 5.56x45mm NATO have identical case dimensions. However, they are not interchangeable calibers. You can shoot a 223 round through a firearm chambered for 5.56, but you cannot shoot a 5.56 through a rifle chambered for 223 due to differing chamber pressures and freebore length.

To be clear, we are only discussing the 223 in this article.

The 350 Legend cartridge is a unique design and doesn't have a parent cartridge, while the .222 Remington is the parent case for the 223 cartridge.

The bullet diameter is a clear difference between the two rounds; the 350 Legend has a bullet diameter of 0.357 - 0.003 in, while the smaller bullet diameter of the 223 is 0.224 in.

updated-350-legend-vs-223-rem-dimension-chart.png


As you would expect, since the bullets are different sizes, the neck diameter is also very different; the 350 Legend neck diameter is 0.378 in, and the 223 is 0.253 in.

Because the 350 Legend and 223 Remington have the same rim diameter, 0.378” (not listed), integrating the 350 Legend into the AR-15 platform only requires a quick barrel change.

The 223 base diameter is 0.376 in, while the 350 Legend is 0.390 in. The case length is slightly different, with the 223 case being 1.76 in and the 350 Legend case being 1.71 in.

The overall length of each cartridge is another similarity; the 350 Legend has an overall length of 2.25 in, and the .223 Rem is slightly taller with an overall length of 2.26 in.

As expected, the 350 Legend has a larger case capacity because it's a straight-walled cartridge, but not by much. The case capacity of the 350 Legend is 36.5 grains, while the 223 is 31.4 grains.

The max pressure (SAAMI) is the same for both rounds at 55,000 psi.

Now that we know the specs of each caliber, let's see how that translates from numbers on a screen into real-world situations.

Recoil: 223 vs 350 Legend

In nearly all my ammo comparisons, I compare the amount of recoil each round has because one of the first questions someone asks when shooting a new round is, "how much does it kick?"

For experienced shooters, recoil matters less, but unless you have something to prove, nobody likes to get punched in the shoulder repeatedly.

Also, low recoil helps you to be more accurate because you're less likely to flinch when expecting the kick.

Because these are relatively small cartridges that don't hold much powder, neither will be a shoulder bruiser.

The 350 Legend has close to 8.5 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of felt recoil. This isn't much; even when we compare the 350 Legend vs 30-30, the 30-30 has 14 ft-lbs of recoil, and the 30-30 isn't known as a caliber with a lot of recoil.

However, the 223 Rem has half the recoil of the Winchester 350 Legend, with only 4 ft-lbs.

The 223 takes an early lead with less recoil, but can it hold onto the lead as we move onto trajectory, or will the 350 Legend tie it up?

Trajectory

The trajectory is the bullet’s flight path measured in inches of bullet drop.

A flat shooting cartridge is preferred for long-range shooting because a shooter will need fewer adjustments to their firearms optics to compensate for bullet drop. A flatter trajectory also means the cartridge is more forgiving when ranging mistakes occur.

The bullet's trajectory is determined by several factors, such as bullet weight, bullet style, and the amount of powder in the case.

This means comparing the trajectory of the 223 vs 350 Legend cannot be apples to apples, but this will give you an excellent idea of what to expect from both calibers.

We will use the Federal Premium Gold Medal Match 223 ammo as an example.

Assuming a 100-yard zero for this rifle cartridge, at 500-yards, the 223 Remington has a bullet drop of -64.3”.

At 1,000yds, the 223 has a bullet drop of -475.7”.

While this is less than ideal for long-range shooting because the 223 round goes subsonic around 850yds, it's much better than the 350 Legend's trajectory.

The Win 350 Legend was designed for deer hunters within 250yds of their target. With a 100-yard zero, it has a bullet drop of -7.6" at 200-yards.

The heavier bullet and similar amount of powder don't help the 350 Legend in this section. The .223 Rem extends its lead by having a flatter trajectory, allowing shooters to shoot farther.

Accuracy: 350 Legend vs .233 Rem

To determine the round's accuracy, you must factor in the gun, scope, shooter, and a few other factors.

However, for the sake of this article, we're going to assume everything is as equal as possible. This means the primary factors will be recoil and bullet trajectory.

The .223 Remington won both categories, so in theory, it will be easier to be more accurate with it than the 350 Legend.

Remember, the 350 Legend doesn't have much more recoil than the 223, and out to 200-yards, it has a decent trajectory.

It's also important to note that certain rifles shoot specific ammunition better than others. So if you're having difficulty consistently being accurate, try switching ammo brands and bullet weights to see if this helps or hurts.

The 223 Rem also wins this section because at increased distances, it's much easier to be accurate with it and has less recoil and a flatter trajectory.

Ballistic Coefficient

The ballistic coefficient (BC) measures how well a bullet fights wind drift and air resistance. Another way to say it is a numeric representation of the bullet aerodynamics. A high BC is preferred because the bullet will better resist the wind.

Heavy bullets typically have a higher BC because it takes more force to disrupt the flight of a heavier bullet than a lighter one. The ballistic coefficient is based on bullet design, weight, and other factors beyond this article's range.

So even though the bullets are the same caliber, if they differ in weight or bullet design, they will have a different BC.

The 350 Legend is a bulky bullet with a BC between 0.186 to 0.264, which isn't impressive for long-range shooters but remember, this caliber has an effective range of 250yds and performs best below 200 yards so that it won't be in the air for long.

The more aerodynamic 223 Remington 77 gr SMK bullet has a BC of 0.372, which is higher than any 350 Legend bullet.

The 223 continues to stack up wins and easily wins this section, largely thanks to its aerodynamic bullets.

Stopping Power: 223 Remington vs 350 Legend

Stopping power is often referred to as Sectional Density (SD). SD measures the bullet's ability to penetrate a target. Bullet penetration is vital for hunting to make as ethical of a shot as possible.

Sectional density is calculated by comparing the bullet's weight and diameter. The higher the SD, the better the bullet will penetrate the target. This is a simplified explanation of penetration as other factors matter, such as the target's density, bullet design, expansion, and velocity.

Bullets designed to expand on impact, such as soft points (SP), ballistic tips, or jacketed hollow points (JHP) penetrate less than a full metal jacket (FMJ) that is designed to maintain its shape on impact.

The 223 77 grain bullet SMK has a sectional density of 0.219 compared to the 350 Legend 165gr FTX Custom, which has an SD of 0.187. The bulky design of the 350 Legend hurts it once again.

Another way to think about stopping power is the bigger the hole, the better the chances of bringing down the target.

The 350 Legend has the advantage if we think of stopping power in these terms. It also helps that the Legend can use heavier projectiles, giving it more stopping power.

This section is a tie because the 223 has a better sectional density, but the 350 Legend has heavier bullets that leave a bigger hole.

Hunting

Both cartridges are subpar big game hunting rounds. However, they both have their place in the field, whether that is during deer season, hunting hogs, or hunting varmints.

The 223 Rem is known as a highly effective varmint round. Rounds like the Nosler Ballistic Tip and Hornady V-MAX have made the 223 Remington an excellent choice for ridding your property of prairie dogs, coyotes, groundhogs, and any other small varmint.

Though it can ethically harvest whitetail deer, it's not recommended or allowed in most locations because many states require a minimum of 0.243” bullet diameter for deer hunting.

On the other hand, the 350 Legend is an excellent deer hunting cartridge out to 250-yards. It's more than capable of ethically harvesting deer or other similar-sized game within this range.

Because it is a straight-wall cartridge, it can be used in states that restrict tapered cartridges or bottleneck cartridges, such as Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, and Indiana.

The Winchester 350 Legend is not a good long-distance varmint gun; this is where the 223 Rem has the upper hand.

However, overall the 350 Legend is the better hunting rifle cartridge, which it should be since it was designed to be a hunting cartridge.

Home Defense: The Legend vs 223

Rifles are not my preference for self-defense firearms because of over-penetration. I feel they put my family and neighbors at an increased risk.

However, that doesn't mean I won't pick up a rifle to defend my home if it's all I have available.

If I had to use a rifle, I would prefer it to be semi-automatic, like an AR-15, because you have a large magazine capacity, and they're easily handled in close quarters.

While both calibers are used for hunting and are typically bolt-action rifles, they are also found in the AR platform.

Since both rounds are chambered in AR-15s, I'm going to lead more towards stopping power, specifically, which one leaves a bigger hole and is less likely to penetrate multiple walls.

Therefore, the winner of this category is the 350 Legend.

Ammo Cost & Availability

Because ammo is a repeated purchase, it's essential to consider the price and availability of the ammunition. If you can't find or afford the ammo, your gun is just a paperweight.

The 223 Rem is the most popular of the two rounds by a long shot, which can be good and bad.

It's good because many ammunition manufacturers will make the ammo and compete to get the best price.

It's bad because that means many people want and need to buy 223 ammo, so in times of high demand, it's difficult to find.

Buying bulk 223 ammo is an excellent way to quickly stock up and save money simultaneously; however, it will initially cost you more.

Cheap 223 Rem ammo will cost $0.52 per round, while more expensive .223 Remington ammo will cost $1.60 per round.

As of this writing, .223 ammo is relatively easy to find, but that could change quickly.

The Winchester 350 Legend is still a new cartridge, so fewer ammo manufacturers make it, which means it's a little more challenging to find and more expensive.

Be prepared for the inexpensive 350 Legend ammo to cost $0.75 per round and the expensive ammo to cost over $3.00 per trigger pull.

The .223 Remington continues to increase its lead with reasonably priced ammo and excellent current availability.

Rifle Cost & Availability

The rifle price is less of a concern for me than the price and availability of ammo because it's a one-time expense.

With that said, the 350 Legend is priced as cheap as $360 for a Savage bolt-action, $500 for a CVA single-shot rifle, or $550 for a Ruger American Ranch bolt-action. So none of them are outrageously priced for deer rifles.

However, the availability of 350 Legend rifles is lacking, with many rifle models being out of stock.

223 rifles are priced similarly, but you will pay extra if you want them in the AR platform.

The difference is the availability of 223 rifles. Many more firearms manufacturers make 223 rifles, so many more options are available, and they're easier to find.

The winner is once again the 223 Rem.

Reloading

If you're interested in saving money on ammo, reloading these centerfire cartridges is one of the best ways to do it after the initial expense of buying all the equipment.

Handloading allows you to craft the perfect round for your rifle to get greater consistency out of your ammunition.

Both rounds can be reloaded, meaning this category is a tie.

350 Legend History

In recent years, Winchester Ammunition developed this centerfire cartridge and was accepted by SAAMI in 2019. They boast that it's the fastest straight-walled cartridge in the world.

The Legend deer cartridges met the laws that required hunters to use a 450 Bushmaster or 444 Marlin in states prohibiting hunting with bottleneck calibers.

The Legend resulted from the need to produce a low recoil, heavy-hitting cartridge that met the hunting regulations' overall length and bullet diameter requirements for these restrictive states.

The 350 Legend can fire 150 grain 0.355" projectiles at 2,325 fps with 1,800 ft-lbs of kinetic energy, which will ethically harvest a whitetail at 200 yards.

Check out the articles on the 350 Legend compared to other calibers below:
223 History

Introduced in 1964, the .223 Remington has been famous for many applications. The U.S. military and many other government agencies use this cartridge as their primary rifle ammunition.

The development of the 223 Remington cartridge was a joint operation between Fairchild Industries, Remington Arms, and Eugene Stoner of Armalite, with the 222 Remington as a parent case.

They elongated the 222 Remington 0.06” and shortened the neck. These changes gave the 223 ammunition 20% more powder capacity than its predecessor.

Eugene Stoner was the primary inventor of the AR-10 rifle (chambered in 7.62x51 NATO), which he scaled down to accommodate the .223 Rem cartridge.

The military accepted the M16; the civilian version was the AR-15. Since its inception, the AR-15 carbine has become the most popular sporting rifle in US history.

It's lightweight and has low recoil, making the M16 an ideal platform for full auto fire. The ammo is lighter than 308 Winchester ammo. Soldiers can carry more ammo into battle for the same weight to stay in the fight longer without slowing down.

The 223 Rem was released to the civilian market one year before the U.S. Army adopted it. Varmint hunters enjoyed the cartridge’s low recoil, High accuracy, and lower pressure.

Check out the articles below if you’d like to learn more about how the 223 Rem compares to other calibers:
Parting Shots

When it comes to the 350 Legend vs 223, there's a clear winner, the .223 Remington.

With low recoil and a high abundance of ammo and rifles, it's an excellent option in most cases.

The only times I would choose the 350 Legend over the 223 are when deer hunting and in a home defense situation.

350 Legend vs 223: Which One Should You Purchase? originally appeared on Ammo.com
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