Its a middle ground between flatter shooting and penetration. I tend to be a bit old school and would probably go with the .45-70 Govt. Thats what she said. Caliber Choice: Straight-Walled Cartridge Resurgence, Taurus Goes Large With Release Of The Full-Sized G3, CMMG Unleashes 10mm Banshee Pistol And SBR, Best 7mm Rem. But the self-contained centerfire cartridge advanced into the 20th century, and cartridge cases shaped like those of the .30-30 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield became the norm. Initially loaded with a .458-caliber, 405-grain bullet and ahead of 70 grains of blackpowder, it generated more than 2,000 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. If you are wanting to use an expanding bullet for the .357, make note of that. With these shorter length barrels being advantageous for home defense, most people will opt for an AR pistol. I will use the cheap fmj for small game and coyotes, and a good 180-grain load for deer hunting. Ironically, its once again becoming popular. For me the problem is that 350 legend headspaces on case mouth (as there is no rim like .357 or .41 mag) Normally, a cartridge that headspaces on case mouth does not see more than say 37,000 psi of pressure. A .45-70 is 2.105". As for the ballistics, the longer the barrel, the more velocity youll get. Theres also some legal definitions around shorter barrels. However, Buffalo Bore has a 255-grain load rated at 1,950 fps. For the most part, I dont recommend taking a shot beyond 200 yards with any 350 Legend ammo. The nominal rim diameter is identical as well, but the 350 Legend does not use the 5.56 as its parent case like the 300 Blackout. Winchester is even offering a more affordable non-hunting practice load in its USA line. The 350 can absolutely put the whammy on a big deer at 250 yards, you just need to be a good shot, know your distance, and know your guns ballistics. Lengths smaller than the Federal requirement must either meet the legal pistol definition or be registered as an NFA short barreled rifle (SBR). Which one does NOT use pistol bullets? AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. This site will have something for everybody! maxed out.. it looks like Buffalo Boar Heavy 158gr 357 out of an 18" shows 2153fps. This was partly because it was introduced at about the time of the AR-15 craze that hit the United States (at that time, everyone wanted an AR in .223 Remington). Its loaded with a flat-tipped, 165-grain FMJ bullet. I give a lower figure as a more practical minimum energy. Regardless of the cartridge/rifle combination you pick, you should experience better accuracy and reach than you have with your smooth-bore. You forgot one, the 1895 .405 Winchester. The 350 Legend is essentially a long pistol round using pistol powder so 16 tends to be optimal. The best barrel length for a 50 Beowulf is 16 for the greatest velocity vs. length. The .357 Mag falls quite short of that. Interesting length choice as that is the case length of a 460 S&W, which the law at one point read "traditional straight wall pistol cartridge." Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. Yes, by modern standards, those numbers are anemic, but modern .45-70 loadsin modern .45-70 riflesturn the .45-70 into a cartridge of another order. Besides, that is one of the most popular barrel lengths anyway. Federal sells their .350 Legend cartridges between $26 and $32 for a box of 20. This is a revolver round that, from a rifle, will push a 270-grain bullet to similar velocities of around 1,800 fps. Besides, that is one of the most popular barrel lengths anyway. However, these barrel lengths are not recommended for shots past 200 yards. Judging from the ballistic coefficient alone, the 30-30 has a slight advantage. WebThe 350 Legend has a BC that ranges between 0.186 to 0.264, which is not very impressive if you're a long-range shooter but remember this caliber maxes out at 250yds and performs best below 200 yards. Enter the 350 Legend. The best barrel length for 6.5 Grendel is 16 for an all around decent rifle. Designed by Marlin in 1964, it became a favorite cartridge for deer hunters and developed an almost cult-like following. is even more expensive. Latest: Pitchinwedge 3 minutes ago Fishing Chit Chat Thai curry fish cakes Latest: Cactus Chris 7 minutes ago Fishing and Hunting Cooking Recipes garmin gt52hw Latest: thesaltyhooker 7 minutes ago Classifieds Node Pay First Both work well within their effective range. This cartridge has become extremely popular for older hunters and youth hunters for that reason. Mag. WebAssuming you can handle each equally well, A .357 Mag has more energy, better penetration and with the proper bullet better expansion. 150-grain ammo is good to about 200 yards before slowing down too much. that means dont just read the ballistic charts, but get out there and shoot. Browning makes a 124-grain load going 2500 fps. Enter the 350 Legend. Now we have that out of the way lets get into the best barrel lengths of some of the most popular calibers. After all, with modern loads, you can do just about anything with this old warhorse. see more at [ 1] I worked as a 45B Small Arms Repairer in the Army and since then I've been enjoying the hobby. However, barrels as short as 22-24 are often used to hunt duck successfully. The 350 Legend is a fascinating cartridge. That is, how fast the bullet is going at a given distance, and how much bullet energy should be reliable enough. Judging from the ballistic coefficient alone, the 30-30 has a slight advantage. The most popular carbine barrel lengths are 9 inches, 11.5 inches, or 16 inches depending on caliber used. link to What is a Pistol Caliber Carbine? You may see a little better performance but usually its not considered enough to offset the heavier barrel. However, 8 and even 7 barrels are very popular in 300 blackout pistols with the use of subsonic ammunition and a suppressor. Originally conceived by the late Elgin Gates and called the .357 SuperMag, the new round was very straightforward. the biggest difference for me is that there is cheap fmj ammo available for the 350. However, the M2 is chambered in 50 BMG and has a 45 barrel. However, most 6mm ARC rifle barrels will be found in the 18 to 22 inch range. WebThe 350 Legend is arguably over twice as effective on deer-sized game than a rifle chambered in .357 Magnum. Advantages of the 45 Colt: -The 45 Colt has a larger bullet diameter than the .357 Magnum, which means it can create a larger wound channel. Barrel lengths between 10-14 are best for portability in close quarters, and 20 barrels are best if your goal is long range shooting. Of course, youll have a shorter effective range to use the firearm but for home defense youll rarely need to get past 50 yards. A 5 barrel would give more velocity, but the drop from 4 to 3 is more significant than the drop from 5 to 4 is in terms of velocity loss. In fact, I only got one because of that. The manufacture remains the king of the extreme long range game. comparing similar 180-grain bullets, it has more initial energy and more expected velocity in 16-inch barrels. The .350 Legend is no better. At those distances, both are at the minimum energy threshold for deer of 750 ft/lbs. as the minimum energy for a bullet 30 to 35 caliber to reliably penetrate deep enough for deer hunting. Advantages of the 45 Colt: -The 45 Colt has a larger bullet diameter than the .357 Magnum, which means it can create a larger wound channel. When youre taking shots at just a couple hundred yards, 20 to 22 inch or 18 inch suppressed barrels are considered optimal for 6.5 Creedmoor. Barrel lengths under 16 arent taking full advantage of this round. ( Should you buy one, I will earn a small commission). Latest: Pitchinwedge 3 minutes ago Fishing Chit Chat Thai curry fish cakes Latest: Cactus Chris 7 minutes ago Fishing and Hunting Cooking Recipes garmin gt52hw Latest: thesaltyhooker 7 minutes ago Classifieds Node Pay First Once the powder is burned up in the barrel, any extra barrel length can decrease velocity at the muzzle. WebThe 350 Legend has a BC that ranges between 0.186 to 0.264, which is not very impressive if you're a long-range shooter but remember this caliber maxes out at 250yds and performs best below 200 yards. This cartridge has become extremely popular for older hunters and youth hunters for that reason. Here is a chart comparing 180 grain, deer loads in both calibers using data from a 16-inch barrel.180-grain bulletStarting EnergyStarting velocityExpansion ThresholdEnergy Threshold350 Legend1,763 ft/lbs.2,100 fps1,400 fps-250 yards1,000 @ 160 yards750 @ 240 yards.357 Mag960ft/lbs.1,550 fps1,100 fps-175 yards1,000 @ never750 @ 75 yards. The best barrel length for a 357 Magnum revolver is 8 and 3/8 inches because that length allows for decent velocity combined with portability. I first was interested in .350 Legend (although I do not hunt), but no longer. A box of .357 Mag. The 350 has a lighter kick than a 243 or 30-30! It really is all personal preference. Straight wall and big bore. A revolver has no safetys to manipulate during a VERY high stress situation such as a bear attack and not all 1911s have ambidextrous controls should your gun hand be injured. 350 Ledgend vs 357 Rem Max | Bloodydecks Latest posts Sportboat anglers gearing up for new regulations? The fast burning powder gives more velocity out of the shorter barrel. The speeds are also there. For .450 Bushmaster and .444 Marlin, youre looking at $41 to $49 per box, and .45-70 Govt. The longer barrels will increase velocity until the powder from the round is burned up. My #1Ruger can use 400gr bullets at 2100 fps. It really boils down to max distance, drop, and how much the bullets are affected by a slight breeze. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. Firearms companies soon realized there was a real market for a low recoil straight wall option capable of a higher muzzle velocity than the other straight wall options out there. The 350 has a lighter kick than a 243 or 30-30! 10mm AUTO vs .357 Mag, Jordan Buck is an outdoor writer, a man of faith, and a family man. Ammo: Elk, Deer And Everything Else, 10 Best Long-Range Cartridges of All Time (2023), 8 On-Target Concealed Carry Insurance Options (2022), 10 Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun Options (2022), Best AR-15 Options For Any Budget And Buyers Guide (2022), Best Concealed Carry Handguns For Women (2022). The 350 Legend SAAMI bullet diameter is specified at .357-.003. Originally conceived by the late Elgin Gates and called the .357 SuperMag, the new round was very straightforward. 14-16 barrels are generally considered best for an all purpose rifle chambered in 223. If shooting anywhere past 400 or 500 yards having a 20 inch barrel is beneficial. With more than 3,500 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, the Buffalo Bore 430-grain, hardcast bullet is suitable for anything walking on four legs. Best 6.5 Creedmoor Barrel Length for Hunting, Best Barrel Length for 6.5 Creedmoor Long Range, Best Barrel Length for 6.5 Grendel Long Range, Best Barrel Length for 6.5 Grendel Hunting, Best Barrel Length for 6.5 Grendel Pistol/SBR, The Best Barrel Length for 350 Legend AR Pistol, Best Barrel Length for A 9mm Pistol AR/PCC/Carbine/SBR, Best Barrel Length for 357 Magnum Revolver, Best Barrel Length for 300 Blackout Pistol, Best Barrel Length for A Hunting Revolver, Best Barrel Length for Dove/Pheasant/Quail/Bird Hunting, Why is My Glock Not Accurate: Common Reasons and How to Fix, Why Does My Glock Shoot Low and to the Left? Anything above 4 inches of barrel length, the 357 magnum would be preferred as the velocity is greater. Many owners of a 357 snub nose will swear by the 3 inch barrel. If you liked this article, youll probably be interested in this one too! Even the most ballistically inept hunterssuch as those who will not accept or understand the advantages of the 6.5 Creedmoorare savvy enough to understand that just about any rifle cartridge has more reach and precision than a shotgun slug. And actually, I've always maintained that if I had to choose a .357 Magnum or a .44 in a rifle, I'd choose .357 every-time. Barrel lengths between 22-26 are more popular for youth shotguns and hunters with a long length of pull prefer a 30 barrel. The best barrel length for a 1911 is 5 for the best concealability and velocity. Many seem to still prefer the 45-70 but when you have to load it hot to equal what the base .450 just is, then its not for me. Barrel lengths shorter than 22 will suffer velocity loss and increased felt recoil unless a muzzle brake is used. Some shooters prefer barrels as short as 12 for under 300 yard shots and 24 for out to 800 yard shots or further. Any additional barrel length over 15 actually hurts velocity. Hornadys 170-grain American Whitetail soft-point load, for example, managed 1,551 feet per second out of the Model 350 as compared to 2,200 feet per second from a rifle barrel. I have a contender pistol in 357 maximum and love it, but if the 350 legend had been available when I bought it I might have gone that route. In closer quarters situations an even shorter barrel is advantageous, and when under 100 yards, the accuracy loss isnt noticeable at all. Both can handle good, 180-grain hunting bullets, but the 350 can handle them much better. Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. The best barre length for a 44 Magnum revolver is 6 for a good balance between weight and muzzle velocity. Most commonly Short barreled rifles have barrel lengths between 7 and 16 inches with the most popular barrel length being 11.5 inches or 9 inches depending on caliber used. And actually, I've always maintained that if I had to choose a .357 Magnum or a .44 in a rifle, I'd choose .357 every-time. WebThe 350 Legend is arguably over twice as effective on deer-sized game than a rifle chambered in .357 Magnum. This is a 150gr copper bullet with a ballistic coefficient G1 of .320 at 2450fps from my 20" barreled rifle with very little recoil, an honest 300+ yard deer round. The reason has nothing to do with modern ballistics: Its all about the law.