The 350 Legend is a straight walled rifle cartridge that fires a .35 caliber (9mm) projectile. Projectile weights range from about 140 grains to 180 grains, with some outliers on either end.
The cartridge was introduced by Winchester at the 2019 SHOT Show, in partnership with CMMG, who manufactured the first rifle for the new cartridge. Our team was actually out at the presentation CMMG put on when they announced this new “Resolute” AR-15.
Here is a video from our coverage:
Since then other gun manufacturers have stepped up to the plate to make rifles for it, Ruger being one of them.
The 350 Legend is primarily a hunting cartridge that is meant to aid hunters who wish to use a modern sporting rifle (MSR) like the AR-15, but have restrictions on the caliber they can use.
It was touted as being the fastest straight walled cartridge out on the market when it was released, though that is certainly a stretch because there are others that are faster. 444 Marlin is one that comes immediately to mind.
Though, a 35 caliber projectile is a good option for deer hunting that comes at a lower recoil than cartridges like the above mentioned 444 Marlin.
350 Legend Ballistics Charts:
The following 350 Legend Ballistics Chart is for Federal Fusion, 160 grain soft point with a ballistic coefficient of .259.
| Muzzle | 100 YDS | 200 YDS | 300 YDS | |
| Velocity (FPS) | 2,300 | 1,993 | 1,712 | 1,463 |
| Energy (FT/LB) | 1,879 | 1,411 | 1,041 | 760 |
| Drop (Inches) | 0.2 | 0 | -7.3 | -26.6 |
This next 350 Legend Ballistics chart is for Hornady 170 Grain InterLock American Whitetail with a ballistic coefficient of .215.
| Muzzle | 100 YDS | 200 YDS | 300 YDS | |
| Velocity (FPS) | 2,200 | 1,843 | 1,529 | 1,271 |
| Energy (FT/LB) | 1,827 | 1,281 | 882 | 609 |
| Drop (Inches) | -1.5 | 4.5 | 0 | -19.4 |
This next 350 Legend Ballistics chart is for Winchester Deer Season Copper Impact, 150 grain projectiles.
| Muzzle | 100 YDS | 200 YDS | 300 YDS | |
| Velocity (FPS) | 2,260 | 1,909 | 1,595 | 1,332 |
| Energy (FT/LB) | 1,701 | 1,213 | 848 | 590 |
| Drop (Inches) | -1.5 | 0 | -8.2 | -30.1 |
350 Legend Uses:
The 350 Legend is essentially a hunting cartridge for those who have restrictions on the type of ammunition that they can use, but who want to use an AR-15 to hunt.
The AR-15 is one of the most popular hunting rifles, despite what any politicians or media professionals state.
I don’t claim to know the laws in all 50 states, but suffice it to say that if you’re a hunter you should know the laws in the state you’re in.
What is the 350 Legend comparable to?
The 350 Legend is probably most comparable to the 35 Remington, which is a much older cartridge, that is much more capable. In fact, the 35 Remington is rated for big game with certain loads and is effective to further distances.
I once had a 336 Marlin in my possession chambered in 35 Remington, though that was nearly a decade ago. Still, the 35 Remington shows much better ballistics in terms of terminal energy and velocity, even though it is not a straight walled cartridge and serves a different purpose.
The 35 Remington is also not capable of being fired in any modern sporting rifles like the AR-15, at least not that I know of. But, I don’t claim to know all guns that ever existed.
If I’m wrong on this please correct me in the comments section, below.
Conclusion:
The 350 Legend is a decent cartridge for hunting where a straight walled cartridge is needed. Though, it may be a legend in its own mind, it does fill a gap.
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