Has anyone had a chance to play with this cartridge? On line reviews sound pretty good. Good hog medicine with 180 grain bullet. Seems like an easy build on a Savage action with an existing 223 bolt head, requires only a barrel change.
Has anyone had a chance to play with this cartridge? On line reviews sound pretty good. Good hog medicine with 180 grain bullet. Seems like an easy build on a Savage action with an existing 223 bolt head, requires only a barrel change.
Vietnam Vet, Jun 66 - Dec 67
Haven't played with it at all personally, but supposedly Savage has plans to offer it in a few models that will probably be announced for 2020. One thing that still baffles me with this cartridge is why they (Winchester) opted for the 9mm groove diameter (0.355") rather than a standard .35 caliber groove diameter (0.357") on the SAAMI reamer print. This also amounts in the bore diameter being about 0.003" smaller in diameter than a standard .35cal bore (0.346 v. 0.349").
Based on some reading I've done around the web more than a few folks have run into chambering issues when loading .358" diameter rifle bullets where they can't get the bolt fully closed due either to lack of freebore or the lead-in angle.
"Life' is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid." ~ John Wayne
“Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” —Mark Twain
Good to know. That kinda puts a damper on me building one. Not a lot of good 9mm bullet choices for loading that cartridge. No way I want a build that I'm forced to use factory ammunition or load "pistol" bullets.Originally Posted by J.Baker
Vietnam Vet, Jun 66 - Dec 67
2.5 years ago I had an AR barrel made for what was called a 357 AR back then. I spec'ed a .358 1:14 twist barrel. The only problem I have is trying to find 180 gr bullets. Speer makes a good one for plinking, but I have never liked Speers for terminal performance. Hornady discontinued their Single Shot Pistol bullet and those that thought ahead and hoarded them are selling their stash now at a very nice premium. 200 gr bullets will work but have to be seated rather deeply. In a bolt gun you won't have to seat them so deep and can use a more blunt nose bullet.
I use 357 Max load data but I never chrono-ed it
I probably should have elaborated a little more in my previous post.
From my limited understanding (remember, I've only done a little reading on this and am by no means an expert on the cartridge), it seems initially there was a slight difference in the cartridge specs and the reamer specs. If you look at the drawings in the link I provided you will notice that the SAAMI spec was issued on 1/21/2019 and then revised on 4/9/2019. I'm not sure what was revised though.
As far as I can tell, all the factory loads are using .357" diameter bullets. Winchester has made available their 145gr FMJ bullets and 180gr Power-Point bullets for reloaders, which are .357" diameter. Most of the .35cal rifle bullets (.358" dia.) are 200gr and up in weight which may also require a faster twist rate. Given the .350 Legend essentially runs out of gas at around 250 yards with the 180-grain and down bullets, I really doubt you'd see much benefit from the heavier bullets.
What I would recommend is 1) do as much reading as you can online, and 2) talk to a couple different barrel makers offering this chambering and let them know you wand to be able to shoot .358" rifle bullets so they can best advise you. There should be a decent amount of information out there from actual owners and reloaders of this round to help you make a more informed decision.
Things like this are generally why I don't rush out to jump on the bandwagon when new cartridges come out. I like to let everyone else be the guinea pigs for the first year or two to iron out the kinks. It also lets me get a good feel on whether or not it's going to be a lasting cartridge or just a flash in the pan that fades fast after the novelty of it being new wears off.
"Life' is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid." ~ John Wayne
“Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” —Mark Twain
The Legend isn't a total "no go" at this point. I plan on discussing a barrel with X-Caliber and will mention what you suggested. I have been reading all I can find on the internet and will continue to search.
Vietnam Vet, Jun 66 - Dec 67
Winchester bullets thus far have been micing at .355" diameter. I pulled and measured the 145 FMJs myself and a friend of mine measure a couple 180gr power-points. All we're at .355"
As to the issue with using .358 diameter bullets, it appears PTG has addressed that with a custom reamer; "358-AR Chamber Reamer (350 Legend necked up for 358 bullets)"
The only issue with .358” bullets is with Winchester brass. The neck thickness is .013” but with stat line brass it is .011”. I reload speer 180 hotcors that I run through a lee .356” sizing die and have zero chambering issues in my x-caliber barrel. I also load fury 180s and they shoot less than half MOA out to 350 yards at an average of 2365fps. It is a fun and very accurate cartridge.
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What stock is that?The only issue with .358” bullets is with Winchester brass. The neck thickness is .013” but with stat line brass it is .011”. I reload speer 180 hotcors that I run through a lee .356” sizing die and have zero chambering issues in my x-caliber barrel. I also load fury 180s and they shoot less than half MOA out to 350 yards at an average of 2365fps. It is a fun and very accurate cartridge.
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The reason for the 0.355" bullets was they needed a taper in the case to aid in extraction. Also the reason for the larger web for the rebated rim.
And ALL bullets that are factory loaded are 0.355" Win and Federal and Hornady. That was the way it is designed. Saami spec allows for a 0.003" +- tolerance. So that is the reason they are allowed in most states that have a straight wall only cartridge rule for deer hunting.
I am using several lead bullets and having some good and bad. Lilgun powder which seems like everyone is using is a very unstable powder just like H110 is. They go from a nice round primer to blown in a .5gr increase. I am getting right at 1.25" at 100yds with the Lee 200gr bullet. I am going to be using different powders as I do not like how lilgun behaves. 5744 in the next range trip.
And this is in a AR platform. 16" BCA barrel. Spikes upper. Toolcraft BCG.
i think ill stay with 375 winchester or 38-55 winchester. i had a savage model 170 pump rifle in 30-30 rechambered and bored to 375 winchester. it shoots sierra 200gr pointed flat points at 2350 FPS at just under an inch all day long. which brings me to my biggest concern with the 350 legend ??? no crimp on the bullet and head spacing a rifle bullet on the case mouth- come on this is a rifle caliber. they need to print in large lettering "NOT FOR GUNS WITH TUBE MAGAZINES PERIOD" i can guarantee someone will try to make it work in a lever gun.
ever seen what happens when someone lets their brass get too long on an acp pistol case???? it crimps the whole thing in the chamber at the rifling. most times you get a hard kick from the over pressure, but i have seen it crack the locking lugs on 1911's, think what will happen with a rifle caliber?? i think we should pressure the DNR's to approve the 35 remington. its been doing it since 1908 and it handles bigger bullets too. it has just enough shoulder to headspace on literally. wheel was invented on this one a long time ago we need to let our voices be heard. explain to them that the 45/70 gov is a 1,000 yard target round!!!!
SB
next to 45/70
savage 170
What bottom metal and mag did you use? I am looking to take a top bolt release Model 10 and put on an X-Caliper barrel and was wondering how to feed the sucker
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