Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 42

Thread: 350 Legend Cartridge

  1. #1
    Team Savage GaCop's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Warner Robins, Ga
    Age
    77
    Posts
    4,985

    350 Legend Cartridge


    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

  2. #2
    Administrator J.Baker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Age
    49
    Posts
    6,410
    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

  3. #3
    Team Savage GaCop's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Warner Robins, Ga
    Age
    77
    Posts
    4,985
    Quote Originally Posted by J.Baker View Post
    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.
    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.
    Vietnam Vet, Jun 66 - Dec 67

  4. #4
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Wyotana
    Age
    43
    Posts
    179
    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

  5. #5
    Administrator J.Baker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Age
    49
    Posts
    6,410
    Quote Originally Posted by GaCop View Post
    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.
    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

  6. #6
    Team Savage GaCop's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Warner Robins, Ga
    Age
    77
    Posts
    4,985
    Quote Originally Posted by J.Baker View Post
    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.
    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

  7. #7
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    13
    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"

  8. #8
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Posts
    13
    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)"

  9. #9
    Team Savage GaCop's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Warner Robins, Ga
    Age
    77
    Posts
    4,985
    [QUOTE=Crazy888;459499]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)"[/QUOTE

    Good to know, thanks.
    Vietnam Vet, Jun 66 - Dec 67

  10. #10
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Age
    39
    Posts
    41

    350 Legend Cartridge

    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.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  11. #11
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Buckeye
    Posts
    54
    Quote Originally Posted by steve101610 View Post
    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.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    What stock is that?
    www.thescarletsea.org - stories from in between my ears.

  12. #12
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Age
    39
    Posts
    41
    Quote Originally Posted by micky_blue View Post
    What stock is that?
    McMillan A-5


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  13. #13
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    324
    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.

  14. #14
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31
    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

  15. #15
    Team Savage
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Age
    73
    Posts
    606
    The 350 is a "rimless" 357 Max.. Use the same reloading info. It is a good 200 yard deer rifle. I have had good luck with the 140 Hornady Flex tip bullet and it shoots MOA. Granddaughter has taken a half dozen deer and 2 coyotes with it.

    Bill

  16. #16
    Administrator J.Baker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Age
    49
    Posts
    6,410
    Quote Originally Posted by Savagebrother View Post
    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
    I think what happened here was in such a rush to get the .350 Legend to market that they really didn't think things through very well. Looking at the design and decisions made just raises more questions than answers when trying to understand why they made it the way they did.

    1. Why .355" bullets and bore spec's? It's a rifle cartridge, use .358" rifle bullet diam. and bore specs to maximize selection of existing bullets. Instead we now have a very limited number of bullet options that aren't pistol bullets.

    2. Why didn't they make it a belted case rather than relying on headspacing off the case mouth? Belted straight wall cases like the .450 Marlin are legal here in Ohio, and I assume it is in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa as well (or could easily be made legal by adding them to the list of allowed cartridges with a little pressure from hunters and the industry).

    I have requested a new 110 Hog Hunter in .350 Legend to review and hope to receive it in the next week or so with any luck (want to have the review up by Nov 1st if possible since firearms season opens mid-November in a couple states). What I'm most interested in is seeing what they did for a magazine and how well it feeds as feeding seems to be Savage's Achilles Heel lately when introducing new cartridges (.450 Bushmaster and .224 Valkyrie to name a few examples).


    Regarding the .375 Win.: Who do we have to bribe or kill to get Hornady to bring back the .225gr SP bullets? I've eyeballed the newer 250gr GMX bullets, but being a solid I just don't know how they'd expand on deer sized game at .375 Win velocities. The .430 B.C. of the GMX would be nice to have though.
    "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

  17. #17
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31
    J.Baker, i agree, but i think the lack of bullets in 375 Winchester is because it fell by the weigh side was lack of users. it came out at a bad time and the confusion over it and the 38-55 win helped send it to the back burner. now jump ahead to recent times and people find that stiff 45/70 loads hurt to shoot during long range times. now everyone's looking for easy on the shoulder cartridges. also finding out that the 38-55 was/is a target cartridge capable of great accuracy. so here we arrive at 375 win which is a souped up 38-55!!! much faster and retains the former's accuracy, and is so much easier on the shoulder. biggest plus it shoots much heavier bullets, especially cast bullets, 250grs all the way up to 330gr monsters!! so these cartridges can handle anything in the usa and there's plenty of brass and i think these will get more popular as time goes by which i hope will bring out more bullets in these.
    SB

  18. #18
    Team Savage GaCop's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Warner Robins, Ga
    Age
    77
    Posts
    4,985
    I picked up 6 empty 350 Legend cases at the club range yesterday. When I got home, I tried sliding a .357 bullet into the case, no go. Next tried a 9mm bullet and it was very hard to push that bullet into the case? I don't know what rifle these cases were fired in but they sure are tight!
    Vietnam Vet, Jun 66 - Dec 67

  19. #19
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Age
    65
    Posts
    31
    Thread Starter, you said it right when it comes to the 350 legend - i don't know???????
    SB

  20. #20
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    324
    The bore specs are the same when it comes to 9mm and 357mag/38spec. .355/.346 They all use the same bore dimensions. The throat and chamber is where the difference lies. They all use the same bore an groove.

  21. #21
    Basic Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    3,356
    No....they are not. It might say that on paper with SAAMI specs, but I will GUARANTEE if you measure and slug bores in any current production handgun, they are not the same.
    "As long as there's lead in the air....there's still hope.."

  22. #22
    Administrator J.Baker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Age
    49
    Posts
    6,410
    Picked up two different types of Winchester factory ammo at the gun show yesterday, the 150gr Extreme Point and the 180gr Power Point. The 150gr bullets measure 0.350" and the loaded case mouth diameter is 0.376". The 180gr bullets measure 0.352" and the loaded case mouth diameter is 0.377".
    "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

  23. #23
    Administrator J.Baker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Age
    49
    Posts
    6,410
    Looks like PT&G has a custom reamer now available for wanting a .350 Legend that can shoot the more plentiful .358 bullets. For copyright/tradename reasons they had to call this quasi-wildcat the .358-AR rather than the .358 Legend.

    http://pacifictoolandgauge.com/18931...er-reamer.html


    Here's a video of a guy that build one up on an Axis using a Black Hole Weaponry .358" caliber 1-11" twist barrel chambered with this reamer. As you'll see, going this route with the larger bore diameter and slightly different chamber cut the accuracy goes to hell with factory ammo using .355" bullets. As such, pick your poison - factory loads or handloads as you aren't going to be able to have it both ways with .358" bullets.

    "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

  24. #24
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Suburb of Filthadelphia.
    Age
    45
    Posts
    5,724
    To me, it’s a bit* more powerful 30 Carbine.

    Its ok..But it’s not creating anything new! Just a slightly different way of doing the same thing. But if you are interested, go for it! There are certainly worse cartridges. Just believe there are much better.

  25. #25
    Administrator J.Baker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    NW Ohio
    Age
    49
    Posts
    6,410
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Hoback View Post
    To me, it’s a bit* more powerful 30 Carbine.

    Its ok..But it’s not creating anything new! Just a slightly different way of doing the same thing. But if you are interested, go for it! There are certainly worse cartridges. Just believe there are much better.
    Lots of better cartridges, but most of them aren't legal for deer hunting in many of the midwest states so it serves a purpose - especially for those who don't want to build a custom, don't reload, and/or don't want a gun that kills from both ends when you pull the trigger. Also, most of the legal straight wall cartridges are rimmed and won't feed worth a hoot in a bolt gun so you're limited to lever guns which don't typically offer the same level of accuracy.

    I already have my .375 Win that I've hunted with the past few years which is plenty accurate and does the job out to 100 yards give or take so I'm not really in the market myself. I'm just putting the info out there for those who may be interested so they can make a more informed decision on whether or not it will suit their needs. Not everyone cares if it's the fastest or flattest shooting option out there or delivers the most energy on target, they just want something that will reliably get the job done without breaking the bank. I see it as a great cartridge option for young hunters and women who don't want to deal with a lot of recoil, and in terms of ballistics it's a noticeable improvement over it's closest standardized alternative that's readily available in off-the-shelf rifles, the .357 Magnum. Definitely worlds better than any slug gun as well.

    If it proves to perform good on deer at reasonable distances (which from what I've seen/read thus far it seems to do) it will be popular here in the straight wall states, but I don't see it ever being a big seller anywhere else. Talking to a few local dealers they've been selling the crap out of them around here so clearly not everyone shares your view.
    "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

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 350 legend build
    By steve101610 in forum 110-Series Rifles
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 07-12-2019, 05:01 PM
  2. 350 LEGEND in a Striker?
    By durango in forum Bolt Action, Falling Block & Rotary Breech Pistols
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-08-2019, 02:53 PM
  3. Winchester's new .350 Legend
    By J.Baker in forum Ammunition & Reloading
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 01-26-2019, 12:13 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •