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Posted: 12/5/2022 8:15:57 PM EDT
Been thinking of a new deer rifle and interested in these two. Will be shooting under 100 yards in woodsy brush a mix between stand hunting and deer drives. Probably won't be suppressed and all ammo will be handloads. I want something lighter to carry than my marlin 45/70. Been leaning towards 350 but bullet selection seems sparse, it does need .355" only right?
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Posted: 12/5/2022 8:37:07 PM EDT
[#1]
350 Legend is more than enough gun under 100 yards. Less recoil and cheaper to shoot. I recently picked up a CVA Cascade 18" barrel and this was the first group with factory loads.
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Posted: 12/5/2022 10:29:29 PM EDT
[#2]
450...been hunting with a ruger american for a while. Shoots MOA out to 200 yds. Get the 22 inch bbl. One shot stops on nearly every deer Ive shot.
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Posted: 12/5/2022 11:02:45 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Arty8: 450...been hunting with a ruger american for a while. Shoots MOA out to 200 yds. Get the 22 inch bbl. One shot stops on nearly every deer Ive shot. I've read about heavy recoil from the 450 but I'm assuming it's guys not used big bore rifles, it can't be too bad. |
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Posted: 12/6/2022 4:28:27 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By crawej21: I've read about heavy recoil from the 450 but I'm assuming it's guys not used big bore rifles, it can't be too bad. the recoil is about like a 20 guage....not that bad. |
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Posted: 12/6/2022 5:21:20 PM EDT
[#5]
Honestly can't go wrong with either.
I went 350 for the cheaper projectiles and brass. Most of my hunting is under 100 yards as well. 350 to me out of my AR feels like a stout 5.56 load...aka nothing. |
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Posted: 12/7/2022 12:18:47 PM EDT
[#6]
I've got both. The 450 strikes like lightning hit them. I practice out to 275 yards with my AR 450 and a custom elevation turret.
I consider the 350 a 150 yards or less option. If you're recoil sensitive the 350 is a better option. 450 in a bolt gun with a brake on the end is no big deal really. |
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Posted: 12/7/2022 7:49:12 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By explodingvarmints: I've got both. The 450 strikes like lightning hit them. I practice out to 275 yards with my AR 450 and a custom elevation turret. I consider the 350 a 150 yards or less option. If you're recoil sensitive the 350 is a better option. 450 in a bolt gun with a brake on the end is no big deal really. Thanks. My current setup is a 25-06 bolt gun and a marlin 45/70. Just looking for something to slot in between I love the 45/70 but that's a heavy pig to carry on deer drives. A full day of making drives is like 10 miles of walking. The other consideration is my son is almost 8 and could start hunting soon, but the 25-06 might be ok for him |
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Posted: 12/8/2022 12:58:48 AM EDT
[#8]
I've owned one 350 (Ruger GSR), and 3 different 450s (Ruger GST *current gun*, Bergara B14 HMR, and a Ruger No. 1).
Never shot anything with the 350. I agree 100% with explodingvarmints that it's a 150 yards or less round. I didn't feel confident with it beyond 150 yards so I sold it. All of my 450s are hammers. I shot my Bergara out to 220 yards and it was shooting sub-MOA. You should be able to get out to 300 yards with the 450. Furthest I've shot a deer with it was 170 yards and it dropped and was DRT. Most shots I double lung them with the 450 and they run about 40 yards leaving a great blood trail then they drop. I always shot Hornady 250gr FTX out of my 450s, but this year I switched to Barnes 250gr TSX and those rounds are like Thor's hammer. Shot two bucks with them and they did a great job. |
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OH, USA
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Posted: 12/22/2022 2:15:01 PM EDT
[#9]
You indicate you have the 25-06.
Unless you are restricted to a straight wall cartridge, I wouldn't even remotely consider either the 450 or 350. Bottleneck all the way. Being from Ohio, I'm stuck with the St. wall cart., I went with the 350L. 170gr SP @ 2250. If a shot presented its self at 200 yards, I'd try it. the load combo has more energy at 200 yds than a 357 mag at 50. |
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Posted: 12/22/2022 2:47:29 PM EDT
[#10]
I shot a doe at just under 200 yards with a 350. She ran 50 yards and dropped.
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Posted: 12/22/2022 11:03:51 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By basicone: You indicate you have the 25-06. Unless you are restricted to a straight wall cartridge, I wouldn't even remotely consider either the 450 or 350. Bottleneck all the way. Being from Ohio, I'm stuck with the St. wall cart., I went with the 350L. 170gr SP @ 2250. If a shot presented its self at 200 yards, I'd try it. the load combo has more energy at 200 yds than a 357 mag at 50. No restrictions for me, I just like to be different. I rarely shoot over 100 yards and the Marlin 45-70 just gets too heavy to walk with all day. |
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Posted: 12/23/2022 7:53:23 AM EDT
[#12]
I have a 450BM in AR platform, I load the Barnes 200gn solid copper @2400fps. I'm a fan of the copper bullets especially in this caliber, bullet choice is critical with the speeds the 450 can produce. Lots of folks like the 275gn Barnes if your trying to replace the 45/70 it seems like the way to go.
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OH, USA
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Posted: 12/23/2022 8:04:49 AM EDT
[#13]
I like my 450. I know a lot of guys that hunt with it and have seen a fair number of deer drop like a sack of potatoes after being hit in the breadbasket. I will say that my rifle (scoped heavy barrel ar15) is a bit of a pig when compared to my 45 Colt Rossi 92, which is my favorite brush gun.
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Posted: 2/8/2023 11:35:28 PM EDT
[#14]
Just between those two, I may edge towards the 350 to make a nice gun for your son, but I wouldn't give up the bottle neck cartridge. I'm stuck with straight wall because I have to be.
If recoil isn't a concern, nothing wrong with the 450, I love mine. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ScottyPotty: I have a 450BM in AR platform, I load the Barnes 200gn solid copper @2400fps. I'm a fan of the copper bullets especially in this caliber, bullet choice is critical with the speeds the 450 can produce. Lots of folks like the 275gn Barnes if your trying to replace the 45/70 it seems like the way to go. @ScottyPotty I love the Barnes 200gr, and I rarely see anyone else choose that over the 275. I like the flatter trajectory and I'm 3/3 on one shot kills with the rifle. Mine are flying at 2,715fps though  |
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OH, USA
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Posted: 2/19/2023 11:15:41 PM EDT
[#15]
It’s the same as the old 12GA vs 20GA arguments when it came to slug guns. Both are quite adequate. One shoots heavier projectiles with more blast. The other shoots flatter with less recoil. With slug guns there was a good bit of difference in heft between the 2. In rifles that difference is negligible. Having used both I prefer the 350 for the simple fact it’s easier to get back on target quicker. It’s also cheaper to shoot so that means more practice which is never a bad thing.
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Posted: 11/14/2023 6:45:10 PM EDT
[#16]
I see more 450 hunting ammo in stock at walmart, dunhams and sportsmans warehouse
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Posted: 11/14/2023 9:58:50 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By doc_Zox: I see more 450 hunting ammo in stock at walmart, dunhams and sportsmans warehouse There's more 350 here than 450,30/30 and 30/06 combined. I'm also interested, because I need another cartridge to reload for.  350 seems like a fun caliber. |
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Posted: 11/16/2023 7:42:51 PM EDT
[Last Edit: ScottyPotty]
[#18]
I picked up a CVA cascade this year in 350L. I've been using shotguns and large bore rifles for deer hunting my whole life. I wanted a bolt gun that felt like a real hunting rifle.
I'm going to try the maker 150gn solid copper bullets, Im loading them at 2600fps and 1" @ 100yards. I put a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36 scope and am ready for our gun season here in a few weeks. It will be interesting to see how the 350L does, it's certainly easy on the shoulder. |
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Posted: 11/16/2023 8:37:59 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ScottyPotty: I picked up a CVA cascade this year in 350L. I've been using shotguns and large bore rifles for deer hunting my whole life. I wanted a bolt gun that felt like a real hunting rifle. I'm going to try the maker 150gn solid copper bullets, Im loading them at 2600fps and 1" @ 100yards. I put a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36 scope and am ready for our gun season here in a few weeks. It will be interesting to see how the 350L does, it's certainly easy on the shoulder. |
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IL, USA
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Posted: 11/18/2023 9:24:27 AM EDT
[Last Edit: bosman1]
[#20]
After loosing two nice bucks with the 350L, I’m done with that caliber.
Buck #1. 15 yard shot, winchester 150gr out of a 7.5” barrel. Good blood for first 20 yards, then tiny droplets to nothing after 100 yards. Buck #2. Same stand, three years later, same exact 15 yd shot. This time a 16” barrel and 180 gr winchester. No blood at all for first 60 yds, then a few spatters then a drop here and there, then nothing for @ 200 yds. Guess I am going back to the 12g, or diving into 450Bushmaster world. Unfortunately in this state I can no longer purchase any AR related parts so bolt action it is. Eta: both shots were hit broadside behind the shoulder, never had problems with 12gauge or crossbow. |
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Posted: 11/18/2023 10:31:56 AM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bosman1: After loosing two nice bucks with the 350L, I'm done with that caliber. Buck #1. 15 yard shot, winchester 150gr out of a 7.5" barrel. Good blood for first 20 yards, then tiny droplets to nothing after 100 yards. Buck #2. Same stand, three years later, same exact 15 yd shot. This time a 16" barrel and 180 gr winchester. No blood at all for first 60 yds, then a few spatters then a drop here and there, then nothing for @ 200 yds. Guess I am going back to the 12g, or diving into 450Bushmaster world. Unfortunately in this state I can no longer purchase any AR related parts so bolt action it is. |
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Posted: 11/22/2023 11:39:11 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By SouthernGunHand: I'm sorry to tell you, but if you can't make a clean kill at 15 yards it might be the Indian and not the arrow. Shot placement. Yeah. My uncle uses a 350 Legend and shot a nice buck at 170 yards this year with it and it ran 40 yards and collapsed. Last year he shot another buck and it was DRT at 75 yards. |
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Posted: 11/23/2023 1:16:26 PM EDT
[#23]
RURAL KING
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USA
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Posted: 11/25/2023 10:36:09 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bosman1: After loosing two nice bucks with the 350L, I’m done with that caliber. Buck #1. 15 yard shot, winchester 150gr out of a 7.5” barrel. Good blood for first 20 yards, then tiny droplets to nothing after 100 yards. Buck #2. Same stand, three years later, same exact 15 yd shot. This time a 16” barrel and 180 gr winchester. No blood at all for first 60 yds, then a few spatters then a drop here and there, then nothing for @ 200 yds. Guess I am going back to the 12g, or diving into 450Bushmaster world. Unfortunately in this state I can no longer purchase any AR related parts so bolt action it is. None of this math makes sense with almost any hunting caliber. |
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Posted: 11/25/2023 10:51:38 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By crawej21: No restrictions for me, I just like to be different. I rarely shoot over 100 yards and the Marlin 45-70 just gets too heavy to walk with all day. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By crawej21: Originally Posted By basicone: You indicate you have the 25-06. Unless you are restricted to a straight wall cartridge, I wouldn't even remotely consider either the 450 or 350. Bottleneck all the way. Being from Ohio, I'm stuck with the St. wall cart., I went with the 350L. 170gr SP @ 2250. If a shot presented its self at 200 yards, I'd try it. the load combo has more energy at 200 yds than a 357 mag at 50. No restrictions for me, I just like to be different. I rarely shoot over 100 yards and the Marlin 45-70 just gets too heavy to walk with all day. Since you don't have caliber restrictions I'd go .308. You can drop them as far as you're capable of shooting. And it ought to be more compact than your .25-06. Assuming you don't do something like buy an M24. |
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Posted: 11/25/2023 11:18:06 PM EDT
[#26]
I chose .450. I have a bean field I hunt over which is a little over 200 yards. That was the difference for the most part. I have purposely built an AR to be as heavy as possible to mitigate the recoil. Still haven't shot it yet, but I doubt the recoil will be an issue at all.
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USA
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Posted: 11/26/2023 6:30:39 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By killingmachine123: I chose .450. I have a bean field I hunt over which is a little over 200 yards. That was the difference for the most part. I have purposely built an AR to be as heavy as possible to mitigate the recoil. Still haven't shot it yet, but I doubt the recoil will be an issue at all. I have the Ruger American ranch in 450 BM and don’t notice the recoil when shooting. You’ll be fine. |
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Posted: 11/28/2023 5:14:40 AM EDT
[#28]
The one benefit I've found with the .350 Legend, ammo is a lot easier to find and considerably cheaper.
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OH, USA
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Posted: 12/6/2023 1:57:20 PM EDT
[#29]
My son and I have two kills so far with the 350.
Mine was a doe at 20 yards, high lung hit, she dropped in her tracks. DRT My son hit one at 120 yards, clean pass thru, lungs were shredded top of the heart nicked. The buck went about 20 yards and fell over dead. Never shot the 450.. 170gr Hornady SP over Lil' Gun @ 2250 fps. |
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NC, USA
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Posted: 12/6/2023 5:30:31 PM EDT
[#30]
I have used a Ruger American Go Wild 350L the last 3 years. I have taken 3(by choice) medium sized bucks with it. One was at 25-30 yards, he walked about 15 feet and dropped, the other 2 were at 100 yards. One dropped right away and the other went about 20 yards and crumpled. I am shooting suppressed 150gr Winchester Deer Season XP. I actually bought a 2nd 350L Ruger American but I got the compact with a 16” barrel. Just to make it easier to carry and maneuver in the stand. For 150 yards or less it’s a great round with minimal recoil. Unless something drastic changes, I think it is going to be the one I use from here on out. I’m not a fan of the 5 round magazine sticking out the bottom though.
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NY, USA
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Posted: 12/6/2023 6:43:13 PM EDT
[#31]
I'm a huge fan of selecting exactly the right bullet for the application. I actually believe Bullet is more important than cartridge...
I am NOT a fan of 450 Bushmaster. Yes, there are 45 cal bullets on the market, but most are intended for higher speeds than the 450 can usually generate. Its kind of like the 338 Federal problem: There are 338 bullets, but most of them are intended for 338 Mag speeds, not 338 Federal speeds. You CAN load bullets, but most dont expand or perform well. There are damned few bullets that are expressly designed for 450 Bushmaster applications, and if you can find any, they are PRICEY. I suspect 450 Bushmaster is going to end up something like 338 Federal or 450 Marlin... Rare, hard to find, and damned expensive... Hornady's 452 diameter bullet is something like $35 for a box of 50.... 350 Legend isn't exactly at 556 or 308 popularity levels, but its much more accessible than 450. And you have a huge advantage: The bullets used in the 350 are pretty much dialed in for 350 speeds. While there aren't tons of specific bullets for this cartridge, I expect you will see more of them. Currently, Winchester and Hornady (and some smaller makers) sell bullets expressly for the 350.... And they are half the price of 450 bullets, run-in g about $33/box of 100. While I would NOT hunt deer with them I expect you could get adequate plinking use out of heavy for caliber 9mm pistol bullets too..... I rarely ever see 450 on the shelf. For whatever reason, I can readily find 350 on the shelves in almost any store that sell ammo. Availability is a plus. |
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Posted: 12/18/2023 6:27:03 AM EDT
[Last Edit: shotar]
[#32]
To revive an older thread, I now have my first 350 legend kill out of my Savage Axis. Ammo is hornady American white tail 170gr.
60yd doe, heart lung shot. The deer bucked went about 10yds, and dropped dead right on the trail for easy recovery. I will likely not reload for this caliber as I'm getting about 1.5moa with factory ammo. This is more than adequate on deer out to 200. I will likely not fire more than 5 rds a year out of this rifle. If I buy 5 boxes of ammo, it will cost less than setting up for loading it, and likely last me until I'm too old and broken to trapse around the deer woods. |
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Posted: 12/18/2023 7:11:56 AM EDT
[#33]
I am NOT a fan of 450 Bushmaster. Yes, there are 45 cal bullets on the market, but most are intended for higher speeds than the 450 can usually generate. Its kind of like the 338 Federal problem: There are 338 bullets, but most of them are intended for 338 Mag speeds, not 338 Federal speeds. You CAN load bullets, but most dont expand or perform well. There are damned few bullets that are expressly designed for 450 Bushmaster applications, and if you can find any, they are PRICEY. The .458 SOCOM uses .458 diameter bullets, same as .45-70 and .458 Win Mag...a lot of those bullets are problematic for SOCOM velocities. |
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Posted: 12/18/2023 8:40:24 AM EDT
[#34]
I know this isn't one of your choices OP, But have you considered an AR in 300 BO?
Either a 10.5" pistol/SBR or a 16" pencil barrel with 110gr TacTX would make a great drive gun. Put a red dot & Magnifier/3x prism/ LPVO and you are set to 100 Yards |
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Posted: 12/18/2023 11:44:23 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Jason280: I believe you are mistaking the .450 Bushmaster with the .458 SOCOM. The .450 Bushmaster uses .452 diameter bullets, same as .45 ACP & .45 Colt....meaning there is absolutely no shortage of bullets that will work in the Bushmaster. In fact, the problem is the opposite of what you suggest, you have to use choose .452 bullets that will stand up to Bushmaster velocities. Good thing is, there are a lot of good bullets that work well with hot .45 Colt loads that also do well in the Bushmaster (plus you have the option of the 395gr subsonic stuff). The .458 SOCOM uses .458 diameter bullets, same as .45-70 and .458 Win Mag...a lot of those bullets are problematic for SOCOM velocities. This 100% Here in Michigan pretty much every gun shop has 450 Bushmaster ammo, and among everyone I know it's way more common use than 350 Legend. The only person I know of that uses a 350L uses it because he had shoulder surgery and doesn't like to shoot big boomers. |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 12/18/2023 12:00:59 PM EDT
[#36]
Split the difference, 400 legend!
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Posted: 12/21/2023 9:07:13 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jrtatonka: Split the difference, 400 legend! I thought about this, but for the expense, is it going to produce better results than the 350? DRT is DRT. |
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Posted: 1/1/2024 3:46:09 AM EDT
[#38]
While I have no experience with the 450 bushmaster, here's three real world examples of what the 350 Legend is capable of.
My BIL shot a gigantic 22pt buck last season with a 350 Legend at about 100 yards. It dropped where it stood. This season I shot two does at about 70 yards with my 350 Legend. Both dropped where they stood. It's all about shot placement. |
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