350 Legend

[roymunson]

In Ohio, during firearms season, we're allowed to use shotguns, muzzle loaders, or straightwall cartridged rifles.

I have a single shot H&R 20 gauge that I love. Thumbhole stock, bull barrel, dead nuts at 100 yards. Its a darn good gun.

That said, I have some kids starting to get into hunting, and while I don't know much about different rifles and their merits, I was essentially told the 350 legend is a 223 without the necked cartridge. Recoil is low, and with kids starting to get into it, that's an intriguing option.

I don't shoot much past 100 yards with my 20 gauge. But what's the effective range of the 350? Is it worthwhile? I don't really wanna do a 444 or a 45/70 if I've got kids using it.

Also, keep in mind, I don't need all that much justification to want to buy a new gun.
I hunt with a firearm for deer about 4 days a year, honestly. It's not necessary, but it'd be a "want" buy.

 

[yoderjac]

I can't speak to the 350 legend or a 444 or 45/70, but I can say this. I was getting very close to buying a 20 gauge slug gun. I had been using a Benelli SBE 12 gauge, but after some digging, the right 20 gauge can reach out to 200 yards effectively. I'm also considering getting a smokeless barrel for my TC Encore next year. There is another thread on that. I don't know if smokeless is legal in OH, but it is in VA. That can reach to 300 yards effectively. Just some other options to consider...

Thanks,

Jack

 

[roymunson]

smokeless is legal here. I love my 20 gauge. And i'm pretty sure if I took the time to burn the lead, I could get good out to 200. But am not sure where I'd need that around here.

just thinking maybe I should put the kids on a 350. But I guess if he only shoots it a time or 2, I can wait until he's old enough to handle a 20 gauge. In a year or 2 he'll be fine.

 

[yoderjac]

smokeless is legal here. I love my 20 gauge. And i'm pretty sure if I took the time to burn the lead, I could get good out to 200. But am not sure where I'd need that around here.

just thinking maybe I should put the kids on a 350. But I guess if he only shoots it a time or 2, I can wait until he's old enough to handle a 20 gauge. In a year or 2 he'll be fine.

How about just lightening the load and limiting the range for him. You can find lighter slug rounds that will have less kick. I don't know the ins and outs of muzzle brakes for slug guns, but I know the Howitzer brake I have on the .300 Win Mag makes the kick lighter than a .270. Just something to think about. If he is still too small for a 20 gauge, try a 410 and limit his range even more. I'm not familiar with the non-necked rifle calibers so I can't help there. I will say I have a couple H&R single shot 20 gauge guns I use for kids. The barrels are light enough and they shoot well with lightfield hybrids. There is not a lot of kick.

Thanks,

Jack

 

[roymunson]

He's close to handling it himself. I was probably trying to justify a new guy. but I want him to be able to handle the gun himself when a deer comes in. A lighter load or a muzzle brake may not be a bad idea.

That H&R is a sweet little machine.

 

[roymunson]

H&R 1871 Hunter .20 Gauge (3") Break Open Shotgun with 24" Barrel - 72212 | iAmmo

H&R 72212 SB1-T92 U-Hevy 20ga 24" 3" Laminate Thumbhole Stock BluedThis single shot shotgun comes equipped with a recoil pad, factory installed scope base, sling swivels, nylon sling and a laminated hardwood pistol grip thumbhole stock.

www.iammo.com

This is the guy I hunt with with a 3x9 scope on top.

 

[DJN]

I bought a bolt action 350L last year for my wife. She took a doe at 80 yards, no problems. I shot it a few times when she was getting it dialed in, and was impressed. Light recoil (little more than a .223, but definitely much less than shotgun slugs and muzzleloaders) and very accurate (1” or less at 100 yds with the right setup). I ended up getting a second bolt gun in 350L this summer, as well as my niece getting one after shooting my wife’s. For our hunting setups (shots rarely over 100 yds and in Ohio with you Roy, so straight wall/shotgun/muzzleloader only), it seems to be a perfect caliber. Not getting beat up and plenty of power out to at least 150 yds (energy drops below 1000 ft-lbs around 165 yds).
For a 6” vital, point blank range is 205 yards, with energy around 850 ft-lbs at that range. Ours are zeroed at 125, which keeps us within an inch of aim point from 10 to 145 yards.
Plenty of reason to get a new gun, right Roy?!? Haha

 

[roymunson]

Well, I bought one. May have made a mistake getting the 150 grain bullets instead of the 180s. I think I'll want more rear end in the future, but for now, i'm sighted in a 200 (6" hold over) and I'll just make sure I aim correctly .

On the negative side, the neighbor's son shoulder shot a good buck saturday night and I don't think he fully penetrated the shoulder. They tracked him for 1/2 mile and jumped him. I'm afraid he'll die, but not anytime soon. Word of wisdom is to keep it behind the shoulder. As opposed to the 444 the kid I was sitting with was hunting with Saturday. That'll pin both shoulders and she won't go anywhere.

 

[roymunson]

oh, and I got the CVA Cascade with a vortex 3x9 scope on it.

 

[Telemark]

I think a 150 grain bullet is fine for whitetails.

 

[roymunson]

I think a 150 grain bullet is fine for whitetails.

if placed properly, yes...

But the neighbor saw the buck the youth shot saturday. Hurting bad, but still alive.
Not sure a 180 grain would help, but it wouldn't hurt.

Maybe I shoulda just rolled with a 444 and hammered em

 

[Telemark]

if placed properly, yes...

But the neighbor saw the buck the youth shot saturday. Hurting bad, but still alive.
Not sure a 180 grain would help, but it wouldn't hurt.

Maybe I shoulda just rolled with a 444 and hammered em

Something seems off about the neighbor's story. I suspect the deer was not shot in the middle of the shoulder with the deer standing broadside. Or perhaps he was using the wrong ammo. I'm not experienced with the .350 Legend, but a proper hunting bullet bullet that big going at that speed should go right through both shoulders.

 

[roymunson]

I want to recover the deer for him if it's dead, frustrating thing is how he's hell bent on saying its 100% dead, when we saw it yesterday, and he really wants to go stomp thru our sanctuary looking for the rotted carcass 3 days before gun season. And he's being pretty over the top about it.

It went from "I was sure he was gonna tip over in our field" to "he's dead" then after he's jumped twice he changed his tune again...

We'll see, but ya, it's a tough deal for his 13 year old. I get that, but back to reality, I really like how this gun shoots.

 

[Booner21]

Something seems off about the neighbor's story. I suspect the deer was not shot in the middle of the shoulder with the deer standing broadside. Or perhaps he was using the wrong ammo. I'm not experienced with the .350 Legend, but a proper hunting bullet bullet that big going at that speed should go right through both shoulders.

I agree with this, I have my son shooting a really light load in a smokeless Ml. 200 gr 40 cal xtp being pushed at 1600 FPS he shot a full size doe at 50 yard and complete pass through and broke both shoulders.


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[DJN]

If anything, I’ve seen over penetration and bullets not fully mushrooming into gel or jugs out of the 350L. Definitely strange that he wouldn’t make it through a shoulder. Unless, as you mentioned, using the wrong ammo. I put a few rounds into gel that just blew up (and they were not intended/marketed to be hunting rounds by any means). Hopefully that wasn’t the case.

 

[weekender21]

I’d definitely question 350 not penetrating a deer shoulder. I wonder what bullet he was using. Bullet construction is far more important than caliber once you’ve reached calibers suitable for deer hunting.

We don’t have any restrictions in NC but 350 is on the list as a possible youth caliber for my kids. Kinda leaning towards 6.5 though.


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[S.T.Fanatic]

95 gr out of a 243 kills deer just fine?

 

[roymunson]

I’d definitely question 350 not penetrating a deer shoulder. I wonder what bullet he was using. Bullet construction is far more important than caliber once you’ve reached calibers suitable for deer hunting.

We don’t have any restrictions in NC but 350 is on the list as a possible youth caliber for my kids. Kinda leaning towards 6.5 though.


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He was usings this

Winchester X350DS Deer Season XP 350 Legend 150 GR Extreme Point 20 Rounds

Fin Feather Fur Outfitters established in 1985 providing outdoor gear for hunters, fishermen, campers, shooters and reloaders and everything outdoor related

www.finfeatherfur.com

Its a good bullet, I think what we were told happened, and what actually happened are 2 different things. I think he told us what he perceived happened, but its fine.

1800 ft/pounds out of the muzzle on a 150 grain bullet should be more than effective.

I think he may have hit muscle and either brisket or leg bone. He'll die, probably of infection, but if the shot was at spot on as he thought, that buck wouldnt be alive 72 hours later. It happens. Hope someone finds him or gets him.

 

[Telemark]

He was usings this

Winchester X350DS Deer Season XP 350 Legend 150 GR Extreme Point 20 Rounds

Fin Feather Fur Outfitters established in 1985 providing outdoor gear for hunters, fishermen, campers, shooters and reloaders and everything outdoor related

www.finfeatherfur.com

Its a good bullet, I think what we were told happened, and what actually happened are 2 different things. I think he told us what he perceived happened, but its fine.

1800 ft/pounds out of the muzzle on a 150 grain bullet should be more than effective.

I think he may have hit muscle and either brisket or leg bone. He'll die, probably of infection, but if the shot was at spot on as he thought, that buck wouldnt be alive 72 hours later. It happens. Hope someone finds him or gets him.

That's what I'm thinking. I have been looking more at the round, and it seems like a great choice for an Ohio deer rifle. I would probably get one if we didn't already have a bunch of shotguns and a .45-70.

 

[roymunson]

can confirm, its a killer...

Not super thrilled with the exit hole/etc, but i did kill one.

I think it'll be a good kids gun, If I need to carry a hammer into the woods, I'll probably take my 20 gauge