This comparability examines two common straight-walled cartridges designed for lever-action rifles and handguns: the .357 Most and the .350 Legend. The .357 Most, launched in 1983, is a lengthened model of the .357 Magnum, recognized for its excessive velocity and flat trajectory. The .350 Legend, a newer growth from 2019, prioritizes elevated velocity inside the constraints of laws proscribing bottleneck cartridges for searching in some areas. Each cartridges provide efficient efficiency on medium-sized sport at average ranges.
Selecting between these cartridges includes contemplating components like meant sport, searching laws, firearm availability, and desired ballistic efficiency. The older design presents established reloading knowledge and probably greater velocities with heavier bullets, whereas the newer one gives broader compatibility with frequent firearm platforms just like the AR-15 as a result of its straight-walled, rimless design. Each cartridges symbolize vital developments in lever-action and handgun searching capabilities, filling particular niches primarily based on the hunter’s wants and authorized restrictions.
The next sections will delve deeper into an in depth comparability of ballistic efficiency, appropriate searching purposes, firearm availability, ammunition price, and reloading concerns for every cartridge, empowering knowledgeable decision-making for hunters and shooters.
1. Ballistics
Ballistic efficiency kinds a cornerstone of cartridge comparability, notably when assessing the .357 Most towards the .350 Legend. Understanding the nuances of velocity, vitality, and trajectory gives essential insights for choosing the suitable cartridge for particular searching or sporting purposes.
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Velocity
Muzzle velocity considerably influences trajectory and vitality. The .357 Most usually achieves greater muzzle velocities, particularly with lighter bullets, contributing to a flatter trajectory. The .350 Legend, whereas usually exhibiting decrease muzzle velocities, can generate comparable vitality figures as a result of its bigger bullet diameter and heavier projectile choices.
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Power
Power, measured in foot-pounds, dictates the cartridge’s effectiveness on sport. Whereas muzzle vitality gives an preliminary measure, downrange vitality is equally essential for assessing terminal efficiency. The .350 Legend steadily demonstrates greater vitality figures at typical searching ranges as a result of its bigger bullet diameter and talent to deal with heavier projectiles, even with a barely decrease muzzle velocity.
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Trajectory
Trajectory, the bullet’s path in flight, influences accuracy and point-of-impact at various distances. The .357 Maximums greater velocity usually leads to a flatter trajectory, providing benefits for longer-range pictures. The .350 Legend reveals a extra pronounced arc, necessitating cautious consideration of vary and bullet drop compensation.
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Sectional Density
Sectional density, representing the bullet’s weight relative to its diameter, immediately impacts penetration. Larger sectional density usually interprets to raised penetration, notably useful for bigger sport. The .350 Legend typically presents greater sectional densities as a result of its capacity to make the most of heavier bullets, probably resulting in enhanced penetration in comparison with the .357 Most.
Cautious consideration of those ballistic components clarifies the strengths and limitations of every cartridge. The .357 Most excels in flatter trajectory and potential for greater velocities, whereas the .350 Legend typically gives benefits in vitality and penetration. Choosing the optimum cartridge hinges on balancing these ballistic concerns with the particular necessities of the meant utility, together with searching sport species, typical engagement distances, and firearm platform preferences.
2. Trajectory
Trajectory, the trail a projectile follows in flight, represents a important issue when evaluating the .357 Most and .350 Legend. Understanding the nuances of trajectory influences shot placement, efficient vary, and general searching or sporting success. This part explores key sides of trajectory related to those two cartridges.
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Preliminary Velocity and Angle
Muzzle velocity and launch angle considerably affect a projectile’s trajectory. The .357 Most usually reveals greater muzzle velocities, contributing to a flatter preliminary trajectory. Whereas launch angle stays constant for a given firearm setup, greater preliminary velocity interprets to much less pronounced bullet drop over a given distance. This flatter trajectory advantages longer-range pictures, providing a bonus for the .357 Most in sure searching eventualities.
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Bullet Drop and Compensation
Bullet drop, the vertical deviation as a result of gravity, turns into extra pronounced with growing distance. Understanding bullet drop traits is essential for correct shot placement. The .350 Legend, with its usually decrease muzzle velocity, experiences higher bullet drop in comparison with the .357 Most at related distances. Hunters should take into account bullet drop compensation when using the .350 Legend, notably for longer pictures, typically necessitating holdover changes or using ballistic calculators and rangefinders.
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Ballistic Coefficient and Air Resistance
Ballistic coefficient (BC) quantifies a projectile’s capacity to beat air resistance. The next BC signifies higher aerodynamic effectivity and fewer susceptibility to wind drift. Whereas each cartridges make the most of related bullet profiles, variations in bullet weight and design affect BC values. Understanding the BC of particular bullet decisions for every cartridge aids in predicting trajectory and making correct long-range pictures, notably in windy situations.
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Efficient Vary and Sensible Accuracy
Efficient vary represents the utmost distance at which a cartridge constantly delivers ample vitality for dependable terminal efficiency on the meant goal. Sensible accuracy considers the mix of trajectory, bullet drop, and shooter ability in attaining constant hits inside a significant zone. The flatter trajectory of the .357 Most typically extends its efficient vary in comparison with the .350 Legend, notably for smaller targets. Nonetheless, the .350 Legend’s heavier bullet choices and better vitality at average ranges can offset some trajectory disadvantages for searching bigger sport inside moral capturing distances.
Trajectory concerns considerably affect cartridge choice for particular searching or sporting purposes. Whereas the .357 Most usually advantages from a flatter trajectory for longer pictures, the .350 Legend stays efficient inside average ranges, notably when using heavier bullets. Balancing trajectory traits with different ballistic components, reminiscent of vitality and penetration, ensures optimum cartridge choice for particular person wants and preferences.
3. Recoil
Recoil, the backward momentum generated when a firearm discharges, represents a important consideration when evaluating cartridges just like the .357 Most and .350 Legend. Recoil influences shooter consolation, accuracy, and talent to make speedy follow-up pictures. Understanding the components contributing to recoil and the way these cartridges examine on this side is important for knowledgeable decision-making.
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Felt Recoil and Shooter Consolation
Felt recoil, the subjective notion of recoil’s drive, varies primarily based on firearm weight, inventory design, and particular person sensitivity. Heavier firearms usually soak up extra recoil, lowering felt recoil. Whereas each cartridges function at related strain ranges, the .357 Most, typically utilized in lighter revolvers, can produce sharper felt recoil in comparison with the .350 Legend, notably in lighter-weight rifles. Shooter consolation considerably influences accuracy and pleasure, particularly throughout prolonged capturing periods or searching eventualities.
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Muzzle Rise and Sight Image Restoration
Muzzle rise, the upward motion of the firearm’s barrel after discharge, disrupts sight alignment and impacts speedy goal re-acquisition. Larger recoil usually results in elevated muzzle rise. The .357 Most’s potential for snappier recoil can contribute to extra pronounced muzzle rise, probably hindering fast follow-up pictures. The .350 Legend, typically chambered in platforms designed for recoil mitigation, might exhibit much less muzzle rise, facilitating sooner sight image restoration.
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Firearm Platform and Recoil Mitigation
The firearm platform performs a vital function in managing recoil. Heavier rifles and handguns soak up extra recoil vitality. Options like muzzle brakes and recoil pads additional mitigate felt recoil. The .350 Legend’s prevalence in fashionable sporting rifles, typically outfitted with recoil-reducing options, usually leads to extra manageable recoil in comparison with the .357 Most, notably in lighter revolvers. Cautious firearm choice can considerably affect general recoil administration for each cartridges.
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Ammunition Choice and Recoil Variation
Ammunition decisions, particularly bullet weight and powder cost, affect recoil. Heavier bullets usually generate extra recoil. Each the .357 Most and .350 Legend provide varied bullet weights, permitting shooters to tailor recoil traits to their preferences and firearm platform. Choosing lighter bullet hundreds can scale back recoil for each cartridges, probably enhancing consolation and management.
Recoil administration represents a necessary consideration when evaluating the .357 Most and .350 Legend. Whereas the .357 Most can exhibit sharper recoil, notably in lighter handguns, the .350 Legend usually advantages from being chambered in platforms designed for recoil mitigation. Cautious consideration of firearm alternative and ammunition choice permits shooters to optimize recoil administration for each cartridges, enhancing consolation, accuracy, and general capturing expertise.
4. Power
Power, particularly kinetic vitality, represents a important issue within the .357 Most versus .350 Legend comparability. Kinetic vitality, a measure of an object’s movement, immediately pertains to a projectile’s capacity to inflict injury or carry out work. Within the context of those cartridges, greater muzzle vitality interprets to higher potential for efficient terminal efficiency on sport. Understanding the vitality traits of every cartridge is important for choosing the suitable spherical for particular searching or sporting purposes.
A number of components affect a projectile’s vitality: velocity and mass. Muzzle velocity, the pace at which the bullet exits the barrel, performs a major function. The next muzzle velocity contributes on to elevated kinetic vitality. Projectile mass, the burden of the bullet, additionally immediately influences vitality. Heavier bullets possess higher kinetic vitality at a given velocity. Whereas the .357 Most typically achieves greater muzzle velocities, the .350 Legend usually makes use of heavier bullets. This interaction of velocity and mass typically leads to the .350 Legend exhibiting greater vitality figures, notably at average ranges frequent in searching eventualities. For example, a .357 Most firing a 158-grain bullet at 1,800 ft per second generates roughly 740 foot-pounds of vitality, whereas a .350 Legend propelling a 180-grain bullet at 1,850 ft per second produces roughly 970 foot-pounds. This distinction in vitality can considerably affect terminal efficiency and must be fastidiously thought-about when deciding on a cartridge for particular sport.
Understanding the vitality traits of the .357 Most and .350 Legend permits for knowledgeable cartridge choice primarily based on searching wants. Whereas the .357 Most would possibly provide benefits in trajectory and velocity for longer pictures on smaller sport, the .350 Legends greater vitality typically proves more practical for bigger sport inside average ranges. Evaluating vitality alongside different ballistic components, together with trajectory and sectional density, gives a complete understanding of every cartridges efficiency capabilities. This information ensures moral and efficient searching practices by matching cartridge efficiency to sport dimension and typical engagement distances.
5. Looking Functions
Looking purposes symbolize a important level of comparability between the .357 Most and .350 Legend cartridges. Choosing the suitable cartridge hinges on understanding the meant sport species, searching fashion, and typical engagement distances. The .357 Most, with its greater velocity and flatter trajectory, typically proves appropriate for varmints, predators, and medium-sized sport at average to longer ranges. Its efficiency traits make it a viable choice for deer searching in open terrain the place longer pictures are frequent. Conversely, the .350 Legend, emphasizing greater vitality and bigger bullet diameter, excels in close-to-medium vary searching eventualities. Its elevated vitality switch makes it efficient on larger-bodied deer, hogs, and even black bear inside cheap distances. For example, in dense forests or brush the place visibility and engagement ranges are restricted, the .350 Legends enhanced vitality switch can show advantageous. Conversely, in open fields or mountainous terrain, the .357 Most’s flatter trajectory extends efficient vary for pictures on smaller, faster-moving sport.
Sensible concerns associated to searching purposes additional differentiate these cartridges. The .350 Legend’s compatibility with available and inexpensive AR-15 platform rifles simplifies entry and reduces price boundaries for hunters. This accessibility, coupled with its suitability for frequent sport species like deer and hogs, positions the .350 Legend as a sensible alternative for a lot of hunters. The .357 Most typically finds its area of interest amongst handgun and lever-action rifle lovers. Whereas these platforms won’t provide the identical modularity or widespread availability because the AR-15, they supply a definite searching expertise valued by many. Moreover, the .357 Most’s compatibility with revolvers presents a compact and highly effective choice for handgun searching or backcountry protection towards predators.
Selecting between the .357 Most and the .350 Legend for searching necessitates an intensive evaluation of particular person wants and priorities. Hunters should fastidiously take into account the goal sport species, typical searching atmosphere, desired firearm platform, and acceptable recoil ranges. Evaluating these components alongside the respective ballistic efficiency and sensible concerns of every cartridge ensures efficient and moral searching practices, optimizing terminal efficiency and general searching success inside authorized and moral boundaries.
6. Firearm Availability
Firearm availability considerably influences the sensible relevance of the .357 Most versus .350 Legend debate. The .350 Legend advantages from widespread chambering in fashionable sporting rifles, notably the ever present AR-15 platform. This prevalence interprets to higher accessibility and affordability for hunters and shooters. Quite a few producers produce AR-15 rifles chambered in .350 Legend, providing varied configurations and worth factors. This broad availability simplifies acquisition and customization, making the .350 Legend a readily accessible choice. Conversely, the .357 Most faces extra restricted firearm availability. Whereas traditionally chambered in revolvers and lever-action rifles, fewer producers presently produce new firearms chambered for this cartridge. This shortage typically necessitates buying used firearms or exploring customized chambering choices, probably growing acquisition prices and limiting decisions. For instance, discovering a brand new manufacturing bolt-action rifle in .357 Most proves difficult in comparison with the available .350 Legend AR-15 choices. This disparity in firearm availability considerably impacts the sensible alternative for a lot of, notably these looking for readily accessible and inexpensive platforms.
The sensible implications of firearm availability lengthen past preliminary buy. The widespread adoption of the AR-15 platform interprets to an enormous aftermarket ecosystem for the .350 Legend. Equipment like magazines, optics, and shares are available, providing intensive customization choices. This broad assist enhances the .350 Legend’s versatility and flexibility to numerous capturing purposes. Conversely, the .357 Most’s restricted firearm availability typically restricts accent decisions. Discovering suitable magazines or specialised elements for older or much less frequent firearms can show troublesome and costly. This disparity in aftermarket assist additional reinforces the sensible benefits of the .350 Legend’s widespread platform compatibility.
In abstract, firearm availability performs a vital function within the .357 Most versus .350 Legend comparability. The .350 Legend’s prevalence within the available and extremely adaptable AR-15 platform presents vital sensible benefits when it comes to accessibility, affordability, and customization choices. The .357 Most, whereas providing distinctive ballistic traits, faces limitations as a result of its restricted firearm availability and restricted aftermarket assist. This issue considerably influences cartridge choice, notably for these prioritizing ease of acquisition, cost-effectiveness, and entry to a variety of equipment and customization choices. Selecting the suitable cartridge necessitates balancing ballistic efficiency with the sensible realities of firearm availability and platform compatibility inside particular person budgets and meant purposes.
7. Ammunition Price
Ammunition price represents a major sensible consideration when evaluating the .357 Most and .350 Legend. The worth of ammunition immediately impacts capturing frequency, coaching alternatives, and general searching or sporting bills. Understanding the components influencing ammunition price and the way these cartridges examine on this side aids knowledgeable decision-making.
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Manufacturing Prices and Availability
Manufacturing prices, together with uncooked supplies, manufacturing processes, and economies of scale, considerably affect ammunition costs. The .350 Legend, benefiting from greater manufacturing volumes and broader market adoption, typically enjoys decrease manufacturing prices per spherical in comparison with the .357 Most. This distinction interprets to decrease retail costs for .350 Legend ammunition, making it extra accessible for high-volume capturing or frequent searching excursions.
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Market Demand and Competitors
Market demand and competitors amongst ammunition producers affect pricing. Larger demand typically results in elevated manufacturing and probably decrease costs as a result of economies of scale. The .350 Legend, having fun with higher reputation and wider adoption, advantages from this aggressive pricing panorama. The .357 Most, dealing with decrease demand and fewer producers, typically instructions greater costs per spherical, probably impacting long-term capturing prices.
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Reloading Concerns and Element Prices
Reloading, the apply of assembling ammunition utilizing reusable elements, presents a possible cost-saving technique. Element availability and value affect reloading bills. Whereas each cartridges could be reloaded, the .357 Most advantages from an extended established historical past and wider availability of reloading elements. Nonetheless, the .350 Legend’s growing reputation is steadily increasing its reloading element market. Evaluating element prices and availability for every cartridge informs reloading selections and potential price financial savings.
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Specialty Ammunition and Premium Bullets
Specialty ammunition, together with searching hundreds with premium bullets designed for particular sport or purposes, usually instructions greater costs. Each the .357 Most and .350 Legend provide specialty ammunition choices, every tailor-made to particular searching wants. Contemplating the associated fee premium related to specialty ammunition inside the context of anticipated capturing quantity and meant utility guides cost-effective ammunition choice.
Ammunition price performs a pivotal function within the general evaluation of the .357 Most and .350 Legend. The .350 Legend typically presents a extra budget-friendly choice for high-volume capturing as a result of its decrease manufacturing prices and broader market competitors. Whereas the .357 Most would possibly provide benefits in particular ballistic niches, its greater ammunition price necessitates cautious consideration, notably for frequent shooters or hunters. Evaluating ammunition price alongside ballistic efficiency, firearm availability, and reloading potential permits for knowledgeable selections aligned with particular person capturing wants and budgetary constraints. Finally, deciding on the suitable cartridge includes balancing efficiency traits with sensible concerns, making certain an efficient and sustainable capturing or searching expertise.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
This part addresses frequent inquiries concerning the .357 Most and .350 Legend cartridges, offering concise and informative responses to facilitate knowledgeable decision-making.
Query 1: Which cartridge is healthier suited to deer searching?
Each cartridges can successfully harvest deer. The .350 Legend’s greater vitality typically proves advantageous for larger-bodied deer or closer-range pictures in dense vegetation. The .357 Most’s flatter trajectory favors longer pictures in open terrain.
Query 2: Is one cartridge considerably dearer than the opposite?
.350 Legend ammunition usually prices much less as a result of greater manufacturing volumes and broader market availability. .357 Most ammunition, dealing with decrease demand and extra restricted manufacturing, tends to command greater costs.
Query 3: Which cartridge presents higher firearm platform availability?
The .350 Legend enjoys considerably wider firearm availability, notably inside the common AR-15 platform. The .357 Most is usually chambered in lever-action rifles and revolvers, with fewer new manufacturing choices out there.
Query 4: Can these cartridges be used for self-defense?
Whereas each possess satisfactory stopping energy, their major design focuses on searching. Native laws must be consulted concerning legality for self-defense purposes. Extra established self-defense cartridges would possibly provide benefits in particular eventualities.
Query 5: Which cartridge is simpler to reload?
Each could be reloaded. The .357 Most advantages from an extended established historical past and wider availability of reloading elements. Nonetheless, the .350 Legend’s growing reputation is steadily increasing its reloading element market.
Query 6: What are the important thing ballistic variations between the 2?
The .357 Most usually achieves greater velocities and a flatter trajectory, favoring longer-range pictures. The .350 Legend emphasizes greater vitality and bigger bullet diameter, typically leading to higher vitality switch and penetration inside average ranges.
Cautious consideration of those components helps decide which cartridge finest aligns with particular person wants and meant purposes, contemplating searching fashion, sport species, firearm platform preferences, and budgetary constraints.
The following sections will present additional insights into particular elements of those cartridges, providing extra granular element for superior decision-making.
Suggestions for Choosing Between .357 Most and .350 Legend
Selecting between the .357 Most and .350 Legend requires cautious consideration of a number of components. The following tips present steerage for navigating the decision-making course of, making certain cartridge choice aligns with particular person wants and meant purposes.
Tip 1: Outline the Main Utility. Looking whitetail deer in dense woods presents totally different necessities than varmint searching in open prairie. Clarifying the first utility informs cartridge choice primarily based on anticipated engagement ranges and goal sport dimension.
Tip 2: Consider Firearm Availability and Choice. The .350 Legend’s prevalence in AR-15 platform rifles presents higher accessibility and modularity. Choice for lever-action rifles or revolvers would possibly steer choice towards the .357 Most, regardless of its extra restricted availability.
Tip 3: Contemplate Ammunition Price and Availability. .350 Legend ammunition usually presents higher affordability and wider availability. Shooters delicate to ammunition price ought to issue this into their determination, particularly for high-volume capturing.
Tip 4: Assess Ballistic Wants. Understanding the ballistic variations between the cartridges proves essential. Prioritizing flatter trajectory and better velocity at longer ranges favors the .357 Most. Emphasizing vitality switch and penetration at average ranges factors towards the .350 Legend.
Tip 5: Think about Recoil Tolerance. Recoil sensitivity influences shooter consolation and accuracy. The .357 Most’s potential for sharper recoil, notably in lighter handguns, necessitates consideration. The .350 Legend usually advantages from being chambered in platforms designed for recoil mitigation.
Tip 6: Analysis Native Looking Laws. Some jurisdictions prohibit cartridge varieties for particular sport. Making certain compliance with native searching laws is paramount earlier than cartridge choice.
Tip 7: Consider Reloading Potential. Reloading presents potential price financial savings and customization choices. Assess element availability and value for every cartridge if reloading is a precedence.
Cautious consideration of the following tips empowers knowledgeable selections, making certain the chosen cartridge aligns with particular person capturing wants, firearm preferences, and budgetary constraints. Matching cartridge choice to the particular utility maximizes effectiveness and general capturing or searching satisfaction inside authorized and moral boundaries.
The next conclusion synthesizes the important thing distinctions between the .357 Most and .350 Legend, offering a concise abstract to help ultimate decision-making.
357 Most vs. 350 Legend
The .357 Most and .350 Legend symbolize distinct approaches to cartridge design for lever-action rifles and handguns. The .357 Most prioritizes greater velocity and a flatter trajectory, excelling at longer ranges with lighter projectiles. Conversely, the .350 Legend emphasizes elevated vitality and bigger bullet diameter, optimizing terminal efficiency on heavier sport at average distances. Firearm availability considerably favors the .350 Legend as a result of its widespread adoption within the AR-15 platform, whereas the .357 Most typically requires looking for out extra specialised firearms. Ammunition price usually favors the .350 Legend, benefiting from greater manufacturing volumes and broader market competitors. Reloading potential exists for each, providing avenues for price financial savings and customised efficiency.
Finally, the “finest” cartridge relies upon fully on the particular utility and particular person preferences. Hunters looking for a available, cost-effective choice for medium-sized sport at average ranges inside the versatile AR-15 platform might discover the .350 Legend supreme. These prioritizing longer-range pictures, probably with lighter, faster-moving projectiles, and appreciating the traits of lever-action rifles or revolvers might gravitate in the direction of the .357 Most regardless of its extra specialised nature. Cautious consideration of ballistic efficiency, firearm availability, ammunition price, and private preferences empowers knowledgeable selections, optimizing effectiveness and satisfaction inside authorized and moral searching practices.
