My son and I hunt deer in Ohio, which is a straight-walled cartridge state for deer hunting. He is interested in buying a bolt gun for Ohio deer hunting. Either caliber is available in that platform (he's not interested in the AR platform). This rifle's use would be Ohio deer only, as he has a .30/06 for hunting deer (or any other quarry) in other states. Of the two calibers, which would you recommend?
Judson
350 Legend or 450 Bushmaster?
Pro's and cons to each.
What type of hunting, stands, drives, still hunting?
Recoil sensitive?
Is ammo cost a factor?
Vooch
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
What type of hunting, stands, drives, still hunting?
Recoil sensitive?
Is ammo cost a factor?
Vooch
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Like Vooch states, it is hard to make a recommendation without knowing what type of hunting your son will be doing. I would lean to the 450 Bushmaster for most woods hunting. The 350 legend for open fields and longer distances as you will have less hold over than the 450 Bushmaster.
Well I can tell you this from experience with the 450 Bushmaster. Within 50 yards its as potent as my 45-70.
I have no experience with the 350 Legend but from videos I've seen and other forums looks like an excellent hunting round.
450 Bushmaster does have quite a kick, and is probably more than a deer hunter "needs" but it sure does a good job
I have no experience with the 350 Legend but from videos I've seen and other forums looks like an excellent hunting round.
450 Bushmaster does have quite a kick, and is probably more than a deer hunter "needs" but it sure does a good job
:dito: I would wait on the 350 until it actually has staying power on the open market. Remember how big the 224 Valkyrie was recently? One can't find ammo for it locally now.
Flashes in the pan.
What is out there for the last 100 years or so will suffice for almost any needs.
The difference I see is like the .350 Legend being a cartridge basically intended to be used in an AR platform, and being straight walled it can be used where regulations mandate it. The .350 side tracks stupid regulations. To me that gives it a level of legitimacy. Cartridges will end up in many platforms, single shot, lever guns, bolt, pump...
Existing calibers have the ballistic spectrum is well covered where allowed.
AC
What is out there for the last 100 years or so will suffice for almost any needs.
The difference I see is like the .350 Legend being a cartridge basically intended to be used in an AR platform, and being straight walled it can be used where regulations mandate it. The .350 side tracks stupid regulations. To me that gives it a level of legitimacy. Cartridges will end up in many platforms, single shot, lever guns, bolt, pump...
Existing calibers have the ballistic spectrum is well covered where allowed.
AC
No argument from me. My son and I have both killed deer in "real rifle" states, but Ohio is home and we need to hunt here due to affordability and convenience. The 100-arce farm we hunt is only a 45-minute drive, the resident landowner lets us hunt for free, and it's loaded with deer (I've killed 3 there this month and am now limited out for the season). But, if Ohio was a real rifle state, my son would just use his '06, and I'd use my .270 and we'd be done with it, so to speak.
We have probably sold ten .350 Legends to every one .450 Bushmaster this year. I think the reasons are as follows;
1. New shiny cartridge, must have.
2. Ten dollars a box cheaper for ammo.
3. .450 Bushmaster muzzle blast is wicked in 16" ported barrels.
4. Cheap bolt action scoped packages available from several manufactures.
5. Young shooters, females, and older hunters don't like the recoil and muzzle blast of the .450 Bushmaster.
6. Some people are gullible.
1. New shiny cartridge, must have.
2. Ten dollars a box cheaper for ammo.
3. .450 Bushmaster muzzle blast is wicked in 16" ported barrels.
4. Cheap bolt action scoped packages available from several manufactures.
5. Young shooters, females, and older hunters don't like the recoil and muzzle blast of the .450 Bushmaster.
6. Some people are gullible.
25/20,
Yep, it's like the fishing lure business. The packaging, advertising, and bling are designed to fool the fisherman, not the fish.
Not to say the cartridges are not capable, they are just the latest to attract more wallets.
Yep, it's like the fishing lure business. The packaging, advertising, and bling are designed to fool the fisherman, not the fish.
Not to say the cartridges are not capable, they are just the latest to attract more wallets.
It’s the age old 12ga vs 20ga argument for us Ohio deer hunters. Both in slug gun configuration were plenty adequate for the job of downing deer. Same thing with the 450 vs 350. The 450 has more power, but more blast and recoil. The 350 is easier to shoot and at this point not really giving anything up to the 450 with the excellent ammo selection. Having shot both extensively I prefer the 350. Much more pleasant to shoot, cheap practice ammo and good selection of deer bullets. I’ve talked with several Ohio hunters who shot Ohio deer and not one so far has been disappointed with the performance of the 350 this year. I used a 350 but didn’t get any chance to use it. Forget all this noise about it not being good and talk to Ohio hunters. Let me know if you have any questions.
I don't particularly care for precision rounds that headspace on the case mouth is my reason for not liking either. Which is why I would choose a rimmed cartridge that is better suited for a levergun
There are some great deals on either of these two. Ruger, Savage, Mossberg all being offered for less than $500. Dunhams and Rual King have been running specials.
I think I would go with the 350 Legend if I favored one of those new fangled bolt guns.
I think I would go with the 350 Legend if I favored one of those new fangled bolt guns.
So.....I'm the son...lol. to be a little clearer on the topic. Judson bought me the lever action 45-70 and was really thankful..but it turns out the gun is a piece of crap. And when I say this I mean this particular gun. Judson has the same make and model with no problems at all, i just think I got a deflected gun.
The problem I've had with it for the past few years is that it jams while cycling rounds in it particularly after a hunt and are trying to unload.
This season sealed the guns fate when I took out my nephew hunting for the first time and while walking in to the stand at 245pm a doe was coming right toward us. I told him to get down on one knee, the doe stopped 50 yards away, I pulled the trigger and .....click...misfire. then went to cycle a new round and it jammed. It didn't appear to have struck the primer very well so I dont think it was the cartridge.
The gun has been to 2 different gunsmiths in the area and I've finally gave up on it. Thank god it was just a doe! Lol.
So that's the reason for the original post. Looking for a new gun next year and personally think the 45/70 is a little overkill for deer. I dont like ARs, or synthetic, i want a walnut stock. I want a hunting rifle not a range gun lol.
It might just come down between the 2 options who had the better deal and style I'm looking for. Both with kill deer.
Thx for the posts though, I'll take all the comments you guys give to make a final decision 🙂
The problem I've had with it for the past few years is that it jams while cycling rounds in it particularly after a hunt and are trying to unload.
This season sealed the guns fate when I took out my nephew hunting for the first time and while walking in to the stand at 245pm a doe was coming right toward us. I told him to get down on one knee, the doe stopped 50 yards away, I pulled the trigger and .....click...misfire. then went to cycle a new round and it jammed. It didn't appear to have struck the primer very well so I dont think it was the cartridge.
The gun has been to 2 different gunsmiths in the area and I've finally gave up on it. Thank god it was just a doe! Lol.
So that's the reason for the original post. Looking for a new gun next year and personally think the 45/70 is a little overkill for deer. I dont like ARs, or synthetic, i want a walnut stock. I want a hunting rifle not a range gun lol.
It might just come down between the 2 options who had the better deal and style I'm looking for. Both with kill deer.
Thx for the posts though, I'll take all the comments you guys give to make a final decision 🙂
Don't think you're son would go wrong with either.
If it were me I'd take the .350 (after somebody pried my .444 out of my cold dead hands of course).
Vooch
If it were me I'd take the .350 (after somebody pried my .444 out of my cold dead hands of course).
Vooch
Welcome to Marlin Owners, IQ. Enjoy the site and hopefully, you and your Dad won't have too many arguments on MO. :flute:
Jack
Jack
Not your one of your choices but I'd go with 44mag. Been getting the job done for decades. Plus you can have a handgun in the same caliber.
mac66,
I agree. I can carry anything I want too as well. I believe the 350L will be a fine cartridge in my area where <150 yards is the norm.
PS. I'm waiting on my muzzle break, the last component of the build. Once that arrives, It's RANGE TIME :smokin: I have 4 different boxes to try and see what that Faxon likes best. My buddy stated his (he bought the same barrel) touches holes with the cheap $8.99 Win FMJ. I hope I'm that lucky! :embarassed:
DR
I agree. I can carry anything I want too as well. I believe the 350L will be a fine cartridge in my area where <150 yards is the norm.
PS. I'm waiting on my muzzle break, the last component of the build. Once that arrives, It's RANGE TIME :smokin: I have 4 different boxes to try and see what that Faxon likes best. My buddy stated his (he bought the same barrel) touches holes with the cheap $8.99 Win FMJ. I hope I'm that lucky! :embarassed:
DR
Judson,
If a bolt gun is your goal, just a thought, Ruger 77/44 or 77/357. Ammo is easy to find and affordable if you do not reload. If you reload, you can expand into higher performance territory and shoot 3-4 times more for the same cost.
If a bolt gun is your goal, just a thought, Ruger 77/44 or 77/357. Ammo is easy to find and affordable if you do not reload. If you reload, you can expand into higher performance territory and shoot 3-4 times more for the same cost.
I see the two cartridges like this:
I've shot .450 Bushmaster. I have not shot .350 Legend. If I was going to use the rifle strictly for deer then, like you, I would have a difficult time choosing between the cartridges. But I cannot imagine owning a rifle with such a stringent restriction on use. I'd probably be thinking that I might want to use the rifle for bear, maybe pigs would be added to the list of game someday. With that in mind, I would choose the .450 Bushmaster.
- The .350 Legend is like a .357 Maximum Maximum and the .450 Bushmaster is like a .45 Long Colt Long. So, points you would consider in choosing between .357 Mag and .45 Colt, or .357 Mag and .44 Mag for that matter, will also apply to the Legend vs. Bushmaster.
- The .350 has a flatter trajectory but it's far from being a flat shooter and not it's not enough flatter than the .450 to matter over the distances you will be hunting.
- Muzzle blast - of course if the barrel is short and ported either cartridge will produce significant muzzle "blast". The same would be true for a .243 or .30-30. That's why none of my rifles and pistols have ported barrels.
- Neither cartridge is too powerful for deer unless you believe the 35 Remington is too powerful for deer and the .444 is too powerful for deer,
- The .450 Bushmaster seemed like a fad but it took hold. There are many rifles in shooter's hands and many more currently offered in that chambering. The .350 Legend may be a fad but the number of rifles being sold in that caliber guarantees ammo will be around for at least decade or two even if it fades into obscurity at some point.
- Recoil - go back to the first bullet point.
- For all practical purposes the cartridges have equal potential for accuracy. If you think the .350 Legend will shoot a 1/2 MOA smaller group than a .450 Bushmaster enjoy that thought. But since neither is a long range hunting cartridge nor a benchrest target cartridge it just doesn't matter. Anyway, accuracy will have more to do with the shooter and the individual rifle than it will with any difference between the cartridges.
I've shot .450 Bushmaster. I have not shot .350 Legend. If I was going to use the rifle strictly for deer then, like you, I would have a difficult time choosing between the cartridges. But I cannot imagine owning a rifle with such a stringent restriction on use. I'd probably be thinking that I might want to use the rifle for bear, maybe pigs would be added to the list of game someday. With that in mind, I would choose the .450 Bushmaster.
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