.350 Legend Rifles
The .350 Legend is Winchester’s straight-wall hunting cartridge designed specifically to be legal in states that require straight-wall cartridges for deer hunting — Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and others that prohibit bottleneck rifle cartridges in certain zones. It fires a .357-caliber bullet at 2,300+ fps from a standard AR-15-size bolt and receiver, giving deer hunters in restricted states a purpose-built rifle cartridge that outperforms shotgun slugs and pistol-caliber straight-wall alternatives while staying within the legal framework.
Read our full .350 Legend Rifle Buying Guide ↓
Why .350 Legend Exists: Straight-Wall Hunting Regulations
Several Midwestern and Eastern states restrict deer hunting in certain zones to shotguns, muzzleloaders, and straight-wall rifle cartridges — prohibiting bottleneck cartridges like .223, .308, and .30-06. Before .350 Legend, hunters in those zones were limited to shotgun slugs, .450 Bushmaster, or pistol-caliber alternatives. Winchester developed .350 Legend to give those hunters a modern, low-recoil, accurate rifle cartridge that meets the straight-wall requirement while delivering genuine rifle performance out to 200+ yards.
.350 Legend AR-15 Rifles
The .350 Legend uses a standard AR-15 bolt face (same as .223/5.56) and magazine well, making AR-15-platform rifles in .350 Legend simple and affordable. Ruger, CMMG, Savage, and several other manufacturers offer AR-15-pattern rifles in .350 Legend. For hunters who already own an AR-15 in .223, a .350 Legend upper receiver is a drop-on conversion that gives you a deer-legal straight-wall rifle using the same lower.
.350 Legend Bolt-Action Rifles
For traditional hunters who prefer a bolt gun, the Winchester XPR, Ruger American, Savage Axis, and Mossberg Patriot are all available in .350 Legend. These provide a conventional hunting rifle experience with the straight-wall cartridge advantage — light, accurate, and low recoil for brush-country deer hunting.
.350 Legend vs. .450 Bushmaster vs. Shotgun Slugs
The .350 Legend produces significantly less recoil than .450 Bushmaster (roughly half) while delivering more than adequate energy for whitetail deer at typical Midwestern hunting distances (inside 200 yards). It also outperforms shotgun slugs in accuracy, effective range, and trajectory flatness. The .450 Bushmaster hits harder at close range but kicks substantially more; the .350 Legend is the easier-shooting, higher-volume option for hunters who shoot from blinds and food plots at moderate distances.
.350 Legend Ammunition
Factory ammunition is available from Winchester, Federal, Hornady, and others in deer-hunting loads (150–180 grain soft-point and polymer-tip) and target loads (145 grain FMJ). See our .350 Legend ammunition page for current inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is .350 Legend legal for deer in my state?
It’s designed to meet straight-wall cartridge requirements in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and similar states. Verify your specific state’s regulations, as definitions of “straight-wall” vary slightly.
What is the effective range of .350 Legend?
200–250 yards for deer-sized game with proper hunting ammunition. It’s a woods and food-plot cartridge, not a long-range platform.
Can I use an AR-15 lower with a .350 Legend upper?
Yes — .350 Legend uses the same bolt face, magazine well, and lower receiver as .223/5.56 AR-15s.
.350 Legend vs. .450 Bushmaster?
.350 Legend has less recoil, flatter trajectory, and cheaper ammo. .450 Bushmaster hits harder at close range. For most deer hunters, .350 Legend is the more practical choice.
See Also: .350 Legend Ammo • Hunting Rifles • Bolt-Action Rifles • AR-15 Rifles • Single-Shot Rifles