The best barrel length for 5.56 for long range shooting is 20 inches. The .450 Bushmaster was designed specifically for the AR-15. Then Ill put a 5 inch barrel 9mm holstered on the hip if I feel like having more ammo capacity. However, for an all around good hunting rifle, an 18 barrel is the most popular option for 6.5 Grendel. Both cartridges can look similar to the eye, but they are most certainly not. The 350 Legend also uses the same .346 bore and .355 groove dimensions as 357 Mag and 357 Max. Everything I said up there about the .357 holds just as true for the .44 Magnum. Plus, the 30/30 is pretty much limited to a tube-fed lever gun, I can shoot 350 Legend in my AR-15. You want to pick the barrel that is best for your application, and then just simply add a suppressor. The best barrel length for 6.5 Creedmoor is 24 inches, however a 22 inch barrel will also give similar results. Besides, that is one of the most popular barrel lengths anyway. The first is impact velocity and the second is the minimum energy threshold. Winchester designed the cartridge from the ground up. Regardless of the cartridge/rifle combination you pick, you should experience better accuracy and reach than you have with your smooth-bore. At 250 yards, the 30/30 has 6 percent more energy, three inches less drop, and is 150 fps faster. Therefore, bullets exit the muzzle at approximately .355 when fired from any of those three cartridges. However, the best barrel length for a handgun type 9mm is generally considered to be 5 inches for concealability and portability, and the best barrel length for an AR-9 pistol or SBR type 9mm is 7 to 10 inches. You might call it a .357 Magnum on steroids. Winchester seems to believe the cartridge will be a hiteven in states without the straight-wall restriction, and they might be right. In other words, its not as aerodynamic and it sheds energy faster. Many 22lr rifles were intended to be shot with iron sights, so having an extra 10 inches between the front and rear sights made the shooter a lot more accurate. The .350 Legend is no better. This rifle is the "compact" version. This cartridge has become extremely popular for older hunters and youth hunters for that reason. Hornady (the designer of the cartridge) said the round will perform well in barrel lengths ranging from 12 to 26 inches and all in between. However, many shooters prefer the portability of the 20 barrel since it doesnt sacrifice much in terms of distance and velocity. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Therefore, bullets exit the muzzle at approximately .355 when fired from any of those three cartridges. Barrel lengths as short as 3 inches for 9mm are more popular for those who want to conceal the handgun in a purse or on their person. If hunting at ranges less than 300 yards then a shorter barrel between 16-20 will work better. But it has quickly evolved beyond that. All Rights Reserved. The 350 is a great round for deer hunting, and shooters seldom report needing to use a muzzle brake on a 350 Legend rifle. Its essentially the same as .357 Magnumon steroidswhich means itll stretch out the range to about 100 or 150 yards (roughly the same as the .450 Bushmaster). The 350 Legend SAAMI bullet diameter is specified at .357-.003. Theres also some legal definitions around shorter barrels. WebAssuming you can handle each equally well, A .357 Mag has more energy, better penetration and with the proper bullet better expansion. Humans have a way of working around legislation: Give us a rule, law or guideline, and well find a way to circumvent it. However, barrels as short as 22-24 are often used to hunt duck successfully. Short barreled rifles are subject to the NFA and require a tax stamp, which costs about $200 right now. see more at [ 1] comparing similar 180-grain bullets, it has more initial energy and more expected velocity in 16-inch barrels. However, these barrel lengths are not recommended for shots past 200 yards. Its a classic old deer hunting cartridge. Is TC producing a 350 Legend barrel? The 30/30 has a slightly higher ballistic coefficient, so it should penetrate about 5 percent more. That means more muzzle energy and momentum than the .357 with a bigger hole, and with similar trajectory. Using the same case head diameter of the .223 Remington at a length of 1.71-inch, the 350 Legend uses a .357-inch diameter bullet, for a combination that is very easy on the shoulder while being effective downrange. When you get above three inches of needed elevation or windage adjustment, you can no longer just hold center and shoot. The low bullet mass is I first was interested in .350 Legend (although I do not hunt), but no longer. Stop all AR-15 and AR-10 calibers with this RTS Tactical level 3+ Armor Kit. Here is a chart comparing 180 grain, deer loads in both calibers using data from a 16-inch barrel.180-grain bulletStarting EnergyStarting velocityExpansion ThresholdEnergy Threshold350 Legend1,763 ft/lbs.2,100 fps1,400 fps-250 yards1,000 @ 160 yards750 @ 240 yards.357 Mag960ft/lbs.1,550 fps1,100 fps-175 yards1,000 @ never750 @ 75 yards. Both work well within their effective range. Of course, its compatibility with the AR-15 is tempting to a lot of deer hunters who were previously regulated to shotguns. I like the traditional .357 magnum. The 350 Legend will punch through it with every ammo available. A dead round almost since the Marlin brand sale, lack of ammo and guns chambered in it- but mines sweet and I stocked up on ammo many years ago. The best barrel length for a 223 rifle is 14.5 inches to ensure full gun powder burn. Winchester is even offering a more affordable non-hunting practice load in its USA line. The .350 Legend loads that normally reach 2,200 to 2,300 feet per second manage between 1,500 and 1,800 fps out of the Model 350s 7.5-inch barrel. The longer barrel gives the shooter better sight radius and evens out the swing when aiming. comparing similar 180-grain bullets, it has more initial energy and more expected velocity in 16-inch barrels. The best barre length for a 44 Magnum revolver is 6 for a good balance between weight and muzzle velocity. For close quarters or indoors, its really personal preference to sacrifice the muzzle velocity for ease of use and concealability. comparing similar 180-grain bullets, it has more initial energy and more expected velocity in 16-inch barrels. Even the most ballistically inept hunterssuch as those who will not accept or understand the advantages of the 6.5 Creedmoorare savvy enough to understand that just about any rifle cartridge has more reach and precision than a shotgun slug. It makes a lot of sense in those scenarios, but some shooters would opt for the 357 Sig in that case. The numbers tell us just what can be expected from this new kid on the block (see the chart above). If you are aiming at the center and your bullet drops 4 inches below the point of aim, you just barely nicked the vitals. There is a variety of lever guns chambered for the .357 Magnum. Lever-action .357 carbine all day every day. However, if using indoors or in close quarters, the difference between 3 and 5 inches is hard to notice. While no modern rifles are chambered for the .375 Winchester, you can find them on the used market, and Winchester still offers a 200-grain Power Point load at 2,200 fps. Barrel lengths above 20 inches will be more accurate at longer distances. The best barrel length for a 44 Magnum rifle is 16.5 to achieve good powder burn and velocity. It really is all personal preference. .350 Legend is 55,000 and headspaces on that tiny piece of metal we call case mouth. In general though, a majority of AR pistols are between 10.5 and 14.5 inches. WebThe 350 Legend is 10 percent more powerful and has 25 percent more velocity at the muzzle than 44 Magnum. The compact 16.38-inch barrel has a 1:16 rate of twist. The 350 Legend SAAMI bullet diameter is specified at .357-.003. WebThe 350 Legend is arguably over twice as effective on deer-sized game than a rifle chambered in .357 Magnum. Youd need a level 3+ armor for that, the same rating as for .308. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'guntradition_com-leader-3','ezslot_12',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-guntradition_com-leader-3-0');If you are considering body armor, I own and recommend the level 3+steel armor kit from RTS tactical. It's a true joy for hunters young and old to use.. Another popular barrel length for long range using 6.5 Creedmoor is the 24 barrel. However an 18 barrel is recommended for youth shooters which the 410 shotgun is popular with. Barrel lengths between 24 and 28 are also popular for the round. These are some of most common calibers but didnt seem as popular as the ones above. The manufacture remains the king of the extreme long range game. I know no one likes that answer but I just wouldnt shoot 5.56 out of a 7 inch barrel, but 9mm I would. Cartridges such as the .45-70 Government and .44-40 Winchesterboth circa 1873were common long-gun chamberings. However, many shotgun owners prefer a longer barrel for the improved sight radius and accuracy. A shorter barrel will give the firearm more recoil and more flash from unspent gun powder but the trade off for more maneuverability is considered to be well worth it. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. Both work well within their effective range. Ammo: Elk, Deer And Everything Else, 10 Best Long-Range Cartridges of All Time (2023), 8 On-Target Concealed Carry Insurance Options (2022), 10 Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun Options (2022), Best AR-15 Options For Any Budget And Buyers Guide (2022), Best Concealed Carry Handguns For Women (2022). In fact some shooters report less performance out of 26 or longer 5.56 barrels. You should never shoot a deer at a distance you havent practiced at because you dont know just how the bullet will perform out of Your Specific Rifle. Both rounds can reliably take deer out to 250 yards. if you are willing to pass up any shot thats 100 yards or over, go ahead and use the .357. You can get 44 magnums in rifles, carbines and pistols plus specials which are powderpuff loads and both can be used as self defense on two legged abs four legged animals. see more at [ 1] If you want a bolt action or AR15, or if your going to buy factory ammo, then 350 legend then 350 legend is it. I have a contender pistol in 357 maximum and love it, but if the 350 legend had been available when I bought it I might have gone that route. Barrel lengths shorter than 22 will suffer velocity loss and increased felt recoil unless a muzzle brake is used. Besides, that is one of the most popular barrel lengths anyway. The best barrel length for the 7mm Rem Mag is 26 for maximum velocity and powder burn. Any additional barrel length over 15 actually hurts velocity. I'm not exactly a diehard with pistol-caliber carbines but I definitely enjoy them. Latest: Pitchinwedge 3 minutes ago Fishing Chit Chat Thai curry fish cakes Latest: Cactus Chris 7 minutes ago Fishing and Hunting Cooking Recipes garmin gt52hw Latest: thesaltyhooker 7 minutes ago Classifieds Node Pay First AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. The best barrel length for 6mm ARC is 18 inches for a rifle with good velocity that is still relatively easy to transport. Most precision 50 BMG rifles have anywhere between a 30-36 barrel length. The .357 Magnum generally has a reputation as a fast and powerful round, at least for handguns, but For that matter, hunters in other states might find it appealing, specifically because, like the .300 Blackout, its also subsonic-capable. Might be easier to pick up a used 357 Max barrel or convert a 357 Mag barrel. The 350 Legend is faster, more powerful, and can be used in more guns than the .357 Magnum. The 180-grain bullet will have more energy and penetration. Same parameters as above, gets around 2200 fps from the max case and around 2300 fps from a 350L case. The best barrel length for a 350 Legend AR pistol is 10.5 inches. Sorry, no opinion on extraction other than I never had a problem with .223. The .357 Magnum generally has a reputation as a fast and powerful round, at least for handguns, but The best barrel length for 45 ACP is 5 for use in most handguns. Any barrel longer than 22 for 350 Legend will have diminishing returns and is not typically considered when choosing a round for long range shooting. Some shooters prefer barrels as short as 12 for under 300 yard shots and 24 for out to 800 yard shots or further. Barrel lengths between 10-14 are best for portability in close quarters, and 20 barrels are best if your goal is long range shooting. The .357 Mag has enough energy to reliably take a deer at 75 yards with heavy ammo. the 170-grain bullets penetrate more and perform very closely to the 180 grain 350 legend ammo. It also has a bullet diameter that's lethal on medium-sized big game and a flat trajectory that us Midwestern hunters have never been able to enjoy before. Many seem to still prefer the 45-70 but when you have to load it hot to equal what the base .450 just is, then its not for me. Initially loaded with a .458-caliber, 405-grain bullet and ahead of 70 grains of blackpowder, it generated more than 2,000 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. This is partly because it was designed from the ground up for that purpose but also because its compatible with Americas Rifle, the AR-15. This is partly due to the acquisition of Marlin by Remington Arms, along with the subsequent discontinuance of the lever-action rifle it was chambered in. The best barrel length for a 270 WIN is 22-24 for the optimal ratio of length vs velocity. If you hunt in one of the states now allowing straight-wall rifle cartridges for deer, it might be a good idea to pick up a new rifle. The .444 Marlin is not as popular as it once was. Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to the millions of Americans who carry concealed. Everything I said up there about the .357 holds just as true for the .44 Magnum. Winchester designed the cartridge from the ground up. Winchester released the .350 Legend at the 2019 SHOT Show. If sighted in at 100 yards, the bullet will be about 3 inches low at 150 yards. Interesting length choice as that is the case length of a 460 S&W, which the law at one point read "traditional straight wall pistol cartridge." Not to good for hunting. It is a true joy to shoot, and you'll be more accurate because of it. The best barrel length for 6.5 Creedmoor long range shooting is 28 inches, however, many shooters dont see much difference between 28 and 26 and will opt for the lighter, more popular, 26 inch barrel for precision rifle shooting (PRS). Also forgetting the .450 marlin. is even more expensive. Same parameters as above, gets around 2200 fps from the max case and around 2300 fps from a 350L case. After all, the military chose the 14.5 inch barrel for the 5.56 round for a reason. He serves as contributing editor for several magazines, including NRAs American Rieman and Shooting Illustrated, Varmint Hunter, and Combat Handgunner, and is the editor for Gun Digests Cartridges of the World 13th Edition. I have a contender pistol in 357 maximum and love it, but if the 350 legend had been available when I bought it I might have gone that route. So, to get back to the initial question here, the .357 Mag can certainly work fine for you under the right scenarios. WebAssuming you can handle each equally well, A .357 Mag has more energy, better penetration and with the proper bullet better expansion. The best barrel length for a suppressed 22lr is 14 inches for a mostly clean burn of the powder or 10 inches for increased portability. As for the ballistics, the longer the barrel, the more velocity youll get. This is a revolver round that, from a rifle, will push a 270-grain bullet to similar velocities of around 1,800 fps. Stopping Power and Caliber. link to What is a Pistol Caliber Carbine? Sometimes I get to thinking about this or that, and lately .357 Magnum carbine versus .350 Legend AR has caught my eye. It is a true joy to shoot, and you'll be more accurate because of it. Winchester released the .350 Legend at the 2019 SHOT Show. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. For me the problem is that 350 legend headspaces on case mouth (as there is no rim like .357 or .41 mag) Normally, a cartridge that headspaces on case mouth does not see more than say 37,000 psi of pressure. The most popular carbine barrel lengths are 9 inches, 11.5 inches, or 16 inches depending on caliber used. If the goal is less than 500 yards, an 18-20 barrel will work great for a 308. The best barrel length for the 7mm-08 is 22 to achieve maximum powder burn and velocity per barrel inch. The best barrel length for a 357 Sig is 4 inches because the round was designed to be used in shorter barrels. Learn how your comment data is processed. The best barrel length for a 12 gauge slug is 20 for 2 and 3/4 shells and 24 for some 3 shells to achieve maximum velocity. This cartridge has become extremely popular for older hunters and youth hunters for that reason. WebThe 350 Legend is essentially a long pistol round using pistol powder so 16 tends to be optimal. It should be clear what the .350 Legend brings to the table. The nominal rim diameter is identical as well, but the 350 Legend does not use the 5.56 as its parent case like the 300 Blackout. The nominal rim diameter is identical as well, but the 350 Legend does not use the 5.56 as its parent case like the 300 Blackout. Heres why. The 350 Legend will shoot deer much farther and has better bullets available. Developed for the Springfield 1873, the .45-70 was potent for its time. Keep in mind, an 18 or 20 inch barrel will still deliver more foot pounds of energy at any range when compared to a 12 or 10.5 inch barrel. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Once the powder is burned up in the barrel, any extra barrel length can decrease velocity at the muzzle. The 350 has a lighter kick than a 243 or 30-30! That extra 4 inches doesnt do as much youd think. Even though a 20 barrel is best for long distance, really consider if thats all you want to use that rifle for. The best barrel length for a 12 gauge shotgun is 26 inches for a versatile and balanced shotgun. The compact size makes this a great brush gun for swamps and other areas where vegetation and branches are dense. He has earned black belts in four martial arts and is a certified Krav Maga instructor. Fortunately, lawmakers and wildlife agencies have mostly come to their senses in the last decade or so. Therefore, bullets exit the muzzle at approximately .355 when fired from any of those three cartridges. The best barrel length for 10mm is 14 for maximum velocity per barrel length in inches. A carbine is most commonly any barrel length less than 18 inches and greater than 10 inches. Hornadys 170-grain American Whitetail soft-point load, for example, managed 1,551 feet per second out of the Model 350 as compared to 2,200 feet per second from a rifle barrel. After all, with modern loads, you can do just about anything with this old warhorse. Theres nothing wrong with hunting deer with a .357 Mag, just realize that although its a pretty potent pistol round, in a rifle, its still less potent and honestly, less effective on deer than a .223. Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2019 Shooter's Guide issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. As you can see, there isnt a crazy difference between 20 and 24 barrels with 6.5 Grendel. The vitals zone on a deer is about 8 inches wide. Short-barreled rifle(SBR) is a legal designation in the United States, referring to a shoulder-fired,rifledfirearm, made from a rifle, with abarrellength of less than 16in (41cm) or overall length of less than 26in (66cm), or a handgun fitted with abuttstockand a barrel of less than 16 inches length. However, 8 and even 7 barrels are very popular in 300 blackout pistols with the use of subsonic ammunition and a suppressor. Most 45-70 guns can explode as they are not ment for the pressure of hot 45-70. However, 18 barrels are also very popular to achieve mire velocity and efficient powder burn. The 350 Legend is a fascinating cartridge. The speeds are also there. Barrel lengths under 28 will cause loss of unburnt powder. This was partly because it was introduced at about the time of the AR-15 craze that hit the United States (at that time, everyone wanted an AR in .223 Remington). A pistol can have any barrel length under 16 inches, and will often be between 3 and 16 inches. Barrel lengths under 16 arent taking full advantage of this round. However, most hunting shots are taken at ranges that allow a lighter more manageable 18 to 22 inch barrel to be more practical. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. Hornady's 165-grain FTX Customs are doing 2,200-fps and are hitting with 1,773-foot pounds of energy. However many 357 Mag revolvers and handguns will have a 6 barrel length and many rifles are between 16 to 20 inches. In fact, I only got one because of that. I recommend RTS Tactical for reliable, rifle-stopping options, Youre worth it. Most commonly Short barreled rifles have barrel lengths between 7 and 16 inches with the most popular barrel length being 11.5 inches or 9 inches depending on caliber used. Knowing the weird laws above can help clarify a bit why some of the barrel lengths below have become so popular. The best barrel length for a 50 Beowulf is 16 for the greatest velocity vs. length. This is a 150gr copper bullet with a ballistic coefficient G1 of .320 at 2450fps from my 20" barreled rifle with very little recoil, an honest 300+ yard deer round. WebThe 357 mag made for an excellent self-defense round for many years, and countless people still carry it for self-defense today. 5845(a)(3)-(4), (c)] (source). AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own. Might be easier to pick up a used 357 Max barrel or convert a 357 Mag barrel. Most professional hunters can cite 1,000 ft/lbs. Bullet selection might swing me toward the Max I would be getting an MGM barrel. For hunting with 6.5 Creedmoor, 18 to 22 inch barrels are more practical. The minimum impact velocity for the .357 Magnum is somewhere between 1,200 and 1,000 fps, depending on the particular bullet. The best barrel length for 6.5 Grendel for hunting is an 18 or 20 inch barrel. At first, these rifles were relegated to pistol caliber rifles like .44 or .357 Magnum. There are two main metrics for measuring the effectiveness of a hunting cartridge. The 270 WIN doesnt have the powder capacity to warrant the longer barrels. The 450 buffalo bore hard cast hits anything living and they wont be. Its nothing more than a .223 Remington cartridge case with the shoulders blown out to form a straight-wall case that will accept a .358-caliber bullet. Lengths smaller than the Federal requirement must either meet the legal pistol definition or be registered as an NFA short barreled rifle (SBR). The 350 Legend is a fascinating cartridge. However the best barrel length for maximum velocity is 15 with the 45 ACP. Bottom line: Pick the one you like the best. The Winchester factory round is rather anemic; it launches a 255-grain bullet at about 1,300 fps. It will shoot a bit flatter than the .45-70 Government or .444 Marlin. The 4 barrel is also a favorite, although the 1 difference doesnt help much with concealing and you lose a little velocity. Most 350 Legend bullets have a higher sectional density which means more penetration than the .357 Magnum. If the pistol is going to be suppressed, 7 or 8 inches of barrel length tends to work best, while shooters who prefer a little more range may opt for a 10 to 14 inch barrel. You might call it a The best barrel length for an AR pistol is 10.5 because the most popular round for AR pistols is 5.56. The best barrel length for a 338 Lapua is 26 for plenty of accuracy and power out to 500-700 yards. The 350 Legend is 80 percent more powerful than a .357 Magnum and is effective on deer twice as far away. At a distance less than 400 yards a 16 to 18 inch barrel would be ideal. The .350 Legend is no better. That is, how fast the bullet is going at a given distance, and how much bullet energy should be reliable enough. That puts the .357 back on the board. Ballistics are a wonderful thing, because they provide legitimate/scientific data to support estimations of cartridge effectiveness. Sure, you can just adjust for bullet drop. Your family is worth it. The low bullet mass is -The recoil of the 45 Colt is much less than that of the .357 Magnum, making it more Yes, by modern standards, those numbers are anemic, but modern .45-70 loadsin modern .45-70 riflesturn the .45-70 into a cartridge of another order.