350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster: A Comprehensive Comparison for Deer Hunting

For hunters in states like Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, the choice of straight-wall cartridges can make or break a successful deer season. The 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster have become two of the most popular options, but how do you decide which one is right for your hunt?

Understanding the key differences between these cartridges is essential whether you’re looking for low recoil, superior accuracy, or maximum stopping power.

In this article, we’ll provide an expert comparison of the 350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster, breaking down their performance, recoil, trajectory, and real-world hunting scenarios. By the end, you’ll know which cartridge best fits your hunting needs.

Cartridge Overview: 350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster

What is 350 Legend

Introduced by Winchester in 2019, the 350 Legend was designed to offer hunters in straight-wall states an efficient option for medium-range deer hunting. With less recoil and cost than its 450 Bushmaster counterpart, this cartridge is particularly favored for youth hunters and those sensitive to recoil. The 350 Legend fires a .355-inch bullet and offers muzzle velocities between 2,100 and 2,300 fps, with energy ranging from 1,600 to 1,900 foot-pounds.

What is 450 Bushmaster

The 450 Bushmaster, developed with input from Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, delivers significantly more power. This .452-inch caliber round fires heavier bullets (240-300 grains) at a muzzle velocity of 2,100 to 2,200 fps, making it ideal for hunters needing maximum stopping power at close to mid-range distances. This cartridge, however, comes with increased recoil, making it less appealing to some shooters.

Trajectory and Ballistics Comparison

The 350 Legend has a flatter trajectory at medium range, with only a 6.71-inch drop at 200 yards, making it easier for less experienced shooters to use without precise range estimation.

Meanwhile, the 450 Bushmaster has a greater drop but retains more energy, making it better suited for larger game or hunters who need more stopping power.

350 Legend Ballistics Chart

The HOP Munitions 170-grain Soft Point bullets travel at 2,450 fps at the muzzle and 2,069 fps at 100 yards. 

For a 180-grain Federal bullet, the speed drops to about 1,800 fps at 100 yards.

Regarding trajectory, our 170-grain Soft Point bullet drop is 0.01 at 100 yards. Even at 200 yards, the drop is a mere 6.71 inches.

• Drag Function: G1
• Ballistic Coefficient: 0.215
• Bullet Weight: 170 grain
• Initial Velocity: 2,450 FPS
• Sight Height: 1.5 inches
• Zero Range: 100 yards
• Chart Range: 500 yards

450 Bushmaster Ballistics Chart

Our 300-grain JHP bullets travel at 1,760 fps at the muzzle and 1,437 fps at 100 yards. 

The energy on target is equally impressive, delivering 2,064 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle and 1,377 foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards.

This round is incredibly potent and can dispatch most deer immediately upon impact.

• Drag Function: G1
• Ballistic Coefficient: 0.200
• Bullet Weight: 300 grain
• Initial Velocity: 1,760 FPS
• Sight Height: 1.5 inches
• Zero Range: 100 yards
• Chart Range: 500 yards

Recoil Comparison

One key difference between these cartridges is recoil. The 350 Legend produces about 11.6 ft-lbs of recoil energy, while the 450 Bushmaster delivers a substantial 27.45 ft-lbs, similar to a 12-gauge shotgun. If you’re sensitive to recoil or plan on taking multiple shots quickly, the 350 Legend is the more comfortable option.

Cost and Availability

In terms of cost, the 350 Legend also holds a distinct advantage. With practice ammo available for less than $1.00 per round, it’s significantly cheaper than the 450 Bushmaster, which can cost upwards of $2.00 per cartridge for premium hunting rounds.

Both cartridges are relatively easy to find online, but the 350 Legend is generally more affordable and widely available.

Hunting Scenarios: Which One is Right for You?

350 Legend

Ideal for hunters in wooded areas or smaller plots where shots are limited to around 200 yards, the 350 Legend provides enough accuracy and stopping power for whitetail deer and hogs. Its lower recoil makes it a top choice for youth hunters and those with lighter builds.

450 Bushmaster

For hunters facing larger game or requiring the ability to shoot beyond 200 yards, the 450 Bushmaster offers the superior stopping power to take down larger animals ethically. This cartridge is particularly useful in open fields or for those with experience managing heavier recoil.

Conclusion

Choosing between the 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster depends on your hunting environment and personal preferences. If you prioritize low recoil, affordability, and accuracy within 200 yards, the 350 Legend is a fantastic option. On the other hand, if you need maximum power and don’t mind the extra kick, the 450 Bushmaster will give you the edge in more challenging hunts.

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