Understanding Your 350 Legend Bullet Fundamentals
Bullet Diameter
Essentially the most essential facet is the bullet diameter. The 350 Legend makes use of a .357-inch diameter bullet. This comparatively giant diameter contributes to the cartridge’s efficient stopping energy, a characteristic extremely valued by hunters and people prioritizing terminal efficiency.
Bullet Weight
Bullet weight is one other vital issue. The burden, measured in grains, considerably impacts a bullet’s trajectory, velocity, and power switch. The 350 Legend accommodates a broad vary of bullet weights, providing versatility for various purposes. Widespread weight ranges embody 125 grains, 145 grains, 150 grains, 160 grains, 180 grains, and 185 grains.
Lighter bullets are likely to have larger velocities, leading to flatter trajectories, however may also be extra inclined to wind drift. Heavier bullets, conversely, have decrease velocities however usually keep extra power downrange, providing superior penetration and doubtlessly higher efficiency in difficult situations. The best bullet weight depends upon your supposed function. As an example, a lighter bullet may be appropriate for plinking and goal observe at shorter distances, whereas a heavier bullet is usually most well-liked for searching bigger recreation.
Bullet Kind
The form and building of a bullet, extra particularly, its kind, additionally drastically impacts efficiency. A number of varieties can be found for the 350 Legend, every designed for particular purposes.
Bullet Kind Breakdown for the 350 Legend
A number of completely different bullet designs can be found, every designed for various purposes. Understanding the professionals and cons of those bullets is necessary.
Full Metallic Jacket (FMJ) Bullets
FMJ bullets are absolutely encased in a steel jacket, usually manufactured from copper or a copper alloy. They’re identified for his or her reliability and affordability. As a result of the jacket prevents growth upon affect, FMJs are most suited to goal capturing and plinking, or for navy functions. These bullets are usually not usually really useful for searching, as they usually go via the goal with out increasing, leading to minimal power switch and diminished stopping energy.
Hole Level (HP) Bullets
HP bullets characteristic a cavity within the nostril. Upon affect, the bullet mushrooms or expands, growing its diameter and transferring extra power to the goal. This growth creates a bigger wound channel, bettering stopping energy and inflicting extra fast incapacitation. HP bullets are generally used for searching, as they provide wonderful growth and managed penetration. They’re additionally a strong selection for self-defense.
Tender Level (SP) Bullets
SP bullets are just like HP bullets however have a lead core with a portion uncovered on the tip. On affect, the uncovered lead begins to develop the bullet, just like an HP. The uncovered lead causes the bullet to develop. SPs provide a superb steadiness between growth and penetration, making them appropriate for searching and self-defense.
Spherical Nostril (RN) Bullets
RN bullets have a rounded tip, which typically promotes dependable feeding. Nevertheless, they’ll have a much less aerodynamic profile in comparison with different bullet varieties, resulting in a barely decreased trajectory at longer ranges. These are a superb choice for plinking.
Specialty Bullets
A number of specialty bullets are designed for particular functions. For instance, bonded bullets use a chemical or mechanical course of to bond the core and jacket collectively. These provide wonderful weight retention and deep penetration, making them very best for searching powerful recreation.
Main Producers of 350 Legend Bullets
The market is flooded with choices. Listed here are a number of the main bullet producers to contemplate for reloading your 350 Legend ammunition.
Hornady
Hornady is a well-respected producer identified for its high quality and efficiency. Hornady bullets are favored by many shooters, and provide a variety of bullets designed for particular functions. Some standard choices embody the XTP, and FTX. The XTP (Excessive Terminal Efficiency) is a hole level bullet designed for managed growth and deep penetration, making it well-suited for searching varied recreation species. The FTX (Flex Tip Increasing) is a novel design with a versatile polymer tip that initiates growth upon affect.
Sierra
Sierra bullets are famend for his or her accuracy. Sierra’s MatchKing bullets are a best choice amongst precision goal shooters, and its Professional-Hunter are additionally efficient in searching.
Speer
Speer has a powerful status for producing dependable and constant bullets, with the Gold Dot line being well-regarded.
Nosler
Nosler is a pioneer in bullet design, with a concentrate on premium searching bullets. Common choices embody the Ballistic Tip, identified for its accuracy and fast growth, and the AccuBond, which offers wonderful weight retention and deep penetration.
Barnes
Barnes makes a speciality of all-copper bullets, providing distinctive penetration and weight retention. Their TSX and TTSX bullets are standard decisions amongst hunters looking for deep penetration and minimal environmental affect.
Berry’s
Berry’s presents plated bullets, a extra reasonably priced choice for goal capturing and plinking.
Making Your Alternative: Components to Contemplate
Choosing the appropriate bullet to your 350 Legend reloading mission includes a cautious consideration of a number of components:
Supposed Use
That is the first driver of your bullet choice. When you’re searching, think about the dimensions and toughness of the sport. A heavier bullet with managed growth, resembling a bonded or partitioned design, may be optimum for bigger animals. For goal capturing, accuracy is paramount, so select a bullet identified for its constant efficiency and ballistic profile.
Rifle Twist Fee
The twist charge of your rifle’s barrel (e.g., 1:16 inches) dictates the soundness of the bullet. A quicker twist charge (e.g., 1:14 inches) stabilizes longer, heavier bullets higher than a slower twist charge. Seek the advice of your rifle’s guide or analysis to seek out your particular twist charge.
Powder Choice
Powder choice straight impacts bullet velocity, trajectory, and recoil. (Powder choice, nonetheless, might be coated in its personal article.)
Brass Choice
Dependable brass is crucial for constant efficiency.
Reloading Course of Overview and Security First
Whereas the reloading course of can appear complicated initially, it may be damaged down into a number of key steps:
Case Preparation
This consists of cleansing the fired brass, resizing it to the right dimensions, and trimming the case to the right size.
Priming
Inserting a brand new primer into the case.
Powder Charging
Fastidiously measuring and allotting the right amount of powder into the case.
Bullet Seating
Seating the bullet into the case to the right total size (OAL).
Crimping
(Non-obligatory) Making use of a crimp to the case mouth to make sure the bullet stays securely in place.
Ultimate Inspection
Fastidiously analyzing the finished spherical for any defects or inconsistencies.
Security needs to be paramount all through the reloading course of. All the time observe these pointers:
Seek the advice of dependable reloading manuals and cling to the really useful load knowledge.
Use a calibrated scale to weigh powder prices precisely.
Double-check bullet seating depth and OAL.
All the time put on security glasses and gloves.
Work in a well-ventilated space, and by no means combine or interchange powders.
Retailer parts safely, away from warmth and moisture.
Reload just one kind of cartridge at a time to keep away from mixing up parts.
Bullet Suggestions by Utility
Choosing the proper bullet is vital. Listed here are some particular suggestions, based mostly on utility:
Searching Bullets
Medium Recreation (e.g., Whitetail Deer, Coyotes): Contemplate Hornady XTP, Nosler Ballistic Tip, or Sierra Professional-Hunter.
Giant Recreation (e.g., Elk, Bear): Contemplate Barnes TSX or TTSX, or Nosler AccuBond.
Goal Taking pictures Bullets
Sierra MatchKing is a best choice for precision goal capturing.
Plinking Bullets
Berry’s plated bullets present a cheap choice for leisure capturing.
Further Assets for Your Reloading Journey
Reloading Manuals: Important for load knowledge and security data.
On-line Reloading Boards: A worthwhile useful resource for sharing data.
Bullet Producer Web sites: For detailed specs and cargo knowledge.
Conclusion
Reloading your 350 Legend ammunition means that you can optimize efficiency, get monetary savings, and benefit from the satisfaction of making your individual ammunition. Choosing the appropriate bullet is a vital step on this course of. Fastidiously think about your supposed use, bullet traits, and the sources out there to you. The mixture of the appropriate bullet, correct reloading methods, and a dedication to security will make sure you’re in a position to take pleasure in the advantages of this versatile cartridge.
