Winchester's New 350 Legend
A very common question I run across comes from people wondering is…what is the best caliber for whitetails?
Obviously this is a very personal question, but I’ve often struggled with what the best answer is, until now. Last season I shot the 350 Legend and this seems to be the perfect combination of knockdown power, yet delivers very light recoil. Most of my shots on whitetails are 200-yards and in, and this is the perfect caliber for shots at this distance and in.
With this 350 Legend you have the option of shooting 150-grain Deer Season XP ammunition that has the power to take big bucks right off their feet. I shot a big Nebraska mule deer last season and a beautiful Montana whitetail where this truly shined. It took the whitetail right off its feet and made me a believer. Think of it as a modern day 30-30 that is the fastest straight walled hunting cartridge ever made. The fact that it’s a straight wall cartridge is great because this allows people to use it in numerous states that don’t offer rifle calibers but allow straight walled cartridges or slugs. This will be the perfect round for Iowa in my mind because most of the shots are inside that 200 to 250 yard range and the accuracy one gets with this caliber is truly unbelievable.
This is also a great caliber for new hunters, women, kids, and really anyone who doesn’t want a ton of recoil. Usually I shoot a .300 Win. Mag. with a 180 grain bullet. This packs quite a punch, but after using the 350 legend and seeing the results, I’m completely sold. As a rule most people shoot better when there is less recoil. It allows for a quicker follow up shot if needed and normally helps ensure that the first shot is even better with less chance of jerking the trigger. I like to use a suppressor, so with my Silent Legion suppressor the recoil is hardly even noticeable. The Winchester XPR’s are all threaded for a suppressor if you’d like and their short barrel makes this an amazing gun in the field.
To top off this caliber, Winchester designed the Deer Season XP in a 350 Legend which is made specifically for bucks. They’ve done tons of research and development to ensure this load offers everything a deer hunter is looking for. Incredible accuracy, great penetration with a huge impact and powerful knockdown power. All this leads to quick, clean kills and happy deer hunters!
So in the end if you’re in the market for a new gun or just want to give something a try, I’d highly recommend giving the 350 legend a chance. You won’t be disappointed!
