If you hunt in a straight-wall cartridge only state, choosing the right cartridge is critical. You need rifle ammo that delivers the kind of performance to drop bucks or bears without hesitation – and is legal

Good thing for you, hunters today have more straight wall options than ever before. Two pioneers leading the development in straight wall science are Remington’s 360 Buckhammer and the 350 Legend.

What Is 360 Buckhammer?

Launched in January 2023 by Remington Ammunition, 360 Buckhammer is the new heavyweight contender in the straight-wall arena. 360 Buckhammer is built upon the nostalgia of traditional deer camp cartridges, but with modern reliability and availability. 360 Buckhammer shines in lever-action rifles, break-action firearms, and revolvers. It’s a modern, rimmed cartridge that pays homage to its parent cartridge, the iconic 30-30 Winchester—only faster.

Slinging large .358-diameter bullets (popularized by cartridges like 35 Remington and 35 Whelen), 360 Buckhammer pushes 180-200 grain projectiles at blistering speeds of 2,200–2,400 FPS. The result? Impressive knockdown power, flat trajectory, and effective ranges out to 200 yards and beyond.

Legal in all straight-wall states, 360 Buckhammer offers reduced recoil compared to the heavy hitters like the 45-70 Gov’t, 444 Marlin, or 450 Bushmaster, while packing more punch than lighter straight-wall rounds like the popular handgun choice - 357 Magnum.

For more information on 360 Buckhammer, including detailed ballistics and FAQs, click here.

What Is 350 Legend?

Since its debut in 2019, the 350 Legend has built its reputation as a versatile straight-wall cartridge. Specifically, this cartridge is designed to function seamlessly in AR-15/MSR platforms, Remington’s 350 Legend load spits a 180 grain bullet at a MV of 2100 FPS.

Although it doesn’t have a technical parent case, 350 Legend shares similarities with the popular 223 Remington, making it perfect for semi-automatic rifles. Known for its soft recoil , yielding pleasant shooting experience, 350 Legend is also available in bolt-action rifles and handguns. 350 Legend ballistics can be found here, with a BC of .245.

360 Buckhammer vs. 350 Legend: Differences

Both 360 Buckhammer and 350 Legend are excellent options for straight-wall hunters. While both are legal in most straight-wall states, always check your local game laws before hitting the huntin’ woods.

The primary difference between these two rifle cartridges lies in the platform of firearms they are chambered in:

360 Buckhammer was designed for optimization in lever-action rifles, break-open rifles, and revolvers.

350 Legend was engineered to fit an AR-15/MSR style firearm platform but is also commonly found in bolt-action rifles and handguns.

Cost and Availability

360 Buckhammer:

360 Buckhammer ammo is available across two brands including Remington Ammunition and Federal Premium. Remington offers 360 Buckhammer in 3 different product families. Traditional Core-Lokt, Core-Lokt Tipped Lever Gun, and soon to be, Core-Lokt Copper. Federal Premium offers 360 Buckhammer in their iconic Powershok line. In frank terms, Remington Ammunition dominates the playing field in terms of production of 360 with an average price of $44.49 (20rd boxes). 360 Buckhammer ammo is available online and popular in retail stores across the United States, making it easy to find, especially in straight wall states.

350 Legend:

350 Legend ammo is available in one load with Remington Ammunition and two loads with Federal Premium, with the average price across the Kinetic Group of $40.65 (20rd boxes). Outside the Kinetic Group, 350 Legend is widely available across other brands, giving it a slight edge over 360 Buckhammer in terms of availability. Additionally, the price point of 350 Legend is lower compared to 360 Buckhammer.

Should you Shoot the 360 Buckhammer or 350 Legend?

If you prefer lever-action or break-action rifles, opt for 360. As the fastest straight-wall cartridge in its class, Buckhammer out strides the 30-30 Winchester, 350 Legend, 400 Legend, and 450 Bushmaster. Its brush busting .358-diameter bullets, paired with friendly recoil, makes it a standout choice for being deer, bear, and hog killer that competes with modern cartridges. Be sure to check out Remington’s new load in 360 Buckhammer. Core-Lokt Tipped Lever Gun. The cartridge design is optimized for easy feeding in the tube loading mechanisms in lever action rifles. Additionally, enjoy the benefits of the iconic Core-Lokt bullet with the added benefits of a tipped point, improving flight and increasing rapid expansion.

Choose 350 Legend if you’re hunting with an AR-15 or bolt-action rifle. Its light recoil and solid performance at ranges under 200 yards have made it a favorite for hunters seeking efficiency and comfort.

Straight-wall hunting has never looked more promising. Whether you go with Buckhammer’s speed and power or Legend’s versatility and ease, you’ll be stackin’ game and fillin’ the freexer to fill the freezer this season.

	350 Legend	360 Buckhammer
Year Developed	2019	2022
Parent Case	N/A – Similar to 223 Remington	30-30 Winchester
Case Type	Rebated Rim, Straight Wall	Rebated Rim, Straight Wall
Case Length	1.71”	1.80”
Cartridge Overall Length	2.25”	2.380 – 2.500”
Platform/Action-Types	AR/MSR, Bolt Action, Single Shot	Lever Action, Revolver, Bolt Action, Single Shot
SAAMI Pressure Max	55,000 PSI	50,000 PSI
Common Bullet Grain Weight	160 -180 gr.	150 – 250 gr.
Bullet Diameter	0.357”	0.358”
Common Barrel Twist Rate	1:16	1:12
Muzzle Velocity	2,100 – 2,300 FPS	2,200 – 2,400 FPS
Muzzle Energy	1,762 FT-FLS	2,300 FT-LBS
200 Yard Energy	920 FT-LBS	948 FT-LBS
200 Yard Velocity	1,520 FPS	1,540 FPS
200 Yard Drop	-9.4”	-7.8”
Free Recoil	8.5 FT-LBS	14.0 FT-LBS