Is 350 Legend good for deer? Yes. The 350 Legend was designed for deer hunting: Winchester introduced it in 2019 as a straight-wall cartridge for hunters in states and zones that once allowed only shotguns and muzzleloaders. With a 150 to 180 gr expanding bullet it carries about 900 to 1,050 ft-lb at 200 yards, enough for whitetail and mule deer with good shot placement. Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the 350 Legend for deer as an 18-inch CM15 AR15 rifle.

350 Legend for Deer: The Short Answer

Range: inside about 200 yards.
Bullets: 150 to 180 gr expanding hunting bullets; skip full metal jacket practice ammunition.
Zero: 150 yards keeps the bullet within about 2.5 inches of the aim point to about 175 yards from the 18-inch CM15 (calculated).
Legality: straight-wall rules vary by state; check current regulations.

350 Legend Energy and Drop for Deer Hunting

Chattahoochee Munitions calculated the Federal 180 gr Power-Shok from the 18-inch CM15 at an estimated 2,050 fps, with a 150-yard zero:

Distance	Velocity	Energy	Path
50 yards	1,893 fps	1,431 ft-lb	+1.6 in
100 yards	1,743 fps	1,214 ft-lb	+2.2 in
150 yards	1,603 fps	1,027 ft-lb	0
200 yards	1,473 fps	867 ft-lb	-5.6 in
250 yards	1,355 fps	734 ft-lb	-15.2 in

Calculated estimate: Federal’s published .245 G1 BC, standard atmosphere, 1.5-inch sight height. See 350 Legend ballistics for the published tables.

Choosing Bullets: 350 Legend for Deer

Bullet construction matters more than weight. Three common choices:

Polymer-tipped: Winchester’s 150 gr Deer Season XP Extreme Point expands quickly on deer-size game.
Bonded soft point: Federal’s 160 gr Fusion bonds its jacket to the core for weight retention; Federal lists a 1,600 fps minimum expansion velocity, reached at about 300 yards. See Federal 350 Legend Fusion.
Traditional soft point: Federal’s 180 gr Power-Shok and Winchester’s 180 gr Power-Point penetrate deeply on larger-bodied deer.

350 Legend for Deer: Shot Placement and Range

Aim for the heart and lungs just behind the front leg. The 350 Legend’s bullet slows quickly past 200 yards and drops about 15 inches at 250 yards with a 150-yard zero, so many hunters set 200 yards as the limit when using a 350 Legend for deer. Inside 100 yards, in timber and along field edges where straight-wall hunting usually happens, it is a flat-shooting, mild-recoiling deer rifle.

350 Legend for Deer in Straight-Wall States

Several states allow straight-wall rifle cartridges during seasons or zones that used to be shotgun-only. Rules differ: some limit case length or bullet diameter, some restrict semi-automatic rifles or magazine capacity. Read what is a straight wall cartridge and check your state wildlife agency’s current regulations. The cartridge’s dimensions are published by Winchester.

What 350 Legend Is Not For

Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend the 350 Legend for bear or elk. For black bear, choose the 400 Legend; for elk or larger bear, the 375 Raptor or 458 SOCOM XL. Hogs are fine at deer distances.

The CM15: a 350 Legend for Deer Hunters

The 18-inch CM15 weighs 6 lb 12 oz with an unloaded magazine, has a 1:16 twist, a B5 Systems Bravo stock adjustable from 11 to 14.25 inches, ambidextrous controls and a 3.5 lb TriggerTech Duty trigger. Choose Black Tungsten, Cobalt Kinetics Green or FDE Metallic Cerakote; each ships with one 10-round 350 Legend magazine. For a 10-round limit state, it is ready as delivered.

350 Legend for Deer FAQ

Is a 350 Legend for deer enough gun?

Yes, inside about 200 yards with an expanding hunting bullet and good shot placement.

What grain 350 Legend for deer?

150 to 180 gr. Lighter polymer-tipped bullets expand quickly on whitetail; 160 to 180 gr bonded or soft-point bullets penetrate more on large deer and hogs.

What is the max range of 350 Legend for deer?

About 200 yards, set by drop and wind.

Is 350 Legend good for elk or bear?

Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend it. Use the 375 Raptor or 458 SOCOM XL.

350 Legend or 400 Legend for deer?

Both work. The 350 Legend recoils less; the 400 Legend carries more energy. Compare in 350 Legend vs 400 Legend.

Who makes a 350 Legend deer rifle?

Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM15 350 Legend AR15 deer rifle with an 18-inch barrel, available at Hall of Legends.

350 Legend for Deer: Bullets, Range and Straight-Wall Rules