350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster is a choice between a smaller, faster .357-inch straight-wall bullet and a heavy .452-inch one. Both run in an AR15 and both are used where states allow straight-wall cartridges for deer. The 450 Bushmaster carries more energy and recoils harder; the 350 Legend shoots flatter and kicks less. Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the 350 Legend as a complete 18-inch CM15 AR15 rifle and the 450 Bushmaster as 16-inch and 10.5-inch CM15 uppers.

350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster at a Glance

Specification	350 Legend	450 Bushmaster
Introduced	2019, Winchester	2007, Hornady and Bushmaster
Bullet diameter	.357 inch	.452 inch
Case length	1.71 inches	1.700 inches
Common factory bullets	145 to 180 gr	250 to 300 gr
Federal Power-Shok	180 gr, 2,100 fps, 1,762 ft-lb	300 gr, 1,900 fps, 2,405 ft-lb
Magazine	Dedicated 350 Legend, 10 rounds	Dedicated or modified AR15 magazines
Chattahoochee Munitions	CM15 rifle, 18-inch, 1:16	CM15 uppers, 16 and 10.5-inch

Both cartridges are standardized through SAAMI.

350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster Ballistics

Federal publishes both Power-Shok loads with a 100-yard zero and 1.5-inch sight height, which keeps this 350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster table on one basis.

Distance	350 Legend 180 gr	450 Bushmaster 300 gr
Muzzle	2,100 fps / 1,762 ft-lb	1,900 fps / 2,405 ft-lb
100 yards	1,793 fps / 1,284 ft-lb	1,592 fps / 1,687 ft-lb
200 yards	1,520 fps / 924 ft-lb / -9.4 in	1,331 fps / 1,179 ft-lb / -12.4 in
300 yards	1,292 fps / 668 ft-lb / -34.1 in	1,136 fps / 860 ft-lb / -44.5 in
Wind at 200 yards (10 mph)	8.9 in	11.3 in

Source: Federal 450 Bushmaster Power-Shok and Federal 350 Legend Power-Shok. The 450 Bushmaster carries about 250 to 640 ft-lb more depending on range; the 350 Legend drops 3 inches less at 200 yards and 10 inches less at 300.

Recoil

A 300 gr bullet weighs two thirds more than a 180 gr bullet, and the 450 Bushmaster’s recoil reflects it. Winchester itself describes its larger 400 Legend as matching 450 Bushmaster energy with about 20 percent less recoil, which places the 350 Legend well below both. For young or recoil-sensitive hunters, the 350 Legend is the easier rifle to shoot well.

350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster for Deer and Hogs

For whitetail inside 200 yards, both are effective with expanding hunting bullets. The 350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster difference shows on large hogs and at short range in heavy cover, where the 450’s wide, heavy bullet penetrates more. Read 350 Legend for deer. For bear, Chattahoochee Munitions recommends the 375 Raptor or 458 SOCOM XL over either; between these two, the 450 Bushmaster carries more energy, and the 400 Legend is the Hall of Legends option for black bear.

Magazines and Capacity

The 350 Legend uses a dedicated double-stack magazine; Chattahoochee Munitions sells a 10-round 350 Legend magazine. The 450 Bushmaster’s wide case stacks in a single column, so an AR15 magazine holds fewer rounds of it than of 5.56. Check your state’s magazine limits for hunting with either.

Where 400 Legend Fits

The 400 Legend sits between the two: a .40-caliber, 190 to 215 gr bullet at about 2,250 fps. If the 350 Legend feels light and the 450 Bushmaster feels like too much recoil, compare 400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster and 350 Legend vs 400 Legend. For the larger 458 SOCOM, read 458 SOCOM vs 450 Bushmaster.

350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster: Which Should You Choose?

Choose the 350 Legend for deer with mild recoil and a flatter trajectory; it is the complete CM15 350 Legend rifle at Hall of Legends. Choose the 450 Bushmaster for a 250 to 300 gr bullet in an AR15 at short range, using the CM15 450 Bushmaster 16-inch upper or the 10.5-inch upper.

350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster FAQ

Is 350 Legend better than 450 Bushmaster?

It is better for recoil and trajectory. The 450 Bushmaster is better for energy and bullet weight. For whitetail inside 200 yards, either works.

Which shoots flatter, 350 Legend or 450 Bushmaster?

The 350 Legend. In Federal’s data it drops 34.1 inches at 300 yards from a 100-yard zero, against 44.5 inches for the 450 Bushmaster.

Can 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster use the same bolt?

No. The 350 Legend uses the AR15’s .223 bolt face; the 450 Bushmaster needs its own bolt and barrel.

Are both straight-wall cartridges?

Yes. Each state sets its own rules on bullet diameter and case length, so confirm both against your state’s current regulations. Read what is a straight wall cartridge.

Who makes a 350 Legend AR15 rifle?

Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM15 350 Legend AR15 with an 18-inch 1:16 barrel, TriggerTech Duty trigger and ambidextrous controls in Black Tungsten, Cobalt Kinetics Green and FDE Metallic Cerakote.

350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster: Lighter and Flatter or Heavier and Wider