.350 Legend vs .450 Bushmaster ~ Vortex Nation Cartridge Talks VIDEO

In a recent episode of “Cartridge Talks” on the Vortex Nation YouTube Channel, two of today’s most talked-about straight-wall cartridges, the .350 Legend, and the .450 Bushmaster, went head-to-head. For hunters residing in states that restrict the use of traditional centerfire rifle calibers, straight-wall cartridges offer a contemporary answer to evolving game regulations.

.350 Legend vs .450 Bushmaster  ~ The Showdown

The evaluation began by setting the scene. Tests were carried out using factory ammunition, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient values to determine drop, drift, and recoil values. Both cartridges were fired into permagel, a clear ballistics gelatin, to gauge their impact.

While both the .450 Bushmaster and the .350 Legend showed impressive performances on the range, especially with their large bore sizes and power, the .350 Legend stood out in various categories. This cartridge proved to be more “shootable,” easier to control, and showed better aerodynamic ability, cutting through the wind more efficiently.

Interestingly, when it came to terminal performance with lead bullets, the .350 Legend demonstrated superior penetration and a more consistent wound channel compared to the .450 Bushmaster. However, the results were somewhat inversed when the cartridges were tested with copper bullets.

The Verdict

The analysis revealed a clear winner: the .350 Legend. In categories such as shootability, accessibility, versatility, drop, drift, and terminal performance with lead, the .350 Legend dominated. Though the .450 Bushmaster had its strengths, especially with copper bullet performance, the overall results heavily favored the .350 Legend. The hosts, Mark Boardman and Ryan Muckenhirn, pointed out that the results were unexpectedly one-sided.

Additional Insights and Features

For those keen on a more detailed discussion on the showdown between these cartridges, Vortex Nation offers a companion podcast series titled “Cartridge Talks: Fully Loaded.” This series delves deeper into critical considerations, including muzzle velocities, terminal ballistics, and ammunition.

Furthermore, Vortex has introduced a new ” Shop the Build ” feature for its audience.” This allows viewers to explore and purchase the exact rifles, rings, optics, and ammunition featured in the show, either as individual components or as a complete rifle build.

• Ruger American 350 Legend and Ruger American 450 Bushmaster: Renowned for accuracy and practical utilitarian features at an economical price, the Ruger American has an earned reputation for “get it done” performance. On the business end, its cold hammer-forged barrel plays a big part in the precision these things dole out. A one-piece, three-lug bolt with 70-degree throw operates smoothly and reliably. The ergonomic synthetic stock is impervious to the elements and comes in a variety of finishes to suit shooter preference. Intuitive access to the tang safety facilitates a smooth process once the crosshairs are settled and it’s time to shoot. The detachable box magazine holds rounds at the ready and feeds reliably. Top it off with the factory-installed, one-piece picatinny scope base and you get a rifle that checks a lot of boxes without emptying your bank account.
• Vortex Crossfire II 3-9×50 Straight Wall BDC: The Vortex Crossfire® II 3-9×50 Straight Wall BDC riflescope is purpose built to maximize straight wall cartridge performance. The reticle’s hashmarks are strategically spaced to match the ballistic curve of common straight wall cartridge projectiles, providing accurate holdovers at distance. Reticle is in the second focal plane and easy to acquire throughout the zoom range.
• Vortex Pro Series 1 Inch Rings: The rings that fasten the scope to the rifle are an incredibly import component of any shooting system. They are the proverbial glue holding two precision instruments together. We went with the low height, 1” Vortex Pro Series Rings. They are precision machined, reliable, and mount perfectly to the picatinny rail included with the rifle.

Got A Matchup You’d Like To See?

Viewers are invited to check out Cartridge Talks Ep. 5: “.350 Legend vs .450 Bushmaster.” Drop suggestions for future cartridge battles in the comments section, and be sure to hit the subscribe button to get notified when new episodes air.

For the most up-to-date news about other regular shows on the Vortex Nation YouTube channel, visit VortexOptics.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

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