350 Legend vs 5.56 | Is 350 Legend a Multi-Purpose AR-15 Round?

The 350 Legend is becoming increasingly popular as a multi-purpose AR-15 round.

With anti-gun and anti-Second Amendment groups waging war against the AR-15 platform and labeling it an assault rifle, the 350 Legend has been gaining traction.

The 350 Legend is better known as a sporting round used for hunting deer and hog hunting, so it skirts those "assault rifle" labels on the AR-15 chambered in 5.56.

While it is less effective than 5.56 past 200 yards, within that 200-yard area, the 350 Legend is quite effective at filling the role the 5.56 does and does it devastatingly well.

And while 350 Legend is not considered a NATO round and is therefore not as plentiful as 5.56 when these groups begin going after the 5.56 ammo itself, 350 Legend will be there to save the day.

Plus, in many places, it’s illegal to hunt with 5.56, whereas you can legally hunt with 350 Legend, so you’re filling multiple roles such as hunting, home defense, and sporting.

The Primary Differences Between 350 Legend and 5.56

The obvious difference between these two is the cartridge specs.

5.56 is a bottleneck cartridge, whereas the 350 Legend is a straightwall cartridge.

The 350 Legend, introduced by Winchester in 2019, was specifically crafted to comply with the regulations for straight-walled cartridges required for deer hunting in states like Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.

FN Herstal created the 5.56 NATO in 1980, evolving from the 223 Remington (M193). While the 5.56 and 223 Remington share identical external case dimensions, the 5.56x45mm NATO variant was engineered to accommodate a heavier 62-grain bullet (M855), necessitating a higher pressure and a faster 1:7 twist rate barrel for optimal bullet stabilization.

Not often mentioned, both the 350 Legend and the 5.56 share the same rim diameter of 0.378 inches, simplifying the conversion of a 5.56 AR-15 to fire the 350 Legend with just a barrel swap and a new magazine.

The case lengths of these two rifle cartridges are quite similar, with the 5.56 measuring marginally longer at 1.76 inches compared to the Legend’s 1.71 inches.

Despite their comparable external lengths, the 350 Legend boasts a greater case capacity than the 5.56, holding 36.5 grains versus the 28.5 grains of the 5.56. This increased capacity is crucial for the 350 Legend to propel its heavier projectiles to effective muzzle velocities and energy on target.

Both cartridges are designed to handle similar maximum pressures as specified by SAAMI. The 5.56 chamber accommodates up to 55,114 psi, slightly higher than the 55,000 psi for the 350 Legend.

Beyond the cartridge specs, there are a few other differences. One of those is recoil. The recoil of a 350 Legend cartridge is slightly more than a 5.56, but not by much.

Regardless of the extra recoil, the knockdown power you’re getting makes up for it.

The other concerns the difference in ballistics between the two. We need to consider the ballistics when calling the 350 Legend a multi-purpose AR-15 round.

Ballistics Chart Comparing 350 Legend and 5.56

We chose to go out to 500 yards since that is the standard for many training courses and military qualifications.

Looking at the chart above, even though 5.56 is moving at considerably higher velocities, the energy displacement of the HOP Munitions 170gr 350 Legend is superior to the 5.56. At 100 yards and 200 yards, the knockdown power of that 350 Legend round is devastating, to say the least.

350 Legend, with the right equipment and shooting skills, can make hits out to 700 yards. Although you’re making extreme corrections to make those hits, it can be done. Check out the following video to see for yourself.

Speaking of equipment, let’s look at the Faxon Ascent AR-15 chambered in 350 Legend. This is one of our favorite AR platforms and is chambered for this impressive straight-walled cartridge.

Faxon 350 Legend AR Rifle for Home Defense and Hunting

When looking for an AR chambered in 350 Legend, the Faxon Ascent 16" 350 Legend AR-15 Rifle stands out as one of the best on the market.

Faxon Firearms, known for their commitment to quality, brings their expertise to the forefront with the Ascent Rifle, a testament to their dedication to the industry.

The rifle’s standout feature is its 16" Gunner Profile Barrel, coated with nitride for increased durability and corrosion resistance.

This barrel length and a 1:16 twist rate are perfectly suited for the heavier 350 Legend bullet. This combination ensures the bullet is stabilized effectively, maintaining the necessary velocity for the best possible terminal ballistics.

The result is a rifle that hits its target with remarkable accuracy and maintains a manageable weight for comfortable handling and a durable build that can handle any environment.

Best Multi-Purpose 350 Legend Ammo

HOP Munitions 170 Grain Soft Point

The HOP Munitions 170 Grain Soft Point is our top choice for a multi-purpose AR-15 round in the 350 Legend category.

This ammunition is expertly crafted to offer a perfect balance between accuracy and stopping power, making it ideal for a wide range of applications.

The 170-grain soft point bullet is designed to expand upon impact, ensuring maximum energy transfer and effective performance on target.

Whether for hunting or tactical use, the HOP Munitions round provides reliable performance under various conditions, making it a versatile and dependable choice for AR-15 enthusiasts.

Winchester Super X 180 Grain

Winchester’s Super X 180 Grain in 350 Legend is a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and performance.

Known for its exceptional precision, this round is engineered to deliver consistent accuracy at various ranges. The 180-grain bullet weight adds versatility, making it suitable for medium—to large-game hunting.

Its controlled expansion and deep penetration characteristics ensure that the Super X 180 Grain round is a reliable option for hunters seeking a robust and effective ammunition choice for their 350 Legend AR-15.

Federal Power Shok 180 Grain

The Federal Power Shok 180 Grain is another excellent choice for 350 Legend shooters looking for a multi-purpose round.

This ammunition is renowned for its superb knockdown power, a critical factor for hunting and self-defense scenarios. The 180-grain bullet is engineered for optimal performance, offering deep penetration and consistent expansion upon impact.

The Federal Power Shok’s reputation for quality and reliability makes it a favored choice among AR-15 users who demand top-tier performance from their 350 Legend ammunition.

RELATED – HOP Munitions: Innovating with Leading Poly Ammo

All This said, why should you favor the 350 Legend over 5.56?

The biggest reason is that 350 Legend can be used in an AR-15 platform, giving you multiple capabilities with a single rifle.

In the Eastern Woodlands, where I live, I’m never going to take a shot past 200 yards, so the 350 Legend makes sense. I can hunt with it, defend my homestead with it, and take it to the range for sporting purposes.

Terminal ballistics within that 200-yard area are devastating. At 200 yards, the energy displaced with a 350 Legend is roughly 1,073 ft-lbs. Compare that to the roughly 812 ft-lbs from 5.56 or even 790 ft-lbs from 300 Blackout.

Whatever you hit with 350 Legend within 200 yards is not getting back up.

Combine HOP Munitions 170-grain Soft Point loads with the Faxon Ascent in 350 Legend for unrivaled precision and power.