Upgrading to a Straight Walled Cartridge
Upgrading to a Straight Walled Cartridge
I was 8 the first time I got to tag along with my dad for the most exciting day of the year: opening day of Iowa’s first shotgun season. This was the day I became hooked on deer hunting. I loved it from the sitting in freezing temperatures in a homemade deer stand, to setting up and getting ready for a drive.
While shotguns, as well as the sabots and slugs, have improved in recent years, straight-wall cartridges offer a more refined and predictable shooting experience. The combination of accuracy, power, and versatility makes them a compelling choice for Iowa deer hunters. Straight-wall cartridges can be chambered in various rifle platforms, offering hunters flexibility in choosing the right firearm for their hunting style and preferences. Many straight-wall cartridges are designed with reduced recoil, making them more comfortable to shoot for a wider range of hunters, including women and youth. Lower recoil translates to better shot placement and follow-up shots, enhancing overall hunting success. With flatter trajectories and higher velocities, straight-wall cartridges allow for ethical shots at greater distances, expanding hunting opportunities. So, let’s take a look at three of the most popular straight-walled cartridges in Iowa.
.350 Legend
The .350 Legend, officially 9×43mmRB, is a relatively new cartridge by Winchester Repeating Arms.
Designed specifically for straight-wall cartridge regulations in several states, including Iowa, the .350 Legend has quickly gained popularity among hunters. One of the standout features of the .350 Legend is its manageable recoil, making it suitable for new hunters or those sensitive to recoil. I was surprised the first time I shot one at how little recoil the gun had. This would be a good pick for a youth hunter or a small framed hunter. You can shoot comfortably without developing a flinch to the gun. The cartridge offers a relatively flat trajectory, allowing for accurate shots at extended ranges. One benefit of the .350 Legend is the preferred options for bullet weights, from 125 to 280 grains. Generally speaking, ammunition for the .350 Legend is affordable compared to some other centerfire cartridges.
The .350 Legend is good choice for deer hunting in Iowa. Its light recoil, decent accuracy, and somewhat flat trajectory out to 200 yards makes it a good pick for the Iowa gun seasons.
.400 Legend
Following the popularity of the .350 Legend, emerged the .400 Legend. The .350 Legend and .400 Legend are two popular straight-wall cartridges that have gained significant traction among Iowa hunters in recent years. While both offer advantages over traditional shotgun slugs, they cater to slightly different preferences and hunting scenarios. The .400 Legend provides a noticeable increase in power and penetration compared to the .350 Legend. This additional energy makes it a preferred choice for hunters targeting larger deer or those who encounter tougher hunting conditions. While the recoil is higher than the .350 Legend, it remains manageable for most shooters. The .400 Legend offers a balance of power and accuracy. When compared to the .350 Legend, it offers more energy and penetration, along with heavier bullets. However, you will notice a little more recoil when compared to the .350 legend.
.450 Bushmaster
For those looking for a bigger cartridge with more knock-down potential you might want to take a look at the .450 Bushmaster. The .450 Bushmaster has emerged as a formidable contender in the straight-wall cartridge category, offering hunters a blend of power and versatility. Its larger diameter and heavier bullet options provide a significant advantage over the .350 Legend
It’s compatible in standard AR-15 platforms too. The .450 Bushmaster offers a familiar and comfortable shooting experience increased penetration and stopping power. One advantage of the larger caliber straight walled bullet choices includes Hornady’s FTX and Winchester’s Deer Season XP, both known for their reliable performance on deer. For those seeking maximum penetration and ethical hunting, all-copper bullets like the Barnes TSX have been proven to really do some damage on a deer.
While the .450 Bushmaster delivers impressive power, it comes with increased recoil compared to the .350 Legend. This recoil is comparable to what you would expect from a 12-gage shotgun, so keep that in mind. Overall, the .450 Bushmaster is a versatile cartridge that is an excellent choice for Iowa deer hunters.
No matter what you choose, be sure to put in the time, sight in your gun, and make sure to place that bullet in an ethical spot.
by Clint Anderson
October 2024
