The Peculiarities of Loading 350 Legend - Lee Pacesetter Die Set 

Great question. I got my info straight from the developers at Winchester. They said you can load .357" bullets as long as you reduce the powder charge by about 10% compared to similarly sized .355" bullets. Most manufacturers choose .355", but at least one load I've tested was .357" from the factory. My own .357" loads have worked fine.

@@SocialRegressive ty again for that info

I think a lot of the reason why people don't reload to much anymore is because ammo is cheaper and people are buying more guns and more wide variety of calibers than they used to. And probably sending less rounds down range. 10 to 15 years ago I shot at least 200 rounds every 2 weeks. Now I'm lucky to shoot 100 a month.

Take that back ammo is more expensive. Easier to find.

26 here. It's good to know that there are some people our age reloading. What do you load?

Thanks, gun runner!

It's a fun little cartridge. Can't wait to see what some of these other bullets do.

I buy pull down powder from “American reloading “. It’s actually pulled from non fired American military carts. I recently got 8lbs of w896 which is w748 load data is exactly as blc2 . Is a cooler burning ball powder. Anyway they’ll have all sorts at different times. It u have to buy 8 lbs a time but no haz fee usually 25% off and they have all sorts of pulled projectiles I try to source everything possible from them.

Your saying the bullet is pressed inside to deep? That what I’m thinking your saying. If that’s the deal then simply back out your whole die . Unscrew the whole seating die until it will only set the bullet the desired depth. I assume the problem is the spire point is causing clearance problems . U could probably turn the center of the stem out hollow and round it so the projectiles fit higher inside but I believe u can adjust this issue out by simply backing out the whole die it doesn’t have to completely set against the holder u can make a gap. Good luck

Gascheck, I just re-wash the cases after sizing in my Frankford rotary liquid tumbler with lemishine and Dawn mix. Doesn't hurt the brass if not in a hurry for the extra cleaning step. Inside of cases are cleaner too, but probably doesn't matter.

Do you have any data to share?

@@Jay78801 I rather not, but I based it on Hodgdon's reloading data.

Agree. I've been reloading for 50 years and even today factory ammo is much better than it was but it's still very inferior to handloads. Case in point, I still shoot National Match High Power and use a M1 Garand. Why ? Because with my H4895 handloads with Hornady 150gr. FMJ it shoots to 1moa or slightly under, with any commercial ammo, even stuff specially made for Garands that same rifle holds 2.5moa. maybe slightly less on a good day. I've had the similar results on everything from 7mm/08 to 450 Bushmaster, a Ruger American that cloverleafs 1 ragged hole at 100 yards, and yes, there is a difference between reloading and handloading.

Yep! best reason to handload! accuracy is sooo superior.@@hardball107

Thanks, Jim! I keep forgetting I need to shore it up. Time to visit Lowe's again.

@@SocialRegressive Or go to a salvage yard or welding shop and see about a 12x16x1/2 or something like that, steel plate. It’s a little more work drilling holes but really worth it.

To further clarify, this video seems like a video for those who already know what you’re talking about, haha. I have never reloaded before. Maybe a beginner level guide would help. Thanks!

@@mattmuzic1 Good idea. I've had a lot of requests to do that.

The Social Regressive I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your content, man. I have been shooting my savage 110 in 350 legend, it likes the Winchester power point 180 grain.

RIGHT?!!! :D Glad you liked the video, breakin!

Probably a CNN fan

The issue I ran into with short loads was nose-dive into the magazine wall. I plan to try it again someday with bullets seated out a little farther.

I need to pay more attention. I used to know the thread pitch.

Just to be clear in my own head: Overall length determines the V(volume) in that equation? So the deeper the bullet is set into the case, the lower the volume and the higher the pressure? Eleventh grade chemistry was a long time ago. 😁

@@GarthKlaus Yep you got it :)

@@paulwatterson5992 Thanks!

Whoops! Thank you for the extraction.

Late to the party but had to scroll to see who said it. I use vernier regularly as I simply feel OCD when the dials or digital keep giving me very slightly different results. Might be meaningless error beyond the accuracy specification of the gauge but it is refreshing to be the judge and not pondering if a trailing 5 on a display is meaningful

What powder are you using?

Wish that I’d never traded my Rem 700 varmint in 7mm08. Loved that cartridge.

@@SocialRegressiveIMR4350, H4350, H380, H414, BL-C(2) H4198 H4895 for now Using the IMR 4350 for the 7mm08 loads and the BL-C(2) for the 180 grain 308 and H4198 for the lighter loads 110-135 grain 308 bullets for about a month now and they work very good This must have been when you tube turned off my notifications back then and never knew you even replied until I got this notice about Frank Evans

@@frankevans6584 No kidding as I had the Remington 700 BDL in 7mm mag and it was my favorite until I researched the 7mm08 and found it was superior in many ways, Not as much powder for a round going only 200 fps slower than a 7mm mag sold me plus super accurate and hard hitting long range ballistics I could only hope I could have afforded a Remington 700 BDL in 7mm08 as they were selling for like $1100 then the guy showed me the Browning A-Bolt for $500 and I was sold on cheap LOL Naw actually I did a lot or research on that Browning rifle also and it was from Japan with a twist no one else would know unless they had been to Japan like I had been in the Navy They are forced by a WW2 law to sell anything they export to the US for half the price the Japanese people living in Japan can buy one for which would be right at $1,100 if I lived in Japan Not only that the quality of the Browning was 10 times better than any Remington I looked at and knowing the Japanese people like I did I knew they would settle for no less than perfect when they made a samurai sword and would do the same with their rifles Not many people ever hear about that but they told me all about it when I was in Japan while in the Navy I got a camera on base for like $50 but the same camera out on the vendor streets of Japan cost $125-$150 so I asked, what's the deal there and they told me all about it A dag gum rum and coke at a bar cost me $8 when I was in Japan in 1978 but I got lucky and won $500 from the slot machines so that helped some with the fun expenses while I was there LOL

So far I've had no problems with jacket separations. I think as long as it's a proper jacket - not plating - it should hold up at rifle speeds.

Thanks for the notes! I haven't had to trim mine yet, but I'll know what to look for when I do.

On next try I was still having to force the trimmer pilot into the case mouth to get it to trim. The pilot was slightly expanding the case mouth. That being the case, I think a better solution is to run the cases through your expander die before trimming. That seemed to work much better. Great video. Keep up the good work.

Not in my testing. The WSR seems to have a solid cup.

The XTPs should work fine. They may come apart a little, but there should be plenty of mass and expansion.

Brilliant idea. I'll do that next time. That'd be a lot easier.

Maybe. There's a trick with that bullet; if it spins too fast it tears itself apart. I can still load it up at low pressures and speeds, but it won't cycle my action.

I haven't played with that cartridge. It makes sense, though. Low recoil, increased energy, decent trajectory. Sounds like a winner.

Howdy, Leikurz! You can load anything from .354 to .357, but be careful with the .357 bullets. Reduce those powder charges by an extra 10%. 15% if you crimp. H110 will work for any bullet in this range. Lil Gun will work for the mid-to-heavy bullets (124-grain+). Overall I recommend H110.

I've used Lil Gun in 458 SOCOM, too. Beast!

Not recommended. You will probably pierce them under these pressures.

A 9mm die will only size about half the case, and you'll have a devil of a time getting lengths right. Watch out for an expanding base. I would personally recommend buying a real 350 legend die set. Fewer explosions in your future.

You try the 18.5mm first. I'll watch. 😬 The boat-tail is a fine idea. I've tried the 147-grain 9mm XTP, and it has a boat-tail. Unfortunately it also doesn't feed in my rifle.

In my testing, .357" bullets worked just fine. The only issue is that they develop higher pressures more quickly than .355". Back off the powder charge a bit, and everything's OK.

Yes; I can load a .355 bullet without needing to flare the case mouth. .357 needs the extra room.

@@SocialRegressive This year will be my first time using a .350 Legend for deer season after normally using a .450 Bushmaster (a bit overkill in my opinion). Have you had the opportunity to use this on deer? If so, what type of results did you receive?

No, unfortunately you can't. The bodies are long and tapered.

Not yet, but any lead-free 9mm bullet with a decently long ogive should work. I'm about to test some Lehigh Defense.

I wish they would’ve went with .358s

Maker bullets has 3 or 4 bullet for the 350 now

It sounds like a bad die, but just to be sure you might try running into the die a little farther. Check with a bullet, too. A .355" bullet shouldn't fit in the mouth if you are just pushing with your fingers. Maybe only barely start to go in. If it's tight or doesn't fit, the issue may be farther down your case, like a slightly bulged web. Measure the web of a formed case and new case and see if the diameters match. A little extra diameter may not hurt, and should chamber OK, but if you see a pronounced doughnut on the outside or feel a ring on the inside, that case is getting close to a case head separation. Gotta throw it out. In the event that your case web is too large to chamber, you can use a 350 Legend small-base die. I think Lyman makes one. Good luck to you, Dave. I hope it's an easy fix.

@@SocialRegressive I appreciate you taking the time to answer & the info given. .355 bullet wouldn't go in but wanted to. Once I expanded it about 1/8-1/4 " into the case...bullet fit as it should. Will remeasure and compare as you suggest. Hard to believe factory cases would be bad after just 1 original firing, but maybe! I also went in as far as 1.5 turns instead of the 1/4-1/3 turn recommendation and had same failure. I'll chamber some and see before either ditching or using as is. 1 side note: I find it very peculiar that Lee die set doesn't include the crimping die, but yet the 6.5 Creedmoor does and it's not even "required". Maybe marketing...LOL

@@davethulier3048 Lee needs to release a 4-die set with EVERYTHING. It makes sense.

This comparator from hornady includes inserts for common bullet diameters. Since 350 legend uses .355-.357 bullets, I use the 35 insert.

Unfortunately, this round is pretty particular, and only a small handful of powders will work. And they're all magnum pistol powders. H110 is best, Lil Gun is second best, and Accurate No7 will work for a few projectiles.

Gordons Reloading Tool 2021.2030-NIGHTLY Parametric powder search by generic tolerance synthesis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- File : noname.grtload Caliber : .350 Legend Projectile : Hornady, Interlock, 0.355, 170.00 grain, 0.9035 in Seating depth : 0.3535 in Case : 39.40 grain H2O, 1.7098 in Cartridge length: 2.2598 in Initial pressure: 3626 psi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tolerance-Window : Target Min. Max. Unit maximum pressure : 55000 53130 56870 psi Muzzle velocity : - - - ft/s Barrel Time general (BT) : - - - ms Bullet Lead Time 10% pmax (BLT): - - - ms Load ratio : 96.08 90 103 % burnt propellant : - - - % -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A T T E N T I O N - A T T E N T I O N - A T T E N T I O N -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Depending on the setting of the limiting tolerance windows, the charges can exceed the specified maximum pressures, or have no meaningful, or even a dangerous value. Please check a load prior to use for plausibility. The order of the list depends on the composition of the powder list. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- propellant mass load ratio pmax v0 E0 burnt eff. BT BLT recoil grain % psi ft/s ft-lb % % ms ms ft-lb ADI AR 2205 (2020-04-30) 26.43 97.2 55005 2212.3 1847 100.0 37.1 0.8804 0.8578 - Accurate 5744 (2020-03-07) 26.36 100.3 54982 2223.1 1865 85.0 38.1 0.8734 0.8522 - Vihtavuori N110 (2020-03-11) 24.64 96.0 55002 2259.0 1926 100.0 41.4 0.8770 0.8473 - Somchem S265 (2019-09) 26.40 102.9 54723 2272.6 1949 92.8 37.8 0.8889 0.8541 - Lovex D060-01 (2021-04-18) 26.23 99.8 54951 2274.4 1952 100.0 39.4 0.8624 0.8440 - Shooters World Buffalo Rifle (D060-01) (2021-04-18) 26.23 99.8 54951 2274.4 1952 100.0 39.4 0.8624 0.8440 - IMR 4227 (2020-02-28) 27.26 100.3 54975 2277.7 1958 96.7 37.4 0.8638 0.8443 - Hodgdon H110 (2020-04-20) 27.36 92.3 54953 2320.6 2033 100.0 38.7 0.8608 0.8386 - Hodgdon Lil Gun (2021-04-10) 26.30 ▼89.7 56271 2411.0 2194 100.0 41.6 0.8653 0.8257 - ERROR! (invalid/impossible synthesis)

@@SocialRegressive Thanks for the reply? Do you think it would be possible for a slightly slower burning powder such as H4198 or equivalent to work?

I agree! :P

When I buy jacketed bullets I tend to look for bevel bases. Cast is a whole other ball of wax.

Great question. H110 is the best overall powder for 350 legend, and it works with 50 Beowulf, but it would probably blow your 223 rifle apart. You need a much slower powder. Thankfully you have a lot to choose from: accurate 2230, 2520, mr2000, Ramshot TAC, Varget, and a host of others.

Thank you so much for your guidance. In your opinion which one you you suggest. I have quite a few "tools" that I wanto use mostly for long distance. My 223 wylde be my go to defense and hunting rifle. Even though I would like to reach 400/500 yards. Realistically I will stay at 250 to 350.

@@1971boss realistically speaking none of the three cartridges you mention are good for long range shooting. While it is possible none of those 3 are good options. As for hunting the 50 beowulf will kill anything you want inside of its range limitations. I personally use a handgun for defense. No need in killing an innocent neighbor.

The bore is tad small for 357, but if you reduce powder by 10-15% it's ok.

@@SocialRegressive That really sucks there are a lot more hunting options in .357 than .355 or.356 I appreciate you messaging me back though.

Now I gotta look him up.

Oh, yeah! I've seen a bunch of his videos. Good stuff.

According to Winchester, CMMG, and my own testing, as long as the bore diameter is to the SAAMI specs, you can load anything from .354-.357. HOWEVER, if you load .357, then back off your powder charges an extra 10%. If you don't you'll get into overpressures pretty quickly.

@@SocialRegressive ahh that makes sense thank you for taking the time to reply!

Great question. No, that won't work. This is not a cylindrical cartridge, and it needs to be full-length sized.

Yup!

I have a gel test with the 90 and 118 grain xd. No 65 yet.

I put a light crimp on with the Lee collet crimper.

10 cents for powder, 3 for primer, 24 for bullet. Not counting the case or tools about 37 cents per. Cheaper if you buy supplies in bulk.

Usually .355".

@@SocialRegressive I was check completed set with 14 sizes but it is only one close 350 legend 358 size. Can you check links I just sent to you

The cartridge can technically handle any bullet diameters from .355 up to .357. That's how they are able to claim a 357 diameter in states where that is the minimum bullet diameter. But you're right: most manufactured ammo is .355.

Check out the Reloader's Network. I think there are quite a few videos on that subject.

@@SocialRegressive thank you, I pretty sure you answered my question, but you’re the only person I see loading 9mm and .357 I don’t really see anyone else loading .357. Where do you get load data for that? Edit: this is an unrelated question to the one above

@@houtzyboy2 I use Quickload to create my own custom handloads. Then I back off an extra 10% for .357" bullets.

Once we find the right ammo, I think this will be perfect for pork.

Scary and awesome. I want to play with one of the Cross rifles.

@@SocialRegressive saaaame

@@SocialRegressive what do you think of the insanely high pressures that it operates at? do you think that will make it impossible for it to have a relatively decent barrel life

My handloads print roughly 1.6-1.75 inches. Factory ammo tends to hover around 2.5 inches.

yep! Factory is crap! Gotta reload even thouh I have gotten deer with Winchester factory 180's.@@SocialRegressive

It's a UTG that doesn't really work well. I recommend the Caldwell.

@@SocialRegressive yeah. I’ve got a cheap one too. Works about half the time. I’ll check out the Caldwell.

Whoops!

I look at it as an investment into the future. I firmly believe they will tax ammo to the point it no longer affordable before they succeed in banning firearms. I do not save money, but I shoot more, and I continue to gather the supplies I need to do so for years to come.

As the old saying goes: we don’t reload to shoot, we shoot to reload!

Heck yes. I want a BLR in 350 Legend.

I'm gonna say no, but I would love a 357 Maximum lever gun....

I love my Marlin 336 30-30. I could see this as a lever action cartridge for sure.

Most of my dies come from Lee. They're tough as nails.