Straight-Wall Deer Cartridges 2025: .350 Legend vs .360 Buckhammer vs .400 Legend

September 16, 2025

For straight-wall deer seasons, .350 Legend keeps the crown for easy recoil and ammo variety; .360 Buckhammer is excellent for lever-gun lovers; .400 Legend offers a bit more thump for bigger-bodied deer or longer lanes. If you’re hunting mixed woods and fields, all three shine—your rifle platform and shot distance should drive the pick.

Straight-wall deer cartridges have gone mainstream across Midwestern and Eastern states, and new SKUs continue to land in bolt-actions, lever guns, and simple single-shots. This deep dive lays out where .350 Legend, .360 Buckhammer, and .400 Legend overlap—and where each one clearly fits—so you can match the cartridge to your rifle type and the way you actually hunt.

The trend (last 30 days)

Heading into fall, we’re seeing more factory trims that keep rifles compact (think 16–18” barrels), threaded for suppressors, and topped with low-power optics. Demand continues to cluster around three platforms: handy bolt-action rifles for budget-friendly accuracy, classic lever-action rifles for fast follow-ups, and lightweight single-shot rifles for simplicity. These categories cover nearly every deer camp need from dense timber to field edges.

Spec highlights & standouts

• .350 Legend — The softest-shooting of the three with plentiful factory loads. Ideal for new or recoil-sensitive hunters and for compact bolt guns.
• .360 Buckhammer — Designed with lever guns in mind. Delivers a familiar “woods rifle” feel with enough reach for 150–200-yard shots when you do your part.
• .400 Legend — Bigger frontal area and energy on tap. A smart pick for heavier deer or when you might stretch shots in open lanes, while still keeping recoil reasonable in light rifles.

Ammo snapshot (typical factory loads)

Caliber	Bullet	Grain weight	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lb)	Case	MSRP
.350 Legend	SP / HP / copper	145–180	~2,100–2,300	~1,400–1,800	Straight-wall	Varies by load
.360 Buckhammer	SP / flat-point	158–200	~2,200–2,450	~1,700–2,000	Straight-wall	Varies by load
.400 Legend	SP / copper	180–215	~2,000–2,300	~1,800–2,200	Straight-wall	Varies by load

How to read this: These are representative ranges across popular loads and barrel lengths. Always confirm your exact POI/POA at the range with your rifle and your chosen ammo.

Rifle platform fit: where each shines

Budget bolt-action deer rigs (.350 Legend): If you want minimal recoil in a compact, threaded package, this is the “easy button.” It’s a natural match for value-minded bolts and youth-friendly setups. Start your research with our bolt-action rifles hub.

Classic lever-gun woods rifles (.360 Buckhammer): Buckhammer pairs neatly with modern levers: shorter barrels, quick cycling, and intuitive handling. If you hunt thick timber and want fast follow-ups, explore current lever-action rifles.

Simple single-shots with extra punch (.400 Legend): The combination of straightforward operation and added frontal area makes sense for hunters who value light carry weight and clean maintenance. See our single-shot rifles category for options that keep things minimalist.

Use cases by terrain & distance

Thick timber (inside ~125 yards): .350 Legend is tough to beat for mild recoil in a short, light rifle. If you’re a lever fan, .360 Buckhammer brings traditional handling with modern ballistics for woods distances.

Mixed woods and field edges (to ~200 yards): Both .360 Buckhammer and .400 Legend carry plenty of energy. If you expect quartering shots on heavier deer, the .400’s bigger punch can be reassuring—just be sure your zero and holdovers are dialed.

Recoil-sensitive or newer hunters: Start with .350 Legend. You’ll get solid terminal performance with manners that make practice enjoyable—which is the real accuracy secret.

Optics & setup notes

These cartridges live in the “low mag glass” sweet spot. Consider a 1–4x/1–6x LPVO or a compact 2–7x scope with a simple BDC. Zero at 100 yards and confirm drops at 150 and 200. Many straight-wall rifles ship threaded; if you run a suppressor, verify point-of-impact shift with your hunting load.

Model examples to start your search

Ruger American Ranch (.350 Legend) — Light, compact, and suppressor-friendly—great “first rifle” feel without training wheels. Explore more on our Ruger brand page and compare trims under bolt-action rifles.

Savage Axis II (.350 Legend) — Known for friendly triggers and value combos. Start at the Savage page to compare.

Henry X Model (.360 Buckhammer) — Fast-handling and lever-smooth; a great “deer in the brush” tool. See the Henry brand page and our lever-action rifles category.

Marlin 336-pattern (.360 Buckhammer) — Part of the lever revival, with compact proportions that carry all day. Begin with our Marlin brand page.

CVA Scout (.400 Legend) — Ultra-simple single-shot layout with modern chamberings. Check the CVA brand page and scan single-shot rifles.

Winchester XPR (.350 & .400 Legend) — Familiar controls and mags from a venerable deer brand. Visit our Winchester brand page and compare current trims.

Quick buyer guide

• Pick your platform first. If you want a lightweight, accuracy-first rig with easy optics mounting, start with a bolt gun and let .350 Legend lead the way. If you love the balance and speed of levers, .360 Buckhammer feels right at home. If you want ultra-simple and light, single-shots in .400 Legend are surprisingly handy.
• Be honest about distance. Inside the woods (most whitetail shots), all three work. If you’re regularly stretching to 175–200 yards, lean toward .360 Buckhammer or .400 Legend and confirm your holds.
• Plan for practice. Less recoil equals more range time. .350 Legend tends to be the most forgiving for newer shooters, helping you build confidence before opening day.
• Think suppressor & barrel length. Many straight-wall rifles are threaded and stay maneuverable with 16–18” barrels. Confirm your POI with and without a can.

What to watch next

Expect more short-barreled factory trims with user-friendly stocks and expanded straight-wall chamberings across lever and bolt platforms. We also anticipate more simplified BDC reticles tuned for these velocities—making holdovers easier for first-time straight-wall hunters. For ongoing additions, keep an eye on the broader rifles category along with the platform hubs above.

Browse related rifles by platform: bolt-action rifles, lever-action rifles, and single-shot rifles. Or jump into brand lineups from Ruger, Savage, Henry, Marlin, and Winchester.