Straight-Wall Cartridge Rifles — 350 Legend vs. 360 Buckhammer vs. 450 Bushmaster (2025 Deep Dive)
November 18, 2025
If your deer season happens in a straight-wall state, you’re choosing among 350 Legend, 360 Buckhammer, and 450 Bushmaster. 350 Legend is the budget/low-recoil entry, 360 Buckhammer shines in lever guns with flatter mid-range flight, and 450 Bushmaster is the hammer when you want big-bore authority inside ~200 yards.
As of November 18, 2025, straight-wall cartridge rifles are in peak demand thanks to whitetail seasons and broader state allowances. This deep dive breaks down what changed in the last month, where each cartridge fits, and how to pick the best rifle platform—bolt or lever—for your terrain and typical shot distances. We’ll also point you to relevant categories like bolt-action rifles and lever-action rifles, plus brand families from Ruger and Savage to lever legends like Henry and Marlin. One quip only: yes, “Buckhammer” still wins the name game.
The Trend: Why Straight-Wall Cartridge Rifles Are Everywhere
Over the last 30 days, straight-wall rifles have surged with deer hunters shopping in states where traditional bottleneck cartridges are restricted during firearms season. That’s driving interest in lightweight bolts chambered for 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster, and a fresh wave of modern lever guns in 360 Buckhammer. If you like classic handling with modern features, check current lever options from Henry and Marlin, and if you favor optics-forward bolts, compare offerings from Ruger and Savage. CVA also fields budget-friendly hunting rigs; see CVA for lightweight choices.
Spec Highlights & Standouts
- 350 Legend: Mild recoil in light rifles, plentiful entry-level ammo, and excellent availability in affordable bolts. Great for new hunters and high-volume practice.
- 360 Buckhammer: Designed with lever guns in mind; offers flatter mid-range trajectory than .357-based setups and pairs nicely with compact optics on modern levers.
- 450 Bushmaster: Big-bore thump with straightforward logistics (box magazines, simple feeding) in many bolts; excels for short-range shots on heavier game.
Comparisons: 350 Legend vs. 360 Buckhammer vs. 450 Bushmaster
Trajectory & effective range. For treestand distances under ~200 yards, all three work. If you anticipate 150–250-yard field shots and want a forgiving hold, 360 Buckhammer and the faster 350 Legend loads keep drop modest. 450 Bushmaster carries more energy but drops sooner; it rewards careful zeroing at 100 or 150 yards.
Recoil & shooter comfort. In sport-weight rifles, 350 Legend has the friendliest recoil, helping newer shooters place shots with confidence. 360 Buckhammer in a ~7 lb lever is comfortable for most, while 450 Bushmaster’s shove is real—best tamed with good recoil pads, thoughtful rifle fit, and controlled practice.
Rifle platform fit. If you want out-of-the-box threaded barrels, adjustable stocks, and AICS-pattern mags, check bolt actions from Ruger and Savage. Prefer fast follow-ups, compact overall length, and classic handling? 360 Buckhammer levers from Henry and Marlin make a tidy, woods-friendly package in the lever-action category.
Ammunition cost & availability. 350 Legend remains the price-leader with broad load variety. 360 Buckhammer offerings have expanded for 2025, particularly in hunting weights with soft-point or bonded bullets. 450 Bushmaster has steady factory support, with premium loads commanding premium prices—plan your practice accordingly.
Quick Ammo Benchmarks (Representative Loads)
| Caliber | Bullet | Grain weight | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Case | Use Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350 Legend | SP | 150–165 | ~2,200–2,350 | ~1,600–2,000 | Straight-wall | Low recoil; economical practice & deer loads |
| 360 Buckhammer | SP/Bonded | 158–200 | ~2,200–2,400 | ~1,700–2,100 | Straight-wall (rimmed) | Optimized for levers; flatter mid-range |
| 450 Bushmaster | SP/Poly Tip | 250–300 | ~2,000–2,200 | ~2,200–2,600 | Straight-wall | Heavy hitter inside ~200 yards |
Notes: The table lists typical factory ranges to keep expectations realistic across barrel lengths. Always confirm your actual velocities with your rifle and lot of ammo.
Choosing a Rifle by Terrain & Distance
- Thick woods & 0–125 yards: 450 Bushmaster in a handy bolt can be ideal. Seek a threaded barrel if you plan to add a brake; look for simple, durable stocks and weatherproof finishes.
- Mixed timber/fields & 75–200 yards: 360 Buckhammer lever with a low-power variable optic (LPVO) or compact 1–6x is a sweet spot—fast to the shoulder, easy to tote in a climber, and forgiving on holdover.
- Field edges & 100–250 yards: 350 Legend bolts excel here, especially with 150–165gr loads. A lightweight rifle with a crisp trigger and 2–10x optic keeps you confident on longer shots.
Straight-Wall Cartridge Rifles: Gear Features That Matter
- Barrels & threading: Threaded muzzles allow brakes or suppressor use where legal—nice for taming 450 Bushmaster recoil and for future-proofing 350 Legend.
- Magazine patterns: For bolts, AICS-pattern magazines simplify spares and upgrades. Many 350 Legend/450 Bushmaster bolts feed reliably from box mags; lever guns run tubular or proprietary box setups.
- Triggers: Clean, ~3–4 lb hunting triggers help with cold-weather gloves and precise shots. Many modern bolts from Ruger and Savage offer user-adjustable units.
- Optics & rails: Rails are increasingly standard across bolts and levers—modern levers from Marlin and Henry make scoping painless.
- Stock fit & recoil pads: Proper length of pull and a quality pad go a long way, particularly with 450 Bushmaster in featherweight rifles.
Model Families to Start Your Shortlist
For bolts in 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster, start with value-oriented lines from Ruger and Savage inside the bolt-action rifles category. If you’re leaning lever for 360 Buckhammer, check current catalog entries from Henry and Marlin under lever-action rifles. Budget-minded hunters can also scan CVA for simple, lightweight options that punch above their price.
What to Watch Next
Expect more factory threaded barrels, expanded bonded/monolithic hunting loads in all three calibers, and continued growth in optics-ready rails on levers. As inventory cycles through peak season, keep an eye on bundle/value builds in bolt actions and “enhanced” levers with improved triggers, stocks, and sights.
Browse related models across the rifles category or drill into lever actions and bolt actions to compare specs side by side.