Ruger American Predator

Chambered in 350 Legend
Straight Wall Cartridge

Not being one to jump on new bandwagons, I have waited until now to test out a 350 Legend caliber rifle. Many of my deer hunting buddies have told me stories of their success with the 350 Legend here in straight-walled-cartridge-only-for-deer Iowa. For those of you who find yourself in states where you too are restricted to straight-walled-cartridges when you deer hunt, you’ve no doubt heard the same success stories about the 350 Legend.

Having had good luck with Ruger’s American line of rifles in the past, I acquired a Lipsey’s exclusive, Ruger American Predator Model 36900. This rifle'S 22-inch barrel allowed factory Hornady ammunition to gain nearly 100 fps velocity over what’s listed on the Hornady website. That additonal barrel length also gives this rifle a more traditional balance than the 16-inch barrel of the Ruger American Standard rifle.

You probably already know how Winchester's caliber .350 Legend straight-wall cartridge, ideally suited for hunting hogs and deer, boasts a curious genesis. A decade ago, Michigan's Natural Resources Commission approved deer hunting with rifles chambered in .35-­caliber and above seated on top of straight-­walled cases measuring minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum overall case length of 1.8 inches. Those dimensions' inherently reduced powder charge pushing a big, heavy bullet, pay big dividends by ensuring no projectile would range far enough afield to threaten residents' life and limb. While the straight wall cartridge case law originated in Michigan, it soon spread to other states, including Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The Winchester 350 Legend Cartridge

The round is a modified, straight-walled .223 Remington shell case topped with a .357-inch diameter bullet. Ballistics indicate Legend boasts significantly more energy than the .300 Blackout and .30-30 Win, with less recoil than the .30-30 and the .243 Winchester. The Ruger American Predator accepts an AR-style magazine for convenient transport and field loading and unloading. The bolt handle is large enough to manipulate quickly. The action is pleasingly smooth.

The Trusty Bushnell 6500 2.5-16x Riflescope

Included with this rifle is a standard Picatinny rail top for optics mounting. The Ruger American Predator also utilizes Ruger’s Marksman adjustable trigger and I set it to its lowest-weight setting. Using solid Burris XTR medium rings and a trusty Bushnell 6500 2.5-16x rifle scope I was able to repeatedly turn in sub-1” three-shot groups from 100 yards with Hornady Custom 165 grain ammunition. I turned in four three-shot groups that measured at .5” or less!

This rifle is not intended for varmint control, and there are plenty of better caliber choices for hitting small varmints at long range, but the Ruger American Predator teamed with Hornady Custom 165gr is plenty accurate to do it. For it’s intended mission, hunting deer at ranges to 250 yards, it is an amazing set up. A quick check via sliding a dollar bill under the barrel showed that the barrel really is free-floating. It’s also worth noting that I tested Hornady 170 grain Whitetail ammunition and was rewarded with consistent groups right at 1.5” or less. This is plenty accurate for repeatably putting shots into the boiler-works of white tail out to 250 yards. Also of note is the fact that the Predator’s barrel is threaded at the muzzle to accept a suppressor.

Range time

Since Iowa opened up to straight-walled cartridges for deer hunting, I have had good luck with the .45-70 Government. Shooting 325 or 350 grain .45-70 ammunition that shoots relatively flat to 200 yards means enduring stout recoil. There’s none of that suffering with the 350 Legend. It’s a very easy caliber to shoot regarding recoil and blast. The Ruger American Predator is an extremely capable hunting rifle. I can’t think of a better way to spend money if you need an accurate and inexpensive deer rifle. It’s nowhere close to a walnut stocked M77-Hawkeye in the looks department. But it is a rifle that, if you clean and recheck zero on at the end of deer season, store it in the back of a gun safe and recheck zero a week before opening day of deer gun season the next year, you’ll be rewarded with the peace of mind that comes with repeatability regardless of humidity.