Selecting the Best Straight Wall Cartridge

Straight wall cartridges have revolutionized deer hunting in states with firearm restrictions, providing hunters with better accuracy, extended range, and reduced recoil compared to traditional shotgun slugs or sabots. With several powerful options available—350 Legend, 450 Bushmaster, 45-70 Government, 360 Buckhammer, and the newer 400 Legend—choosing the right straight wall cartridge for your hunting style is essential. Whether you need a low-recoil option for youth hunters, a hard-hitting powerhouse for thick cover, or the best all-around balance of range and power, we break down each cartridge’s strengths and weaknesses to help you make the best decision for your next gun season.

Every year as the calendar creeps towards September, anticipation builds for the opening day of deer season. It’s that magical time of year when we can head to the timber and be one with nature. Then comes the action-packed time of year, the rut, where there is nothing but pure chaos in the woods. That time of year can really have you questioning your sanity. Then, in most states, right before the late season gets here, there is a magical season tucked away. It’s one rich in history throughout the deer woods and camps across the country. It is called Gun Season. This is a time of deer camp, friendship, and fun. If you’re lucky enough to still have a tag in your pocket or maybe you saved one, this can be one of the best times of year to hunt— as long as you have the right gun for the job.

Why Use a Straight Wall Cartridge

Straight walled cartridges, especially some of the newer technology rounds, offer an excellent balance of safety, accuracy, and stopping power, making them ideal for deer hunting in states like Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan with firearm restrictions. Unlike high-velocity bottlenecked rifle cartridges, straight-walled rounds typically have a shorter effective range, reducing the risk of stray bullets traveling excessive distances—an important safety factor in flat, populated areas.  Straight-walled cartridges provide better accuracy and energy retention than traditional shotgun slugs and sabots, allowing hunters to take ethical shots with more precision and reduced recoil. Whether using a modern, low-recoil option like the 350 Legend or a classic powerhouse like the 45-70 Government, straight-walled cartridges ensure safe, effective, and ethical deer hunting within the intended range, which is around 200 yards. Up until a few years ago, many states only allowed the use of shotguns for gun week. This was great for busting through the timber on a deer drive or anything within 150 yards if you had a rifled barrel. But what about the guy who prefers to sit in his treestand and keep pressure off the deer while waiting for the right buck to walk by? Or the elderly person or young child who is unable to handle the recoil of a shotgun? The solution is a straight-wall rifle cartridge.  I’d like to convince you that you need a rifle shooting one of the new straight-walled rounds this year for gun season. Let’s talk about a few good reasons why.

Many Advantages of Straight Wall Cartridges

There are many benefits to straight-wall cartridges. First and foremost is the distance at which they are lethal. With the right ballistics calculations and a good scope, you can easily reach that 200-yard range accurately and with plenty of knockdown power to ethically harvest a deer.

The next consideration is the reduction in recoil. This is a big advantage over a 12-gauge shotgun, especially for kids and people with shoulder injuries. These new straight-wall rounds have all the knockdown power of slug guns without all of the recoil. Lastly, many of the straight-wall cartridges shoot flatter than a slug and carry more knockdown energy over longer distances. That is vital when taking those 200-yard shots while not sacrificing anything at close range.

Five Straight Wall Rounds to Discuss

Several straight-wall cartridges are available on the market today. I want to discuss five of them, each with its pros and cons: the 350 Legend, the new Remington 360 Buckhammer, the 450 Bushmaster, the new 400 Legend, and the 45/70 Government.

For testing purposes, I used Remington ammunition and Winchester for the 400 Legend.  This allowed me to keep that element as even as possible across the board by minimizing manufacturer variances. As for the rifles, I used a mix of Henry, Bear Creek Arsenal, and Savage Arms rifles. Each rifle was placed in a Caldwell Rock DLX combo for testing. This removed most human error and kept the gun rock solid in a shooting rest.

Rifle Considerations when Selecting a Straight Wall Cartridge

Here are a few things to consider when selecting a rifle. The first is where and how you will be hunting. If you are hunting from a treestand in more open areas, you will want to focus on a round that is capable of longer shots, like the 360 Buckhammer or the 400 Legend. Alternatively, the 45-70 would be a much better choice for brushy cover hunting or on deer drives.

You will also want to ensure you can get ammunition for your rifle. I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but some rounds can be harder to find than others.

After you decide on the rifle, I highly recommend getting a good scope. Several quality scopes are on the market, like the Hawke optics straight-wall scope, which was designed just for this type of hunting.

Lastly, take time to learn your rifle. By that, I mean practice long- and short-distance shots. Learn what to do if a round jams up and how to take it apart. The last thing you want to do is figure this out in the moment of truth, or even worse yet, miss a deer because you weren’t familiar with your rifle’s capabilities.

350 Legend – Great All-Around Choice

Let’s start with one of the most popular rounds to be purchased since straight-wall cartridges have been legal for hunting, and for good reason. The 350 Legend is accurate out to 200 yards and has minimal recoil compared to all the other rounds. It makes a great choice, especially for youth hunters. This makes for a near-perfect deer rifle with a muzzle velocity of 2100 feet per second and a drop of 8.4 inches at 200 yards. The 350 Legend ammunition is also readily available and inexpensive compared to some of the other rounds. The fact that you can find several rifles chambered for 350 Legend is also a plus. You can find lever-action guns and single-shot guns from Henry, and bolt-action guns from OF Mossberg, or my go-to favorite, an AR-15 platform rifle.

I personally set up a Bear Creek Arsenal rifle with a Crimson Trace scope for deer season. I chose this combination because the scope matches the round, and I love that it is semi-automatic. After hunting with a bolt action for a few years, it is great to have that follow-up shot, if needed, with minimal movement. As far as ammunition companies go, there are several producers of the round.

Pros:

• Mild recoil – Great for youth and recoil-sensitive shooters
• Affordable and widely available
• Good accuracy out to 200+ yards
• More rounds in a magazine (compared to 450 Bushmaster)

Cons:

• Less power than some other straight-walled cartridges
• Can struggle with large-bodied deer at long distances

450 Bushmaster – a Hammer at Close Range

Next up is the big brother to the 350 Legend, the 450 Bushmaster. This round has as much bark as it does bite. Not only does it pack a punch upon contact, but it also has considerably more recoil. The 450 Bushmaster can drop a deer dead in its tracks up to 250 yards, after which the ballistics drop dramatically. It is also offered in several rifle platforms, just like the 350 Legend.

I also chose to test this round out in a Bear Creek Arsenal rifle paired with a Hawke optics scope. The Remington Premier AccuTip round I was shooting was a 260-grain bullet traveling at 2180 feet per second. This round was built to take down the biggest game in North America.

The biggest downfalls of this round are the cost, the availability, and the recoil. If you can find ammunition and can withstand the recoil (which is not terrible), this shines over some of the other bigger rounds for its ability to be shot out of a semi-automatic rifle like the Bear Creek Arsenal AR-15 platform. A great benefit to the Bear Creek Arsenal AR-style rifle is that you can switch out the rifle’s caliber by pushing out two pins and swapping out the upper receivers.

Pros:

• Hard-hitting and great for big-bodied deer
• Fairly Flat shooting for a straight-walled cartridge
• More energy at 200 yards than most shotgun slugs or sabots

Cons:

• Heavy recoil (comparable to a 12-gauge slug)
• More expensive ammo than some other straight-wall cartridges

45-70 Government – An Old Reliable Veteran

The 45-70 round has withstood the test of time, dating back to the 1800s plains buffalo hunting days, so it deserves mention. It is another hard-hitting and hard-kicking round. The Remington Core-Lokt round I was shooting was a 405-grain bullet shooting at 1600 feet per second. It has a stated effective range of up to 200 yards before dropping off rapidly, but I would not recommend using it much past 150 yards for this reason. This round is also capable of hunting most big game like bear, moose, hog, and, of course, deer. Besides the recoil and high cost, another downfall to the 45-70 is the fact that it can only be shot out of single-shot or lever-action rifles. If you’re anything like me, though, taking the single-shot rifle out to deer camp is reminiscent of the old days. The nostalgic feeling just seems right in the deer woods.

Pros:

• Extreme stopping power – Can take down elk, moose, and black bears as well as deer
• Handles brush well (heavier bullets don’t deflect as easily)
• Classic lever-action rifles available

Cons:

• Heavy recoil (especially with full-power loads)
• Slower velocity limits range (~150 yards max)
• Ammunition can be expensive

360 Buckhammer – New Kid on the Block

One of the newer technology rounds on the list of straight-wall cartridges and certainly one of the best all-around choices, in my opinion, for deer is the Remington 360 Buckhammer. This hard-hitting light recoil round was built to capitalize on the success of the venerable 35 Remington and the interest in the 350 Legend, but it’s on steroids. When Remington set out to make this round, they partnered with Henry Arms to develop and launch a lever-action rifle for the round. Toting this gun around the woods is reminiscent of past days; these beautiful lever guns are built like your grandfathers’ were built.

The 360 Buckhammer has less drop at 7.8 inches and carries more energy at 968 feet pounds out to 200 yards. It has a muzzle velocity of 2399 feet per second which is faster than a 30-30 by over 100 feet per second. The only downfall to this round is that it is available from only a few ammunition makers and rifle manufacturers (for now.) With that said, it is relatively new, being launched in 2023, so supply issues should be a short-term problem. I expect several other companies to start producing this round as time passes because of its strengths over other straight-wall rounds. If you’re in the market for a new deer rifle, I would definitely give this round strong consideration, I don’t think you will regret it.

Pros:

• More energy than 350 Legend but with less recoil than 450 Bushmaster
• Designed for lever-action rifles
• Flatter trajectory than .30-30 or 35 Remington

Cons:

• Limited ammo availability (compared to 350 Legend or 450 Bushmaster)
• Fewer rifle choices

400 Legend – Best Newcomer to the Straight Wall Market 

Regarding straight-walled cartridges, the new 400 Legend stands out as the best all-around option for deer hunters, barely edging out the Remington 360 Buckhammer by providing the perfect blend of power, range, and manageable recoil. Designed by Winchester, this new cartridge outperforms other straight-walled rounds, making it an excellent choice for hunters who need more stopping power than the 350 Legend but less recoil than the 450 Bushmaster. Compared to the 350 Legend, the 400 Legend provides a noticeable boost in power, making it better for big-bodied deer or tougher shots at longer ranges. While the 450 Bushmaster and 45-70 Government both hit harder, they also kick much harder, making follow-up shots and accuracy more challenging. The 400 Legend gives you the best of both worlds—powerful enough to take down any whitetail or mule deer while remaining controllable and effective beyond 200 yards. This cartridge design shoots flatter than the other listed straight wall rounds and can be used in single shot, bolt action, and AR-style rifles.

Read Larry Weishuhn’s Review: 400 Legend with a Mossberg Patriot Rifle

Pros:

• More energy than 350 Legend
• Less recoil: About 45% less than a 12-gauge slug, allowing for better accuracy and follow-up shots.
• A flatter trajectory for less bullet drop at 200 yards makes placing accurate shots at longer distances easier.
• Extended effective range (250+ yards) – Outperforms most straight-walled rounds, giving hunters more flexibility.
• Compatible with AR and bolt-action rifles – Expands firearm options compared to traditional lever-action-only straight-walled calibers.
• Growing ammunition availability

Cons:

• Less energy than 450 Bushmaster or 45-70 Govt
• Limited rifle options – Fewer manufacturers currently chamber rifles in 400 Legend,
• Ammo is pricier than 350 Legend since it’s newer; 400 Legend ammo costs more and isn’t as widely stocked yet.
• Not ideal for dangerous game – While great for whitetails and hogs, 45-70 Government is still the better choice for larger game.

Straight Wall Cartridge Comparison

As you can see, each of these straight-wall rounds has a time and place for use.  Some are better for younger or older people. Some are better for guys who want the knockdown power of a shotgun yet want to take a longer shot if needed. With all the options on the market, you can surely find a straight-wall round that suits your hunting style for the upcoming season.

FAQs About Choosing the Best Straight Wall Cartridge 

1. What is a straight wall cartridge, and why is it required in some states?

A straight-wall cartridge has a case that doesn’t taper or bottleneck, making it different from traditional rifle cartridges. Some states, such as Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, and Indiana, require them for deer hunting due to safety concerns—they have a shorter effective range than high-powered bottleneck cartridges, reducing the risk of stray bullets traveling long distances.

2. Which straight wall cartridge is best for deer hunting?

The best straight-wall cartridge depends on your hunting style, shooting distance, and recoil tolerance:

• Best all-around option: 400 Legend – Good balance of power, range, and recoil.
• Best for youth or recoil-sensitive shooters: 350 Legend – Low recoil and accurate up to 200 yards.
• Best for maximum stopping power: 450 Bushmaster – Hard-hitting, but heavier recoil.
• Best for brush hunting & big game: 45-70 Government – Classic power for short-range.
• Best for lever-action rifles: 360 Buckhammer – Flatter trajectory and light recoil.

3. Which straight wall cartridge has the least recoil?

The 350 Legend has the lowest recoil of the commonly used straight-wall cartridges. It’s a great option for youth hunters, beginners, or anyone sensitive to recoil while still being effective out to 200 yards.

4. What is the effective range of straight wall cartridges?

• 350 Legend – 200 yards
• 450 Bushmaster – 200 yards
• 45-70 Government – 150-200 yards
• 360 Buckhammer – 200 yards
• 400 Legend – 250+ yards (longest effective range of the straight-wall options)

5. Which straight wall cartridge is best for long-range shots?

The 400 Legend is the best straight-wall cartridge for longer-range deer hunting, with an effective range of 250+ yards and a flatter trajectory than 450 Bushmaster or 45-70 Government.

6. What rifle platforms are available for straight wall cartridges?

• 350 Legend & 450 Bushmaster: Available in bolt-action, single-shot, AR-15 platform rifles.
• 45-70 Government: Mostly found in lever-action and single-shot rifles.
• 360 Buckhammer: Designed for lever-action rifles.
• 400 Legend: Available in bolt-action and AR-15 rifles (expanding options).

7. What is the best budget-friendly straight wall cartridge?

The 350 Legend is the most affordable option in terms of both rifles and ammunition, making it a great choice for hunters on a budget. Ammo is widely available and less expensive than 450 Bushmaster or 45-70 Govt.

8. Which straight wall cartridge is best for hunting in thick woods or brush?

The 45-70 Government is the best choice for thick brush or deer drives because it fires a heavy, slow-moving bullet that doesn’t deflect easily. The 450 Bushmaster is another good option for dense cover hunting.

9. Is straight wall ammo easy to find?

Yes, but availability depends on the cartridge. 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster are the easiest to find at major retailers. 360 Buckhammer and 400 Legend are newer and may be harder to find, but availability is increasing.

10. What’s better for deer hunting: a 12-gauge slug or a straight-wall cartridge?

Straight-wall cartridges have less recoil, better accuracy, and longer range compared to shotgun slugs. A 12-gauge slug is still effective, but straight-wall rifles provide flatter trajectories, less bullet drop, and better shot placement at 200+ yards.