Hunting Rifle Cartridge Chart

How MPBR is figured

Maximum point-blank range is the farthest distance you can hold dead-on and stay inside the animal's vital zone. Each round uses the zone of the game it's built for: 2" for small game (.22 LR) and subsonic loads, 4" for varmints and predators (.223, .22-250) plus the .25 Creedmoor and .25 PRC, and 6" for deer-size and larger. Each is zeroed so the bullet peaks at the top of that zone, which is where the sight-in height at 100 yards comes from. Figures come from a G1 ballistic model with a scope 1.5" over the bore, sea-level standard air, the listed factory load, and a 22–24" barrel (20" for the .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster and lever guns). Each is approximate; your rifle and lot of ammo will vary.

About the .350 Legend

Winchester introduced it in 2019 for states that limit deer hunters to straight-walled cartridges (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa and others). It fits a standard AR-15 bolt with a .223-size magazine, kicks very little, and is a solid 200-yard deer and hog round. From a 16" AR barrel expect roughly 100–150 fps less than the listed velocity.

Keep in mind

• Effective range assumes the right bullet for the animal, a steady rest and practice at that distance.
• Check your state's regulations for minimum caliber and cartridge rules.
• Twist rate is how many inches of barrel it takes the rifling to spin the bullet one full turn (1:8 = one turn in 8"). Longer, heavier bullets need a faster (smaller number) twist to stay stable.
• Velocity drops about 25–40 fps per inch of barrel shorter than the test length.
• Muzzle energy is figured from bullet weight and velocity. A common rule of thumb is at least 1,000 ft-lbs at impact for deer and 1,500 for elk.