Guns & Ammo 'Ammo of the Year' Award: Winchester .350 Legend (2019)

This comparison evaluates four straight wall cartridges: .45-70 Gov't, .450 Bushmaster, .350 Legend, and .360 Buckhammer. The .45-70 offers significant knockdown power, while the .450 Bushmaster is AR-platform friendly. The .350 Legend provides low recoil ideal for new shooters, and the newer .360 Buckhammer offers higher velocities than the .350 Legend. Range testing and ballistic gel comparisons highlight their performance for deer hunting.

This video showcases the Thompson/Center Encore Hunter rifle, highlighting its single-shot, break-action operation with a straight-walled cartridge. It demonstrates proper loading, cocking, and firing techniques from a benchrest position, emphasizing safe firearm handling and the use of quality accessories like Leupold optics and a Caldwell rest. The presentation focuses on the mechanical aspects and firing of the firearm.

This entry details the installation of optics on the Taurus TX9 using its T.O.R.O. system and provides insights into its trigger mechanics. The TX9 features a striker-fired action with a trigger pull averaging 5.5-5.75 lbs, designed for a balance of performance and safety. The T.O.R.O. system allows for direct mounting of various red dot sights with interchangeable plates for enhanced stability and a low bore axis. Expert feedback from competitive shooter Jessie Harrison was instrumental in refining the trigger.

This review of the Taurus Raging Hunter in .350 Legend highlights its suitability for handgun hunting with straight-wall cartridges. It details the revolver's robust construction, including dual locking latches and an oversized cylinder, and its features like Picatinny rails and a multi-port compensator. The guide emphasizes its manageable recoil compared to larger magnum calibers and its effective hunting range.

This video provides a first look at Federal Ammunition's new 7mm Backcountry cartridge, featuring innovative Peak Alloy case technology. This technology allows for significantly higher chamber pressures (80,000 psi) and increased velocities (3,000 fps) with 170-grain bullets from 20-inch barrels. The Guns & Ammo team tested the new round in Africa on safari, utilizing a Gunwerks Clymer rifle equipped with a Silencer Central Banish suppressor. The content includes insights into the development of the cartridge and answers to frequently asked questions from subscribers, featuring key personnel from Guns & Ammo and Federal Ammunition.

This review of the Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR, presented by Guns & Ammo editors Tom Beckstrand and Jack Oller, highlights its modern innovation within a classic hunting heritage. Key features include a smooth-cycling three-lug action, a compact and lightweight design ideal for mountain hunting, and an adjustable DLX trigger for enhanced accuracy. The rifle also offers customizable ergonomics with interchangeable grips and stock adjustments.

The Heizer Defense PS1 Pocket Shotgun is a single-shot firearm chambered in .410 (2.5-inch) and .45 Colt, constructed from stainless steel or titanium. It boasts extreme durability, with over 5,000 rounds fired from a single unit without failure. Manufactured in Missouri, it starts at an MSRP of $499, with a 3-inch .410 version planned.

The Gilboa Snake is a unique double-barrel AR-15 variant developed in Israel, designed to maximize firepower for short tactical windows. It features a proprietary gas piston system and dual bolt carriers, with a civilian-legal version planned to have 16-inch barrels and separate triggers. Production is slated for summer with a fall rollout, though US pricing is undetermined.

This video compares the recoil of the Desert Eagle in .44 Magnum and .50 AE calibers. The .44 Mag features a new muzzle brake, while the .50 AE uses a 300-grain Speer Gold Dot. Simultaneous firing highlights the visual difference in muzzle flip and recoil impulse between the two powerful handguns.

High-speed camera analysis reveals significant differences between 9mm and .45 ACP in identical Remington RP pistols. The .45 ACP exhibited greater muzzle rise (45 degrees) and torque due to slower slide cycling, while the 9mm showed less muzzle rise (under 30 degrees) and faster cycling, indicating better control.