First Impressions of **Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Nickel Plated Brass Cased Rifle Ammunition
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The .350 Legend cartridge has taken the hunting world by storm, offering a straight-walled option that’s legal in many states previously restricted to shotguns or muzzleloaders for deer season. When I first heard about the Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Nickel Plated Brass Cased Rifle Ammunition
470, I was intrigued. It was the combination of the .350 Legend’s potential and Underwood Ammo‘s reputation for producing high-quality, hard-hitting loads that truly piqued my interest.
For years, I’ve relied on .30-30 for deer in brushy terrain, but the .350 Legend offered a flatter trajectory and potentially more energy on target at longer ranges. I needed a cartridge that could deliver ethical kills on whitetail at distances out to 200 yards, with reliable expansion and penetration. This seemed like it might just be the ticket.
Upon receiving the Underwood Ammo, the first thing I noticed was the quality of the nickel-plated brass casing. They were pristine and uniformly loaded. The jacketed soft point bullet looked perfectly seated, inspiring confidence in the overall manufacturing process. Compared to some of the more budget-friendly .350 Legend options, the Underwood Ammo simply looked more premium. I had been considering Winchester Deer Season XP and Hornady American Whitetail, but the promised higher muzzle velocity and energy from Underwood Ammo swayed me, hoping for flatter trajectory and better terminal performance.
My initial reaction was excitement mixed with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to get to the range and see how this ammunition performed, both in terms of accuracy and terminal ballistics. I had a feeling this could become my new go-to deer hunting load.
Real-World Testing: Putting **Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Nickel Plated Brass Cased Rifle Ammunition
470** to the Test
First Use Experience
My first range trip with the Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point was on a crisp autumn morning. The range offered distances out to 200 yards, perfect for testing the ammunition’s capabilities. I was using a bolt-action rifle with a 20-inch barrel chambered in .350 Legend. The temperature was around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, with a light breeze.
The ammunition cycled flawlessly through my rifle, with no feeding or extraction issues. The recoil was manageable, even for extended shooting sessions. At 100 yards, I was consistently grouping shots within 1.5 inches, which was very promising. However, I noticed a slight point of impact shift compared to the factory loads I had previously used, requiring a minor scope adjustment.
There were no immediate issues or surprises, and the ammunition performed as expected, providing good accuracy and reliable function.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several months of use, including multiple range sessions and a deer hunting season, the Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point has proven to be incredibly reliable. I’ve fired approximately 200 rounds of this ammunition, and I haven’t experienced a single malfunction. The nickel-plated brass has held up well, showing no signs of corrosion or damage, even after being exposed to varying weather conditions.
During the deer season, I was able to harvest two whitetail deer with this load. The first was at a distance of 120 yards, and the second at 175 yards. In both cases, the ammunition performed admirably, resulting in clean, ethical kills. The bullets expanded reliably, delivering significant energy on target and creating effective wound channels.
Compared to my previous experiences with other .350 Legend ammunition, the Underwood Ammo stands out in terms of consistency and terminal performance. It has exceeded my expectations, solidifying its place as my preferred deer hunting load. The accuracy has remained consistent, and the reliability has been unwavering.
Breaking Down the Features of **Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Nickel Plated Brass Cased Rifle Ammunition
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Specifications
- Manufacturer: Underwood Ammo
- Caliber: .350 Legend
- Bullet Weight: 170 grain
- Bullet Type: Jacketed Soft Point (JSP)
- Cartridge Case Material: Nickel Plated Brass
- Muzzle Velocity: 2250 ft/s
- Muzzle Energy: 1911 ft-lbs
- Primer Style: Centerfire
- Sectional Density: 0.193
- G1 Ballistic Coefficient: 0.215
- Lead Free: No
- Number of Rounds: 20
- Application: Hunting
- Package Type: Box
These specifications are important because they dictate the ammunition’s performance in terms of accuracy, range, and terminal ballistics. The 170-grain jacketed soft point is designed for controlled expansion upon impact, delivering significant energy transfer and creating an effective wound channel. The nickel-plated brass casing provides enhanced corrosion resistance and smoother feeding and extraction.
The high muzzle velocity of 2250 ft/s translates to a flatter trajectory and increased energy on target at longer distances, making it suitable for hunting situations where shots may be at varying ranges. The muzzle energy of 1911 ft-lbs indicates the amount of power the bullet carries, ensuring sufficient penetration and expansion for ethical kills on medium-sized game like deer.
Performance & Functionality
The Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point performs exceptionally well in its intended role. It consistently delivers accurate shots, with reliable expansion and penetration. Its flat trajectory helps to extend the effective range of the .350 Legend cartridge, making it a versatile choice for various hunting scenarios.
A significant strength is its consistent performance from round to round. The quality control at Underwood Ammo seems to be top-notch, leading to tight groupings at the range and predictable results in the field. A minor weakness is the slight price premium compared to other .350 Legend offerings, but the increased performance and reliability justify the cost for serious hunters.
It meets and even exceeds expectations for a hunting cartridge in this caliber. The terminal performance on deer has been impressive, with consistent and humane kills.
Design & Ergonomics
The ammunition is designed with a focus on functionality and reliability. The nickel-plated brass casing not only enhances corrosion resistance but also contributes to smoother feeding and extraction. The jacketed soft point bullet is engineered for optimal expansion and penetration.
The build quality is excellent, with consistent dimensions and a clean finish. The ammunition is easy to handle and load, with no noticeable defects or inconsistencies.
Durability & Maintenance
The ammunition is designed to be durable and reliable, with a long shelf life when stored properly. The nickel-plated brass casing provides excellent corrosion resistance, even in humid environments.
Maintenance is minimal, as the ammunition is designed to be fired and extracted cleanly. Cleaning the rifle after shooting this ammunition is straightforward, with no excessive residue or fouling.
Accessories and Customization Options
There are no specific accessories that come with the Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point itself. However, the ammunition is compatible with any rifle chambered in .350 Legend.
Common accessories that enhance the performance of rifles using this ammunition include:
- High-quality optics (scopes or red dot sights) for improved accuracy.
- Aftermarket triggers for a smoother and more consistent trigger pull.
- Slings for comfortable carry in the field.
Pros and Cons of **Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Nickel Plated Brass Cased Rifle Ammunition
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Pros
- Exceptional Accuracy: Consistently tight groupings at 100 yards and beyond.
- Reliable Expansion: Jacketed soft point design ensures consistent and effective expansion on game.
- High Muzzle Velocity: Flatter trajectory and increased energy on target at longer ranges.
- Nickel-Plated Brass Casing: Enhanced corrosion resistance and smoother feeding/extraction.
- Consistent Performance: Reliable and predictable results from round to round.
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other .350 Legend ammunition options.
- May require minor scope adjustments compared to other loads due to point of impact shift.
Who Should Buy **Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Nickel Plated Brass Cased Rifle Ammunition
470**?
The Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point is perfect for hunters seeking a high-quality, reliable, and accurate cartridge for deer and other medium-sized game. It is particularly well-suited for hunters in states with straight-walled cartridge restrictions.
Hunters prioritizing affordability over top-tier performance might consider other .350 Legend ammunition options. Target shooters solely focused on high-volume, low-cost plinking may also find this ammunition to be more expensive than necessary.
A must-have modification to complement this ammunition would be a quality optic with accurate adjustments to fine-tune point of impact at various distances.
Conclusion on **Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Nickel Plated Brass Cased Rifle Ammunition
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The Underwood Ammo .350 Legend 170 Grain Jacketed Soft Point Nickel Plated Brass Cased Rifle Ammunition
470 is a premium offering that delivers exceptional performance for hunting applications. The combination of accuracy, reliable expansion, and consistent performance makes it a top choice for serious hunters.
The price is justified by the quality of the components and the resulting performance in the field. Underwood Ammo has clearly put a lot of effort into creating a .350 Legend load that stands out from the competition.
I would highly recommend this ammunition to any hunter looking for a reliable and effective .350 Legend load for deer hunting. If you are looking to maximize the potential of your .350 Legend rifle, then look no further! Give it a try this hunting season; you won’t be disappointed!