Understanding the Two Cartridges: A Dimensional Deep Dive
350 Legend
The world of firearms is often a complex landscape, filled with specific jargon, precise measurements, and the ever-present need for safety. For those new to shooting, and even experienced shooters, understanding the intricacies of cartridge compatibility is crucial. One of the most frequent questions involves ensuring that your ammunition and your magazine are a perfect match. This guide delves into the specifics of the 350 Legend cartridge, and explores the critical question: **Will 350 Legend fit in a .223 magazine?** We’ll dissect the dimensions, magazine designs, and potential pitfalls to give you a complete understanding.
The **350 Legend** has quickly gained popularity, particularly within the realm of hunting and for use in certain jurisdictions with straight-wall cartridge regulations. This cartridge is a modern marvel of efficiency and accuracy. One of the defining characteristics of the 350 Legend is its straight-walled design. This means the sides of the cartridge casing are essentially parallel, unlike some rounds that have a tapered design. This design contributes to the cartridge’s performance and makes it a good choice for certain hunting applications.
The important dimensions to consider for the 350 Legend are:
- Case Length: The 350 Legend case is, in most instances, the defining characteristic of the cartridge
- Overall Length: The overall length of the cartridge, which includes the bullet, must be taken into account when magazine fit is evaluated.
- Bullet Diameter: The diameter of the bullet itself dictates the internal space needed within a magazine.
- Rim Diameter: The rim diameter plays a part in how the cartridge is held within the magazine and how it engages with the bolt face.
.223 Remington
The **.223 Remington** is another cartridge that has a substantial presence in the world of firearms. It is a popular choice for target shooting, varmint hunting, and personal defense. The .223 Remington has been around for quite some time and has a rich history in both civilian and military applications. It is known for its accuracy and versatility. It’s critical to grasp the dimensions of this cartridge when examining its compatibility, or lack thereof, with 350 Legend magazines.
Here are the key dimensions of the .223 Remington:
- Case Length: The case is a defining characteristic of the cartridge.
- Overall Length: The overall length of the loaded cartridge, including the bullet.
- Bullet Diameter: The bullet’s diameter is crucial.
- Rim Diameter: Important for the fit within the magazine and the extractor function.
Now, let’s focus on the comparisons, the heart of understanding this ammunition and magazine puzzle. The most significant differences lie in case length and overall length. The 350 Legend cartridge is simply longer than a .223 Remington cartridge. This difference in length will create an immediate compatibility issue. There are also differences in the bullet diameter. Both cartridges use bullets that are designed to be fired from rifles, but their dimensions are considerably different. These dimensional variations are the key reason why magazine compatibility becomes a critical concern.
Magazine Design: The Architecture of Feeding
To fully understand the problem, we must examine how magazines work, their purpose, and the fundamental design principles that govern their operation. Magazines are essentially the fuel tanks of firearms, providing a ready supply of ammunition for quick firing.
The typical **AR-15 magazine**, often used in conjunction with .223 Remington rifles, features a detachable box design. It holds a number of rounds in a staggered arrangement, kept in place by the magazine body. The magazine is designed to reliably feed these rounds into the chamber for firing. AR-15 magazines consist of a magazine body, the feed lips that guide the cartridges as they are stripped from the magazine, a follower that pushes the cartridges upward, and a spring to provide the force needed to do so. This spring is critical to pushing rounds up into the chamber.
A bolt-action rifle may use an internal magazine or a detachable magazine. The principles, however, are largely the same. The rounds must be held in place and presented to the chamber. The magazine must correctly line up the round with the chamber.
Feed lips are the two top edges of the magazine. They are formed to guide the rounds as they are extracted from the magazine and fed into the chamber. The feed lips need to be precisely designed for a specific cartridge. The feed lips on a magazine designed for .223 Remington, for example, will not be well-suited to feed a 350 Legend.
The follower is a small, usually plastic, piece that sits within the magazine. It is pushed upwards by the spring and it sits at the top of the column of cartridges, ready to push the next round upwards. The follower must be shaped correctly to ensure that it presents the cartridges in a reliable manner.
The magazine spring applies the force needed to push the cartridges upward into the chamber. Without a strong, properly functioning spring, the magazine will not function reliably.
When cartridges are inserted, they are held within the magazine, and the follower keeps pressure on the stack of rounds, pushing them upwards. As the bolt cycles, the next round is extracted from the magazine, guided by the feed lips, and seated into the chamber. The entire process must occur seamlessly and smoothly to ensure reliable operation. Any mismatch in cartridge dimensions, magazine design, or component specifications can disrupt this delicate ballet, resulting in problems.
Magazine Problems: When Things Go Wrong
When a cartridge and magazine are not compatible, a variety of problems can arise. The most common issues are:
- Feeding problems: The most common issues are when the cartridge fails to feed smoothly into the chamber. The nose of the bullet might catch on the chamber edge, causing a jam. This can be caused by a host of factors including, case length or overall length variations.
- Failure to feed (FTF): This occurs when the cartridge completely fails to load into the chamber, often preventing the rifle from firing.
- Failure to extract (FTE): Though an FTE is more often a consequence of a dirty chamber, it can also be the result of incorrect cartridge/magazine fit.
- Magazine damage: The magazine itself can be damaged. This might be due to forceful insertion or the use of incompatible cartridges.
These problems can lead to malfunctions and a significant reduction in the firearm’s effectiveness. In worst-case scenarios, they can create safety hazards.
The Verdict: Will It Fit?
So, let’s address the central question: **Will 350 Legend fit in a .223 magazine?**
The answer, in most cases, is a resounding, and emphatic “no.” While a 350 Legend cartridge *might* fit, or be able to be forced in to a .223 magazine, its compatibility with a .223 Remington is generally limited, and rarely works well or reliably. The case length and overall length of the 350 Legend cartridge are substantially longer than that of a .223 cartridge. The cartridge likely will not fit, or may be only be able to be forced into the magazine. Even if the cartridge *can* be inserted, it will likely not function correctly. The feed lips will be designed for the .223 cartridge and will not correctly guide the 350 Legend cartridge into the chamber. A mismatch in the feed lips, follower design, and spring tension between the cartridge and the magazine will cause problems. The follower in a .223 Remington magazine is not designed to push a 350 Legend cartridge at the correct angle or height.
Why is it so problematic?
- Case Length: The longer case length of the 350 Legend means that it will not align properly, often resulting in a failure to feed.
- Overall Length: The overall length is also critical.
- Feed Lip Mismatch: The feed lips will not be aligned correctly. This is likely to be the most significant source of problems.
- Follower: The follower is an essential component of any magazine.
Recommendations: The Right Tool for the Job
Since you should *never* attempt to force fit a cartridge into an incompatible magazine, what are the options?
- Use Magazines Designed for 350 Legend: These magazines are designed to specifically feed 350 Legend cartridges correctly. They have the right dimensions, feed lips, and follower designs. This will provide the most reliable and safest operation.
- Purchase Dedicated 350 Legend Magazines: These magazines are specifically engineered and manufactured to handle the dimensions and design of the 350 Legend cartridges.
- Prioritize Safety: Always use the correct magazine for the cartridge. Trying to circumvent this is a mistake.
Alternatives and Considerations
The choice of cartridges must be made with consideration for the intended application. The 350 Legend is a popular choice for hunting, particularly in areas where straight-walled cartridges are required by law. If the use case is something else, like self-defense or plinking, other cartridges may be better suited, like the .223. Whatever choice is made, be sure that your magazine choice is compatible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to the question, **Will 350 Legend fit in a .223 magazine?** is generally a clear no. The dimensional differences between these cartridges make reliable operation unlikely, if not impossible, and can potentially create significant safety hazards.
The most important takeaway is the need to prioritize safety and reliability in firearms operation. Always use magazines specifically designed for the cartridge you are using. By investing in the proper magazines, you can ensure the safe and reliable operation of your firearm.
It is imperative to avoid the temptation to modify or force cartridges into magazines not designed for them. The best way to have a safe and positive shooting experience is to pair the correct ammunition with the correct magazine.
We hope this guide has provided you with a clear and comprehensive understanding. Always prioritize safe gun handling practices.
