.350 Remington Magnum

History

In 1964, the Remington arms company introduced the Model 600 carbine rifle. This rifle was designed to compete against the compact lever actions of the day but in a bolt action configuration.
 
The Model 600 carbine utilized the 1963 XP-100 pistol bolt action with its dog leg bolt handle, somewhat reminiscent of the P14 / M1917 rifle. This bolt handle was designed primarily for pistol shooter ergonomics but lent itself well to the Model 600 design, barrel length was 18.5” and the rifle also featured a nylon vented rib leading to a shark fin style front sight. Initial chamberings were .222, .308 and .35 Remington - all suited to the short action length. Weight was around 5.5lb. Along with the nylon rib, the trigger guard and blind magazine housing were also made of nylon. Remington engineers had hoped that with the use of synthetic materials they could design a light weight carbine with several practical features. The materials and design were considered radical at this time.
 
In 1965 Remington made a further radical move, introducing the Remington 600M, chambered for a cartridge of their own design, the .350 Remington Magnum. This cartridge was based on a standard 2.5” belted magnum case (e.g. 7mm Remington Magnum) but shortened to 2.171” and necked up to .358 caliber, the first short magnum.
 
Remington produced two factory loads, a 200 grain Corelokt at 2710fps and a 250 grain Corelokt at 2410fps, both loads achieved their stated velocity.
 
Following its 1964 release, the M600 rifle received a good deal of criticism. The release of the .350 chambering in 1965 was met with even greater disapproval. Hunters and gun writers did not fancy the synthetic materials, its light weight and short barrel. Jack O’Connor stated that such a rifle was of no use, considering that the average man simply could not shoot it straight due to its significant  recoil (at a time when men actually knew how to shoot).  As a further detriment to the cartridge, many hunters felt that the .350 did not show any significant advantage over the well-established .35 Whelen wildcat.
 
In 1966 Remington offered the same rifle in yet another radically new chambering, the 6.5 Remington Magnum, however sales of both chamberings remained stagnant. In 1968 the 600M was replaced by the Model 660M. This modified version no longer featured the ventilated rib while the barrel was lengthened to 20”. The new carbine failed to gain any attention and by 1971 the M660M was dropped from production. Between 1969 and 1975 Remington also offered the .350Rem mag as a chambering for the M700 however very few rifles were made. The only other manufacturer to adopt the Remington cartridge was Ruger, with rifles produced in equally low numbers. Remington ceased to manufacture .350 ammunition in 1992 and for a decade the .350 survived only as a hand loading proposition.
 
The complete range of chamberings for the M600 rifle included .222, .223, 6mm Remington, .243, 6.5 Remington Magnum, .308, .35 Remington and the .350 Remington.
 
Over 30 years passed before Remington once again explored short magnum cartridge designs. In 1999 Remington launched the .300 Remington Ultra magnum and following this, the .300 Short Action Ultra Magnum which was released in 2001. Between Remington and Winchester new families of short magnum cartridges were created in the calibers .270, 7mm and .300. Medium bore enthusiasts hoped for short magnums in the calibers .338” and .358”.  Yet when Winchester engineers experimented with the .300WSM case necked up to .338”, the short COAL (case over all length) caused a great deal of powder cramping with long .338 caliber bullets and therefore limited power. As for a .358 cartridge, while this would have boasted an ideal COAL, it seems that nobody wanted to pursue this route. But during 2003 in a move that surprised many, Remington re-released a version of their original 600M carbine designated the M673, once again chambered for the .350Rem mag cartridge.
 
The new M673 Guide Rifle utilized the Remington Model 7 action and retained the M600’s laminate variant stock. Rather than the flyweight 18.5” barrel of its predecessor  the new rifle featured a heavy contour 22” barrel with a steel ventilated rib and traditional open sights. The new rifle was portable, fast handling, lightweight yet steady to shoot. Remington also re-introduced their 200 grain Core-Lokt factory load but only for a short time.
 
The .350 Remington Magnum currently retains a small but staunch fan base. Factory ammunition is generally hard to come by but this can easily be overcome with hand loads.

 

Performance

The .350 Remington Magnum is blessed with excellent power and a good measure of reach. In plain terms, power levels duplicate the .35 Whelen, the case capacities being near identical.
 
As a woods cartridge (as it was designed with its carbine rifle), the .350 hits hard at close to moderate ranges, allowing some room for error when taking snap shots. In an accurate rifle and with practice the .350 can be used to 300 yards, producing a very similar trajectory to the .308 Winchester with 150 grain factory soft point ammunition (real world velocities as opposed to advertised). But as suggested, an accurate rifle is required for this.
 
The .350 produces a good deal of recoil torque which affects not only the shooter, but also bedding surfaces. Without attention to epoxy resin bedding and when used in wet and changeable environments (pertinent to wood stocks not the laminate), accuracy can be very poor. Add to this a rust prone chrome moly bore and the results of poor maintenance can be disastrous. There is vast difference between the fantasy of a compact rifle and the reality of putting such a concept to optimum use. The little M600 - 673 carbines do however have potential if treated correctly.
 
The .350 and the Remington carbine rifles can evoke a range of arguments. Most folk give up on this cartridge the moment they discover that its power level is for all intents and purposes the same as the .35 Whelen. The .350 can however achieve these results in a much shorter, compact rifle. Yet as a counter to this, comes the reality of Jack O’Connor’s statement - a good many people cannot shoot well at this recoil level. Others cannot tell whether it is their own shooting or the bedding at fault when accuracy is poor. One can easily go around in circles with this and there are many valid arguments for and against such a rifle and cartridge configuration.
 
In any case, this cartridge (and rifle) must be judged based on its design goals. Remington’s goal was to offer maximum power in the smallest possible package. Those who hunt in the thickest of timber will appreciate these concepts. For my own part however, I will say that the addition of some forend width can help greatly with recoil control, even if this is to the detriment of looks and portability. Rifle bedding, a light and crisp trigger, practice and good maintenance routines optimize potential.
 
A main factor to consider with such rifles is that they are generally carried a long way and need to be carried low when slung on the shoulder, so as not to get ‘hung up’ when walking through undergrowth. This level of portability is especially appreciated when hunting very large animals where a great amount of meat is to be packed out, particularly if terrain is difficult.
 
As for the rifle materials, the use of a nylon trigger guard is not entirely sound. Remington have since utilized the same on other rifles including the model ADL. Unfortunately, the soft nature of the plastic used does not allow for firm and secure action screw tension. The accuracy of many Remington rifles has been completely ruined after an operator unknowingly continues to screw through the trigger guard until either a degree of tension is obtained or the trigger guard fails altogether. Many of these older rifles are now suffering a great deal of synthetic material fatigue. 
 
The .350 Remington compares directly with the 35-300 WSM wildcat, also known as the .35 Sambar. Of the two, the Sambar is more potent. Neither are truly short magnums, being more akin to the 6.5x55 and 7x57 case lengths which are suited to medium length actions. The .358’s do nevertheless boast much shorter COAL’s and fit short actions very well without any need for magazine alterations. The WSM features a fatter case than the .350 and therefore greater powder capacity. Both utilize fast burning powder (e.g. H4895) yet both lack the efficiency of (as an example) the .308 case design and to this end, both are sensitive to barrel lengths. The .350 can nevertheless show increased efficiency over other .358’s including the Whelen and Sambar. But when loaded in 22 to 24” barrels, the Sambar is the more potent of the two. From a 24 to 26” barrel, the Sambar rivals the potent .358 Norma.

 

Factory ammunition

Unfortunately, Remington have discontinued factory loads for the .350. Their most recent, re-released for the Model 673, consisted of the excellent 200 grain Corelokt at an advertised  2775fps. In the 22” Guide rifle, velocities averaged 50fps lower than advertised while the original M600 lost on average 100fps.
 
Nosler currently make one load for the .350, featuring their 225 grain Partition at a true 2550fps from a 20” barrel and 2500fps from the 18.5” carbine. This is an excellent (though expensive) load for all around use in the .350, capable of fast expansion on light framed game, yet relatively deep penetration on heavy game. On heavy game, this bullet can tumble if hitting round ball joints and may lose its core. This is nevertheless a good all-around bullet design and bullet weight for the .350 and one would struggle to find a better factory load, the trade offs being worthwhile with regards to its general flexibility. The Partition boasts a relatively high BC, enabling it to be used out to 300 yards (around 1900fps). This bullet is not however immensely wide wounding at this range, therefore rifle accuracy, drop and wind drift must be treated with due diligence. The Partition reaches its limits at 350 yards (1800fps). At this range, best results are obtained on larger body weights and by keeping shots well forwards in an attempt to strike major locomotive muscles and bone while increasing bullet resistance and therefore potential expansion. Beyond 350 yards, the Partition struggles to produce fast and clean kills.
 
 

Hand loading

Although brass for the .350 is not that plentiful, case forming dies are obtainable from RCBS and Lyman which allow .350 cases to be easily formed from either 7mm Rem mag or .338 Win mag brass. For those who wish to explore full accuracy potential, neck dies can be purchased from Hornady or for more exact tolerances, from Lee (custom made).
 
The .350 Remington produces excellent results when hand loaded with fast burning powders including H335, IMR and H4895 (ADI 2206H). From the 18.5” barreled M600, typical velocities include 2750fps with 180 grain bullets, 2600fps with 200 grain bullets, 2500fps with 225 grain bullets and 2400fps with 250 grain bullets. 
 
In the 22” barrels found on the M700, M673 as well as the Ruger M77 which was re-released in .350 during 2006, typical velocities include 2850fps with 180 grain bullets, 2650fps with 200 grain bullets, 2550fps to 2600fps with 225 grain bullets and between 2450 to 2500fps with 250 grain bullets. 
 
Some .350 caliber rifles can boast velocities up to 100fps faster than figures quoted here. Having said this, it is not uncommon for some .350 users to chase ‘magnum’ velocity at the expense of accuracy and case life. Still, the short fat .350 case can potentially generate more power over a shorter barrel length than the long and slender .30-06 case. The 6.5 Remington Magnum boasts even greater efficiency and power from a short barrel (see 6.5 Remington Magnum).
 
Please note that Remington factory rifles featured a 1:16 twist while the Ruger M77 rifle featured a 1:12 twist. Both variations handle the typical 180 to 250 grain bullet range with good accuracy potential. 
 
Please see the .35 Whelen text for individual bullet research and  performance.

 

Closing comments

Suggested loads: .350 Remington					Barrel length: 20”
No	ID		Sectional Density	Ballistic Coefficient	Observed  MV Fps	ME Ft-lb’s
1	FL	Nosler 225gr Partition	.251	.430	2550	3248
2	HL	180gr Speer FP	.201	.236	2800	3133
3	HL	200gr  Hornady SP/ FTX	.223	.300	2650	3118
4	HL	225gr Sierra BTSP	.251	.370	2550	3248
5	HL	Speer 220gr FP / 225gr Woodleigh RN	.241	.286	2550	3248
6	HL	250gr Speer / Partition	.279	.446	2450	3332

 
 

Suggested sight settings and bullet paths
1	Yards	100	221	258	300	325	350
	Bt. path	+3	0	-3	-7.9	-11.6	-15.8
2	Yards	100	227	261	300	325
	Bt. path	+3	0	-3	-7.9	-11.9
3	Yards	100	221	256	275	300	325
	Bt. path	+3	0	-3	-5.1	-8.4	-12.3
4	Yards	100	218	254	275	300	325
	Bt. path	+3	0	-3	-5.3	-8.6	-12.4
5	Yards	100	208	242	275	300
	Bt. path	+3	0	-3	-7.3	-11.3
6	Yards	100	212	247	275	300	325
	Bt. path	+3	0	-3	-6.1	-9.5	-13.5

 
Sight height 1.6” (Scope).
 
Tables adequate for general trajectory prediction for 18.5, 20 and 22” barrels.
 
 

No	At yards	10mphXwind	Velocity	Ft-lb’s
1	300	10.2	1929	1858
2	300	14.9	1761	1239
3	300	12.1	1837	1498
4	300	9.7	1914	1830
5	300	15	1660	1376
6	300	8.6	1910	2025

 
 
Note: Please pay attention to 1800fps velocity cut off points!
Load 5 (Woodleigh / Speer) best used to 250 yards only (1800fps). Wind drift 10” @ 250 yards.
 

 

.350 Rem Mag	Imperial	Metric
A	.532	13.51
B	.513	13.03
C	25 Deg
D	.494	12.57
E	.388	9.86
F	1.700	43.16
G	.355	9.02
H	2.171	55.14
Max Case	2.171	55.14
Trim length	2.161	54.84

 
 
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