Taurus Shrinks the .350 Legend Raging Hunter to 8 Inches
Taurus USA added an 8-inch version of its .350 Legend Raging Hunter revolver, giving handgun hunters a shorter option than the 10- and 14-inch models already in the lineup. The gun carries a six-shot cylinder, an 8 3/8-inch barrel and an unloaded weight of 55 ounces. Taurus sells it in black and two-tone finishes, with the two-tone listed at an MSRP of $1,421.99. The shorter barrel targets the same job as the long versions, which is taking deer with a revolver chambered for a rifle-class cartridge. It just does it in a package that fits a hand and a holster better.
Key Details
The revolver's specifications are straightforward. Taurus built the 8-inch model around a non-fluted cylinder that holds six rounds and accepts full moon clips for faster reloads. The heavy cylinder absorbs part of the recoil from a cartridge that generates real energy in a short-barreled handgun. The grip is cushioned, which matters when you touch off a .350 Legend round in a revolver this size.
- Barrel: 8 3/8 inches, paired with an adjustable rear sight
- Capacity: Six rounds, non-fluted cylinder, full moon clip compatible
- Weight: 55 ounces unloaded
- Lock-up: Taurus Double Lock System
- Finishes: Black and two-tone
- Price: MSRP $1,421.99 for the two-tone model
- Existing lineup: 10-inch and 14-inch Raging Hunters in .350 Legend
Caleb Giddings, General Manager of Marketing at Taurus USA, said the company built the 8-inch model in response to customer requests for a shorter, more maneuverable version. Taurus frames the gun as the full Raging Hunter experience in a handier size. Midwest Industries also makes its Bounty Hunter stock and arm brace system for the Raging Hunter series. That system replaces the factory grip and adds contact points for better stability.
Background
The .350 Legend began as a rifle cartridge built to work within a specific legal gap. It uses a straight-walled case, a format that several states restrict for deer hunting. Michigan's old straight-wall rule is the classic example. Hunters in those states needed a bottleneck-free option that still delivered deer-level performance, and the .350 Legend filled that niche. Its popularity grew quickly once rifle makers started chambering it.
Taurus brought the same cartridge to a revolver with the original Raging Hunter, which launched in the 10- and 14-inch barrel lengths. Those guns are long, heavy and built for scoped, deliberate shots. The 8-inch model is the first short-barreled version in the line. Taurus also has a history of offering big-bore revolvers with aftermarket stock options, and the Midwest Industries system is one of those accessories that pairs with the series.
The accessory side carries its own legal history. The ATF's 2023 pistol brace rule tried to reclassify many braced pistols as short-barreled rifles. A federal court in Texas vacated that rule in 2024, but the agency's stance on stock and brace configurations remains a live question. Buyers should check current ATF guidance before adding any shoulder-fit accessory to a handgun.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
Hunters in straight-wall restriction states now have a revolver option that matches a .350 Legend rifle they already own. A shared cartridge means one ammo purchase covers both guns, and reloading components stay consistent. The 8-inch barrel also changes the carry math. A 55-ounce revolver is still heavy, but it fits a chest rig or a larger hunting holster far better than a 14-inch version does. Anyone thinking about carrying this gun in the woods should test it with the exact holster and load they plan to use.
Owners in states that allow .350 Legend for deer should watch for transport and possession rules. Some states treat handguns differently from rifles during hunting seasons, and a revolver with a stock attached can complicate that picture. If you plan to run the Bounty Hunter system, confirm the configuration with your state wildlife agency and with current ATF classification guidance. Keep receipts and manufacturer documentation for any accessory you install.
Price is the other factor. At $1,421.99 for the two-tone, this revolver sits in the premium tier. Buyers comparing it against a rifle in the same caliber should weigh the cost of a dedicated handgun hunting setup against a bolt gun and optic.
DownRange Analysis
A revolver is an easy legal target for handgun-hunting rules. The 8-inch Raging Hunter is a handgun by any mainstream definition. A shorter barrel does not create NFA issues by itself. The legal risk shows up when someone adds a stock or brace that could convert the pistol into a shoulder-fired firearm. Under Bruen, the Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms, and the Court's test asks whether a regulation fits the historical tradition of firearm regulation. A federal agency deciding what counts as a rifle through accessory design is exactly the kind of regulation that will keep landing in court.
From a market standpoint, Taurus is betting that shorter barrels sell. Handgun hunters who want a .350 Legend platform now have a more carryable choice. If the 8-inch model sells well, expect other makers to chase the same shorter .350 Legend and big-bore revolver segment.
What should a gun owner do right now? If you hunt in a straight-wall state and want a .350 Legend revolver, handle one before you buy. Check your state's hunting regulations for handguns and cartridges. Before installing any stock or brace, read the current ATF guidance and keep your paperwork. Visit Taurus's website for the full specifications and current pricing.
