The S&W .350 Legend is a 7-shooter made to use Moon clips. Factory ammo is rated to hurl a 158 grain spitzer at well over 2,300 fps. The case is about a 10th inch longer than the .357 Maximum, and both are very close in diameter with the Legend being "spec'd" at about 2/10ths of a millimeter larger around near the base but well within normal chamber tolerances. The .357 Max case looks to be a near perfect fit into the Legend chamber, the only question being whether there is adequate, or excessive clearance for the 0.060" thick rim, but clearly the Legend rim stands proud of the rear of the cylinder at 0.045" thick or about 3/10ths of a millimeter difference which is a TINY number and brass often deviates from the precise dimensions shown on a diagram. This leaves grabbing a .357 Max loaded round and dropping it to the chamber of a .350 Legend to check fit and function. The Max is a 40K psi round versus the Legend at 55K psi so a factory Max round won't even strain the S&W .350 assuming the rim clearance works, but from my experience it's highly likely to dimensionally doable. If so you have your .357 max in a 7-shot, thoroughly modern revolver built to handle big pressure.
Having said all that, it only matters to those who already own a .357 maximum and have ammo or cases on hand and a reason to care. Most will be far better served by the .350 Legend. I personally like the ability to use Moons and have the cases linked, because extraction is certain with no potential for dropping a case in behind the star should one be too excited to remember to keep the muzzle up! The .350 Legend can also be had in an AR platform which is a plus.
Choosing a representative load, the Hornady 200gr. FTX at 2,045fps/1,858fpe (2.5 kilojoules+), sighted in at 125 yards is just 1.5" high mid-range, and just 1.8" low at 150 yard, still churning along over 1,600fps and 1.7 kilojoules which is plenty of "YOWZA" even for bear!
For those using optics the round is still steaming along at 300 yards at 1,400fps and just under 1.2 KJ or just about 100fpe less than a .44 mag has at the muzzle - fired from a 6" barrel that is. That's one heck of a 7-shooter! The S&W the 7.5" barrel has a single port up front - probably a series of radial vents in the barrel, underneath the barrel shroud, but at 71 ounces empty recoil will be nearly non-existent, probably on par with the .460 XVR 8-3/8" with 200 grain loads - which was nearly non-existent, it just sent a sound pressure wave directly into the left ear should the shooter not be wearing at least properly inserted foam plugs. Muffs over that is even better.
