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Nov 17, 20245 min read

.400 Legend: A Balanced Powerhouse for Deer Hunting – Performance, Comparisons, and Tips

Updated: Dec 24, 2024


The .400 Legend is one of the latest entries into the rifle cartridge market, designed to offer a powerful and versatile option for hunters, particularly those in states with specific regulations requiring the use of straight-walled cartridges for hunting. Developed by Winchester, the .400 Legend has quickly captured the attention of hunters and shooting enthusiasts alike for its impressive ballistics, compatibility with AR platforms, and suitability for deer hunting in states like Iowa. In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into the origins, performance, and applications of the .400 Legend, comparing it with other popular rounds such as the .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster, and the venerable .45-70 Government cartridge.


The Development of the .400 Legend

The .400 Legend was introduced in 2023 by Winchester Ammunition as a modernized, straight-walled cartridge. Its development was driven primarily by the increasing popularity and legal requirements for straight-walled cartridges in many Midwestern states, including Iowa, where hunters are limited in what types of cartridges they can use for deer hunting. These regulations were established to improve hunter safety and limit the effective range of firearms used for hunting deer in heavily populated rural areas.

Winchester designed the .400 Legend to bridge the gap between other popular straight-walled cartridges like the .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster. The .350 Legend, introduced in 2019, offers a mild recoil with effective terminal performance, while the .450 Bushmaster provides greater stopping power but with a substantial increase in recoil. The .400 Legend was designed to provide a balance between these two, offering enhanced performance in terms of energy transfer and stopping power while keeping recoil manageable.


Key Features of the .400 Legend

The .400 Legend offers several features that make it an attractive option for hunters and target shooters:

  • Straight-Walled Design: The cartridge is compliant with regulations requiring straight-walled cartridges for hunting in certain states. This design improves safety and minimizes over-penetration risks in hunting situations.

  • Large Caliber with Manageable Recoil: The .400 Legend has a .400-inch diameter bullet, providing a significant increase in frontal area compared to the .350 Legend. This larger caliber delivers increased energy transfer upon impact while maintaining recoil that is generally less punishing than the .450 Bushmaster.

  • High Energy Transfer: With energy levels comparable to the .450 Bushmaster but less recoil, the .400 Legend is effective for medium to large game, such as deer and even wild boar.

  • Compatibility with AR Platforms: Like its predecessor, the .350 Legend, the .400 Legend is compatible with AR-15 platform rifles, making it a versatile choice for modern sporting rifle enthusiasts.


Performance and Ballistics

The .400 Legend offers impressive ballistics, particularly for hunters looking for reliable terminal performance at moderate ranges. It is capable of producing muzzle velocities of around 2,200 feet per second (fps) with energy levels ranging from 2,100 to 2,400 foot-pounds (ft-lb), depending on the specific load. This level of energy makes it more than capable of taking down deer-sized game at typical hunting distances.

  • Trajectory: The .400 Legend maintains a relatively flat trajectory within 200 yards, making it effective for hunters who typically engage targets at these ranges.

  • Recoil: While the recoil of the .400 Legend is more substantial than the .350 Legend, it is considerably less than that of the .450 Bushmaster, providing a more comfortable shooting experience for many hunters.


Comparison with Other Popular Cartridges

.400 Legend vs. .350 Legend

  • Caliber: The .400 Legend uses a .400-inch bullet, while the .350 Legend uses a .357-inch bullet. This gives the .400 Legend a larger frontal area, leading to increased energy transfer upon impact.

  • Recoil: The .350 Legend is known for its mild recoil, making it an excellent choice for smaller-framed shooters and new hunters. The .400 Legend, while offering more energy, has slightly more recoil but remains more manageable than the .450 Bushmaster.

  • Terminal Performance: The .400 Legend delivers more stopping power and deeper penetration compared to the .350 Legend, making it better suited for taking down larger game.

.400 Legend vs. .450 Bushmaster

  • Caliber: The .450 Bushmaster uses a .452-inch bullet, offering tremendous stopping power. However, it comes with significantly higher recoil, which can be challenging for some shooters.

  • Recoil and Control: The .400 Legend offers a middle ground, with more stopping power than the .350 Legend but less punishing recoil than the .450 Bushmaster, making it more comfortable for extended shooting sessions.

  • Energy Transfer: Both cartridges deliver impressive energy, but the .450 Bushmaster is more effective for larger game, such as elk, due to its greater energy potential. The .400 Legend, however, offers sufficient energy for deer hunting and is less fatiguing to shoot.

.400 Legend vs. .45-70 Government

  • History and Tradition: The .45-70 Government has a long and storied history, dating back to 1873. It remains popular for hunting large game, thanks to its large, heavy bullets.

  • Energy and Recoil: While the .45-70 delivers tremendous energy and penetration, it also generates substantial recoil, particularly with heavy loads. The .400 Legend provides a modernized, straight-walled cartridge option with a better balance of recoil and performance for many hunters.

  • Compatibility: The .400 Legend is designed for use in modern firearms, including AR platforms, making it more versatile for contemporary shooters compared to the traditional lever-action rifles often chambered in .45-70.


Recommended Hunting and Range Ammunition

Hunting Ammunition for the .400 Legend

  • Winchester Deer Season XP: This load is specifically designed for deer hunting, featuring a polymer-tipped bullet that expands rapidly upon impact for maximum energy transfer and quick, humane kills.

  • Federal Premium HammerDown: Engineered for use in both lever-action and AR-platform rifles, this round offers controlled expansion and deep penetration, making it ideal for hunting larger game.

Range Ammunition for the .400 Legend

  • Winchester Super X: For target practice and breaking in a new rifle, Winchester’s Super X loads provide consistent performance at a lower cost compared to premium hunting loads. This ammunition offers similar ballistics, making it a great option for sighting in and practice.

  • American Eagle FMJ (Full Metal Jacket): FMJ rounds are an affordable choice for range training, offering reliable feeding and consistent performance without the expansion characteristics of hunting ammunition.


Practical Considerations for the .400 Legend

  • Optics and Zeroing: Given the relatively flat trajectory out to 200 yards, it is recommended to zero your .400 Legend rifle at 100 yards and practice with various distances to understand the bullet’s drop and behavior.

  • Barrel and Platform Selection: The .400 Legend is compatible with a range of platforms, including AR-15 and bolt-action rifles. Consider choosing a stainless steel barrel for better performance in harsh weather conditions often encountered during late-season hunts.


The .400 Legend offers a compelling option for hunters in states with straight-walled cartridge regulations, balancing energy, recoil, and versatility. It serves as a strong middle ground between the .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster, making it an attractive choice for deer hunters in northwest Iowa and beyond. With proper ammunition selection and practice, the .400 Legend can deliver impressive performance, making it a valuable addition to any hunter’s arsenal.


Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or new to the sport, exploring the capabilities of the .400 Legend is well worth your time. Its ability to deliver reliable energy and accuracy, combined with manageable recoil, makes it a great choice for taking down game ethically and efficiently.


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