top of page
Search

Winchester’s .350 Legend and .400 Legend Ammunition: A Comprehensive Guide

  • joe9838
  • Mar 15
  • 8 min read

In this article, we will dive into Winchester’s existing ammunition lines for .350 Legend and .400 Legend – two modern straight-walled cartridges popular in states restricting hunters to straight-wall ammo for deer. We’ll explore ballistic specifics, bullet weights, recommended use-cases, and direct comparisons with competing brands. Whether you’re a dedicated deer hunter, hog chaser, or range enthusiast wanting to keep costs reasonable while matching ballistic performance, Winchester’s lines offer a variety of solutions.


Overview of the .350 Legend and .400 Legend Cartridges

.350 Legend: The Groundbreaker

  • Released: 2019 by Winchester

  • Concept: Provide a moderate recoil, straight-walled round that’s legal for deer hunts in states like Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa where bottleneck cartridges might be restricted

  • Caliber Specs: Fires .355–.357 diameter bullets, typically 145–180 gr, at velocities in the 2,100–2,400 fps range

  • Effective Range: Up to ~200 yards for typical deer hunts, depending on bullet design and user skill

  • Use: Whitetail deer, hogs, varmint (with lighter bullets), or general target practice

.400 Legend: The Newcomer

  • Released: 2023 by Winchester

  • Concept: A heavier bullet alternative to .350 Legend, still fitting the “straight-wall” mandate while boosting diameter and energy

  • Caliber Specs: Bullets around 215–240 gr, muzzle velocities ~2,000–2,250 fps depending on the load

  • Effective Range: ~200 yards for hunting deer or black bear, with a bit more punch than .350 Legend

  • Use: Larger-bodied deer, hogs, black bear, or those who simply prefer a bigger hole with moderate recoil


Winchester’s .350 Legend Ammunition Lines

Winchester offers multiple distinct lines in .350 Legend, each targeting different needs—from premium whitetail loads to cost-efficient FMJ practice ammo.

Deer Season XP

Bullet Weights: Generally 150 gr (also a 160 gr variant in some regions)

  • Design: Extreme Point polymer tip for rapid expansion

  • Intended Game: Whitetail and similar medium game

  • Ballistics (Approx.):

    • Muzzle Velocity: ~2,325–2,350 fps (for 150 gr)

    • Energy at Muzzle: ~1,800 ft-lbs

  • Pros:

    • Rapid expansion for clean kills on deer

    • Decent BC for an intermediate-range shot (150–200 yd)

    • Consistent from box to box, good for one-shot hunting confidence

  • Cons:

    • Premium price point relative to basic soft-point ammo

    • Expansion might be too rapid for extremely close shots on large-bodied game, though still workable

Competing Options: Hornady American Whitetail .350 Legend or Federal Non-Typical .350 Legend, both with standard soft point bullets. Deer Season XP stands out for the polymer tip approach.

Power-Point

Bullet Weights: Typically 180 gr

  • Design: Traditional soft point

  • Intended Game: Deer, hogs at moderate ranges

  • Ballistics (Approx.):

    • Muzzle Velocity: ~2,100–2,150 fps for 180 gr

    • Energy at Muzzle: ~1,750–1,800 ft-lbs

  • Pros:

    • Trusted, proven bullet design (Power-Point’s been around for decades)

    • More affordable than Deer Season XP

    • Reliable expansion with deeper penetration than extremely fast-expanding bullets

  • Cons:

    • Lower velocity and slightly higher arc than lighter bullet lines

    • Soft point might produce less uniform expansion or larger exit wounds

Competing Options: Federal Power-Shok, Remington Core-Lokt in .350 Legend. Similar old-school soft points, typically at a similar cost bracket.

Super-X

Bullet Weights: Ranges from 145 gr FMJ to 180 gr SP

  • Design: This line can include either a basic soft point or an FMJ offering.

  • Intended Use:

    • FMJ: Range practice / plinking

    • SP: Budget hunting round

  • Ballistics (Approx.):

    • 145 gr FMJ at ~2,350–2,400 fps

    • 180 gr SP at ~2,100 fps

  • Pros:

    • Generally the cheapest among Winchester lines for .350 Legend

    • Great for high-volume range training if using the FMJ version

  • Cons:

    • The soft point variant is less advanced than the polymer-tip designs, though still adequate for typical deer hunts

    • If you do not want minimal bullet expansion, the FMJ obviously is not a hunting solution

Matching Range Ammo: The 145 gr FMJ is popular for practicing recoil management while maintaining a somewhat similar ballistic arc to the 150 gr Deer Season XP, though they aren’t perfectly identical in trajectory.

Copper Impact (Occasionally Released)

Though not always in continuous production, Copper Impact is a lead-free monolithic bullet offering. If you see it:

  • Bullet: All-copper polymer-tipped bullet for near 100% weight retention

  • Use: Great for states requiring non-lead or for hunters seeking maximum weight retention

  • Cost: Typically premium


Winchester’s .400 Legend Ammunition Lines

Because the .400 Legend is new (introduced in 2023), the currently available Winchester loads are fewer in number but still serve distinct roles. The following lines have been confirmed or listed for .400 Legend:

Power-Point

Bullet Weight: 215 gr (published offering by Winchester)

  • Design: Classic soft point that expands reliably

  • Ballistics (Approx.):

    • Muzzle Velocity: ~2,150–2,250 fps for 215 gr bullet

    • Energy: ~2,200–2,300 ft-lbs at muzzle (depending on final velocity)

  • Pros:

    • Balanced cost vs. performance; good for standard deer or black bear hunts

    • The 215 gr bullet is fairly heavy, offering deeper penetration than .350 Legend

  • Cons:

    • Lacks the advanced polymer-tip for ballistic improvement at the edges of 200 yards

    • Minimal line variety so far; no explicit budget FMJ or premium polymer tip version available yet

Deer Season XP

Currently, some references indicate that Winchester has or will produce a Deer Season XP load for .400 Legend, also at around 215 gr:

  • Design: The “Extreme Point” polymer tip for immediate expansion in whitetail

  • Ballistics: Muzzle velocity around 2,200–2,250 fps, focusing on quick expansion and big wound channels

  • Pros:

    • Delivers a bigger frontal diameter than .350 Legend for short to medium range hunts

    • Tends to produce quick kills if you place the shot properly

  • Cons:

    • Might be more expensive, limited availability since .400 Legend is brand new

    • Could produce more recoil than .350 Legend Deer Season XP

No other official .400 Legend lines (like FMJ or monolithic copper) appear widely at the time of writing. Watch for expansions to Super-X or Copper Impact as the caliber grows in popularity.


Ballistics and Performance Comparisons

.350 Legend vs. .400 Legend

Muzzle Velocity

  • .350 Legend: 2,100–2,400 fps range (lighter bullets approach 2,400)

  • .400 Legend: 2,000–2,250 fps for heavier 215+ gr bullets

Energy

  • .350 Legend: ~1,800 ft-lbs with a 150 gr bullet

  • .400 Legend: ~2,200–2,300 ft-lbs with a 215 gr bullet

Range

  • Both do best within 200 yards

  • .400 Legend’s heavier bullet might offer better performance on bigger deer or black bear, especially under 150 yards

Deer Season XP vs. Power-Point vs. Super-X

Deer Season XP:

  • Polymer tip for quick expansion, premium cost, designed specifically for whitetail.

  • Ballistically consistent from shot to shot, though you pay for that reliability and advanced bullet geometry.

Power-Point:

  • Traditional soft point with a simpler lead tip.

  • Lower cost, proven expansion, but not as advanced in ballistic coefficient or specialized for instant expansion.

Super-X:

  • Typically the cheapest among the three. Could be basic soft points or an FMJ variant in .350 Legend.

  • Great for range ammo or “general purpose” hunts if cost is your biggest concern.


Matching Ammo to Shooting Goals

Budget Range Shooting

  • .350 Legend: Super-X 145 gr FMJ or basic 180 gr SP for about the lowest cost. That ensures you get a near realistic recoil approximation for your hunting load.

  • .400 Legend: So far, the main budget option is Power-Point if no cheaper lines exist. The selection is limited, so you might pay more overall than .350 Legend.

Serious Deer Hunting

  • Deer Season XP in .350 Legend or .400 Legend for a polymer-tip bullet that expands rapidly, ensuring quick kills.

  • For .400 Legend specifically, Deer Season XP (215 gr) is likely your best shot if available.

  • Alternatively, the .350 Legend 150 gr Deer Season XP offers flatter arcs out to ~200 yards.

Hog or Black Bear

  • The heavier 180 gr or 200+ gr might be more effective in thick-bodied animals. .400 Legend can shine here with its bigger bullet diameter and deeper potential penetration.

  • Or use .350 Legend with a heavier bullet (180 gr) from Power-Point if your game is more moderate in size.

Range vs. Hunt Consistency

  • If you want to train with cheaper ammo that mimics your hunting load ballistics, aim to match bullet weights. For instance, if you hunt with a 150 gr Deer Season XP in .350 Legend, you might use the 145 or 150 gr FMJ for your Super-X practice. That ensures a roughly similar trajectory and recoil impulse.


Comparisons to Competitors

Federal (Power-Shok, Fusion) in .350 Legend

  • Federal’s lines similarly cover standard soft points and advanced bonded loads. Price points are similar to Winchester’s mid-tier or advanced lines.

  • Federal Fusion might bond lead to the jacket, delivering deeper expansions than a standard soft point, but Deer Season XP offers the rapid expansion of a large polymer tip—two different approaches.

Hornady in .350 Legend

  • Hornady American Whitetail in .350 Legend: A budget or mid-tier deer load with an InterLock soft point. Comparable to Power-Point in design and cost.

  • Hornady might also release specialized lines or polymer-tip expansions, but their main competitor is Deer Season XP’s approach.

Other Straight-Wall Cartridges

  • .450 Bushmaster or .444 Marlin: More recoil, bigger bullet, often more power but heavier recoil and typically shorter effective range due to bullet drop.

  • .400 Legend sits between .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster in bullet diameter, recoil, and muzzle energy.


Real-World Performance and Field Results

Hunters using these Winchester lines report:

  • Deer Season XP: Quick, devastating expansions on deer, short blood trails, especially within 150 yards.

  • Power-Point: Dependable performance for decades, though expansions can be slower or less dramatic than polymer tips. Shots often pass through, leaving a decent exit wound.

  • Super-X: Extremely cost-friendly for practice, with consistent if not “fancy” bullet designs. Some prefer it as an all-around if they do short shots and don’t want to overspend.

Range Observations:

  • .350 Legend’s recoil is mild enough to facilitate easy sight reacquisition, helping newer or recoil-sensitive shooters.

  • .400 Legend’s recoil remains moderate, though heavier bullets produce a noticeable push.


Practical Recommendations

  • Frequent Range Practice: If you run .350 or .400 Legend, do not discount practice due to cost. Using something like Super-X or basic FMJ in .350 Legend is a great approach to refine your skills.

  • Use the Same Bullet Weight: Matching bullet weights between your budget practice and premium hunting load helps minimize zero shifts. If you practice with a 145–150 gr FMJ, you might only be an inch or so off from a 150 gr Deer Season XP.

  • Check Zero: Always confirm your zero with your actual hunting load. Don’t assume ballistic charts are spot-on without real-world verification.

  • Assess Your Typical Range: If you rarely shoot beyond 100 yards, a standard 180 gr soft point in either Legend is more than enough for typical deer hunts. If you expect 150–200 yard shots, Deer Season XP or a polymer tip might provide a more confident ballistic arc.


Harnessing Winchester’s .350 and .400 Legend Lines

Winchester’s arsenal of Deer Season XP, Power-Point, and Super-X across .350 Legend and .400 Legend addresses the varied demands of cost-conscious range training, everyday hunts for whitetail, and higher-performance hunts needing immediate expansion or heavier projectiles. With the .400 Legend, Winchester is evolving the straight-wall category to handle heavier game while retaining moderate recoil and legal compliance in many states.

Key Takeaways

  • .350 Legend: Mild recoil, 150–180 gr bullet range, great for typical deer hunts out to ~200 yards. Perfect for those wanting a lighter-shooting setup.

  • .400 Legend: Newer, heavier bullet, delivering bigger holes and more energy than .350 Legend, but limited ammo lines at present. Great for bigger deer or black bear within 200 yards.

  • Deer Season XP: Premium polymer tip for fast expansion.

  • Power-Point: Classic soft point bridging cost and performance.

  • Super-X: Budget or basic—ideal for practice or simpler hunts.

No matter your approach—intensive hunting or casual range shooting—Winchester offers solutions in both .350 Legend and .400 Legend that meet your ballistic and budget requirements. With thoughtful selection, you can keep your range time affordable while ensuring your hunting ammo provides the terminal performance needed for swift, ethical harvests.


Check out our ammo inventory and let us know if there's something you'd like that we don't have on the website or in stock. Our goal is to have everything you need so if we're lacking, say the word and we'll add it!


If you found this informative, we invite you to sign up for email notifications of new blog articles.








Comments

Commenting has been turned off.

If you're looking for something we don't have listed or if we're out of stock,

please send us a text to let us know what you need.

As a home-based business we tend to keep inventory by demand and we're committed to

providing what you need at the lowest prices possible.

Text or call: 712.796.1464

Email: joe@premsvcs.com

19273 440th Street

Havelock, IA  50546

bottom of page