NRAAM 2023: Winchester 400 Legend

It’s finally here. We knew the 400 Legend was in the works months ago thanks to paperwork being filed for it with SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute). Now that it’s here, everyone’s excited to see just what it can do. The Winchester 400 Legend is a straight-walled cartridge created for hunting, but of course it’s versatile enough for a variety of applications. Interested in learning more? Read on.

According to Winchester, the 400 Legend is a straight-walled cartridge made to deliver superior ballistics for hunters and sport shooters alike. Its ballistics make it an optimal choice for hunters interested in using a cartridge that produces moderate recoil and excellent terminal performance, all with excellent results down-range. Winchester states this cartridge is ideal for hunting situations within 300 yards.

Because this is a straight-walled cartridge, it’s qualified for use in many states that restrict bottle-necked cartridges for hunting purposes. This is a heavy-hitting cartridge that’s great for everything from deer to hogs to black bear, and big game, too. It also offers significant ballistic advantages over many similar cartridges.

Features of the 400 Legend include:

• Energy similar to that of the 450 Bushmaster, only with 20% less recoil
• More than 20% more energy on target than the 30-30 Winchester
• 25% more energy than 350 Legend (Winchester states also greater penetration)
• 100% more energy than a 12-Gauge slug at 100 Yards
• 55% less recoil than a 12-Gauge slug

Ben Frank, senior product manager for Winchester Ammunition, said, “As the leader in cartridge development, the 400 Legend is a testament to our Winchester team that continues to prioritize innovative products and our world-renowned brand. Our recent successes in the development of the 6.8 Western and 350 Legend demonstrates our ability to offer hunters and sport shooters tremendous value. Our legacy in manufacturing high-quality products with improved ballistics is unrivaled.”

MSRP for the Winchester 400 Legend will vary by specific load and quantity.