Two relatively new cartridges that have been gaining popularity in recent years are the 400 Legend and the 350 Legend. Both cartridges are designed for use in AR-15-style rifles and offer impressive ballistics for hunting and shooting at moderate ranges. In this article, we will take a closer look at the 400 Legend and the 350 Legend, comparing their strengths and weaknesses to help you determine which cartridge is the best choice for your needs.
Here is the short answer:
Both of these rounds offer similar long range ballistics in terms of drop and wind drift. However, the 400 Legend has more close range energy. You can consider the 400 Legend a more powerful version of the 350 Legend.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge, their ballistics, and see how the 400 Legend compares to the 350 Legend in-depth.
In-Depth Look at the 400 Legend
The 400 Legend is a relatively new cartridge that was designed by Winchester specifically for use in AR-15 rifles. This cartridge uses a .401-inch diameter bullet and has a case length of 1.65 inches so it is a short cartridge. The 400 Legend was designed to be a straight walled cartridge that could pack a punch similar to that of the 450 Bushmaster or 458 SOCOM. However, the main use that this round is intended for is to hunt deer and other game in states with straight wall cartridge restrictions.
One main upside to the 400 Legend is its ability to deliver lots of energy at close range. Under 200 yards the 400 Legend is more than capable of taking game like deer, hogs, or bear. If you are primarily taking your shots under 200 yards than the 400 Legend is definitely a cartridge you should look into.
Due to the lack of energy retention the 400 Legend has, it is not an ideal cartridge for shooting over 200 yards so any long range shooting is not possible or going to be extremely difficult. Additionally, some cartridges are more popular than the 400 Legend and fill a similar role as it such as the 45-70, or the 450 Bushmaster.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 400 Legend with a 215-grain bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2250 | 2417 |
| 50 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 2056 | 2018 |
| 100 | 0 | 2.2 | 1872 | 1672 |
| 150 | -2.8 | 5.4 | 1700 | 1380 |
| 200 | -8.6 | 9.9 | 1541 | 1133 |
| 250 | -18.1 | 16.2 | 1396 | 930 |
| 300 | -32.1 | 24.3 | 1270 | 770 |
| 350 | -51.6 | 34.3 | 1166 | 649 |
| 400 | -77.6 | 46.1 | 1085 | 562 |
| 450 | -110.9 | 59.4 | 1023 | 499 |
| 500 | -152.1 | 74.1 | 974 | 452 |
In-Depth Look at the 350 Legend
The 350 Legend is a newer cartridge that was introduced in 2019 by Winchester. The cartridge uses a .357-inch diameter bullet and has a case length of 1.71 inches. The 350 Legend was created specifically for the role of being a deer hunting cartridge that can be used in states with straight wall case restrictions.
the 350 Legend, much like the 400 Legend, is best used for hunting deer, hogs, or bears at close range. This round have very little recoil which makes it ideal for those who want a heavy hitting cartridge without the kick that some of the larger options have.
Unfortunately, again like the 400 Legend, the 300 Legend is not very effective past 200 yards. If you want long range performance than you should look elsewhere at cartridges such as the 243 or 308 Winchester.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 350 legend with a 180-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2100 | 1762 |
| 50 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1942 | 1508 |
| 100 | 0 | 2 | 1793 | 1284 |
| 150 | -3.2 | 4.9 | 1652 | 1091 |
| 200 | -9.4 | 8.9 | 1520 | 924 |
| 250 | -19.5 | 14.4 | 1399 | 783 |
| 300 | -34.1 | 21.6 | 1292 | 668 |
| 350 | -53.9 | 30.2 | 1199 | 575 |
| 400 | -79.9 | 40.4 | 1123 | 504 |
| 450 | -112.7 | 52 | 1062 | 451 |
| 500 | -153.2 | 64.9 | 1013 | 410 |
In-Depth Comparison
When comparing the 400 Legend and the 350 Legend, there are a few key factors to consider.
Power: The 400 Legend is a larger cartridge that offers more power and energy at the muzzle compared to the 350 Legend. If you feel that the 350 Legend just doesn’t pack enough punch or enough range for you then you should look at the 400 Legend.
Recoil: The 350 Legend has a less recoil compared to the 400 Legend. This makes it easier to shoot accurately and more comfortable to shoot for extended periods of time or for smaller frame shooters.
In terms of availability, both the 400 Legend and the 350 Legend are new to the market. However, the 350 Legend has been on the market 4 years longer than the 400 Legend so it will be easy to get your hands on some ammo or a rifle.
In terms of versatility, both these rounds are tied. The 400 Legend and the 350 Legend both are cartridges that are used for the same tasks. Neither one of these cartridges are ideal for ranges beyond 200 yards, and they both have about the same energy and drop.
Conclusion
Overall, the 400 Legend and the 350 Legend are both excellent options for hunters and shooters looking for a reliable and affordable round for short to mid-range shooting. The 400 Legend offers slightly more power, while the 350 Legend offers less recoil and is more comfortable to shoot.