Winchester 400 Legend Goes Deer Hunting

Head To Missouri Big-Buck Country With A Winchester 400 Legend-Chambered Rifle

Missouri is one of the best deer-hunting states in the nation. As a top producer, it’s an excellent destination for big, old whitetails. I first started hunting there years ago and found my way back several times since.

My first fond memory of the state dates to 2019. At the time, I toted a rifle chambered in the then-new 350 Legend, and I’d hunted hard for several days. Eventually, an old warrior of a buck walked into view with an estrus doe. I shot that deer on the edge of some standing soybeans, and it ran a short distance before expiring.

In 2023, Winchester invited me back to deer camp, but this time, I hunted with a Winchester XPR rifle chambered in the new 400 Legend. After a few volleys downrange, it was clear, the new caliber was a winner. The next morning, the hunt began.

My 400 Legend Buck

Our crew was in camp for a five-day rifle hunt. Hunting a mix of big woods and agricultural fields, the trick was knowing where deer bed, feed, and travel in between. Of course, given the November timeline, the rut was on. So, traditional rut stand locations were in play, too.

Unsurprisingly, due to warmer-than-hoped-for temps and bucks locking down with does, mature buck movement was slow. The first three days produced a lot of deer sightings, but nothing big. The morning of day four yielded a big deer, but it never offered a shot opportunity. Instead, it circled in downwind and set sail for safer acres.

The next morning, things changed. Dawn launched a wave of deer movement, mostly does, fawns, and young bucks. Then, around mid-morning, an 8-pointer walked into sight. Running around about 100 yards away, he chased a doe in and out of view.

Finally, the running ceased, and the deer halted in a shooting lane. I locked in, settled the crosshairs on the vitals, and pulled the trigger. The 400 Legend let its whereabouts be known, and the shot echoed through the hills.

Peering through the scope, I searched for a running deer or a white tail flagging away, but none were to be found. Instead, the stricken buck lay motionless on the forest floor where he stood. The shot connected and connected well. It dropped the deer in its tracks.

Looking back on this hunt, it’s one that stands out in my mind. I had the opportunity to use a brand-new rifle caliber. I shared camp with a crew full of great people. And I shot a solid 8-point buck. Of course, other reasons abound, including the great food, big laughs and times spent bantering in the skinning shed. But without a doubt, the fact I dropped a big-bodied midwestern buck where it stood was a highlight of the hunt.

The Bullet Aftermath

For the above hunt, I used Winchester’s Power Point in 400 Legend. This 215-grain projectile packs a significant punch. It’s arguably the premier straight-wall cartridge for those who want a heavy-hitting round with great velocity and energy, but less recoil.

Furthermore, I was able to retrieve the bullet. It went through both shoulders and buried just under the hide on the offside. The bullet mushroomed out perfectly.

“This whitetail was a textbook example of what 400 Legend and the 215-grain Power Point projectile are capable of doing,” said Will Moore, Winchester Ammunition's new products manager. “It broke that shoulder, penetrated through 14-plus inches of a big Midwestern whitetail, and punched through the backside shoulder bone before coming to rest just under the hide. It retained over 70% of the original bullet weight and had a picture-perfect expanded diameter of 17.4625 mm (0.6875 inch). That is precisely what 400 Legend was engineered to do—deliver massive knockdown power on big game.”

As noted, the widest point of the expanded bullet was 17.4625 mm (0.6875 inches), the narrowest was 14.2875 mm (0.5625 inches), and the average was 15.875 mm (0.625 inches). That translates to approximately 156% of the original diameter.

Those interested in Winchester Power Point in 400 Legend can purchase these in 20-round boxes or 200-round cases.

400 Legend by the Specs

Much like the 350 Legend, the 400 Legend is honest by its name. It has everything necessary to become a legendary caliber. This load is set to do big things in the deer woods.

As for ballistics, this caliber shines. Muzzle velocity is exceptional, and it retains it quite well out to 300 yards. Its energy load is high, too, and puts up great figures well beyond 200-300 yards.

Of course, bullet trajectory is another big factor. By zeroing at 150 yards, the gun is 1.2 inches high at 50 yards, 1.8 inches high at 100 yards, 4.9 inches low at 200 yards, and 26.4 inches low at 300 yards.

Muzzle: 2,250 fps / 2,416 ft-lbs. / +1.2 inches

50 Yards: 2,056 fps / 2,018 ft-lbs. / +1.2 inches

100 Yards: 1,872 fps / 1,673 ft-lbs. / +1.8 inches

150 Yards: 1,700 fps / 1,379 ft-lbs. / 0

200 Yards: 1,540 fps / 1,132 ft-lbs. / -4.9 inches

300 Yards: 1,270 fps / 770 ft-lbs. / -26.4 inches

Overall, the basic ballistics of the 400 Legend are impressive. That said, the comparisons to similar calibers are even more eye-opening. The engineering used to reach new thresholds is phenomenal.

Additional 400 Legend Ballistic Comparisons

• 450 Bushmaster energy equivalent (but with 20% less recoil)

• 20% more energy than 30-30 Win (and better penetration)

• 25% more energy than 350 Legend (and better penetration)

• 100% more energy than a 12-gauge slug at 100 yards (but 55% less recoil)

Parting Pointers

“This cartridge offers deep penetration, excellent accuracy, and quick knockdown, making it ideal for hunters and sport shooters alike,” Winchester says. “With high velocity and low recoil, the 400 Legend gives you the power and precision you need for your next time out.”

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