The main difference between the 400 Legend and 350 Legend is that the 400 Legend fires a heavier bullet that generates roughly twenty percent more kinetic energy for taking down larger game, while the 350 Legend offers significantly less recoil and cheaper ammunition for high volume shooting. Both cartridges were specifically developed to provide hunters with highly effective straight walled options for states with restrictive deer hunting regulations. The 350 Legend quickly became a favorite for its incredibly mild recoil and perfect fit in the AR-15 platform. However, many hunters wanted more stopping power without stepping up to the punishing kick of the 450 Bushmaster. The 400 Legend bridges this gap perfectly, delivering superior terminal ballistics and deeper penetration on tough animals like feral hogs and large deer. Comparing their ballistics will help you decide if you need maximum energy or maximum shooting comfort.
400 Legend vs 350 Legend Ballistics Chart
| Specification / Metric | 400 Legend (215 gr Power Point) | 350 Legend (150 gr Deer Season XP) |
| Cartridge | 400 Legend | 350 Legend |
| Parent Case | 6.8 SPC (modified) | .223 Remington (modified) |
| Bullet Diameter | .400 inches | .357 inches |
| Typical Bullet Weight | 215 to 250 grains | 150 to 180 grains |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,250 fps | 2,325 fps |
| Velocity at 100 Yards | 1,920 fps | 1,960 fps |
| Velocity at 200 Yards | 1,620 fps | 1,630 fps |
| Velocity at 300 Yards | 1,360 fps | 1,350 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,416 ft-lbs | 1,800 ft-lbs |
| Energy at 100 Yards | 1,760 ft-lbs | 1,280 ft-lbs |
| Energy at 200 Yards | 1,250 ft-lbs | 885 ft-lbs |
| Energy at 300 Yards | 885 ft-lbs | 605 ft-lbs |
| Bullet Drop (300 Yds, 100 Yd Zero) | -23.5 inches | -21.5 inches |
| Wind Drift (300 Yds, 10 mph Wind) | 16.5 inches | 15.5 inches |
| Ballistic Coefficient (G1) | 0.206 | 0.226 |
| Sectional Density | 0.192 | 0.168 |
| Effective Hunting Range | 250 to 300 yards | 200 yards |
| Maximum Effective Range | 300 yards | 250 yards |
| Typical Twist Rate | 1:16 | 1:16 |
| Recoil (Free Recoil Energy) | ~15.0 ft-lbs | ~8.5 ft-lbs |
| Trajectory | Arcs noticeably past 150 yds | Arcs noticeably past 150 yds |
| Barrel Life | Practically unlimited | Practically unlimited |
| Accuracy Potential | Excellent for brush hunting | Excellent for brush hunting |
| Hunting Performance | Deer, large hogs, black bear | Whitetail deer, small hogs |
| Target Shooting Performance | Good inside 200 yards | Great inside 200 yards |
| Long-Range Performance | Very poor | Very poor |
| Ammunition Availability | Growing steadily | Exceptionally high |
| Ammunition Cost | Moderate | Low to moderate |
| Rifle Availability | Common in bolt actions and ARs | Universal in short actions and ARs |
| Magazine Compatibility | Dedicated 400 Legend mags | Dedicated 350 Legend mags |
| Suppressor Compatibility | Excellent | Excellent |
| Best Use Cases | Large game in restricted states | Deer hunting with minimal recoil |
| Main Advantages | Heavy hitting, deep penetration | Very low recoil, cheap ammo |
| Main Disadvantages | Noticeably more recoil | Lacks kinetic energy past 200 yards |
The comparison table reveals the exact tradeoffs between these two modern straight walled hunting cartridges. The 350 Legend starts with a minor velocity advantage. Because it fires a much lighter bullet, it leaves the muzzle slightly faster than the 400 Legend. This minor speed advantage gives the 350 Legend a slightly flatter trajectory and just a fraction less wind drift at extended distances.
However, the 400 Legend completely dominates the energy category. By launching a significantly heavier and wider bullet, it generates massive kinetic energy at the muzzle. More importantly, it retains that kinetic energy all the way downrange. At 200 yards, the 400 Legend holds more knockdown power than the 350 Legend carries at 100 yards. This means the 400 Legend provides much deeper penetration and more reliable expansion on larger, tougher game animals.
These performance numbers dictate completely different user experiences. The 350 Legend is renowned for its gentle recoil, making it the perfect choice for beginners, youth hunters, or anyone looking for an economical range gun. The 400 Legend produces nearly double the recoil energy. While it is still much more comfortable to shoot than traditional big bore magnum cartridges, it requires a firmer grip and proper shooting fundamentals. Neither cartridge is designed for long distance shooting, but they both represent the absolute best options for modern brush hunting.
Detailed Comparison Sections
Understanding the Comparison Chart
To truly understand the purpose of these two cartridges, you must look at hunting legislation. Many states mandate the use of straight walled cartridges for deer hunting to limit the maximum distance a bullet can travel. The 350 Legend was created to maximize the performance of a straight walled case while keeping recoil as low as possible. The 400 Legend was introduced a few years later as the heavy hitting big brother, offering hunters a middle ground between the mild 350 Legend and the punishing 450 Bushmaster.
How to Read the Ballistics Chart
When reading this ballistics chart, focus heavily on retained energy and bullet drop. Because these cartridges feature straight walls and blunt bullets, they are not aerodynamically efficient. You must know exactly where your bullet will strike at 200 yards, and you must guarantee that it carries enough kinetic energy to ethically harvest an animal at that distance.
Velocity Comparison
The 350 Legend is slightly faster than the 400 Legend. Firing a typical 150 grain bullet, the 350 Legend exits the barrel at 2,325 fps. The heavier 215 grain bullet of the 400 Legend leaves at roughly 2,250 fps. Both bullets lose their speed at very similar rates due to their blunt designs. By the time they reach 300 yards, they are both traveling right around 1,350 fps. The speed difference in the field is practically unnoticeable to the shooter.
Energy Comparison
Kinetic energy is the primary reason the 400 Legend was invented. At the muzzle, the 400 Legend produces over 2,400 foot pounds of energy. The 350 Legend produces 1,800 foot pounds. This massive gap remains consistent as the distance increases. At 200 yards, the 400 Legend delivers 1,250 foot pounds of energy, which is widely considered excellent for deer and black bear. The 350 Legend drops below 900 foot pounds at that same 200 yard mark, pushing the absolute lower limit of ethical hunting power for medium game.
Trajectory Comparison
Neither cartridge is considered a flat shooting laser. They are designed to be zeroed at 100 yards and utilized for short to medium range encounters in the woods.
Bullet Drop Comparison
If you zero both rifles at 100 yards, you will see significant bullet drop at 300 yards. The lighter, slightly faster 350 Legend will drop about 21.5 inches. The heavier 400 Legend will drop about 23.5 inches. Attempting to shoot either cartridge past 200 yards requires precise range estimation and significant holdovers.
Wind Drift Comparison
Wind pushes these aerodynamically inefficient bullets off target very quickly. In a 10 mph crosswind at 300 yards, the 350 Legend will drift 15.5 inches. The 400 Legend will drift 16.5 inches. You should avoid taking long shots across windy open fields with either cartridge.
Ballistic Coefficient Comparison
Ballistic Coefficient (BC) measures how efficiently a bullet flies through the atmosphere. Straight walled cartridges require blunt bullets, meaning their BC ratings are very low. The 350 Legend sits around 0.226, while the 400 Legend sits near 0.206. These low numbers explain why both cartridges shed their initial velocity so rapidly compared to traditional bottleneck rifle rounds.
Accuracy Potential
Both cartridges are exceptionally accurate within their practical limits. In a quality bolt action rifle or a well built AR-15, both calibers are easily capable of shooting groups smaller than one inch at 100 yards. This is far more accuracy than is required to hit the vital zone of a deer or hog in dense timber.
Effective Range Comparison
These are dedicated short to medium range hunting tools. The 350 Legend is highly effective on deer out to 200 yards. The 400 Legend extends that practical hunting range to roughly 250 or 300 yards, simply because it retains the necessary kinetic energy required to ensure a clean harvest at those further distances.
Hunting Performance Comparison
In the deer woods, both cartridges are highly successful. The 350 Legend is arguably the most popular straight walled deer cartridge in America today, offering great terminal performance with minimal meat damage. However, if you are hunting feral hogs, black bear, or unusually large midwestern deer, the 400 Legend is the superior choice. The heavier bullet provides deeper penetration through thick bone and muscle.
Target Shooting Comparison
For casual range plinking, the 350 Legend is the clear winner. The ammunition is incredibly affordable, and the recoil is so light that you can shoot for hours without fatigue. The 400 Legend is fun to shoot, but the heavier recoil and higher ammunition costs make it less ideal for high volume target practice.
Long-Range Performance Comparison
Do not attempt long range shooting with either of these cartridges. By the time either bullet reaches 400 yards, they have lost almost all of their kinetic energy and have dropped several feet. If you need to hit targets at 400 yards or beyond, you must select a bottleneck cartridge like the .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor.
Recoil Comparison
Recoil is the most significant physical difference between the two. The 350 Legend generates a tiny 8.5 foot pounds of free recoil energy, making it one of the softest shooting deer cartridges available. The 400 Legend generates roughly 15.0 foot pounds of free recoil energy. This feels very similar to a standard .308 Winchester. It is completely manageable for an average adult, but it is noticeably sharper than the 350 Legend.
Barrel Life Comparison
Because both cartridges use modest powder charges and operate at relatively low chamber pressures, barrel wear is completely negligible. A rifle barrel chambered in either 350 Legend or 400 Legend will easily last for tens of thousands of rounds.
Ammunition Cost Comparison
The 350 Legend is highly economical. It is mass produced globally, and you can regularly find cheap full metal jacket practice ammunition. The 400 Legend is newer and fires a much heavier chunk of lead, making it more expensive to manufacture. Expect to pay premium hunting prices for 400 Legend ammunition.
Ammunition Availability
You will find 350 Legend ammunition heavily stocked at every major sporting goods retailer and local gun shop in the country. The 400 Legend is gaining popularity quickly, and major retailers carry it reliably, but you will not find the massive variety of bullet weights and brands that currently exist for the 350 Legend.
Rifle Compatibility
Both cartridges were designed to function flawlessly in the AR-15 platform. They both require dedicated magazines to feed properly. The 350 Legend utilizes a standard .223 Remington bolt face, while the 400 Legend requires a 6.8 SPC bolt face. Both cartridges are also widely available in affordable, highly accurate bolt action rifles.
Pros and Cons of 400 Legend
Pros:
- Massive stopping power for large deer and hogs.
- Fully legal in straight walled cartridge states.
- Excellent penetration capabilities.
- Fits into the lightweight AR-15 platform.
Cons:
- Noticeably heavier recoil than the 350 Legend.
- Ammunition is more expensive.
Pros and Cons of 350 Legend
Pros:
- Incredibly mild recoil.
- Exceptionally cheap and abundant ammunition.
- Fully legal in straight walled cartridge states.
- Perfect for young or small framed hunters.
Cons:
- Lacks kinetic energy for very large game.
- Energy drops off rapidly past 200 yards.
Which Cartridge Is Better for Beginners?
The 350 Legend is the absolute best choice for a beginner. The recoil is incredibly forgiving, allowing new shooters to learn solid fundamentals without developing a flinch. The cheap ammunition also allows a beginner to practice frequently to build their confidence before hunting season.
Which Cartridge Is Better for Hunting?
This depends on your target. If you are hunting average sized whitetail deer inside 150 yards, the 350 Legend is perfect and very comfortable to use. If you are hunting heavy feral hogs, black bear, or want the insurance of extra stopping power at 200 yards, the 400 Legend is the superior hunting tool.
Which Cartridge Is Better for Long-Range Shooting?
Neither cartridge is acceptable for long range shooting. Their blunt bullets and rapidly dropping trajectories relegate them strictly to short and medium range engagements.
Which Cartridge Should You Choose?
Choose the 350 Legend if you want a reliable, cost effective, low recoil rifle for casual target shooting and typical deer hunting. Choose the 400 Legend if you want maximum straight walled stopping power in an AR-15 sized package to hunt the toughest game in the woods.
Verdict
The 350 Legend and the 400 Legend represent the absolute pinnacle of modern straight walled cartridge design. They give hunters in restricted states the ability to use modern, highly accurate rifle platforms instead of relying on heavy shotgun slugs. The 350 Legend remains the king of accessibility. It is cheap to feed, remarkably soft shooting, and highly effective on deer. It is the perfect everyday woods rifle. The 400 Legend is a specialized heavy hitter. It sacrifices some shooting comfort and economy to deliver a massive increase in kinetic energy. If you value low recoil and high volume practice, the 350 Legend is your best option. If you demand absolute knockdown power for larger animals, the 400 Legend stands ready to deliver.
FAQs
Is the 400 Legend more powerful than the 450 Bushmaster?
No. The 450 Bushmaster is significantly more powerful, firing a wider and heavier bullet. However, the 450 Bushmaster also produces punishing recoil. The 400 Legend was specifically designed to offer a middle ground, providing more energy than the 350 Legend but with twenty percent less recoil than the 450 Bushmaster.
Can I shoot 400 Legend out of a standard AR-15?
Yes, but you need specific components. You must install a 400 Legend barrel, utilize a 6.8 SPC bolt face, and use dedicated 400 Legend magazines to ensure proper feeding. The lower receiver and standard AR-15 parts remain identical.
Why do some states require straight wall cartridges?
Many states with dense populations and flat terrain require straight walled cartridges because they utilize blunt bullets with poor aerodynamics. These bullets lose velocity rapidly and fall to the ground much faster than sleek bottleneck cartridges, reducing the risk of a missed shot traveling for miles.
What is the effective range of a 400 Legend on deer?
The 400 Legend is highly effective on whitetail deer out to 250 or 300 yards. It retains plenty of kinetic energy to ensure a clean harvest at those distances, provided the shooter is capable of accurately calculating the bullet drop.
Does the 350 Legend have less recoil than a 30-30?
Yes. The 350 Legend produces roughly 8.5 foot pounds of recoil energy, while a standard lever action .30-30 Winchester produces about 11 foot pounds. Both are considered very mild, but the 350 Legend is noticeably softer on the shoulder.