#400Legend

The history of fish-and-game laws is filled with tales of authorities devising new crackdowns to preserve wildlife (or sometimes human life)… and gearmakers, ammo manufacturers, firearm designers and hunters themselves figuring out how to work with said laws. The new-for-2024 400 Legend Mossberg Patriot is the perfect example. It isn’t the traditional break-action or lever-action rifle that many lawmakers might have envisioned when straight-wall cartridge laws were introduced. It’s a modern bolt-action that just happens to shoot a new-fangled cartridge with old-fashioned characteristics. Sort of.

The 350 Legend since its introduction a few years ago has been popular amongst hunters for its mild push of a recoil, effectiveness on game, and more open acceptance in “restrictive states” being it is a straight-wall cartridge. Well, “bigger is better,” right? So, Savage Arms has jumped on board with the 400 Legend cartridge and they are shipping out 14 unique rifles chambered in this new cartridge.

This new offering from Savage Arms in partnership with Winchester Ammunition is set to revolutionize hunting for straight-walled hunters across the country. The Savage rifles chambered in 400 Legend, will feature over a dozen models, and the cartridge itself boasts hard-hitting, yet mildly recoiling capabilities that promise to open up new opportunities for hunters in states where these cartridges are popular for legal reasons. Straight-walled cartridges have gained popularity for their performance in recent years, and the 400 Legend offers 100% more energy than a 12-gauge slug with 55% less felt recoil, making it an excellent choice for hunters in states like Ohio and Michigan. The 400 Legend is set to launch in 14 options, including the 110 Apex Hunter XP, 110 Hog Hunter, and Axis II XP, in time for the fall hunting season.

A couple of months ago, we published an article about a new SAAMI-accepted cartridge called 400 Legend that at the time was not announced by any of the ammunition manufacturers. It was however pretty easy to guess that the new cartridge was likely designed by Winchester Ammunition, as it is named similar to the 350 Legend, a cartridge introduced by Winchester in 2019. Well, Winchester Ammunition has now officially released the 400 Legend cartridge.

The 350 Legend cartridge was introduced by Winchester Ammunition at SHOT Show 2019. It’s a .358-caliber straight-walled rebated rim AR-15 cartridge that became quite popular with many companies now offering firearms chambered in 350 Legend. Well, looks like its younger but bigger brother is on the way. SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) have published cartridge and chamber drawings of a not yet announced round called 400 Legend (400 LGND). Let’s take a closer look.