400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster is close on energy and different on trajectory and recoil. Winchester designed the 400 Legend to match 450 Bushmaster energy with about 20 percent less recoil, and Federal’s published Power-Shok loads bear that out: 2,360 ft-lb for the 400 Legend 210 gr against 2,405 ft-lb for the 450 Bushmaster 300 gr at the muzzle, with the 400 Legend dropping less at every range. Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the 400 Legend as a complete 16-inch CM15 AR15 rifle and as 16-inch and 10.5-inch uppers, and the 450 Bushmaster as 16-inch and 10.5-inch CM15 uppers.

400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster at a Glance

Specification	400 Legend	450 Bushmaster
Introduced	2023, Winchester	2007, Hornady and Bushmaster
Bullet diameter	.4005 inch	.452 inch
Case length	1.650 inches	1.700 inches
Common factory bullets	190 to 215 gr	250 to 300 gr
Federal Power-Shok	210 gr, 2,250 fps, 2,360 ft-lb	300 gr, 1,900 fps, 2,405 ft-lb
Chattahoochee Munitions	CM15 rifle (16-inch 416R) and uppers, 16 and 10.5-inch, 1:16	CM15 uppers, 16 and 10.5-inch

Dimensions follow Winchester’s and SAAMI published data.

400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster Ballistics

Both 400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster rows come from Federal’s published tables with a 100-yard zero and 1.5-inch sight height.

Distance	400 Legend 210 gr	450 Bushmaster 300 gr
Muzzle	2,250 fps / 2,360 ft-lb	1,900 fps / 2,405 ft-lb
100 yards	1,873 fps / 1,636 ft-lb	1,592 fps / 1,687 ft-lb
200 yards	1,544 fps / 1,111 ft-lb / -8.6 in	1,331 fps / 1,179 ft-lb / -12.4 in
300 yards	1,274 fps / 757 ft-lb / -32.0 in	1,136 fps / 860 ft-lb / -44.5 in
Wind at 200 yards (10 mph)	9.9 in	11.3 in

Source: Federal 400 Legend Power-Shok and Federal 450 Bushmaster Power-Shok. The energy gap is under 110 ft-lb out to 300 yards; the 400 Legend drops about 4 inches less at 200 yards and 12 inches less at 300. Winchester’s Power-Point product page states the 400 Legend’s 450 Bushmaster energy equivalence and lower recoil.

Recoil and Shootability

Recoil follows bullet weight and powder charge. A 210 gr 400 Legend load moves about 90 gr less bullet than a 300 gr 450 Bushmaster load, which is where Winchester’s 20 percent lower recoil figure comes from. In a 6 lb 14 oz rifle such as the CM15 400 Legend semi auto rifle, that difference shows up in faster follow-up shots and less flinch on the bench.

400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster for Deer, Hogs and Black Bear

For deer and hogs, both deliver more than enough energy inside 200 yards. For black bear, both are used; the 450 Bushmaster brings a heavier, wider bullet and the 400 Legend a flatter path. Read 400 Legend for black bear. For elk, Chattahoochee Munitions recommends stepping up to the 375 Raptor or 458 SOCOM XL, and for brown or grizzly bear the 458 SOCOM XL.

400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster Magazines

The 400 Legend uses a dedicated magazine; Chattahoochee Munitions sells a 10-round 410 stainless 400 Legend magazine, and each CM15 400 Legend ships with one. The 450 Bushmaster stacks in a single column, so AR15-size magazines hold fewer rounds. The two are not interchangeable.

400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster: Which Should You Choose?

Choose the 400 Legend for 450-class energy with less recoil and a flatter trajectory, as a complete rifle or the 400 Legend upper from Hall of Legends. Choose the 450 Bushmaster for a 250 to 300 gr bullet and a larger selection of heavy factory loads, with the CM15 450 Bushmaster 16-inch upper. Compare the lighter option in 350 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster.

400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster FAQ

Is 400 Legend better than 450 Bushmaster?

It matches 450 Bushmaster energy with less recoil and less drop. The 450 Bushmaster offers heavier bullets. For deer and hog hunting, the 400 Legend is the easier rifle to shoot.

Which has more energy, 400 Legend or 450 Bushmaster?

They are within about 2 to 12 percent in Federal’s Power-Shok loads, with the 450 Bushmaster slightly ahead at every distance.

Which shoots flatter?

The 400 Legend: 32.0 inches of drop at 300 yards against 44.5 inches for the 450 Bushmaster from a 100-yard zero.

Is the 400 Legend a straight-wall cartridge?

Yes. Check your state’s current rules, which may also limit case length or bullet diameter. Read what is a straight wall cartridge.

Who makes a 400 Legend AR15?

Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM15 400 Legend AR15 with a 16-inch 416R stainless 1:16 barrel, midlength gas, TriggerTech Duty trigger and ambidextrous controls in Black Tungsten, Cobalt Kinetics Green and FDE Metallic Cerakote, plus color-selectable 16-inch and 10.5-inch uppers.

400 Legend vs 450 Bushmaster: Same Energy, Less Recoil?