350 Legend vs 400 Legend comes down to bullet size and energy against recoil and magazine choice. Both are Winchester straight-wall cartridges that run in an AR15. The 350 Legend fires a .357-inch bullet, usually 150 to 180 gr. The 400 Legend fires a .4005-inch bullet, usually 190 to 215 gr, and carries about a third more energy at the muzzle in Federal’s published loads. Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures both as CM15 AR15 rifles: the 350 Legend with an 18-inch 1:16 barrel and the 400 Legend with a 16-inch 416R stainless 1:16 barrel.

350 Legend vs 400 Legend at a Glance

Specification	350 Legend	400 Legend
Introduced	2019, Winchester	2023, Winchester
Case type	Straight wall	Straight wall, rebated rim
Bullet diameter	.357 inch	.4005 inch
Case length	1.71 inches	1.650 inches
Common factory bullets	145 to 180 gr	190 to 215 gr
Federal Power-Shok muzzle velocity	2,100 fps (180 gr)	2,250 fps (210 gr)
Federal Power-Shok muzzle energy	1,762 ft-lb	2,360 ft-lb
Chattahoochee Munitions CM15	18-inch, 1:16 twist	16-inch 416R stainless, 1:16 twist
Magazine	Dedicated 350 Legend, 10 rounds	Dedicated 400 Legend, 10 rounds

Dimensions follow Winchester’s published cartridge data; the 350 Legend chamber standard is published through SAAMI.

350 Legend vs 400 Legend Ballistics

The fairest 350 Legend vs 400 Legend comparison uses one maker’s load line. Federal publishes both Power-Shok soft-point loads with the same 100-yard zero and 1.5-inch sight height.

Distance	350 Legend 180 gr	400 Legend 210 gr
Muzzle	2,100 fps / 1,762 ft-lb	2,250 fps / 2,360 ft-lb
100 yards	1,793 fps / 1,284 ft-lb	1,873 fps / 1,636 ft-lb
200 yards	1,520 fps / 924 ft-lb / -9.4 in	1,544 fps / 1,111 ft-lb / -8.6 in
300 yards	1,292 fps / 668 ft-lb / -34.1 in	1,274 fps / 757 ft-lb / -32.0 in
Wind at 200 yards (10 mph)	8.9 in	9.9 in

Source: Federal 400 Legend Power-Shok and Federal 350 Legend Power-Shok published tables. The 400 Legend leads on energy at every distance; drop is close, and the lighter-for-caliber 350 Legend drifts slightly less in wind.

From the rifles themselves, Chattahoochee Munitions calculates the 350 Legend 180 gr at about 2,050 fps from the 18-inch CM15 (the midpoint of Winchester’s published 16 and 20-inch figures) and the 400 Legend 210 gr at an assumed 2,150 fps from the 16-inch CM15. With a 150-yard zero, both drop about 5.5 inches at 200 yards and about 29.5 inches at 300; the 400 Legend carries 991 ft-lb at 200 yards against 867 ft-lb for the 350 Legend. These are calculated estimates (G1, standard atmosphere), not chronograph results. Full tables are in 350 Legend ballistics and 400 Legend ballistics.

Which Hits Harder, 350 Legend or 400 Legend?

The 400 Legend. Its heavier, wider bullet carries roughly 600 ft-lb more at the muzzle and about 90 to 190 ft-lb more from 100 to 300 yards in Federal’s loads. Winchester describes the 400 Legend as having about 25 percent more energy than the 350 Legend. For deer inside 200 yards, both have the energy for clean kills with an expanding hunting bullet; the 400 Legend’s margin matters more for hogs and black bear.

Recoil and Rifle Handling

More bullet weight means more recoil, so in 350 Legend vs 400 Legend the 350 Legend is the milder of the two. In a gas-operated AR15 of about 6 lb 12 oz to 6 lb 14 oz, both stay manageable for adult hunters, and the CM15’s Superlative Arms adjustable gas block and ODIN adjustable buffer let you tune the cycle. The 350 Legend CM15 is 35.50 to 38.75 inches long; the 400 Legend CM15 is 33.25 to 36.50 inches, shorter by its 16-inch barrel.

350 Legend vs 400 Legend for Deer, Hogs and Bear

Deer: both inside about 200 yards. Read 350 Legend for deer.
Hogs: both; the 400 Legend’s heavier bullet gives more penetration on large boars.
Black bear: choose the 400 Legend, which Winchester lists for black bear. Read 400 Legend for black bear. Chattahoochee Munitions does not recommend the 350 Legend for bear.
Elk and large bear: neither. Step up to the 375 Raptor or 458 SOCOM XL.

Magazines and Parts

Neither cartridge runs in a 5.56 magazine, and the two do not share magazines with each other. Use the 350 Legend magazine or the 400 Legend magazine, both 10-round 410 stainless steel. Each CM15 ships with one. Barrels, bolts and gas setups are specific to each chambering, so plan on a dedicated rifle or upper, such as the 400 Legend upper.

350 Legend vs 400 Legend: Which Should You Choose?

Choose the 350 Legend for deer and hogs with lighter recoil and a wide selection of factory ammunition. Choose the 400 Legend for more energy and a heavier bullet on hogs and black bear, with a shorter 16-inch barrel. Both fit straight-wall rules where they apply; check your state, because some limit bullet diameter or case length. See both rifles at Hall of Legends.

350 Legend vs 400 Legend FAQ

Is 400 Legend better than 350 Legend?

For energy, yes; the 400 Legend carries more at every range in Federal’s published loads. For recoil and ammunition choice, the 350 Legend is the easier cartridge. In the 350 Legend vs 400 Legend choice, the game you hunt decides it.

Do 350 Legend and 400 Legend use the same magazine?

No. Each needs its own dedicated magazine.

Can I convert a 350 Legend AR15 to 400 Legend?

Yes, by swapping to a complete 400 Legend upper and using 400 Legend magazines. Chattahoochee Munitions offers a 16-inch 400 Legend upper and a 10.5-inch 400 Legend pistol upper for AR15-pattern lowers.

Which has more range?

They are close. Both drop about 32 to 34 inches at 300 yards from a 100-yard zero. In the 350 Legend vs 400 Legend choice, keep both inside about 200 yards for deer.

Are both legal in straight-wall states?

Both are straight-wall cartridges, but each state sets its own rules, and some restrict bullet diameter, case length or firearm type. Check current regulations. Read what is a straight wall cartridge.

Who makes 350 Legend and 400 Legend AR15 rifles?

Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM15 350 Legend semi auto rifle with an 18-inch barrel and the CM15 400 Legend semi auto rifle with a 16-inch barrel, each in Black Tungsten, Cobalt Kinetics Green and FDE Metallic Cerakote with a TriggerTech Duty trigger.

350 Legend vs 400 Legend: Two Winchester Straight-Wall Cartridges Compared