It looks like Winchester will be introducing a new cartridge designed around those states that require a straight walled cartridge for deer hunting. The .400 Legend.

The choice of caliber - .40, seems strange, as .40 cal rifle bullets are not often found, with most .40 projectiles designed for pistol cartridges, at about 1000 fps less velocity than the new cartridge offers. Maybe suitable bullets will also be offered to reloaders?

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads...2023-01-30.pdf

Larry

A caliber that is very popular in both Ohio and Michigan is the 450 Bushmaster, it's fairly flat shooting so it's good for up to 250 yards and carries enough powder to make for a good clean kill. It seems to me that Winchesters new offering is a bit behind the curve and may not be as popular as they hope for.

I had considered a 450 Bushmaster AR build, but never did as you cant deer hunt here with a semi. I have seen the .450 is becoming popular in bolt actions.

I wonder if we might see this new .400 chambering in a S&W revolver?

Larry

Splitting the difference between 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster.

Since the 350 Legend is a rehash of the old pre war 351 SL the 400 Legend would a 401 SL rehash.

AS an old time king said, Nothing new under the sun!

Ivan

So you drive your model T to the city dump to shoot your 351 sl then take your date to see a talkie. Got it.

Like there is a need another straight wall cartridge. Where will it end? I looked up Ohio’s deer hunting cartridge regulations. They now allow everything from .38 Special to .50-110 and .500 S&W to be used for deer. What I did not know is there is a three-shot capacity limit on rifles.

Back when I lived in Ohio it was shotgun slugs only. The reason given was to limit extreme range in populated areas. I guess the Ohio DNR changed its mind about that.

The new IL regulations will allow rifles (but only single shot). Might be an option there. Previously only shotgun for deer. (Or straight wall handgun with size limitations, and black powder as well as archery).

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Ohio will let you hunt coyotes and almost anything else) year round (Other than during deer gun season) with any centerfire rifle without magazine restriction. So, I can shoot squirrels with a 270 Weatherby from my deer stand the week before and after deer gun. Or I can use an AR15 with a 50 round drum. I really wonder sometimes if the game departments have a clue about these things.

It wouldn't be the first time Winchester was late to the party...

Yep, .401 Winchester.

Not quite to .405 WCF performance levels, either velocity or bullet weight, but then probably not quite to .405 WCF recoil levels either.

It's sort of a .405 Jr. which isn't such a bad place to be.

Iowa went the straight walled route a few years ago. Almost everyone has gone 450 BM or 350 Legend in an AR. I was the only person in my group still carrying a shotgun. Something between the two might make sense. Or at least sell more rifles.

A 10mm super magnum ?

Ohio's hunting rules are politically written in the State House, not by wildlife management professionals. The only animal hunted that generates more protest than Deer (Bambi!), is mourning doves (The bird of peace!).

The only reason politicians generally allow hunting at all, is the revenue!

Ivan