I'm guessing that is why they have the threshold lower. Not sure why that they would go rebated rim vs the x39 case head. The only thing that I can think of is that the x39 case head is really not ideal for the AR platform. But, at 45k psi, I would think that it might be alright. Since the Grendel's max psi is around 52k psi.

 

This cartridge is puzzling. It was shown in bolt guns for the intro video. My guess about the case is to play up its relation to the well known 30-30 and to be absolutely certain that there would be no bolt problems. It depends on how much say the Marketing Department had. The lower pressure probably has something to do with available bullets, too, but it is also possible that it is engineered around some particular rifles with marginal bolt strength. They might even be thinking of some lever actions like the Marlin 336 that could use the rimless 35 Rem.

 

Wondering if one reason Winchester went the 20% lower psi is for less sticky casses? Also, couldn’t they have used a 7.62x39 case for less rebated rim, except it may have had too much bolt thrust?

 

The 400L uses a 0.422" diameter bolt like the 6.8 SPC, but case is a little larger diameter ( 0.44" vs 0.4207"). It also only runs at 45,000 psi and the case length is 1.65". It IS a member of the 30-30/ .30Rem/69 SPC family, but it is the short chubby uncle that is just a little off.

 

I'm intrigued by the idea as well. But, I'd have some concerns with the rebated rim. I know some calibers, such as the .22 Nosler, struggle with extraction in the AR platform due to having a rebated rim. Obviously Winchester must have got it figured out for the 400L. But, the 400L is essentially a straight walled cartridge, so I'm guessing because it doesn't have a shoulder, extraction is easier. But, by necking it down and introducing a shoulder, a 6mm wildcat might pose some problems for extraction with the rebated rim.

 

Valid concern. Though the 22 N is rebated down to a 223. Thinking the SPC bolt would work.

 

I am intrigued by the 400L case. More capacity and stronger bolts. I'm thinking 6mm is a good candidate.

 

Giantmike: Yes there are two cartridges, the new .400 Legend by Winchester and the rather different shaped .450 Bushmaster introduced several years ago by Hornady. Personally, I prefer the 6.8 SPC over either of those fat little, short range rounds. - CW

 

Hopefully Hornady will ramp up the production of 200gr. XTP bullets again as this bullet is an ass kicker in my 10mm!

 

Maybe neck it down to a 6mm?

Should be able to go with 55K of pressure like a 6.8, no?

 

Not sure. Since it is a rebated rim, bolt thrust would be calculated on the major diameter of the case.

 

Test barrel is 20 inches. At the bottom under chart.

 

He seems to like it.

 

I hope that boy has evolved beyond knucklehead status concerning the 6.8, compared to when he was first exposed to it. I wanted to give him a swift kick in the rear after reading his nonsense.

 

From the ballistics I saw, it's a 215gr bullet at 2250fps. Unknown barrels length.

 

Saw a video on YT (Ron Spomer Outdoors) reviewing the new 400 Legend. He mentioned that it is based off the 6.8 SPC. Is this going to have a positive or negative effect on 6.8 brass availability? Thoughts?

I'm asking because when the 300BLK came out, 221 Fireball brass was unobtanium for some time after.

 

it will depend on popularity. In essence its turning 6.8 brass into a .40/10mm straight wall cartridge. All 3 cartridges come from .30 Remington brass. I tried once to cut the shoulder of 6.8 brass to make 10mm brass, but the wall is thicker. You would need to ream it out slightly to seat a bullet.

 

FYI, Winchester has introduced another straight wall cartridge, the .450 Legend, suited for AR-15s and other action types. It headspaces on the case mouth. Rim diameter is .422", same as our 6.8 SPC, thus rifles chambered for it will have bolts suited for replacement barrels chambered in 6.8 SPC. Same goes shell holders. So, if you always wanted a bolt action 6.8, the gun world just became a little more accommodating.

The .450 Legend is interesting in its own right, see the SAAMI chart below. While the case rim is .422", it is rebated behind a .440" case head. Note the gradual taper to .427" at the case mouth, the very short .4015" diameter by .010" long throat, behind a 1 degree-30 minute leade down to the barrel's .390" bore. I guess as long as you keep your brass trimmed to just the right length, headspace should not be a problem. Personally, I prefer cartridges that headspace on rims, belts or shoulders, no matter how skimpy. - CW

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Public-Introduction-400-Legend-2023-01-30.pdf

 

FYI, Winchester has introduced another straight wall cartridge, the .450 Legend, suited for AR-15s and other action types. It headspaces on the case mouth. Rim diameter is .422", same as our 6.8 SPC, thus rifles chambered for it will have bolts suited for replacement barrels chambered in 6.8 SPC. Same goes shell holders. So, if you always wanted a bolt action 6.8, the gun world just became a little more accommodating.

The .450 Legend is interesting in its own right, see the SAAMI chart below. While the case rim is .422", it is rebated behind a .440" case head. Note the gradual taper to .427" at the case mouth, the very short .4015" diameter by .010" long throat, behind a 1 degree-30 minute leade down to the barrel's .390" bore. I guess as long as you keep your brass trimmed to just the right length, headspace should not be a problem. Personally, I prefer cartridges that headspace on rims, belts or shoulders, no matter how skimpy. - CW

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Public-Introduction-400-Legend-2023-01-30.pdf

Those drawings say 400 legend are there two new cartridges? 400 and 450?

 

That would make for a potent subsonic round.