Cartridge Origins and Context
The genesis of each the 400 Legend and the 360 Buckhammer lies within the evolution of searching rules. Many states and areas have applied restrictions on bottlenecked cartridges for searching, significantly in areas with dense populations. This has fueled the demand for straight-walled cartridges that provide sufficient energy and vary whereas complying with these guidelines. The 400 Legend and 360 Buckhammer emerged as direct responses to those searching rules.
Exploring the 400 Legend
The 400 Legend was developed with the intention of offering hunters with a strong and versatile straight-walled cartridge for searching in areas with these particular rules. It prioritizes reasonable recoil and environment friendly efficiency, making it appropriate for a variety of hunters and capturing platforms. The 400 Legend’s design permits it for use in a wide range of rifles, typically constructed on AR-15 or bolt-action platforms. The cartridge’s environment friendly design interprets into manageable recoil, making it a snug cartridge to shoot, particularly for these new to searching or preferring a much less punishing expertise. Generally, it is seen with a wide range of bullet weights, typically between 150 and 265 grains.
Delving into the 360 Buckhammer
The 360 Buckhammer, designed by Remington, is a straight-walled cartridge. Its major goal is to maximise efficiency throughout the straight-walled cartridge constraints. This cartridge is engineered to ship a better degree of efficiency at longer ranges when in comparison with the 400 Legend, in some circumstances. It goals to supply elevated velocity and flatter trajectories for improved accuracy at prolonged distances. The 360 Buckhammer is on the market in numerous bullet weights, however typically, you will note bullets between 165 and 180 grains.
The Ballistics Chart: A Visible Comparability
To straight evaluate the efficiency of those two cartridges, we are going to flip to a ballistics chart. Whereas precise efficiency can range barely based mostly on particular hundreds and barrel lengths, this chart offers a dependable overview of their respective capabilities. The values proven are based mostly on typical commercially obtainable ammunition and supply a stable understanding of their efficiency. *Word: At all times seek the advice of ammunition producer’s information and web sites for essentially the most up-to-date data.*
| Characteristic | 400 Legend (160 gr Bullet) | 400 Legend (200 gr Bullet) | 400 Legend (240 gr Bullet) | 360 Buckhammer (165 gr Bullet) | 360 Buckhammer (180 gr Bullet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 2200 | 1900 | 1720 | 2400 | 2300 |
| 100-yard Velocity (fps) | 1800 | 1600 | 1480 | 2050 | 1990 |
| 200-yard Velocity (fps) | 1450 | 1300 | 1250 | 1750 | 1700 |
| 300-yard Velocity (fps) | 1150 | 1050 | 1030 | 1500 | 1450 |
| Muzzle Power (ft-lbs) | 1718 | 1608 | 1579 | 2110 | 2114 |
| 100-yard Power (ft-lbs) | 1150 | 1137 | 1103 | 1540 | 1580 |
| 200-yard Power (ft-lbs) | 750 | 750 | 830 | 1060 | 1080 |
| 300-yard Power (ft-lbs) | 470 | 500 | 730 | 720 | 680 |
| 100-yard Drop (inches, zeroed at 100) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 200-yard Drop (inches, zeroed at 100) | -6.0 | -8.8 | -10.5 | -4.5 | -5.4 |
| 300-yard Drop (inches, zeroed at 100) | -20.0 | -31.8 | -42.3 | -15.8 | -19.8 |
| Ballistic Coefficient (BC) | (Varies, e.g., 0.190) | (Varies, e.g., 0.200) | (Varies, e.g., 0.180) | (Varies, e.g., 0.240) | (Varies, e.g., 0.250) |
*Disclaimer: The info introduced within the chart is for illustrative functions. Precise efficiency might range based mostly on bullet kind, producer, and different elements.*
Deciphering the Ballistic Knowledge: Key Comparisons
Velocity: The 360 Buckhammer typically boasts greater muzzle velocities in comparison with the 400 Legend, significantly with lighter bullet weights. As you progress downrange, this velocity distinction persists, granting the 360 Buckhammer a bonus in downrange velocity. This greater velocity interprets right into a flatter trajectory, permitting for extra correct capturing at longer distances.
Power: On the muzzle, the 360 Buckhammer usually displays greater muzzle power than the 400 Legend. This power benefit, significantly with heavier bullets, can translate into more practical terminal efficiency on sport. Nevertheless, the power of the 400 Legend may be appropriate relying on the particular bullet weight.
Trajectory: Because of the greater velocities, the 360 Buckhammer typically shows a flatter trajectory, exhibiting much less bullet drop at numerous ranges. Which means when aiming, the shooter should make fewer changes for bullet drop, permitting for extra exact photographs.
Efficient Vary: The 360 Buckhammer, resulting from its flatter trajectory and better retained power, typically has an extended efficient vary. It’s because the bullet’s affect will keep above a selected power threshold at longer distances, that means that the 360 Buckhammer can have an extended vary. The 400 Legend can have a very good efficient vary, nevertheless it tends to be shorter, particularly for heavier bullets.
Recoil Issues: Recoil is an element, particularly for many who are new to searching. Usually, the 400 Legend displays much less recoil than the 360 Buckhammer, making it simpler to deal with and shoot precisely. The 360 Buckhammer’s elevated recoil may be extra pronounced, however it’s often manageable with a well-designed rifle.
Benefits and Disadvantages in Perspective
The 400 Legend and 360 Buckhammer, every possess distinctive benefits and downsides, which affect their suitability for various searching functions.
For the 400 Legend, a bonus contains usually much less recoil and, in lots of situations, better ammunition availability. For individuals who are new to searching, or those that need a neater capturing expertise, the 400 Legend shines. The cartridge is flexible within the sense that it may be deployed on all kinds of platforms, together with AR-15 model rifles, and bolt-action fashions. This versatility gives hunters a fantastic vary of selections. A attainable drawback is perhaps its trajectory for sure bullet weights when capturing at longer ranges, and its barely decrease power ranges in comparison with the 360 Buckhammer, relying on the bullet weight chosen.
The 360 Buckhammer gives notable benefits of a usually flatter trajectory, and the potential for greater power at longer ranges. This may end up in higher efficiency at prolonged distances, which is useful in some environments. Nevertheless, potential disadvantages may embody a slight enhance in recoil when in comparison with the 400 Legend and a decreased ammunition selection.
Sensible Functions and Looking Eventualities
The selection between the 400 Legend and 360 Buckhammer additionally hinges on the kind of sport being pursued, searching circumstances, and the shooter’s expertise.
Within the realm of searching, the 400 Legend is a superb selection for whitetail deer, significantly in areas the place searching ranges are reasonable. Its manageable recoil makes it supreme for teens and those that prioritize ease of capturing. The 360 Buckhammer, owing to its flatter trajectory and better power, is well-suited for searching in areas that allow longer photographs, the place sport animals are at better distances.
Within the realm of bullet choice, for the 400 Legend, utilizing a bullet applicable for the sport measurement is significant. For deer-sized sport, a top quality bullet that expands quickly upon affect is often wanted. For the 360 Buckhammer, a well-constructed bullet with good ballistic coefficient is beneficial, in order that it could retain its velocity and ship power to its goal, even at longer distances.
Price and Availability
By way of value, ammunition costs for each cartridges are sometimes comparable. Availability can range relying in your location and the recognition of the cartridge. The 400 Legend is turning into extra broadly obtainable resulting from its recognition, whereas the 360 Buckhammer has just lately gained recognition. It is very important examine for ammunition availability in your space, so as to make sure you will see that what it’s good to hunt. The provision of firearms chambered in each cartridges can be rising.
Conclusion: Making the Proper Alternative
Within the 400 Legend versus 360 Buckhammer debate, there is not a transparent “winner.” Your best option will rely in your particular wants as a hunter. The 400 Legend is a superb selection in case you prioritize comfy capturing and reasonable ranges. If you happen to hunt in areas the place photographs could also be longer, and you might be in search of elevated power, then the 360 Buckhammer is perhaps the higher possibility.
Finally, cautious consideration of your most well-liked searching model, the sport you are pursuing, and the terrain you are searching in, are vital when making your choice.
To delve deeper into the particular kinds of hundreds which may be greatest to your searching software, go to the web sites of ammunition producers.
