Power-Point Ammo Delivers Big-Time Results in 400 Legend
As an avid hunter, it’s incredibly important to have confidence in my gear, especially when it comes to ammunition. For decades, Winchester has gone above and beyond, introducing ammunition products that deliver consistent results on the range and in the field. No better example comes to mind than Power-Point centerfire rifle ammo. This legacy round remains one of the most popular among big-game hunters still today … and I know firsthand why.
Power-Point was first introduced in 1957 and features a soft tip and copper jacket. It’s also available in a wide range of calibers, which is always important. Winchester recently announced the Power-Point bullet (215 grain) will be available in 400 Legend, the latest Winchester designed, straight-walled cartridge.
When Winchester let me in on the new 400 Legend, I instantly knew the perfect place to put it to the test, Alberta, Canada. Alberta is home to some of the most massive, big-game animals in North America. In this case, I already had a hunt booked for both mule deer and whitetail, which would prove to be perfect opportunities to test the new cartridge. I feel incredibly fortunate to be one of the first people testing new and innovative products from Winchester. Product engineers come up with amazing ideas, and in-the-field testing is an important step in validating product performance.
On this hunt I used the Winchester XPR rifle chambered in the new 400 Legend—which is expected to be available for purchase in 2024—loaded with time-proven dependable, Power-Point bullets. In my experience, when a Power-Point bullet hits its mark, it delivers a huge wound cavity. The copper jacket provides uniform expansion and ultimately with a well-placed shot, this means quick kills and easy-to-follow blood trails. I seldom shoot beyond 200 yards, but I knew this adventure afield might present longer shot opportunities because of the terrain and style of hunting. With 20 percent more energy than a 30-30 Win. and 25 percent more energy than 350 Legend, the 400 Legend fit perfectly on this adventure.
This hunt took place just after Thanksgiving and temperatures had dropped significantly. In fact, it would end up being the coldest hunt of my life, with temps dropping to minus 46 degrees Fahrenheit before the hunt was over. I’m a Minnesota girl, but 46 below is almost unbearable for anyone—including myself! The plan was to hunt mule deer via spot and stalk and sit in blinds for the whitetails as the temps plunged.
We started the hunt chasing big mule deer with the goal to move in close. As light faded, we ran out of real estate on the stalk so my only chance was to take a longer shot than expected. After shooting at the range, I was confident in what this round could do downrange, which proved to be important … a monster mule deer buck popped out at 280 yards and I squeezed the trigger. This buck weighed in over 350 pounds, and the 400 Legend at that distance had a perfect pass through with an excellent blood trail. Scoring right at 180 inches, this was one of my more spectacular bucks in every sense. Most importantly though, this was such a wonderful experience to take something Winchester had worked so hard on and put it to use in the field. To say I was proud would be an understatement, and I immediately called in with my results right from the field.
Next up, we tried our luck on whitetails. After sitting on stand most of the week, a beautiful, dark, chocolate-racked buck finally stepped out, giving me a broadside shot at 200 yards. A deer like this is why people come to Alberta to hunt … more so than to experience the cold temperatures. The temperature this day was minus 20. Once again, I had high confidence in the 400 Legend. This time I made a heart shot, putting down, which put this buck down immediately. The body mass of this buck, and specifically his neck, was so huge that it literally looked like it went from his head to his shoulders. Again, the knockdown power made tracking a piece of cake thanks to the bullet expansion and huge wound cavity. The hardest part of the entire hunt may have been taking photos, as our cameras wouldn’t stay functioning in the cold. I honestly thought my teeth might freeze solid.
Overall, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to hunt all over the world and test out the most innovative products in the industry. As a little girl, deer hunting in central Minnesota, I dreamed of these types of experiences. My one takeaway after this hunt, the Winchester 400 Legend truly is legendary and the Power-Point bullet performed perfectly. I believe this cartridge will be a huge success, much like the 350 Legend. Whether you hunt in a state with straight-walled cartridge requirements, the 400 Legend offers extremely impressive ballistics. Check out Winchester.com to learn more about the 400 Legend.
