1 of 8 .400 Legend factory loads carry 1,500 ft·lb and expansion velocity for elk; the best reach 100 yd (Barnes VOR-TX 190 gr TSX FB). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes VOR-TX 190 gr TSX FB | 190 | 100 | 2,390 | 373 | yes |
| Barnes Harvest Collection 200 gr Sierra Pro-Hunter | 200 | wrong bullet | 2,265 | 397 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal 210 gr Power-Shok SP | 210 | wrong bullet | 2,250 | 436 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady American Whitetail 210 gr InterLock | 210 | wrong bullet | 2,200 | 415 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 210 gr Soft Point Core-Lokt | 210 | wrong bullet | 2,250 | 436 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Deer Season XP 190 gr Extreme Point | 190 | wrong bullet | 2,400 | 404 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Power-Point 215 gr Jacketed Soft Point | 215 | wrong bullet | 2,250 | 444 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Premier AccuTip 195 gr | 195 | wrong bullet | 2,215 | 316 | behind the shoulder only |
1,500 ft·lb is the number most repeated (Guns & Ammo, Backfire); Hawks says 1,200, Boddington floats 2,000. Avoid quick-opening and match bullets. Legal: SD: ≥ .243 and 1,700 ft·lb at muzzle · CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd, ≥ 85 gr. Floor used: 1,500 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.gunsandammo.com, www.chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com, regulations.justia.com.