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.450 Bushmaster Ammo

Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.

Credentials:

  • • 2x Team Safari Competitor
  • • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
  • • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
  • • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified

.450 Bushmaster: At a Glance

Key Characteristics
Firearm Type Rifle, AR-15 Platform
Primer Type Large Rifle
Used For Hunting, Self-Defense, Sport Shooting
Case Design Straight-walled, Rimless
Year Introduced 2007

.450 Bushmaster: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • ✔ High stopping power for large game
  • ✔ Legal for deer hunting in straight-walled cartridge states
  • ✔ Effective for short to medium-range shooting
  • ✔ Compatible with AR-15 platform
  • ✔ Low recoil compared to other big bore cartridges

Cons

  • ✘ Limited ammunition variety compared to more common calibers
  • ✘ Higher cost per round than smaller calibers
  • ✘ Reduced magazine capacity in standard AR-15 magazines
  • ✘ Shorter effective range compared to smaller, faster cartridges
  • ✘ Heavier recoil than .223 Remington or similar calibers

.450 Bushmaster Ammo: In Depth

The .450 Bushmaster is a large bore rifle cartridge designed for use in AR-15 style rifles. It was developed to provide superior stopping power for big game hunting and self-defense scenarios. Known for its impressive ballistics and hard-hitting performance, the .450 Bushmaster offers significant advantages in short to medium-range engagements, particularly in areas with straight-walled cartridge restrictions for deer hunting.

History and Development

The .450 Bushmaster cartridge was developed by Tim LeGendre of LeMag Firearms, and licensed to Bushmaster Firearms International. The cartridge is based on a modified .284 Winchester or 7mm-08 Remington case, shortened and necked up to .45 caliber. Its creation was inspired by Jeff Cooper's concept of a 'thumper' cartridge, capable of taking down large game with a single shot from a semi-automatic rifle.

Hornady Manufacturing Company helped finalize the cartridge design and released it to the public in 2007. The .450 Bushmaster was designed to function in AR-15 style rifles with minimal modifications, primarily requiring only a barrel, bolt, and magazine change. This compatibility with the popular AR-15 platform contributed significantly to its rapid adoption among hunters and shooting enthusiasts.

The cartridge gained particular popularity in states with straight-walled cartridge restrictions for deer hunting, as it provided a powerful option for hunters in these areas. Its effectiveness on large game, combined with its legality in these jurisdictions, led to increased adoption and production of rifles chambered for .450 Bushmaster.

Since its introduction, the .450 Bushmaster has seen steady growth in popularity, with major firearms manufacturers offering rifles chambered for this cartridge. Its success has also led to the development of specialized ammunition, including expanding bullets for hunting and solid copper projectiles for enhanced penetration.

Timeline of .450 Bushmaster Development:

Year Event
2022 Continued growth in popularity, with more manufacturers offering rifles and ammunition in .450 Bushmaster.
2018 Ruger introduces the Ruger American Ranch Rifle in .450 Bushmaster, expanding options for budget-conscious hunters.
2015 Increased adoption in Midwestern states with straight-walled cartridge restrictions for deer hunting.
2011 Remington introduces the R-25 rifle chambered in .450 Bushmaster, broadening the cartridge's market presence.
2007 Hornady finalizes the .450 Bushmaster design and releases it to the public.
2006 Tim LeGendre of LeMag Firearms licenses the cartridge design to Bushmaster Firearms International.
2004 Initial development of the .450 Bushmaster cartridge begins.

.450 Bushmaster Performance

The .450 Bushmaster offers impressive ballistic performance, particularly for large game hunting and short to medium-range engagements. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:

Characteristic Performance
Velocity 2,200 fps (250-grain bullet)
Measured at the muzzle
Energy 2,686 ft-lbs at the muzzle 1,582 ft-lbs at 100 yards
Based on 250-grain bullet
Trajectory Zero at 100 yards: -1.5 inches at 50 yards, -7.1 inches at 200 yards
Based on 250-grain bullet with a 100-yard zero
Effective Range 200-250 yards
Optimal for large game hunting
Recoil Moderate to heavy
Manageable in AR-15 style rifles due to gas operation

Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity

This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .450 Bushmaster loads.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

.450 Bushmaster: Effective Range for Different Applications

This table provides estimated effective ranges for .450 Bushmaster ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.

Application Effective Range (yards) Notes
Hunting (Medium to Large Game) 0-250 Excellent for deer, elk, and bear hunting
Target Shooting 0-300 Suitable for mid-range target shooting
Self-Defense 0-100 Powerful round for close-quarters defense

Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .450 Bushmaster is known for its hard-hitting power and effectiveness at shorter ranges compared to smaller calibers. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.

Applications for .450 Bushmaster

The .450 Bushmaster's powerful performance profile makes it suitable for specific applications:

Hunting
  • Ideal for medium to large game hunting
  • Excellent stopping power for deer, elk, and bear
  • Effective at ranges up to 250 yards
Target Shooting
  • Suitable for mid-range target shooting
  • Provides a challenging shooting experience due to recoil
  • Popular for shooters looking to practice with large-bore rifles
Self-Defense
  • Powerful option for close-quarters defense
  • High stopping power in short-barreled rifles
  • Limited magazine capacity compared to smaller calibers
Specialized Law Enforcement Use
  • Used in some specialized law enforcement units for barrier penetration
  • Effective against light vehicles and structures
  • Limited adoption due to overpenetration concerns in urban environments

Caliber Comparisons

To understand the .450 Bushmaster's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:

.450 Bushmaster vs. .458 SOCOM ▼

.450 Bushmaster vs. .45-70 Government ▼

.450 Bushmaster vs. .350 Legend ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of .450 Bushmaster with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads, firearm weight, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .450 Bushmaster with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 100-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of .450 Bushmaster with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of .450 Bushmaster with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

Sectional Density Comparison for .450 Bushmaster Ammo

Sectional density is a measure of a bullet's mass relative to its diameter. The .450 Bushmaster, known for its large bore and heavy bullets, offers impressive sectional density values.

Cartridge Bullet Weight (gr) Sectional Density
.450 Bushmaster 250 0.171
.450 Bushmaster 260 0.178
.450 Bushmaster 275 0.188
.450 Bushmaster 300 0.205
.450 Bushmaster 395 0.270

Note: Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². The .450 Bushmaster's large bullet diameter of 0.452 inches results in moderate sectional density values despite its heavy bullets. This cartridge is designed for excellent terminal performance at shorter ranges, balancing penetration with energy transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the .450 Bushmaster cartridge?

A: The .450 Bushmaster is a large bore rifle cartridge designed for use in AR-15 style rifles. It was developed to provide improved stopping power for big game hunting compared to smaller calibers like .223 Remington.

Q: What is the effective range of .450 Bushmaster?

A: The .450 Bushmaster has an effective range of about 250 yards. Beyond this distance, the bullet's trajectory drops significantly, making accurate shots more challenging.

Q: Is .450 Bushmaster good for hunting?

A: Yes, .450 Bushmaster is excellent for hunting medium to large game. It's particularly effective for deer, bear, and hog hunting within 200 yards. The cartridge delivers high energy and creates large wound channels, ensuring ethical kills on big game.

Q: What is the typical bullet weight for .450 Bushmaster?

A: The most common bullet weights for .450 Bushmaster range from 250 to 300 grains. However, you can find loads with bullets as light as 158 grains and as heavy as 395 grains for specific applications.

Q: Can .450 Bushmaster be used for home defense?

A: While .450 Bushmaster can be used for home defense, it's generally not recommended due to its high power and potential for over-penetration. The recoil can also be challenging to manage in quick follow-up shots. For home defense, smaller calibers like 9mm or .223 Remington are typically more suitable.

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