.450 Bushmaster Bolt Gun

[ChrisG]

I know that by its caliber, this should be in the ".375 and over" but it's power level doesn't warrant it being put there. Anyway, So I just got the Ruger American Ranch in .450 Bushmaster for a light (5.5lbs) short range, large game gun. I have only shot 4 factory 250 grain FTX rounds through it. I plan on exclusively reloading it using mostly using .454 casull data as very little .450 data is available. I have some 300 grain Speer Bonded soft points on the way to load for bear and deer up here (if it ever goes above zero degrees to get out and shoot). I guess because it will be in a strong bolt gun you could potentially push the rounds a little faster. The issue I am thinking is that it is designed for pistol bullets a lower speed. Anyway, does anyone have experience with this caliber? Specifically, performance on game?

 

[crs]

Chris,
Your 300 grain velocities should be in the same velocity range as hand loaded .45-70 and .45-90 ammo.
My 1886 45-90 has easily handled 300 grain Nosler PP bullets at 2600 fps, but they exploded on game like a varmint bullet. We then loaded them down to 2200 fps and they are devastating on soft skinned game, including one African leopard.
The standard .45-70 Winchester Supreme load with the same Nosler PP bullet at about 1850 fps in my .45-90 is also devastating on deer, hogs, bear and such.

My point is, at the higher velocities, you will have a devastating load for your specified game, but you will need bullets that will stay together at that velocity.

PS, WRT being a big-bore, my sons .458 Socom, is a big bore and knocks down game like one. I, for one, do not consider it presumptuous to call the 450 Bushmaster a Big-Bore.

 

[ChrisG]

Chris,
Your 300 grain velocities should be in the same velocity range as hand loaded .45-70 and .45-90 ammo.
My 1886 45-90 has easily handled 300 grain Nosler PP bullets at 2600 fps, but they exploded on game like a varmint bullet. We then loaded them down to 2200 fps and they are devastating on soft skinned game, including one African leopard.
The standard .45-70 Winchester Supreme load with the same Nosler PP bullet at about 1850 fps in my .45-90 is also devastating on deer, hogs, bear and such.

My point is, at the higher velocities, you will have a devastating load for your specified game, but you will need bullets that will stay together at that velocity.

PS, WRT being a big-bore, my sons .458 Socom, is a big bore and knocks down game like one. I, for one, do not consider it presumptuous to call the 450 Bushmaster a Big-Bore.

Thanks! I would consider it a big bore but when I set it next to my .416 she'll it looks pretty puny. I will have to do some digging for better built bullets. They make a 275 grains Barnes tax for the .460 s&w...

 

[IA Monsterbuck]

They have a forum dedicated specifically to the 450 Bushmaster, "450bushmaster.net". I'm sure you can get some great information there.

Iowa just legalized straight wall cartridge rifles for our gun season (formerly limited to shotguns and muzzle loaders). I looked at the Ruger Range Rifle but ultimately chose to go with the AR platform because of the semiautomatic feature and I just wanted to try something new as I have never owned an AR before. Plus the 450 was originally designed and created for the AR platform.

I'm not a reloader so I'm limited to pretty much the Hornady FTX or the Remington plastic tip. There are some custom loads available but pretty pricey. I've heard good things about the reloaders using Barnes bullets.

My Christmas present 450 Bushmaster AR: