450 Bushmaster Ruger American Bolt?

[SAFARIKIDD]

Considering one of these for a 13 year old family friend in the little Ruger Bolt Action American....put a nice little scope on it and I think it should be good 100 yard Deer and Hog Rifle...
Any users and thoughts/results?

 

[ducmarc]

I've been playing with an AR 15 in 450 that I put together. It's a bit of a stout kicker but I think I have it over gassed.its pretty expensive if u don't reload.the round I'm starting to really like is the 350 legend.atleast in the ar platform.it poops the 145grs at 2100 feet out of a 10.5 barrel. Haven't chronographed the 450 yet it's a 16" barrel. Kind of an on again off again thing.35$ ish a box for the 450.15 to 20$ for the 350.

 

[Capt_Oscar]

450 Bushmaster is a great round, if you have a can on the rifle, it takes a lot of the bite out. Most factory ammo is for operating in the AR platform so it is mild with regard to pressure. If used in a bolt gun, there is plenty of room to tune up ammo. Not sure it would be my first choice for a youth gun. Again though, with a silencer it would be just fine. Ruger Americans are a great budget rifle. They shoot really well for the price. Top it with the Leupold VX Freedom 3-9 (450 Bushmaster) and it's already setup for the bullet drop.

 

[Don Hinton]

Take a look at Falcon Strike recoil pad for gun. Put one on my 470 and it made a huge difference. Feel free to call company. The person who answers will likely be inventor/owner

Hydraulic Recoil Pad | Recoil Reducer | Shotguns and Rifles

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don

 

[Forrest Halley]

You could down load a .458WM and have a sweet rifle for them to grow into and there's a greater range of projectiles to hunt with.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Due to Southern Michigan cartridge restriction of a maximum 1.8" straight wall case, I hunt with a 45 Raptor and a 450 Bushmaster. The Raptor is a rimless 460 S&W and can be loaded in a bolt gun to maybe 10% more velocity than the Bushmaster in an AR-15. The Bushmaster in a bolt gun would with stout handloads narrow down that 10% Raptor advantage.

I have killed deer with both using 275 Barnes TSX. A solid hit and they were dead before they hit the ground. Both are 150 to 200 yard guns at best. After that they drop like bricks.

The Ruger is a good, solid gun. Mossberg has a bolt gun on the market that may be very good. If Savage makes one, I would seriously give it consideration.

 

[R.M.C.]

Might be a lot of recoil for a 13 year old . I've shot that out of a AR and it kicked pretty good.

 

[Nhoro]

My 13 year old (and my 11 year old) shot a 458 win mag with 500 gr bullets at a chrono 2150 fps. Both were eager for more but I dont want them to get too bashed about and start flinching. Youngsters still think they are bullet proof-and mostly they are.

Both shoot my 30-06 with 180 gr loads without a problem, The 13 year old is strong enough to shoot offhand while my 11 year old doesnt have the upper body strength yet. My advice is to pick a rifle that can adjust LOP and cheek piece easily. Then make sure it has decent weight-if they dont have the upper body strength then use sticks. Then pick a calibre that has mild recoil but a bit of authority and is multipurpose. Kids love going to the range and will be competitive-they want to hit targets. So I would think 6.5 CM or 308. Good for deer/antelope-good on the range and will be useful to the young man/lady for many years to come. Bushmaster is a little more specialised-nice brush gun

 

[Alaska Luke]

I have a Ruger American but in 358 Winchester. Nice little gun. They are light which is nice as long as recoil is not a problem. If recoil bothers the kid I would get a heavier Savage rifle. Reasonably accurate and the stock is slim which is nice for smaller hands.

If you aren't dealing with straight walled cartridge restrictions I'd get something besides a 450 Bushmaster. I've seen too many kids get nervous with a heavier kicker. Even light 308 rounds can be a bit pushy for some kids.

 

[Doug3006]

I have one and I think the recoil and muzzle blast is obnoxious. I wouldn’t think the average 13 year old would like it much. I understand the MI law requires a straight wall cartridge. How about a 44 mag in a carbine? Ruger used to make one and I see the occasionalply on GB.

 

[Dawg2019]

My brother bought a Ruger 350 Legend for his 9 and 7 year olds to deer hunt with, they both do well with it.

 

[SAFARIKIDD]

Thanks Guys...
He actually is not recoil conscious as he shoots 3" mags out the Benelli and some 23/4mags out a double...he loves to shoot and I sent him off for summer camp 2x for shooting lessons including everyday trap and skeet...
He can pull off 3 fast rounds on the benelli ...the kid has the gun fever ! Lol
Still debating on rifle round but the 450 Bushmaster looks promising as does the same rifle in a 308?!

 

[Forrest Halley]

Are you looking to stay in a certain price point? Have something a kid can beat up?
There's just a world of difference between a .452 bore that over powers most of the projectiles that fit and a .308 that has a pretty good ammunition supply and track record.
For self sustainability I vote for a .308. If you're sponsoring the ammo, than I still vote .308 and let him shoot the barrel out of it.

 

[Alaska Luke]

I had one in 308 for kids to borrow. You can get it with a youth stock and size up as he grows. Overall I liked it. The safety is two stage which I actually like. Less complicated. Just keep it on safe until the moment before you shoot. Kids had to get used to the 3 stage safety on my other rifle, just more complicated.

I still like the 308 better in a Ruger American. Not a terrible light rifle if he ever goes out west for a Mule deer or elk hunt. A 450 would be more limited. And yes ammo is easier to find ammo and reloading stuff for.

 

[SAFARIKIDD]

Got him a Ruger American in 6.5 Creedmoor!Nikon Scoped and Cerakoted .. He loves it!!

 

[Alaska Luke]

Looks great. Just make sure he wears ear plugs with the break. I consider the single stack ASICs magazine more reliable then the rotary mags. Looks like a great choice.