Have You Heard of the 450 Bushmaster?

The 450 Bushmaster is excellent for big game hunting, but it has some flaws...

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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[jimjensen]

I don't know. I think 2200 fps is pretty fast for a .45.

[benarnesen]

Beowulf: Am I a joke to you?
450: Well yes, and to most other people as well.

[elischultes]

I think I was seeing 50 Beowulf upper kits in magazines in the late 90’s

[richardmauch]

The 450 bush master is one of the most used straight wall cartridges for white tail that puts them down right away.

[banjoman]

I use one for whitetail hunting in Ohio. The extremely restrictive laws regarding rifle cartridges mean I had effectively 2 main options, .450 Bushmaster and 45/70 without resorting to pistol cartridges or buffalo cartridges. It work well for the 200yd in shots you are taking in the woods.

[michaelgibson]

Been using a 450 bushmaster on Sambar deer in Australia for 4-5 years. Fantastic round that hits hard.

[BBCTopgearfan]

Love shooting my rugar American in .450B can't wait for deer season it's a paper puncher currently. But between deer and hogs I'm excited.

[stumblin_bummblin]

Got a 458 socom ar15 Things a beast! Using standard STANAG mags are great too.

[seanfitzgerald]

The lightweight Ruger Ranch Rifle in 450BM has amazingly mild recoil with the muzzle break… and shoots 1 MOA at 100yds. Great gun for shorter distances (200 yds in) and for heavy wooded / brush hunting (PA). It’s like a highly accurate 12G slug hitting deer, and anything else in its way. Instant kill, no bullet deflections.

[cargotoolshop]

350 LEGEND, I wanted to play with something other than the 556/223 but as much as everyone loves what they have, most of it doesn't make sense, but the 350 I feel is good deer gun, I know they make some light weigh long range AR caliber but not meant to kill large game, awesome video

[jzachary]

I use a .50 beowolf in a ar15. Great brush gun

[stephenmitchell]

I enjoy Alexander Precision 50 Beowulf fun hard hitting and very accurate in 500gr or 325 gr bullets. Bet the 450 would be fun too!

[NELLY-jgrx]

450 Bushmaster is the biggest round you can hunt with in the state of Indiana! And a lot of Midwest states. 458 Socom is a bottle neck and usually not allowed on public land.

But as other's have stated, it closely mimics shotgun ballistics and politicians think it's "safer" to allow 350 legend and 450 Bushmaster so stay bullets don't travel too far.

But I'm more at risk catching a stray round from near by Gary, IN than a stray 308 round missed by a hunter....

[kalashnikov]

I have the ruger American in 450. Wow! What a round, when i first got a box of them..

[kevinroberts]

You took the words right out of my mouth

[MichaelRandall-wf]

Ron I reload now for 25 years now. I look at what is the most velocity, and best muzzle energy ratio's. For the 450 bushmaster that fall into the 220 grain 225 grain weight bullets. At 2400- 2500 fps with over 3000 foot pounds or more in energy. This gives you a flater trajectory with more punch. 250 yard work good for me. The best barrel length for hunting 20" . And the 50 Beowolf is the biggest caliber for the AR 15. Just thought you would like to know

[ManetInAEternum]

I love the 450!

Out of the 3 "big bore" cartridges in the AR platform, 450 holds more energy than the 12.7×45mm (50 beuwolf) and 458 socom at longer distance at 250yrd anything further and they all plummet

[crousore]

Worked at the gun store in Michigan where the owner was one of the people who helped develop the Ruger American. People use it for muzzle loader and shotgun season here since it's a unique straight wall rifle cartridge. Heard varying results on entrance/exit wounds. Some about the size of a fist and others the size of a dinner plate. Get a muzzle brake with a 22" barrel and Hornady customs. Subsonic rounds are awesome too

[fredbear]

Let me introduce you to my favorite new friend the 350 legend! I’m so glad I bought it over the 450 way out performs it! It’s a deer slaying bullet for sure

[airdrop]

It was designed for Michigans lower hunting zone, Randy's Hunting Center in Kinde Mi got Rugar to make bolt guns for the .450 B and it was a great success .