Savage vs Ruger 450 Bushmaster

[-Doug-]

debated between the following to replace my savage 116 FCSS 308

-Ruger American 450 bushmaster
-savage scout 450 bushmaster

I’m not getting the use out of the .308 the bush I hunt is pretty thick and I like walking around a lot and would like something lighter and more maneuverable

My savage is fitted with a Nikon Monarch 5 ED 2-10x42 which I would either trade in with the savage or take off and put on one of the above

Just wondering if anyone has experience with the 450 bushmaster and opinion between the 2 bolt guns.
It would be strictly a deer gun 50-200 yards.
Do you think it would pair well with my scope or is it too much scope for it.

Thanks

 

[Why not?]

I think the 308 Win would be a better bush cartridge than the 450. No bullet does very well in brush bustin' , especially those that are short and stubby for the caliber.

Just my limited experience.
Ted

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

I'd go with the Ruger Ranch meself as it be only 5.5 lbs in bare trim compared to the 7.72 lb weight of the Savage unit. The much shorter mag on the Ruger be
way easier for folks sneekin' the bush and is better for handling ergos whilst hunting or plinking. The Ruger has a proper twist rate of 1 in 16" to stabilize hefty
boolits in weights well above standard factory ammo. That alone seals the deal on my end as I handload with hardcast boolits and would be tossing lead with
one in weights in the 330-380 gr range at velocities around 1500-1700 fps. The Savage units twist rate is 1 in 26" which works fine with most factory loads in
bullet weights of 300 gr and less.

On either rifle, I'd lose the muzzle brake, then fab an fit a short blast director to take its' place.

The 450 BM is a good cartridge to work with and is very flexible for folks that handload. Ye can load 185 gr jacketed hollow point bullets meant for the 45 ACP to around 2500 fps or so for exploding varmint critters a tad past 100 yds. For deer on up to the real big stuff, the 450 BM makes the grade for folks that take
shots at closer ranges than 100 yds on unaware game.

I'd be happy running a decent 2-7x32 glass on either rifle.

Savage


Ruger


Decisions, decisions.

 

[Brian46]

I'd go with the Ruger Ranch meself as it be only 5.5 lbs in bare trim compared to the 7.72 lb weight of the Savage unit. The much shorter mag on the Ruger be
way easier for folks sneekin' the bush and is better for handling ergos whilst hunting or plinking. The Ruger has a proper twist rate of 1 in 16" to stabilize hefty
boolits in weights well above standard factory ammo. That alone seals the deal on my end as I handload with hardcast boolits and would be tossing lead with
one in weights in the 330-380 gr range at velocities around 1500-1700 fps. The Savage units twist rate is 1 in 26" which works fine with most factory loads in
bullet weights of 300 gr and less.

On either rifle, I'd lose the muzzle brake, then fab an fit a short blast director to take its' place.

The 450 BM is a good cartridge to work with and is very flexible for folks that handload. Ye can load 185 gr jacketed hollow point bullets meant for the 45 ACP to around 2500 fps or so for exploding varmint critters a tad past 100 yds. For deer on up to the real big stuff, the 450 BM makes the grade for folks that take
shots at closer ranges than 100 yds on unaware game.

I'd be happy running a decent 2-7x32 glass on either rifle.

Savage
View attachment 436134

Ruger
View attachment 436135

Decisions, decisions.

What have you seen for performance on medium game with the apc bullets at 2500fps? Curious since they were designed to expand at a third of that speed, I could see them just exploding

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

What have you seen for performance on medium game with the apc bullets at 2500fps? Curious since they were designed to expand at a third of that speed, I could see them just exploding

I wouldn't use the 185 bullets on anything bigger than raccoons. They are rather explosive in effect on smaller pest critters.

 

[Big JD-From the hills]

Any of them feed swc, or flat point .45colt or .45acp bullets?

 

[phin11]

A Nikon 2-10 might be to heavy for a light and handy ranch rifle . maybe a leupold 2-7 , they also make a 3-9 450BM scope. I bought a Mossberg predator in 450Bm last july . Works great , I don't have a scope chosen either . I was thinking a muzzle loader scope with a doa .250 reticle as I see they have similar range .

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Folks wanting a nice stalking or stand rifle could be well served with the Ruger unit, especially if they be handloaders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW0_cu73ZoY

 

[-Doug-]

Any advantage for non hand loaders using a 450 BM over a 20ga rifled barrel with accutips?

 

[hoytcanon]

.45/70?

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

I got my Ruger American Ranch .450 the other day & really like the feel of the bugger. The trigger be usable enough when dialed down to lightest setting for me at least. The metalwork on the action does have a slight zipper feel & sound to 'er even though the bolt body be much smoother in finish on the outside circumference than the earlier Americans I handled. Some final smoothing with 600 grit will fix that.

First thing was to replace the muzzle brake with the factory supplied thread protector. I've got Starline brass and hefty 360 gr hardcast boolits ready to go and I'm just waitin' on my Lee dies to arrive. Fitted the wee cannon with a 30mm Bushnell Prime 1-4 glass with G4 lighted center dot reticle and it's a very clear optic. Zero fuzziness in the dot fer my eyes. For an "almost budget rifle" in these gouging times, I give the bugger a thumbs up fer sure.

She arrived as dis.


Now she be setup like dis.