Any one hunt with .450 Bushmaster?

T

TrailGunner

Member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
SW Ontario
Just looking for someone with first hand experience with the round, I've been looking at the Ruger american in .450 bushmaster as lightweight rifle for short range hunting. The ammo looks to be around the same cost as 45-70, and power is about the same with .250-.300 Gr factory loads. Just looking for some input. Thanks
 
The 450BM will give similar trajectory to a 30-30 170gr. +3" @ 100y puts it -3" @ 200 yards. Killing power will not be a problem, it's 200 yard energy is 37% higher than a 44 Mag pistol makes at the muzzle
 
It's becoming popular in the US for two reasons. One is hunting in states who have allowed straight wall cartridges to be used in what used to be shotgun/muzzleloader only seasons like you and I have here in Ontario. Two is it fits in an ar15. Neither really applies to us yet, but here's hoping. Its a cool cartridge
 
TrailGunner said:
Just looking for someone with first hand experience with the round, I've been looking at the Ruger american in .450 bushmaster as lightweight rifle for short range hunting. The ammo looks to be around the same cost as 45-70, and power is about the same with .250-.300 Gr factory loads. Just looking for some input. Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, I have taken a few deer with the round. I have a couple rifles chambered in this caliber.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I've taken 3 deer in the last couple years with my 450 Ranch. All 3 were between 100 and 200 yards. I was using Hornady Black at first because that's all that had been available. All 3 deer went down instantly, none ran. I was surprised however by the wounds. I don't believe there was much expansion. I had just found some Federal Blue Box hollow points this spring but never had a chance to use them on an animal.

This Summer I sold it and bought a Ruger American Predator 16" 308. I wasn't 100% confident with the 450 out to 250 yards or so. The 308 was a no brainer in the fields I hunt.
 
MadcapMagician said:
I've taken 3 deer in the last couple years with my 450 Ranch. All 3 were between 100 and 200 yards. I was using Hornady Black at first because that's all that had been available. All 3 deer went down instantly, none ran. I was surprised however by the wounds. I don't believe there was much expansion. I had just found some Federal Blue Box hollow points this spring but never had a chance to use them on an animal.

This Summer I sold it and bought a Ruger American Predator 16" 308. I wasn't 100% confident with the 450 out to 250 yards or so. The 308 was a no brainer in the fields I hunt.
Click to expand...

With Remington accutips and hitting large bone structure, the wound channel is anything but small. Remington designed the bullet from scratch for the cartridge so it expands properly.

I use the hornady for plinking and the Remington on animals.
 
355gr WLNGC at 1850fps Ruger American Ranch

I was called up to my friends ranch in Lytton this 1300lbs cow had gotten out and had broken its leg somehow they think a vehicle hit it I shot it 1" above/between the eyes at 40 yards it hit the ground so hard I felt the ground shake.

 
Have taken a buck at around 60 yards (folded within 10 yds).A buddy of mine and his girlfriend have both taken a bear at around 40 yards with it as well. Neither bear went anywhere. He has shot a lot of bears and said he was really impressed with it. Rifle is a Ruger American ranch with a 2-7 Leopold scope. Nice compact package.
 
Camp Cook said:
355gr WLNGC at 1850fps Ruger American Ranch

I was called up to my friends ranch in Lytton this 1300lbs cow had gotten out and had broken its leg somehow they think a vehicle hit it I shot it 1" above/between the eyes at 40 yards it hit the ground so hard I felt the ground shake.
Click to expand...

I see a "Cow Defense" thread in our future here. :)
 
Camp Cook said:
355gr WLNGC at 1850fps Ruger American Ranch

I was called up to my friends ranch in Lytton this 1300lbs cow had gotten out and had broken its leg somehow they think a vehicle hit it I shot it 1" above/between the eyes at 40 yards it hit the ground so hard I felt the ground shake.

Click to expand...

No offence but the 22LR will do the same.
 
MadcapMagician said:
I've taken 3 deer in the last couple years with my 450 Ranch. All 3 were between 100 and 200 yards. I was using Hornady Black at first because that's all that had been available. All 3 deer went down instantly, none ran. I was surprised however by the wounds. I don't believe there was much expansion. I had just found some Federal Blue Box hollow points this spring but never had a chance to use them on an animal.

This Summer I sold it and bought a Ruger American Predator 16" 308. I wasn't 100% confident with the 450 out to 250 yards or so. The 308 was a no brainer in the fields I hunt.
Click to expand...

Where did you find an American Predator with a 16" barrel? The shortest I've seen is 18".
 
Cabelas made a pricing mistake they had to honor on the Ruger american ranch in 308, how I got mine at the time before they changed it.

I recall they were a Cabelas Canadian exclusive thing
 
I love my RAR 450 for its light weight & ergonomics. No gripes for accuracy either with my hardcast loads using 250-360 gr boolits at speeds in the 13 to 1500 fps range. Fitted a Timney trigger to the bugger and its a nice improvement for me over the factory one. T'aint hunted with 'er yet, but will do if/when the occasion allows. The scope is a 1-4x Bushnell Prime with G4 reticle that's perfect for my use.

450 BM RAR.jpg
 

Attachments

  • 450 BM RAR.jpg
    450 BM RAR.jpg
    145.9 KB · Views: 198
Last edited:
SHELL SHUCKER said:
I love my RAR 450 for its light weight & ergonomics. No gripes for accuracy either with my hardcast loads using 250-360 gr boolits at speeds in the 13 to 1500 fps range. Fitted a Timney trigger to the bugger and its a nice improvement for me over the factory one. T'aint hunted with 'er yet, but will do if/when the occasion allows. The scope is a 1-4x Bushnell Prime with G4 reticle that's perfect for my use.

View attachment 516033
Click to expand...

Nice , potent , little carbine . I admit to having a thing for these .
 
SHELL SHUCKER said:
I love my RAR 450 for its light weight & ergonomics. No gripes for accuracy either with my hardcast loads using 250-360 gr boolits at speeds in the 13 to 1500 fps range. Fitted a Timney trigger to the bugger and its a nice improvement for me over the factory one. T'aint hunted with 'er yet, but will do if/when the occasion allows. The scope is a 1-4x Bushnell Prime with G4 reticle that's perfect for my use.

View attachment 516033
Click to expand...

This looks ideal. How do you like shooting it without the brake?

Are you resizing .452 boolits in that weight class, or are they available to purchase somewheres?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom