.450 Bushmaster
Also called: 450 Bushmaster, 450 BM
A big, straight-wall round that throws a heavy bullet at modest speed; hard-hitting on deer, hogs, and bear at close range.
- Type
- Centerfire Rifle
- Bullet diameter
- .452 in
- Case length
- 1.7 in
- Overall length
- 2.26 in
- Typical bullet weights
- 250 to 300 grains
- Typical muzzle velocity
- About 1,900 to 2,200 fps
- Recoil
- Heavy recoil
- Quarry
- Deer, hogs & pronghorn, Elk & moose
- Typical range
- Deer, hogs, and bear to about 200 yards
- Availability
- Common, but costs more
What it is good for
- Deer, hogs, and black bear at close range in thick cover.
- Straight-wall states where bottlenecked rifle cartridges are not allowed for deer.
- AR-pattern rifles that offer this chambering.
Where it falls short
- Recoil is heavy for a cartridge in a light rifle.
- The heavy bullet drops quickly past about 200 yards.
- Ammunition and rifles cost more than for common cartridges.
Easily confused with
- .45-70 Government: a similar bullet width, but a longer, rimmed cartridge for lever and single-shot rifles.
- .350 Legend: a lighter straight-wall option with much less recoil.
Field notes
The .450 Bushmaster fires a heavy .45-caliber bullet from a short case. It was made for the AR-15 platform and is a hard-hitting short-range choice.
Related guides
Numbers are typical factory-load figures, not guarantees. Use only ammunition that matches the cartridge stamped on your firearm and is made by a reputable manufacturer, and follow the manual. Legal game cartridges, minimum calibers, and non-toxic shot rules differ by state and area. Check your state's current regulations; our state resources directory links to each state's official rules. Not sure which rifle to buy? Try our hunting rifle wizard.