The .450 Bushmaster is a powerful, straight-walled rifle cartridge designed for large North American game like deer, hogs, and even elk, known for its stopping power and use in AR-15 platforms and bolt-action rifles, fitting into standard magazines with modifications. Developed for areas with straight-wall cartridge laws, it offers significant energy and effectiveness at common hunting ranges (under 200 yards) but requires specialized, often heavier, bullets for extended range performance.

Anderson Lower, Bear Creek Upper 450 Bushmaster AR15 Frame, $825.00

$825.00

Quantity

Key Features

Cartridge Type: Straight-walled, big-bore rifle cartridge.

Platform: Fits in AR-15s with appropriate uppers/magazines and bolt-action rifles.

Bullet Diameter: Uses .452-inch diameter bullets (same as .45 ACP).

Performance: Delivers high energy and penetration, making it excellent for large game.

Range: Effective at closer ranges (under 200 yards) with standard ammo, but specialized loads can extend its range significantly (300+ yards).

Hunting Applications

Whitetail Deer: A popular choice for deer hunting, especially where straight-wall cartridges are required.

Hogs & Elk: Powerful enough for feral hogs and even elk at appropriate ranges.

Plains Game: Suitable for shorter-range hunts in Africa.

Ammunition & Ballistics

Standard Ammo:

Factory loads often use 250-grain bullets at ~2,200 fps, with significant drop at range.

Extended Range Ammo:

Custom loads use heavier (e.g., 327 gr) high-BC (Ballistic Coefficient) bullets, achieving flatter trajectories and more retained energy at 300-500 yards.

Comparison to Other Cartridges

vs. .45-70 Govt: The .450 Bushmaster often has better velocity and a flatter trajectory than the classic .45-70, while the .45-70 excels in raw close-range power.

Anderson Lower, Bear Creek Upper 450 Bushmaster AR15 Frame, $825.00

Key Features