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Also known as: .450 BM
Common uses: Hunting
| Type | rifle (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 250gr Hornady BLACK FTX |
| Muzzle velocity | 2200 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 2687 ft-lb |
| Published G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.21 |
| Case length | 42.19 mm |
| Overall length | 57.4 mm |
| SAAMI max pressure | 38500 PSI |
| Common twist rate | 1:24" |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2200 | 2686 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 1829 | 1856 | 0 |
| 200 | 1505 | 1257 | -9 |
| 300 | 1244 | 859 | -33.6 |
| 400 | 1069 | 634 | -80.7 |
| 500 | 963 | 514 | -158.3 |
At 1,000 yards, .450 Bushmaster (250gr at 2200 fps, 100 yd zero, standard conditions) has a modeled come-up of about 118.9 MOA / 34.6 MIL, retaining 686 fps (subsonic).
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | State | Drop (in) | Elev (MOA) | Elev (MIL) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 1244 | Transonic | -33.6 | 10.7 | 3.12 |
| 400 | 1069 | Subsonic | -80.8 | 19.3 | 5.61 |
| 500 | 963 | Subsonic | -158.3 | 30.2 | 8.79 |
| 600 | 888 | Subsonic | -273.2 | 43.5 | 12.65 |
| 700 | 828 | Subsonic | -432.3 | 59.0 | 17.15 |
| 800 | 775 | Subsonic | -642.4 | 76.7 | 22.30 |
| 900 | 729 | Subsonic | -910.3 | 96.6 | 28.09 |
| 1000 | 686 | Subsonic | -1244.5 | 118.9 | 34.57 |
Extended predictions beyond 500 yards are modeled from the same G1 engine — useful for initial DOPE, but outside the 500-yard manufacturer-table validation audit. Confirm with observed DOPE, especially near transonic.
A retained-energy reference only — not a shoot/don't-shoot distance. Real effective range depends on your accuracy, shot placement, bullet construction, and conditions. The ~1,000 ft-lb (deer-sized) and ~1,500 ft-lb (elk-sized) figures are commonly cited rules of thumb, not standards.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own rifle.
The .450 Bushmaster is a big-bore, short-range hunting cartridge built to deliver heavy, large-diameter bullets with authority on deer and hogs. Its heavy bullet and modest velocity give it hard-hitting terminal performance out to roughly 200 yards, beyond which it sheds energy quickly and drops steeply, so it is a close-cover and stand-hunting round rather than a long-range one. It has found its strongest following in Midwestern states such as Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, where straight-walled cartridges are mandated for deer season, making it a popular way to hunt with an AR-15. The main tradeoffs are stout recoil, limited effective range, and ammunition that is pricier and less common than mainstream deer cartridges.
The .450 Bushmaster grew out of Jeff Cooper's "Thumper" concept, which called for a large-bore AR-15 cartridge capable of one-shot kills on big game inside 250 yards. Tim LeGendre of LeMag Firearms designed the round as his ".45 Professional," and it was licensed to Bushmaster Firearms; when Hornady partnered to produce factory ammunition, the case was shortened to suit their 250-grain bullet and the cartridge was released in 2007. The straight-walled design fires a .452-inch bullet from a standard AR-15 platform requiring only a new barrel, bolt, and magazine follower.
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