450 Bushmaster

[LarryL]

I know the 450 Bushmaster certainly isn't in the power range of the hot 45-70 and 450 Marlin loads, but 2200 fps on a 250gr bullet is still plenty of power for deer and bear.  It's a nifty way to turn your AR into a deer gun too.

Anyone out there shot one or even seen one yet?

[Ken ONeill]

I saw one for sale at a gun show in Charlotte last week end. I'm mostly a handgunner, but this seemed like a neat gun.

[LarryL]

Yep, I'm mostly a handgunner too.  Down here in the southern part of the state, deer hunting is shotguns and handguns only.  I carry a Ruger SRH 480.  Once in a while I will carry my Ithaca model 37 with a red dot on it, and a SBH .44 as a backup.  I've had trouble with my shoulder and find I can more easily carry a pistol than I can a rifle/shotgun for a long day of hunting.

 I do have a Bushmaster AR that I primarily use for plinking and target shooting.  At some point I want to go after coyotes with it, but have not gotten around to trying it.  The idea of turning it into a thumper deer gun seemed like a fun thing to do.

I'd love to hear from some people who have actually bought one and shot it.  It may still be early though.  They aren't even posting pricing yet on the gun, and they don't list the barrel/upper either.  I did contact Bushmaster, and they definitely do plan to offer it in a barrel/upper.  They expect that will be a much bigger market than full guns.

[mcwoodduck]

Is .223 legal in your state for Deer?  If so just use your AR with the 60 grain Nosler Partitions.  Federal loads them.  If your really good with the rifle and the deer are not large, the 45 grain JHP bullets are devastating as a lung shot.  That varmint bullet explodes and shreds everything.  But limit your shot and distance.  but your a handgun hunter so similar rules apply.  The only down side is the self loader.  You tend to throw too many projectiles thinking the deer is not going down.  Count to 10 before you shoot again if you think the shot was good.  I made a real mess of a doe with my Garand in shooting too fast when she did not fall down right away.
I know that's not what you want to hear in the big bore forum but...Get the .450 or the .50 Beowulf if you really want a big bore AR.

[saltydog]

The 450 and Beowulf both have significant recoil - kicks like a 444 Marlin - and terrific knockdown power at under 100 yards. Hornady is making the 450 go and Alexander Arms the 50 - if you have a spare $700 bucks for a lower go for it - just be prepared to get thumped but take pleasure in knowing whatever you shoot will get thumped also.