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Posted: 3/23/2010 11:46:20 PM EDT
Could someone get some info together to post in the FAQ section on .450 Bushmaster? I am considering buying a big bore AR and would like more info before I make a decision. Things like lower receiver compatability, a/m forends, etc. would be very helpful.
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450 bushmaster:
works with any AR15 lower. 
can load .451-.459 bullets... (but you will need to resize the bigger ones down to .452) parent case is a rifle cartridge(.284) so even if all support for cartridge dries up (not likely with 2 big ammo MFG loading for it) you can still make ammo brass uses small or large primers depending on MFG runs flawlessly out of sig 556 mags (can be had for 2 for $30 online) 20 round PMAGS would if your remove the front rib and modify the follower. some have had success with modifying followers to single stack in USGI 30 rounders |
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What about forends? Who makes a quad-rail to replace the hogue forend? Also wondering about what optic to put on it, I'm sure the recoil is a factor in choosing an optic. I'm trying to decide between the .450 B, .458 SOCOM, and .50 Beowulf. I'm not set up to reload yet, so I think that pushes the .458 out. However, any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated.
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Quoted:
I'm trying to decide between the .450 B, .458 SOCOM, and .50 Beowulf. I'm not set up to reload yet, so I think that pushes the .458 out. However, any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated. If you're not set up to reload, you need to avoid all three of these big bores.... unless you like paying $2 a round. Beowulf is the worst right now for finding affordable loaded ammo or even brass for reloading (although Starline just started offering Beowulf brass so you can start loading for it). |
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Bushmaster has their 450B upper on sale for $499 right now :D You'll end up waiting a few weeks, last time I called to check on my order they said the Sale went better than expected and they ran out of bolts but they were expecting another shipment soon.
But you cant beat that price and the 450 is about the cheapest when it comes to factory ammo. And Remington just picked up as well so ammo should get a little better when they start getting it out in force. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm trying to decide between the .450 B, .458 SOCOM, and .50 Beowulf. I'm not set up to reload yet, so I think that pushes the .458 out. However, any thoughts on this subject would be appreciated. If you're not set up to reload, you need to avoid all three of these big bores.... unless you like paying $2 a round. Beowulf is the worst right now for finding affordable loaded ammo or even brass for reloading (although Starline just started offering Beowulf brass so you can start loading for it). Not the case at all, 450 Bushy ammo can be found for $1 a round, right now its scarce because of all the soon to be new owners scooping it up. But Hornaday and Rem are both coming out with new loads. |
| I just want to make sure I understand this discussion correctly - will all three of these uppers go on a standard mil-spec A4 lower with no modification? I think all three uppers are available in several configurations; I have a standard A4 lower that I want to use for a big-bore upper, but I want to make sure it would be a "drop-in" installation. |
| Thanks for the reply. I like the idea of easy reloading with the .50 Beowulf, but the bullet selection of the .458 Socom is a big plus. Since I reload, ammo availibility and cost will be less of a problem for me. Do both calibers use standard AR15 / /M16 magazines with little or no modifications? |
450 bushmaster is also a straightwall case for easy reloading, and can use all the bullets the 458 does with a simple pass thru a resizing die, plus at 450b velocities you can get frangible bullet performance at the price 45ACP hollow points
There is also a plethora of reloading data on 450bushmaster.net i believe 458 and 50 beowulf use unmodified 30 round magazines and hold i believe 10. 450 bushmaster LOVES sig 556 mags, 25-30 bucks for 2 online. i think it likes a modified follower in the 30 rounders, but i think it holds 11 or 12. . i dont have much experience with the mags on my 450, its just been waiting for sights.... 
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Quoted:
yes, all three will work on a lower without modification. that is one of the selling points of them, just swap out your .223 upper, and put big holes in big stuff. The 450 Bushmaster puts big holes in stuff alright.  Lots of fun to shoot but expensive to keep it fed.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
yes, all three will work on a lower without modification. that is one of the selling points of them, just swap out your .223 upper, and put big holes in big stuff. The 450 Bushmaster puts big holes in stuff alright. Lots of fun to shoot but expensive to keep it fed.
But not as expensive as some other big bores....
and pretty affordable if you reload.. |
| Thanks for the info guys. I was just at Midway and they have factory .450 B and .50 Beowulf for a little over a dollar per round. I can live with that. The cheapest I have found .458 SOCOM is almost $3 per round. I intend to do some reloading in the future, but I would like to build up my collection a little more first. I read somewhere that EOTechs and Aimpoints are safe to use with the bigbores, what about a variable magnification scope? Any recommendations on what models can take the abuse? Is it even worth putting a scope like this on any of these since the effective range is under 200 yards? |
... was that loaded ammo or brass only?
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rightnotleft, as for optics I plan on running the Weaver Classic V 1-3x20
Like you mentioned it's a 200yrd gun, you don't need alot of magnification. From my initial testing at 1x, its a quick both eyes open scope, with the ability to "zoom" in just enough. As for durability, from the reviews I have read I have no fear to use it on my .450. There people using it on shotguns, 45/70's etc. |
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thebrassknuckles, check MIdwayUSA for factory ammo. They are currently out of stock, but usually carry all of Alexander Arms ammo. They are $30 per box of 20 except for the 400 grain (goes for $43 for a box of 20). They also carry Remington and Hornady factory ammo for .450 Bushmaster ($25-27 for box of 20). They also carry all SBR ammo for the .458 SOCOM ($42-72 per box depending) for anybody interested.
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.450 bushmaster
Question - Is it good for deer This year I took 3 deer with the 450bm and last year I took 2 deer with it. Question - is it good out to 200yds Yes I took a doe this year @ 189yds checked with a rangefinder Question - what kind of scope Most any scope made for modern high power rifles will work. I use a 3-9x40 Nikon Prostaff with the BDC 1.5 in high @ 100yds and it is dead on with the 2nd circle down @ 200yds. |
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I have taken deer, bear, water jugs, trees and the occasional engine block with my 450, LOL
It has never failed to drop whatever it has hit, with a Bill Springfield worked over trigger and a 3-9 scope, popping porcupines out of trees at 100+ yards is not hard at all, LOL I prefer the 16" barrel, ACE skeleton stock and use a mid-length fore arm tube. This makes for a very nice truck and woods gun. Light, easy to carry and sling on long hikes, handles quickly in dense underbrush. I use the Nikon Omega 3x9 muzzleloader scope. The BDC is very close to being spot on with the factory Hornady 450 fodder, it is spec'd/designed for the same bullet with comparable ballistics. Another great feature is the additional eye relief allows for the scope to be mounted further forwards allowing easier target acquisition, especially moving targets. |
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