The 450 Bushmaster has become a go-to deer round in states that limit hunters to straight-walled cartridges. It also gives an AR-15 owner real big-game punch. Before you pick a box, it helps to see 450 Bushmaster ballistics side by side. This guide lists published velocity and energy for every load we stock. It then answers the questions hunters ask most.
What Caliber Is a 450 Bushmaster?
The 450 Bushmaster fires a .452 inch bullet. That is a .45 caliber bullet, close in size to a 45 ACP or 454 Casull bullet but much faster. The case is a straight-walled rimless design sized to fit an AR-15 magazine well.
It came to market in 2007. It was built around an old idea: a big-bore “thumper” round for a light, handy rifle. Today it is chambered in AR-15 uppers, bolt actions and single-shot rifles.
450 Bushmaster Ballistics Table
Here are the loads with published figures, from 245 to 395 grains. Two more loads, from Winchester Power Point and Remington Core-Lokt, are in stock without published numbers.
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bore | 250 | JHP | 2,250 | 2,810 | 20-round box |
| Fort Scott TUI | 250 | Solid copper | 2,261 | 2,838 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Black | 250 | FTX | 2,200 | 2,686 | 20-round box |
| Winchester Deer Season XP | 250 | Extreme Point | 2,200 | 2,686 | 20-round box |
| Barnes VOR-TX | 250 | TSX copper | 2,200 | 2,687 | 20-round box |
| Hornady American Whitetail | 245 | InterLock SP | 2,200 | 2,633 | 20-round box |
| Federal Fusion | 260 | Bonded SP | 2,200 | 2,794 | 20-round box |
| Remington Premier | 260 | AccuTip | 2,180 | 2,743 | 20-round box |
| Buffalo Bore | 275 | Barnes XPB | 2,000 | 2,442 | 20-round box |
| HSM Bear | 300 | Speer SP | 1,950 | 2,532 | 20-round box |
| Federal Power-Shok | 300 | JHP | 1,900 | 2,405 | 20-round box |
| Buffalo Bore | 360 | Hard cast | 1,700 | 2,310 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Subsonic | 395 | FTX | 1,050 | 967 | 20-round box |
What jumps out
- The 250 to 260-grain loads cluster near 2,200 fps. Hornady Black 250 grain FTX lists 2,200 fps and 2,686 ft-lb.
- Fort Scott TUI 250 grain lists the top speed at 2,261 fps, but from a 24-inch test barrel.
- Federal Fusion 260 grain lists the most energy at 2,794 ft-lb.
- The Hornady Subsonic 395 grain drops to 1,050 fps for suppressed use.
How to Read These Numbers
Velocity is speed at the muzzle, in feet per second. Energy is the bullet’s punch at the muzzle, in foot-pounds. Energy is figured from bullet weight and the square of speed.
Test barrels matter. Hornady lists a 20-inch test barrel for its Black and Custom loads. Many AR uppers have 16 or 18-inch barrels, so expect a bit less speed. Cold weather can slow some powders. High altitude does not change muzzle speed much, but thin air helps the bullet keep its speed downrange.
These are muzzle figures only. We don’t publish drop tables. Zero your rifle and check your real drop at 100, 150 and 200 yards before the season.
Is 450 Bushmaster Good for Deer?
Yes. It was built for this. A 250 to 260-grain expanding bullet at around 2,200 fps hits deer hard at normal woods ranges. Good options:
- Winchester Deer Season XP 250 grain, made for fast expansion on deer.
- Hornady American Whitetail 245 grain, a classic soft point.
- Barnes VOR-TX 250 grain TSX, a lead-free copper option.
Straight-wall rules differ by state. Some set limits on case length or caliber. Always check your state’s current regulations before you hunt.
How Far Can a 450 Bushmaster Shoot Accurately?
The rifle can hit targets well past where it makes sense to hunt. The fat bullet loses speed and drops fast. Most hunters keep shots inside about 200 yards. Your own limit depends on your rifle, your zero and how well you shoot from field positions. Practice at the distances you expect to hunt.
Bigger Game and Other Uses
Hogs: 275 to 300-grain bullets with good weight retention, like the Buffalo Bore 275 grain Barnes XPB.
Black bear: 300-grain soft points or the 360-grain hard cast load.
Suppressed shooting: the Hornady 395-grain subsonic. Check that your rifle cycles it.
AR-15 Fit and Magazines
Will a 450 Bushmaster upper fit a 223 lower? Yes. A 450 upper goes on a standard AR-15 lower. Does it use 5.56 magazines? Plan on dedicated 450 Bushmaster magazines. Standard 5.56 mags are not made for this fat round and may not feed it well.
Weighing big-bore AR rounds? Read our 458 SOCOM ballistic data guide for the other main option. Reloaders can pick up Starline 450 Bushmaster brass.
Shop 450 Bushmaster Ammo
Every load above is in our 450 Bushmaster ammo collection. Compare the 450 Bushmaster ballistics here, then match the bullet to your game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caliber is a 450 Bushmaster?
The 450 Bushmaster fires a .452 inch bullet, which is .45 caliber. The case is straight-walled and rimless. It was sized to fit in an AR-15 magazine well with a dedicated upper.
Is 450 Bushmaster good for deer?
Yes. A 245 to 260-grain expanding bullet suits deer at normal woods ranges. In our stock, Hornady Black 250 grain FTX lists 2,200 fps. Check your state’s rules, since some limit deer hunting to certain straight-walled rounds.
Will a 450 Bushmaster upper fit a 223 lower?
Yes. A complete 450 Bushmaster upper fits a standard AR-15 lower receiver. You will still need magazines made for the 450 Bushmaster. Standard 5.56 magazines are not built for it.
How far can a 450 Bushmaster shoot accurately?
The rifle can reach well past normal hunting range, but the heavy bullet drops fast. Most hunters keep shots inside about 200 yards. Zero your rifle and confirm your drop at the distances you plan to shoot.
What is a 450 Bushmaster good for?
It is mainly a deer and hog round. It also handles black bear with heavier bullets. Subsonic loads let you shoot it quietly with a suppressor. It is a short to medium range cartridge, not a long-range one.
