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Rifle · SAAMI

.450 Bushmaster

.450 BM11.5x43mm

SAAMI-standardized big-bore AR-15 cartridge.

Caliber
0.4524″ · 11.49 mm
Introduced
2007
Case
Rebated
Parent
.284 Winchester
Primary use
Hunting
Status
Active
Velocity2,100–2,300 fps
Energy2,400–2,900 ft·lb
Typical grains250 · 260 · 300 gr
Identity
Introduced
2007
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Tim LeGendre / Bushmaster
Manufacturer
Bushmaster / Hornady
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
69 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:24
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rebated
Pressure & range
Max pressure
38,500 psi
Eff. range
250 yd
Max range
1800 yd
Recoil
15–20 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X 250 gr, 2,200 fps, BC 0.350 G7 · 100 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd22002685-1.5″—
100 yd208524130.0″0.0
200 yd19742163-6.5″-3.1
300 yd18651931-21.9″-7.0
400 yd17591718-47.3″-11.3
500 yd16561521-84.1″-16.1
600 yd15551342-133.5″-21.2

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Precision Hunter ELD-X250 gr · ELD-X · 2,200 fps · BC 0.350 G7Buy now →
Best for DefenseLiberty Defense Civil Defense200 gr · HP · 2,400 fpsBuy now →
Best for TargetSIG Sauer Match Elite250 gr · OTM BTHP · 2,200 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .450 Bushmaster ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

Lazzeroni/MAST drawing · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀11.490.452✓
Neck ⌀12.190.480✓
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀12.700.500✓
Rim ⌀12.010.473✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.370.054✓
Neck lengthn/a
Case length43.181.700✓
Overall length57.402.260✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .450 Bushmaster is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 289 active loads across 33 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 289 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
HornadyPrecision Hunter ELD-X250ELD-X2,2002,6860.350 G7
Liberty DefenseCivil Defense200HP2,4002,558—
RemingtonPremier AccuTip260AccuTip2,2002,794—
HornadyOutfitter GMX250GMX Solid Copper2,2002,686—
HornadyAmerican Whitetail Interlock SP245Interlock SP2,2002,633—
Gorilla AmmunitionFMJ 250gr250FMJ2,2002,686—
BarnesVOR-TX TSX275TSX FP2,2002,955—
Cor-BonDPX TSX 250gr250DPX2,2002,686—
Bear Creek ArsenalFMJ230FMJ2,2002,471—
Black HillsGold250TSX2,2002,686—
HornadyCustom250XTP HP2,2002,686—
HornadyBLACK FMJ 250gr250FMJ2,2002,686—
HornadyBLACK FTX 250gr250FTX2,2002,686—
WinchesterPower Point250Power Point SP2,2002,686—
FiocchiShooting Dynamics250SP2,2002,686—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

1 reloading powder listed for .450 Bushmaster, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Lil'Gun
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .450 Bushmaster

12 models in the database chamber .450 Bushmaster. Browse all →

Ruger SFARSpringfield Armory SAINT Victor .450 Bushmaster 16-inchRuger Ruger American Go Wild .308 Win 22-inchMaxim Defense MD1000 .450 Bushmaster 5.5-inchThompson/Center Arms Compass II 450 Bushmaster 16.5-inchRuger AR-556 MPR .450 Bushmaster 16.1-inch (Folding)Ruger Precision Rifle .450 Bushmaster 20-inchRuger American Go WildCVA Cascade SB .450 Bushmaster 18-inchMossberg Patriot .450 Bushmaster 20-inchAnderson Manufacturing AM-15 450 Bushmaster 16-inchRuger Gunsite Scout .350 Legend 16.5-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent
.284 Winchester
Direct descendants (1)
.30 Remington AR
Family TreeOpen .450 Bushmaster in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads289 factory loads for .450 Bushmaster↗Reloading1 suitable powder — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .450 Bushmaster↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Originally developed by Tim LeGendre and licensed to Bushmaster in 2007. Commercialized with Hornady ammunition support. SAAMI standardization gave it advantage over proprietary competitors. Became very popular when several Midwestern states legalized straight-wall cartridges for deer hunting. Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan hunters embraced it. Most commercially successful of the AR-15 big-bore cartridges.

FAQs

What twist rate does .450 Bushmaster use?
.450 Bushmaster typically uses a 1:24 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .450 Bushmaster?
.450 Bushmaster uses a 0.4524″ (11.49 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .450 Bushmaster still in production?
.450 Bushmaster is active; typical availability is common.
What is .450 Bushmaster used for?
.450 Bushmaster is primarily used for hunting.
What is .450 Bushmaster based on?
.450 Bushmaster is derived from the .284 Winchester case.
What are the best powders for .450 Bushmaster?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .450 Bushmaster include Lil'Gun.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 289 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →