450 Bushmaster fot Hunting -- AR or Bolt Action?

[450BM]

Agree that meat damage is extensive w/ 450 Bushmaster on deer w/ supersonic loads. With subsonic (which is what I plan to use) damage will be similar to that of 44 mag. With a Hornady 395 grain bullet leaving the muzzle at 1050 fps (976 ft-lbs) at 200 yds the velocity will be 920 fps & energy 742 ft-lbs. Although not at the 1000 ft-lbs. threshold often used for min energy to harvest game, this is on a 45 cal bullet which starts as a big hole & should expand some.

Did you get a 450BM? If not, my recommendation is a CVA Cascade. My first of four Cascades was the 450 and I liked it so much I bought 3 more in 308, 350 Legend, and 300 BO.

Mine is sub MOA with jacketed bullet reloads.

This wasn’t a “whoopee, look at the new cartridge I need to buy that I can shoot out of an AR-15” purchase. I really wanted a 44 Magnum rifle and after getting rid of a Marlin 1894 that I couldn’t get to shoot accurately (with anything), I settled on the Cascade in 450BM. It will shoot substantially harder than the 44mag but I shoot mostly cast bullets in the 44mag velocity range. So, it’s the rifle I wanted in a different caliber…

The only thing I didn’t like about it is the small primer pockets but have since attained some empties with large primers. Pretty sure I’ll get better ignition with the slower powders and should be able to use smaller charges but getting the same velocities. Some testing is in order…

 

[MMH]

Did you get a 450BM? If not, my recommendation is a CVA Cascade. My first of four Cascades was the 450 and I liked it so much I bought 3 more in 308, 350 Legend, and 300 BO.

Cascade gets good reviews. Unfortunately it has a 1:24 twist and I need a 1:16 for heavy subsonic bullets.

 

[mic2377]

I have a Ruger Gunsite Scout (short barrel M77) in 450 BM. It has a 1/16 twist. It has been a good shooter and stabilizes the 395 SUBx without difficulty.

The Ruger American may also work if you want to save some $$$.

 

[450BM]

Cascade gets good reviews. Unfortunately it has a 1:24 twist and I need a 1:16 for heavy subsonic bullets.

Cascade gets good reviews. Unfortunately it has a 1:24 twist and I need a 1:16 for heavy subsonic bullets.

I don’t have experience with heavy bullets having shot only 235ish + in the 1200 fps range. I have some 330’s I’ve been meaning to try but haven’t yet.

The Cascade has gone up quite a lot since I bought the 450 which I paid under $300 for in 2020. Now they are in the $700 range. I like them but not sure they’re worth that much more than the Rugers, especially with your criteria.

The short 235 bullets I shoot group very well but the longer 260’s were terrible and it may have been the slow twist. (I was shooting them slow). Maybe I’ll try cranking them up a bit and see if it makes a difference.