Straight wall rifle calibers

[Tim Swonger]

Wanting to buy for deer hunting out to 200 yds does anyone have any experience with 350 legend 400 legend or 450 bush master ?

 

[Bill K]

No first hand experience on the 450 BM and have not shot the other two, but all reports I read show the 350 & 400 to be good one's out to 2000-300 yrds. Check last day or so on threads and there is a report on the 400 on this site.

 

[dantiff2]

450 Bushmaster is a Queen in its own right. Just plain fun with bullets from 185 gn all the way up to 600 if you like!

 

[Savagenut71]

First hand experience, buy the 400 legend it will do 200 yds. My experience says 350 is 150 yds tops.

 

[Walt Krafft]

If a lever gun will work for you, 444 Marlin is a thumper.

 

[PhilKeil]

We have shot deer with 450 BM and 45 win mag to 200 they both work great.

 

[dantiff2]

450 will get ya out to 250 yards with little effort but to go beyond that will require some homework. You need to know your bullet and drop and know that wind is a huge factor beyond 200 yards. These bullets fly like a paper plate past 150 yards. Awesome power though!! Super fun suppressed and subsonic. I’ve put subsonic rounds on steel out to 300 yards with mine.

 

[std7mag]

45-70 is doable to 200+ yards if you do your part.

 

[Kime88]

I have had both the 350 and the 450 plus a 460 s&w the 460 will out perform both I would stay away from the 350

 

[Tim Swonger]

Thanks guys Happy Thanksgiving

 

[rayporter]

the 450bm and 45-70 work well for me

the 40 should be great-maybe the best of all, but it will die off from disuse.

 

[dantiff2]

if you are into loading and not stuck with store bought ammo offerings, don’t be afraid to try 458 diameter bullets in the 450. Just run them through a 452 resize die first and you now have TONS of bullet options at your disposal!

 

[dk17hmr]

Have a look at what Patriot Valley Arms is doing with 450 Bushmaster and their new monolithic bullet.

228gr Tipped Cayuga II - 452 Cal (Bushmaster)

office@patriotvalleyarms.com

patriotvalleyarms.com

I don't live in an area where I'm restricted on cartridges but would like to get one to play with now.

 

[Dale264]

Iowa Hunter. My experience with the 350L has been positive. That being said, all shots have been under 100yd, with most being 30-75yd. Most deer fell within 50yd of where they were hit. Finding a good expanding bullet is essential. Federal Blue box is underwhelming. I shoot Hornady 165ftx. Others I know shoot the Winchester 150gr copper solids. Blood tracking with the 350L has been poor. That's it's most apparent shortcoming.

If you want a big blood trail I'd look at the 400L or 450BM. Bigger bullet, bigger hole, but more recoil. Bullet selection is far better with the 450BM.

 

[450BM]

I have both but no hunting experience with either of them. I shoot them both A LOT with cast bullets but have jacketed loads too. I wouldn’t hesitate to use either one of them at 200 with a clear broadside shot, not so clear and I would hesitate some.

Both are CVA Cascades and I would buy them again and have as I also have a 308 and 300BO.

 

[mike mccormick]

I sure like my old 375 winchester. A 200gr bullet at 2500fps does a fine job

 

[dantiff2]

My 13 year old this morning with a 450. 395 sub-x stopped her instantly. Bout a 50 yard poke. He did good despite the 14* temps and 20 mph winds : O

 

[Tim Swonger]

Congratulations to your son look at that smile

 

[mic2377]

With straight wall cartridges bigger is better in my opinion. None are particularly high velocity and more frontal area equals a bigger hole in the setting of reduced expansion. Frontal area is your friend. The 450 BM has very good terminal effects within appropriate ranges. The 350 Legend still works but is a bit more lackluster.

 

[CADDIE5]

Several 450 BM articles written in Illinois Shooter Newspaper Fall, Summer, and Spring editions. Available online @ WWW.ISRA.ORG . Click tab for Newspaper. Bearcreekballistics.com has 240HV, 200AR, and 200HV factory ammo available. I'm hunting with the 223HV ammo this Illinois deer season. Article will be in Winter edition.