So... I'll preface this by admitting I have no business having this. I don't hunt. I don't even shoot much outside of an indoor range.
Sometimes you find yourself on-line past your bedtime and make good/bad decisions...

Here's my new upper. A .450 Bushmaster. I'm surprised there haven't been many posts on here regarding this caliber. 'Tis quite the Thumper. It is loud, it kicks, is somewhat expensive to shoot, but it makes big holes. Really big holes.

Looking forward to getting outside to actually take advantage of the scope. About 80 rounds through it so far in a couple sessions. I had one FTE on the second round. Smooth sailing since.

It is stupid fun to shoot. Pull the trigger and a grin forms immediately.

As Ferris would say, 'If you get the chance, I highly recommend picking one up'.

Todd



(Yes - the charging handle is missing in the photo. And it's not on safe...)

Edited - switched to Imgur from Photobucket.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: phxtoad,

I'd get the .458 SOCOM myself, just because "SOCOM" sounds like you're an operator.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
I'd get the .458 SOCOM myself, just because "SOCOM" sounds like you're an operator.

That was the only large-bore to use rifle bullets, wasn't it? I think the Bushmaster and Beowulf use handgun bullets, limiting potential.

I'm almost in the same boat as you. Several years ago, some kind soul on the firing line offered to let me shoot his 450 Bushmaster. I've been desperately jonesing for a big bore ever since, even though it makes no "sense". TBH, there's too much of a tactical operator mentality on the gun boards lately. Sometimes, just putting a smile on your face is good enough reason. I like.

I borrowed a buddy's .450 AR on a hog hunt a couple years ago. Ended up taking 4 hogs with it.

It definitely puts a smile on your face, and makes for a nifty shorter-range deer/hog hunting gun. Especially handy if you're in one of the states that restricts hunting calibers to straight-walled cartridges only.

Hogs interfering with deer hunting. I have a tack driving Bushmaster Varminter, considering a .450 upper. Seems like a good solution to the hog problem. Can't trap enough to do any good.

The caliber received a resurgence when Michigan and other Midwestern states allowed a straight walled cartridge .35 caliber or larger for deer hunting in areas that were shotgun only. It also has min and max cartridge lengths. That is why you're seeing it chambered in the Ruger American and Ruger Gunsite Scout.

The straight wall eliminated many rifle cartridges such as the .458 SOCOM and .50 BeoWolf, and left the .450 Bushmaster, pistol calibers (e.g. .44 magnum), and Wildcats.