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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
450 Bushmaster
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<blockquote data-quote="LouBoyd" data-source="post: 402182" data-attributes="member: 9253"><p>To me the choice boils down to bullet selection which pretty well determines the ballistics. There are three commonly available "big bore" AR-15 calibers. 50 Beowulf (Beo), 458 SOCOM, and 450 Bushmaster (BM). Of the three I don't own a 450 BM though I considered them all. </p><p></p><p> All three cartridges suffer from not being able to shoot heavy low drag bullets when shot from the AR-15 magazine which only allows a 2.28" cartridge OAL. That pretty much limits the range of the 50 Beo and the 450 BM to 300 yards supersonic. The 458 SOCOM has a little shorter but fatter case and can launch bullets with higher BCs, though not with as much energy. The 450 BM shoots .451" dia bullets so the section is pretty much what will shoot in a 45 ACP, though the 450 BM will shoot hem with a lot more energy. The 24" twist rate of the 450 BM also limits bullet length. (the standard 50 Beo is 19" and the standard 458 SOCOOM is 14" twist).</p><p> </p><p>For hog hunting at up to a couple of hundred yards the 458 BM should provide good terminal energy as will the other two. You'll have to decide which bullets for any of the three cartridges will provide the penetration and expansion characteristics you want. </p><p></p><p>This is the "Long Range Hunting" forum. I wouldn't call any of the three rifles "long range". but in order of useful range I'd rate them 458 SCOM #1, 50 Beowulf #2, and 450 Bushmaster #3. The edge on muzzle energy goes to the 50 Beowulf. </p><p></p><p>As far as rifle quality I have Busmasters in other chamberings. All three companies make good quality rifles. Look at ammo and/or brass availability. All three are proprietary cartridges with spotty availability and limited factory bullet selectons. You could get a Marlin 45/70 lever gun for less money which will kill hogs as well with better ammo availability. </p><p></p><p>Or maybe 458 Win mag for considerably more range and muzzle energy. Hogs come in sizes from under 100 to over 1000 lbs. Size does matter.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LouBoyd, post: 402182, member: 9253"] To me the choice boils down to bullet selection which pretty well determines the ballistics. There are three commonly available "big bore" AR-15 calibers. 50 Beowulf (Beo), 458 SOCOM, and 450 Bushmaster (BM). Of the three I don't own a 450 BM though I considered them all. All three cartridges suffer from not being able to shoot heavy low drag bullets when shot from the AR-15 magazine which only allows a 2.28" cartridge OAL. That pretty much limits the range of the 50 Beo and the 450 BM to 300 yards supersonic. The 458 SOCOM has a little shorter but fatter case and can launch bullets with higher BCs, though not with as much energy. The 450 BM shoots .451" dia bullets so the section is pretty much what will shoot in a 45 ACP, though the 450 BM will shoot hem with a lot more energy. The 24" twist rate of the 450 BM also limits bullet length. (the standard 50 Beo is 19" and the standard 458 SOCOOM is 14" twist). For hog hunting at up to a couple of hundred yards the 458 BM should provide good terminal energy as will the other two. You'll have to decide which bullets for any of the three cartridges will provide the penetration and expansion characteristics you want. This is the "Long Range Hunting" forum. I wouldn't call any of the three rifles "long range". but in order of useful range I'd rate them 458 SCOM #1, 50 Beowulf #2, and 450 Bushmaster #3. The edge on muzzle energy goes to the 50 Beowulf. As far as rifle quality I have Busmasters in other chamberings. All three companies make good quality rifles. Look at ammo and/or brass availability. All three are proprietary cartridges with spotty availability and limited factory bullet selectons. You could get a Marlin 45/70 lever gun for less money which will kill hogs as well with better ammo availability. Or maybe 458 Win mag for considerably more range and muzzle energy. Hogs come in sizes from under 100 to over 1000 lbs. Size does matter. [/QUOTE]
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