Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Bushmaster’s 450 BM SD is a straight wall hammer that carries like an AR-15, hits like a sledge, and stays manageable thanks to smart parts and a good recoil pad.
Why 450 Bushmaster Still Matters For Deer And Hogs
Hunters often toss big bores into one bucket and call them meat wasters. Not all big bores behave the same. In straight wall states, the 450 BM shines, and Bushmaster’s own 450 BM chambered rifles show why. The Bushmaster 450 BM SD is part of a purpose built AR platform lineup that lets this cartridge show its best ballistics. After seasons of use, here is why you may want one riding in the truck when deer or hogs are on the menu.
Table of contents
- Why 450 Bushmaster Still Matters For Deer And Hogs
- Field Proven Lineage The Bushmaster 450 BM Family
- Features That Make The 450 BM SD Hunt Ready
- Real Range Notes Accuracy Recoil And Loads
- Hunter’s Log What The 450 BM SD Does In The Field
- Optics That Survive 450 BM Recoil
- Other Bushmaster 450 BM AR 15 Options
- Specifications Bushmaster 450 BM SD
- Pros And Cons Big Bore Truth
- Related Reads From GunsAmerica Digest
Field Proven Lineage The Bushmaster 450 BM Family
The Bushmaster 450 BM family includes multiple 20 inch barrel rifles with different furniture. The 450 BM SD has been around long enough to prove itself, though it was not the first. Credit for the 450 BM cartridge traces to Tim LeGendre, influenced by the late Col. Jeff Cooper’s “Thumper” concept from 1982. With Hornady’s push, 450 BM hit production in 2007. The platform here is AR-15 sized, which keeps weight and handling in check compared to AR-10s. This is a hard use rifle, not a safe queen.
Features That Make The 450 BM SD Hunt Ready
The 450 BM SD uses a 7150 forged upper and lower, an aerospace grade aluminum alloy that delivers strength and wear resistance. The AAC Square Drop handguard carries a full length Picatinny rail for easy optics and accessories. The 20 inch 4150 chrome lined barrel runs a 1 in 24 twist, a smart match for typical 450 BM loads. A fixed thumbhole stock is standard. The length of pull is set and a bit short for me, but the cheek weld is solid.
The ALG Defense ACT trigger uses a curved blade. Mine shows a touch of grit on the take up, then breaks clean with a short reset. Using a Lyman Digital Trigger Pull Gauge, the average pull weight came in at 5 pounds, 6 ounces. A Bushmaster muzzle brake, Remington R 25 SuperCell Recoil Pad, and forward assist round out the package. Empty weight is 7 pounds, 7 ounces, lighter than many big bores while still a bit heavy for an AR-15.
Real Range Notes Accuracy Recoil And Loads
Know your 450 Bushmaster drop and drift before you hunt. With Hornady 250 grain FTX, expect about 9 inches of drop at 150 yards with a 100 yard zero. Hornady has produced some of the tightest groups for me. The best so far is a 1.12 inch 3 shot group at 100 yards. Loads from Remington, Hornady, and Federal all run well, with Federal Power Shok 300 grain shining on feral hogs. On deer, results are exactly what you want.
Hunter’s Log What The 450 BM SD Does In The Field
I have hunted rabbits, coyotes, feral hogs, and whitetail deer with this Bushmaster 450 BM SD. Shot placement still rules, especially if you do not want to lose meat. When you put bullets where they belong, you do not see catastrophic waste, rabbits being the obvious exception. Recoil feels fully manageable, helped by the SuperCell pad and brake. If you want even softer shooting, lighter 250 grain loads are easier on the shoulder than 300 grain loads, and they still anchor game fast.
Versatility For Straight Wall States And Tough Weather
In some states you need a straight walled cartridge for deer season. The Bushmaster 450 BM SD fits that slot well. I have run this rifle in half a dozen states and in everything from dust storms to ten foot drifts to 110 degree heat. Early on I saw some magazine related feeding hiccups. That got sorted, and the rifle has been boringly reliable since. If you are chasing multiple species on one trip, it is nice to carry one rifle that does it all.
Optics That Survive 450 BM Recoil
Pick glass that meets or beats the rifle. I have run Leupold, Trijicon, Riton, ATN, and Acme on the Bushmaster 450 BM. All handled the recoil. Any quality scope should handle 450 BM, but it never hurts to confirm with the maker. Decide on your likely distances and preferred reticle, then mount it solidly and confirm zero.
Other Bushmaster 450 BM AR 15 Options
Bushmaster builds several 450 BM AR 15s on the XM 15 platform. The Bushmaster BOAR and Bravo Zulu offer telescoping stocks. Both run 20 inch barrels with full length Pic rails. The fixed stock model remains popular. Not everyone wants more moving parts on a hunting rifle. Check out the full Bushmaster 450 BM family on the manufacturer site.
Specifications Bushmaster 450 BM SD
| Manufacturer | Bushmaster |
|---|---|
| Model | 450 BM SD |
| Caliber | 450 BM |
| Action | Semi-automatic, direct impingement |
| Stock | Remington R-25 with SuperCell Recoil Pad |
| Handguard | AAC Square-Drop with full-length Picatinny rail |
| Barrel length | 20 inches |
| Barrel material | 4150 chrome-lined steel |
| Twist rate | 1 in 24 |
| Trigger | ALG Defense ACT |
| Muzzle threaded | 11/16×24 |
| Overall length | 39.25 inches |
| Weight | 7 pounds, 7 ounces, empty |
| Capacity | Ships with a 5-round magazine |
Pros And Cons Big Bore Truth
- Pros: Straight wall legal in many states, hard hitting terminal performance, manageable recoil with SuperCell pad, solid 20 inch chrome lined barrel, reliable after early mag fixes.
- Cons: Fixed thumbhole length of pull not adjustable, a bit heavy for an AR-15, ALG ACT shows slight grit before the clean break.
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Available on GunsAmerica Now
Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a prolific outdoor writer based in North Texas. Her love and enjoyment of firearms extends to both self-defense and hunting, and she’s driven to teach safe gun handling. Kat’s the author of several books and thousands of articles as well as a successful editor with more than a decade of experience in marketing. With experience in everything from defensive handgun use to field dressing a deer, Kat’s background is varied and extensive. She firmly believes in the importance of protecting the Second Amendment as well as the First.
When she’s not behind a gun or processing her own game meat, Kat can be found trapping, boating, doing yoga, and mudding. The outdoors and the Lone Star State are where she belongs.
Experience
Author:
Handgun Hunting and anthologies including The Deer Shot Back: And Other Hunting Tales and How Not to Shoot Fish and Other Deer That Got Away.
Dedicated Outdoorsman:
Year-round enthusiast of hunting, trapping, and fishing.
Advanced Training:
More than 1000 hours of training in defensive handguns, long guns, edged weapons, self-defense law, force-on-force, handgun retention, and related topics.
Focused Specialty Skills:
Expert witness. Massad Ayoob Group certified Deadly Force Instructor and graduate of Active Self Protection The Practice & Preparation of Being an Expert Witness.