Locating accurate .450 Bushmaster load data is essential for maximizing the straight-walled, heavy-hitting performance of this popular AR-15 and bolt-action cartridge.
This comprehensive guide compiles trusted .450 Bushmaster reloading data to help you safely develop the perfect thumper round for deer, hogs, and black bears.
Whether you are loading lightweight 200-grain monolithic projectiles or the classic 250-grain FTX bullets, always cross-reference these published figures before charging your cases.
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.450 Bushmaster Load Data
| Bullet | Bullet Weight | Powder | Published Starting Load | Published Maximum Load | Published Velocity | Barrel Length / Firearm | Source |
| Hornady FTX | 250 gr | Lil’Gun | 34.5 gr | 38.5 gr (38,000 PSI) | 2,050 – 2,250 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Hodgdon |
| Barnes XPB | 200 gr | H110 | 39.0 gr | 43.5 gr (37,500 PSI) | 2,300 – 2,550 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Barnes Bullets |
| Hornady XTP Mag | 300 gr | Accurate 1680 | 34.5 gr | 38.5 gr | 1,750 – 1,950 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Western Powders |
| Sierra JHP | 240 gr | CFE BLK | 37.0 gr | 41.5 gr | 1,950 – 2,150 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Hodgdon |
| Barnes TSX | 275 gr | W296 | 31.0 gr | 34.5 gr (38,200 PSI) | 1,850 – 2,050 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Hodgdon |
.450 Bushmaster Reloading Data
| Bullet | Bullet Weight | Powder | Published Starting Load | Published Maximum Load | Published Velocity | Barrel Length / Firearm | Source |
| Hornady FTX | 250 gr | H110 | 36.0 gr | 41.0 gr (38,500 PSI) | 2,000 – 2,250 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Hodgdon |
| Speer DeepCurl | 300 gr | Lil’Gun | 28.5 gr | 31.5 gr | 1,700 – 1,880 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Speer Bullets |
| Hornady XTP Mag | 240 gr | IMR 4227 | 34.0 gr | 38.0 gr | 1,900 – 2,100 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Hodgdon |
| Hornady Sub-X | 395 gr | CFE BLK | 21.0 gr | 24.5 gr | 950 – 1,080 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Hornady |
| Hornady FTX | 225 gr | Accurate 1680 | 37.0 gr | 41.5 gr | 2,100 – 2,350 fps | 20″ / Universal Receiver | Western Powders |
Understanding the .450 Bushmaster Reloading Data
Introduced by Tim LeGendre of LeMag Firearms and standardized by Hornady and Bushmaster, the .450 Bushmaster was designed to bring “thumper” ballistics to the AR-15 platform. The cartridge is essentially a shortened .284 Winchester case blown out to accept a .452-inch bullet. Because it is a straight-walled cartridge that headspaces on the case mouth, you must never apply a heavy roll crimp. Handloaders must strictly utilize a taper crimp die to secure the bullet while leaving enough of the case mouth exposed to headspace properly in the chamber.
.450 Bushmaster Bullet Weight Reloading Data
The .450 Bushmaster uses .452-inch diameter bullets, the exact same diameter used by the .45 Colt and .454 Casull revolver cartridges. Standard rifle bullets measuring .458 inches (like those used in the .45-70 Government) cannot be used safely. The cartridge is primarily optimized for 200-grain to 300-grain bullets. The 250-grain Hornady FTX is universally considered the gold standard for supersonic hunting, while massive 395-grain bullets are occasionally used for specialized subsonic applications.
.450 Bushmaster Powder Reloading Data
Powder selection for the .450 Bushmaster heavily favors fast-burning rifle propellants and magnum pistol powders that perform efficiently inside the straight-walled case. Hodgdon Lil’Gun and H110 (or Winchester 296) are the undisputed industry favorites, providing massive velocities and clean burns. Other exceptional choices include Accurate 1680, IMR 4227, and Hodgdon CFE BLK. These fast-burning propellants deliver the rapid pressure curve necessary to effectively cycle an AR-15’s gas system while producing devastating muzzle velocities.
.450 Bushmaster Bullet and Powder Combinations
Pairing the right bullet with the appropriate powder ensures maximum reliability and terminal performance. A 250-grain polymer-tipped bullet paired with a hearty charge of Lil’Gun or H110 is the historical baseline for the cartridge, offering the best balance of speed and trajectory. When loading heavier 300-grain bullets for deep penetration on large hogs or bears, switching to slightly slower powders like Accurate 1680 or CFE BLK provides a smoother pressure curve and excellent case fill without dangerous pressure spikes.
.450 Bushmaster Velocity From Published Data
Published velocity figures highlight the .450 Bushmaster’s role as a devastating medium-range powerhouse. When utilizing lightweight 200-grain copper bullets, handloaders can comfortably achieve velocities pushing 2,400 to 2,500 fps. With the standard 250-grain FTX projectile, velocities settle reliably between 2,100 and 2,250 fps out of a 20-inch test barrel. Even massive 300-grain jacketed hollow points can be driven to nearly 1,900 fps, ensuring massive energy transfer upon impact.
.450 Bushmaster Reloading Data by Barrel Length
Most published load data for the .450 Bushmaster utilizes a 20-inch laboratory test barrel to simulate full-sized bolt-action rifles and long AR-15 uppers. Because the cartridge relies on fast-burning powders, it is highly efficient in shorter barrels. If you are shooting a standard 16-inch AR-15 carbine, you can expect a modest velocity loss of approximately 25 to 40 fps per inch of reduced barrel length. The cartridge remains incredibly lethal in compact rifles, but you should never overcharge the case to chase 20-inch velocities.
.450 Bushmaster Energy and Ballistics
The .450 Bushmaster delivers punishing kinetic energy, frequently generating nearly 2,800 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle with 250-grain bullets. Because it utilizes heavy, wide-diameter projectiles, it hits with massive hydrostatic shock and leaves enormous wound channels. However, the flat-nose and polymer-tipped bullets possess relatively low ballistic coefficients, causing them to shed velocity rapidly. The trajectory begins to drop heavily past 200 yards, cementing its role as a dedicated short-to-medium-range hunting round.
.450 Bushmaster Hunting Applications
The .450 Bushmaster was purpose-built to be the ultimate brush cartridge, and its legality in straight-walled restricted hunting states (like Michigan, Ohio, and Iowa) has caused its popularity to skyrocket. It is devastatingly effective on whitetail deer, feral hogs, black bears, and elk within 200 yards. The heavy .452-caliber bullets plow straight through heavy brush and bone, providing reliable pass-through penetration, making it an exceptional choice for hunters navigating dense timber or hunting from tree stands.
Manufacturer Data vs. Independent Testing
Because the .450 Bushmaster headspaces on the mouth and requires specific .452-inch projectiles, relying exclusively on official manufacturer data is absolutely critical. Independent forum data occasionally features handloaders mistakenly using .458-inch rifle bullets or oversized cast lead bullets, which can cause catastrophic overpressure spikes that destroy the firearm. Always prioritize verified load data published specifically for the .450 Bushmaster chamber to prevent dangerous structural failures.
.450 Bushmaster Pressure and Safety
The SAAMI Maximum Average Pressure (MAP) for the .450 Bushmaster is set at 38,500 PSI. Because it operates at high pressures for a straight-walled case, maintaining proper overall case length is critical. If a case is trimmed too short, it will slip too far into the chamber and cause a misfire. Furthermore, you must only apply a taper crimp; a heavy roll crimp will ruin the case’s ability to headspace properly. Always measure your brass meticulously and start load development at published minimums.
Best Sources for .450 Bushmaster Reloading Data
The most reliable sources for load data are the printed manuals and digital databases provided by Hodgdon and Hornady, who collaborated to bring the cartridge to market. The Hodgdon Reloading Data Center offers extensive, free digital tables for their top-performing powders like Lil’Gun, H110, and CFE BLK. Additionally, the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading provides meticulously tested data specifically tailored to their proprietary .452-inch FTX, InterLock, and XTP projectiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find .450 Bushmaster reloading data?
You can find accurate .450 Bushmaster reloading data digitally on the official Hodgdon Reloading Data Center and in published manuals from bullet manufacturers like Hornady and Barnes.
What powders are listed in published .450 Bushmaster data?
Commonly listed fast-burning rifle and magnum pistol powders include Hodgdon Lil’Gun, H110, Winchester 296, CFE BLK, Accurate 1680, and IMR 4227.
What bullet weights are covered in these tables?
These tables specifically cover the optimal .452-inch bullet weights for the cartridge, primarily ranging from 200-grain up to 300-grain projectiles, with 250 grains being the undisputed standard.
Does barrel length affect .450 Bushmaster velocity?
Yes, shooting from a 16-inch AR-15 carbine rather than the standard 20-inch test barrel will typically result in a minor velocity loss of roughly 25 to 40 feet per second per inch.
Can I use standard rifle primers for .450 Bushmaster?
Yes, standard small rifle primers (such as the Federal 205 or CCI 400) are universally required to safely handle the 38,500 PSI chamber pressures in commercial .450 Bushmaster brass.
What is the difference between .450 Bushmaster load data and reloading data?
There is no practical difference; both terms refer to the precise recipes of powder charges, bullet weights, and primers required to safely assemble the cartridge.
Why do published velocity figures differ between sources?
Velocity figures differ because testing facilities use varying specific test barrels, environmental conditions, brass lot capacities, and primer types during their distinct testing protocols.
Should I use the maximum published load?
You should never start with the maximum published load; always begin with the minimum recommended starting charge and carefully work up while monitoring your brass for pressure signs.
Can I use data from one bullet manufacturer for another bullet?
You should only use data specifically designed for the exact bullet profile you are loading, as variations in seating depth, bearing surface, and bullet construction drastically alter chamber pressures in straight-walled cartridges.
Where should I verify .450 Bushmaster load data before reloading?
You should strictly verify all load data against an official, recently published manufacturer manual or a powder company’s official online database before assembling any ammunition.