If one were inclined to buy or build a 450 Bushmaster upper,

by Jared, Sunday, January 08, 2017, 20:48 (2878 days ago) @ rob

No matter what you load it with neither Is a long range rifle. I have shot both and own the beowulf. The Bushmaster is a little cheaper to feed, but I don't consider either a volume shooting rifle.

There are several good bullets and a lot of bad ones for the .450 bushmaster. Most all bullets will work in the .50 Beowulf. It runs at a little less pressure than a .500 S&W so velocity out of a 16" is about the same à son a 8 3/8" in the S&W.

The 3 loads i have been using most are a cheap 334 gr Rainier PHP at 1850 FPS . A 375 gr Barnes at just under 1800 FPS, and a 450 gr cast LFN at 1550 FPS. Tony is running a 500 gr Hornady at 1400+ and that is a load I would like to play with.

The 375 gr Barnes at 1800 is a hammer as is the 450 gr cast , either would kill most anything that's needed it. The Beowulf will outrun the 50-70 with all weights and run with a 50-90 up to 500gr or so. I haven the played with any of the ultra lightweight bullets but they can be had down to 250gr if that is what you are looking for.

The .450 is a good cartridge and makes great sense in states with cartridge restrictions. It reminds me a little of the .444. I love the .444 but a .45-70 is just a better all around cartridge.