450 Bushmaster Reloading. Hand Loading for Hunting

[@buyUSA9808]

Greetings from Ohio. That's the exact load I use in my 18" Ruger American gen 1. I haven't chronoed them but the 250gr FTXs hit the same POA as Hornady Black. Shots touching at 200 yards. I've taken 3 whitetails with 1 shot apiece with these loads. My only beef is the jacket always separates and slices my fingers when butchering/dressing. I picked up a couple pairs of nitrile coated kevlar gloves to use when cutting so I hope that fixes the issue. I really don't wanna change bullets when these perform so well.

[@bill_B52H_EW]

@@buyUSA9808 thanks for the note. I’ll keep an eye out. Most of mine were within 50 yards and w exit holes - which showed good expansion. But. If you ever find a better bullet I’m all ears. Just not the Hornady FTX.

[@KegOpetator]

When you get a little over 40 gr, specifically 40.2 the groups are touching. I use the 450 ar with an 18” barrel. Good stuff and appreciate the video

[@bill_B52H_EW]

I may try that. The Bushmaster barrel is not as high quality as that Michigan based Brenton. My buddy’s were touching at 100 yards w that load and barrel. TTSX flies a bit better than TSX. Thanks for input!

[@RobertSmith-ub6tk]

Awesome video thanks for sharing. I just got a bushmaster for Christmas. Finding ammo quite expensive and I got some reloading equipment so I’m give that a shot. Good luck this year. Peace of Lord be with you.

[@bill_B52H_EW]

Good luck Robert. I hope you enjoy the caliber as much as I do. Reach out if you have any questions along the way! Peace of HIM to you as well.

[@Juliang61]

Wow, it's almost like watching myself, mostly the same equipment. Good to know the bullets work properly, as Barnes normally do!!

[@bill_B52H_EW]

@@Juliang61 thanks for the comment. Simple set up that really works for rifle or pistol. That Barnes bullet is lights out good!

[@ShaunFritz]

Hornady black factory ammo dropped this year’s mule deer where it stood at a 175 yards shot. I recovered the bullet, it almost went through stopping only at the opposite sides hide. It was well mushroomed and maintained weight. I’m impressed alright. I’d buy those 250 grain ftx bullets from hornady for reloading if I could ever find them

[@bill_B52H_EW]

If it works for you then keep using it. It flies straight but I don’t think the lead is bonded to the jacket. Midway sells the 450 ftx bullet (quite sure anyway). Try the same load on this video.

[@charlesshoemaker3622]

I have had 2 factory FTX bullets blow up on contact on 200 or so lb hogs. I decided to handload as well and the TTSX has performed perfectly for me as well. We’re very close on the Lil Gun. Great video

[@bill_B52H_EW]

That’s a pig killing caliber and bullet. Thx for comment!

[@PREPARED067]

That would make sense to me lol

[@anthony6868]

I'm using the same amount of powder 35.3 of lil gun. My chronograph is reading 2330 fps that's around 3,000foot pounds of energy. Out of a 20'' barrel

[@ozark_trapper]

My wife ordered me a Ruger Gen 2 450 bushmaster. Arkansas passed it where straight wall cartridge during muzzle loader season. But we can't use semi-automatic rifles. Planning on topping it with a Leupold freedom 3x9x40mm 450 bushmaster model. I use Lil gun in shotgun reloading. Looking at reloading a hornady Interlock 250 gr or a xtp 240 gr. Bear Creek Ballistic has some nice 250 gr copper bullets. But 78.00 for 50 ct. Also going to try the 250 gr flex tip bullets. Alot of public land here. Is overrun with hogs. I would like to try the 450 on coyotes. But we can't use anything larger than a 30 cal.

[@bill_B52H_EW]

Consider the Barnes TTSX. To me that’s the Cadillac and is lights out. Will run fine in a bolt. It’s about $1 per bullet but for hunting we pay for so much right down to our boots and gas. The tip of the spear needs to be the best. I never skimp on the gun, optics, or bullet. Good luck!

[@medfloat5001]

Hot damn! Comments are on. Thank you to your friend that stopped by to pick up those rounds.

[@rickyshultz2051]

The handguard and barrel match mine , the 20” barrel took awhile to find , 16” barrels were plentiful!

[@bill_B52H_EW]

It’s a nice upper. I hope you have as much luck with it as I have had

[@rickyshultz2051]

the FTx will hold together if you get the ftx mag bullets , my load is 37.9 grains of LIL GUN ! We’re not far off ! 👍

[@bill_B52H_EW]

Thanks for the comment. I’ll check out the ftx mag as I’m a fan of Hornady. Good luck hunting!

[@jakelapoint]

Ill be loading 200gr rtfp hard cast soon here. Got a frw powders on hand but nothing specific to 450 bush. I have the cci 400s and a bunch of hornady once-fired brass. I have imr 4350, unique, and hercules 2400 on hand. May need a new powder.

[@bill_B52H_EW]

Yes grab a can of Lil Gun or H110. The burn rate is perfect for what you’re trying to do. 4350 is for high power long range. I’m not familiar with the others. The bullet sounds great. They won’t take a step. Good luck!

[@chrishill1286]

Hello Just got my 20 inch Rock River upper super stoked. I bout the Lee 4 die set. Big question I hope you respond. I am familiar with tapered crimp and Lee dies in my pistols and the case mouth on the 450 controls head space. I bought 4 boxes of Hornady ammo for donor brass and checked case diameters at the mouth to be .4775 to .4780. Are you replicating that number on your factory crimping die? I ask because I was looking at a bushmaster facebook forum and oh boy. Hope you had a merry Christmas Bill

[@bill_B52H_EW]

Hey Chris you’ll be pleased with that purchase. That round in the video shot three more times at three more deer last month and all three went right down. Two in their tracks. A big Buck that was heart shot at 100 yards ran about 50. Double lungs seems to buckle them on the spot. That’s good brass. I just went down and grabbed a box of the hand loaded 450 TTSX in the video. They all were between .477 and .478. Every single one. It’s not a huge heavy crimp. Same as yours. I just set it so it comes down solid but not too hard. My bullets creep a bit in the AR when I slam them home (don’t baby the action in the woods or you’ll need to use your forward assist or it’ll just go click and no bang). So I know it’s not too much. If your shells aren’t too long (which they rarely are) and you use that FCD. I think you’ll shoot great groups. Good luck!

[@francisbissii1120]

You should not use Brasso on cartridge cases. It has ammonia which causes brass to become brittle.

[@bill_B52H_EW]

Thank you sir. Always learning. Appreciate that

[@alerskin4760]

? R they hiting deer 2 drop it

[@naturalstatepoolandspallc338]

i noticed on the die kit directions, it said large rifle primers, not small. i know its small primers, just wondering if i saw that right on the die diagram instructions

[@bill_B52H_EW]

I’ve been told Hornady has switched to large rifle primer’s although I’m not sure why. The last box of black I bought were still small and I’m not sure what the Starlight brass are. I think either would provide consistency but I’ve never shot or loaded LRPs. I’d use the same data and my guess is you’ll have good results. I wouldn’t mix them obviously.

[@naturalstatepoolandspallc338]

@@bill_B52H_EW i just looked at my box and they are all large primers. i guess maybe it was a covid thing and they did what they had to do. i guess it wouldnt matter really.

[@medfloat5001]

Question? If you are loading for competition, why do use a ‘bulk’ loading sequence?

[@Ruteger100]

can you lock the camera down so I don't get seasick from the movement?

[@jamespollard1670]

Good stuff .

[@draghipink5]

What case holder are you using?

[@bill_B52H_EW]

I’m quite certain it’s a Lee. Rock Chucker is green.

[@medfloat5001]

Have you been working out?

[@Goesinya69]

Nice

[@medfloat5001]

Sooooo, loading a subsonic 150gr sp Hornady. Any sugfestions?

[@skipperruhl1430]

hornaday changed their primer pocket to large pistol primers

[@bill_B52H_EW]

No kidding? I wonder why. Thanks for letting me know.

[@rickyshultz2051]

That’s interesting, I wonder why ?