Ruger American 450 Bushmaster Rifle and Load Review

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Moki

Bearcat
Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
46
Location
BC, Canada
I was able to put some 450 Bushmaster loads with 225gr - 240gr - 300gr - 355gr bullets with AA#9, Lilgun and AA1680 powder together and get out and shoot them today was raining when I headed out with my dogs but it started to clear up when I headed up into the mountains.

I recently purchased a 16" barreled Ruger American in 450 Bushmaster installed a Leupold VX2 2-7x33mm long range reticle scope with Leupold PRW rings.

I wasn't shooting for accuracy more to check velocities but I have to say I am very happy with the grouping I was getting with the different loads and bullet weights I used Win small rifle primers.

I set up my LabRadar doppler radar unit to read ranges at muzzle - 25 yards and 50 yards I set up my target @ 60 yards .

225gr Hornady FTX with 41grs Lilgun
2453 2303 2160fps
2451 2301 2160fps
2441 2293 2151fps

I put together a reduced recoil load for my wife to use for plinking and camp defense (she is not a hunter) this is the lowest listed load with AA#9 powder that Accurate Powders lists I would still like to slow it down a bit for even less recoil

225gr Hornady FTX with 34grs AA#9
2123 1984 1857fps
2029 1894 1770fps
2090 1955 1827fps

240gr XTP-Mag 40grs Lilgun
2396 2224 2064fps
2462 2283 2123fps
2373 2203 2051fps

300gr XTP-Mag 41grs AA1680 I really don't know what to say about this load other than I'll try Lilgun next....
1670 1580 1504fps
1745 1649 1561fps
2295 2130 1995fps wow what happened?
1789 1689 1605fps

355gr WLNGC's 31grs Lilgun this load should be able to take any game animal in North America
1852 1738 1638fps
1844 1740 1648fps
1827 1723 1626fps

I still have 280gr WFNGC's, 405gr WLNGC's and 535gr Ranger Rick's WLNGC's to work up loads for this rifle/cartridge combo just need to decide on starting loads for each before I attempt loading the two heavier bullets.

As to accuracy like I said I was not shooting for accuracy I had set up my LabRadar on the hood of my pickup and just rested my elbows on the hood so the muzzle was high enough to register on the LabRadar with that said I have to say I'm very happy with the accuracy I was getting = the 225 - 240gr bullets went mostly into one ragged hole the 300gr XTP-Mags due to their reduced velocity had close to the same impact as the 355gr loads which was appr 5" lower than the 225gr loads.

Coming out of the mountains I saw at 190 yards ahead of me out on a logging road landing a log round standing on end it was appr 1' in diameter I was shooting downhill so put the first LR reticle dot on my aim point the 225gr FTX bullet hit within 1" max of my aiming point to say I am starting to like this light weight thumper combo is an understatement.

I do have one serious issue/concern that is the mags and the feeding I had major issues trying to feed the 240gr XTP-Mag loads they jammed the top round making it difficult to even get the mag out to clear the jam I feel these mags should have a spacer at the back of them that will hold the bullets further forward as well as they need a heavier spring. What was happening is the rear of the top bullet rim would drop down in front of the second round jamming it between the front of the second bullet and the chamber.
 

Moki

Bearcat
Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
46
Location
BC, Canada
I just pulled both my factory mags apart was simple just slipped a thin screwdriver in the slot down the back of the mag and pushed a tab down I then just slipped the bottom plate of the mag back a bit then popped the spring/follower out.

The spring looks exactly like the springs used on hinged floor plate model rifles I stretched the spring out then popped it all back together pushed the lock tab back into place to lock it there is now a slightly heavier feel hopefully enough to make a difference.

I also see that it could be possible to mod the mag by grinding off the back appr 1/4" off the follower then screwing a plate/block on the rear of the mag body this would keep the bullets seated further forward in the mag preventing the bullets from jamming.

Before modding a mag I'm thinking of using a slightly heavier crimp so there is nothing that will grab as the bullet is pushed forward with the bolt.
 

Moki

Bearcat
Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
46
Location
BC, Canada
I dug up my 20" barreled LSI M92 454 Casull rifle data to compare the velocities between it and the 450 Bushmaster = they are very close.

These are not top Freedom Arms 454 Casull loads these loads were designed for my 6 shot 4.25" barreled Ruger Super Redhawk.

Ruger made the 454 Casull SRH cylinders with a super tough but slightly stretchy metal it can handle the top FA loads and more but with the cylinder stretching when fired FA loads would lock my fired brass in the cylinder so my loads were worked up until the cases had slight extraction issues I then backed off my load 1/2 gr.

20" LSI Puma M92 454 Casull Data...

240gr XTP-Mag 38grs H110 1) 2258 2) 2327 3) 2316

300gr XTP-Mag 30grs H110 1) 1858 2) 1821

300gr Speer Gold Dot 31grs H110 1) 1890 2) 1897

360gr C/P WLNGC's 27grs Lil-gun 1) 1848 2) 1846 3) 1828

395gr C/P WLNGC's 24grs Lil-Gun 1) 1647 2) 1642 3) 1650
 
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