Ruger American 450 Bushmaster review of loads and rifle
I was able to put some 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 shoot
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....
1670 1580 1504fps
1745 1649 1561fps
2295 2130 1995fps wow what happened?
1789 1689 1605fps
355gr WLNGC's 31grs Lilgun
1852 1738 1638fps
1844 1740 1648fps
1827 1723 1626fps
I still have 405gr WLNGC's and 535gr Ranger Rick WLNGC's to work up loads for this rifle/cartridge combo just need to decide on starting loads for each before I attempt it.
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 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 stump appr 1' in diameter I was shooting downhill so put the first LR reticle dot on the spot on the log I was aiming at 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 issue 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 the mag that will hold the bullets further forward as well as they need a heavier spring.