450Bushmaster.net

Just because we can, lets get a list of what 450BM load you're going to use this season. You can give out an exasperated explanation of all your thoughts or leave it short and simple. After the entire season is over maybe we can have a thread with results to include detailed photos and situation per harvest....

Since I've never shot a whitetail before

My 2019 bullet choice is 200 XPB 41 grains Lil-Gun, AR 20" barrel.

Hunting conditions are typical Emmet County mature hardwoods. If you're not familiar the distance can be upto 200 yards or as little as 10 yards sitting in one spot. Close to Stutsmanville rd and 5 Mile Creek rd.

Good luck, strive for DRT.


QDMA

I have a 225 FTX Moderate load worked up. Have shot one medium sized doe with this load in my home built AR. A DRT at 79 yards through the lungs. Exploded lungs and heart. About half the bullet and lots of frag found in chest cavity (what was left of it). Probably will try one more with this load and if have the same results will try different bullet next year!

Mine will be 275 grain XPB under 33.5 grains of lil gun. I had 3 shot 3/4” groups at 100 yards about a month ago.

I am going to use boxed ammo. I have not been able to do enough reloads to make hunting ammo. Most of what i have been working on is practice ammo, 250 grn hollowpoints I got from everglade ammo.

It might do well enough on white tail, but then it might not.
I owe the deer a quick clean death, so hornady black for them. Plus it will give me some more cases to work with. Coyote and other smaller ammo get the hollowpoint though.

250gr Bonded Shockwave, 48gr 300MP, from my Savage 45 Raptor. This gun really likes the 200gr Barnes but these are a very very close 2nd so found a few to give a try.

300gr XTP Mag, 45gr 1680, this has always been my go too load for my 16" Bushey 450. Mainly use it in the woods later in the season.

300gr Deep Curl, 44gr 300MP, buddy is trying for a hair test from my #1

200gr FTX, 31gr CFE BLK, in wifes 357 Maxi. I'm not a FTX fan in .452 or .458 for performance and semi hesitant on the 35cal, they are all very accurate thou, but may have her switch back to the 180gr Furys before Friday

275 grain Barnes TSX over 40 grains of H110 for both mine and my Dad's gun. Shoots just under 1" @ 100 yards out of both my APF upper and Dad's Bushmaster Upper. We used this combo last year with awesome results and we'll never go back to the FTX after having them grenade on us on multiple deer in previous years.

fox400 wrote:275 grain Barnes TSX over 40 grains of H110 for both mine and my Dad's gun. Shoots just under 1" @ 100 yards out of both my APF upper and Dad's Bushmaster Upper. We used this combo last year with awesome results and we'll never go back to the FTX after having them grenade on us on multiple deer in previous years.

That's a killer load right there, good luck !

Al in Mi wrote:

fox400 wrote:275 grain Barnes TSX over 40 grains of H110 for both mine and my Dad's gun. Shoots just under 1" @ 100 yards out of both my APF upper and Dad's Bushmaster Upper. We used this combo last year with awesome results and we'll never go back to the FTX after having them grenade on us on multiple deer in previous years.

That's a killer load right there, good luck !

Same to you!!! We were very impressed with the performance on deer with that bullet. There's something special about an exit hole that's at least the size of a golf ball.lol

Not from Michigan but in Ohio I'm going to use 200gr Barnes XPB over 41grs lilgun in my new bolt gun

In Ohio,300gr XTP.MAG. 39.5 gr. W296. 2100fps,.5 moa ,3 shot groups @ 100yds.18" tromix.