450 Bushmaster

[JagerDog]

Ordered a complete upper from Rock River.

I have several Colt bullets currently. Will add some more bullets.

I have WW296 and H4198. Will be on the lookout for LilGun.

Gotta order some dies. Any reason not to go with Hornady 4 die set? How about RCBS 3 die and add a taper crimp? Seems to be a lot of positive discussion on the Lee FCD too. It seems some were modifying a 45-70 FCD, but now Lee offers one for the 450 BM.

Any do/don't/tricks I should be aware of?

[rromeo]

You may have learned this. If you buy Hornady FTX bullets, there are two different part numbers. They make a 250 grain for 45 Colt, and a 250 grain specifically for the Bushmaster. #45201 is the correct number

[JagerDog]

You may have learned this. If you buy Hornady FTX bullets, there are two different part numbers. They make a 250 grain for 45 Colt, and a 250 grain specifically for the Bushmaster. #45201 is the correct number

Didn't know that. I presume the BM is a bit tougher to manage the greater velocity (at impact)?

The Hornady Interlock looks interesting for game outside of Commifornia. As does the Swift A-frame (I have some for the 45-70). Both tipped (250) and non-tipped (275) Barnes for game here. I think I was reading that the TC bullets generally for muzzleloaders were a good choice too.

How about for "plinking"? Anything much better value than XTP? Success with cast? I have some 300 gr Speer and XTP (non-mag) for my Colts (pistol and carbine). XTP-Mag would seem preferred for game.

[rromeo]

230 FMJs should work just fine for plinking.

[rromeo]

Full disclosure, I haven't loaded a round yet. I have been gathering supplies, and reading. I have shot a bunch of the factory Hornady Black ammo.
Obviously your mileage may vary, and you may not have full size AR mags, plus any legal ramifications. My old GI surplus mags have worked with no problems, using the stock follower.

[JagerDog]

Full disclosure, I haven't loaded a round yet. I have been gathering supplies, and reading. I have shot a bunch of the factory Hornady Black ammo.
Obviously your mileage may vary, and you may not have full size AR mags, plus any legal ramifications. My old GI surplus mags have worked with no problems, using the stock follower.

Will be receiving 5 & 7 round BM specific mags from mfg.

Have some .223 mags I'll eventually try. No GI mags. ...well maybe one original (pre ban) Bushmaster. Most are plastic.

Have a bunch of Precision Delta 230 FMJ for the ACP. A smattering of Colt spec HP's. 450 is prolly a bit fast for my moly-coated cast.

Ordered 600 1X brass.

[rromeo]

I managed to get into it in 2020, before ammo went crazy, so I have a bunch of Hornady at $25 a box. A couple lbs of Lil Gun, and I already had a good supply of primers.
I haven't tried any plastic mags. I do have a couple DuraMag 450 specific 5 round mags.

[Hockeytodd03]

A few things I learned. 45/70 bullets are .458 and Bushmaster is .452. Realized this before I started to reload it. Also on the mags, use the metal ones. P-Mags have a seam on the front side that the rounds jam up on.

[JagerDog]

A few things I learned. 45/70 bullets are .458 and Bushmaster is .452. Realized this before I started to reload it. Also on the mags, use the metal ones. P-Mags have a seam on the front side that the rounds jam up on.

Yeh. I'm hip to that. I was going back-n-forth on Bushmater vs. Socom. I have bullets from the Colt and bullets from the 45-70. Eventually went with the Bushmaster. Partly because of SAAMI and partly that many of the 458 bullets are for Africa.