.450 Bushmaster Trajectory Calculator
See how .450 Bushmaster stacks up in our full caliber comparison chart — energy, drop and recoil for every rifle caliber side by side.
The .450 Bushmaster is a straight-wall cartridge designed for states that restrict bottleneck rifle cartridges for deer hunting. With a 260-grain bullet at 2,200 fps and a 100-yard zero, expect about 9.7 inches of drop at 200 yards and 36.9 inches at 300 yards. Energy drops below 1,165 ft-lbs at 200 yards and 770 ft-lbs at 300 yards—plenty of stopping power inside 200 yards, but the steep trajectory makes it a short-range cartridge.
Use the calculator to match your specific load. Click "Modify Calculation" to enter your bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and ballistic coefficient. Most hunters zero at 150 yards to extend usable range. You can also factor in wind, shooting angle, and atmospheric conditions.
Compare up to 5 different loads. The current caliber (.450 Bushmaster) is pre-selected for the first load.
.450 Bushmaster Trajectory Chart
.450 Bushmaster Ballistics Data
| Range (yd) | Elevation (in) | Elevation (MOA) | Elevation (MIL) | Windage (in) | Windage (MOA) | Windage (MIL) | Time (s) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2200.0 | 2794.95 |
| 25 | -0.31 | 1.18 | 0.344 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.035 | 2088.72 | 2519.35 |
| 50 | 0.37 | -0.7 | -0.204 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.072 | 1981.45 | 2267.24 |
| 75 | 0.5 | -0.63 | -0.183 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.111 | 1877.64 | 2035.88 |
| 100 | 0.01 | -0.01 | -0.002 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.152 | 1777.47 | 1824.45 |
| 125 | -1.17 | 0.89 | 0.26 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.196 | 1681.32 | 1632.41 |
| 150 | -3.12 | 1.98 | 0.577 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.242 | 1589.55 | 1459.08 |
| 175 | -5.93 | 3.23 | 0.94 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.29 | 1502.34 | 1303.37 |
| 200 | -9.7 | 4.63 | 1.346 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.341 | 1420.12 | 1164.61 |
| 225 | -14.54 | 6.17 | 1.795 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.396 | 1343.48 | 1042.29 |
| 250 | -20.6 | 7.86 | 2.287 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.453 | 1273.21 | 936.11 |
| 275 | -27.99 | 9.71 | 2.826 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.514 | 1210.05 | 845.55 |
| 300 | -36.86 | 11.73 | 3.412 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.577 | 1154.55 | 769.76 |
| 325 | -47.37 | 13.91 | 4.047 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.644 | 1106.81 | 707.42 |
| 350 | -59.64 | 16.27 | 4.732 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.713 | 1066.0 | 656.21 |
| 375 | -73.83 | 18.79 | 5.467 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.784 | 1030.85 | 613.65 |
| 400 | -90.06 | 21.49 | 6.252 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.858 | 1000.18 | 577.68 |
| 425 | -108.45 | 24.36 | 7.087 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.934 | 972.97 | 546.68 |
| 450 | -129.14 | 27.4 | 7.97 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.012 | 948.45 | 519.47 |
| 475 | -152.25 | 30.6 | 8.902 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.092 | 926.02 | 495.19 |
| 500 | -177.88 | 33.97 | 9.881 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.174 | 905.24 | 473.22 |
Take this table to the range
The .450 Bushmaster reference load above as a wallet-size DOPE card: the same zero, standard conditions, holds in MOA, a 10 mph wind column, and a blank column to write in what the rifle actually does.
Download it as it is, or customize the size (turret cap, armband, index card), the columns, the wind speeds and units.
Print at 100% (“Actual size”). Laminate it or use waterproof paper for the field.
Available .450 Bushmaster Ammunition Ballistics
| Product | Velocity (fps) | BC | 100yd Drop | 200yd Drop | 300yd Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes VOR-TX .450 Bushmaster 250gr XFB Ammo Ballistics | 2250 | 0.192 | 0.0" | -8.9" | -33.4" |
| Federal Power-Shok .450 Bushmaster 300gr JHP Ammo Ballistics | 1900 | 0.225 | 0.0" | -12.4" | -44.5" |
| Hornady BLACK .450 Bushmaster 250gr FTX Ammo Ballistics | 2200 | 0.21 | 0.0" | -9.0" | -33.3" |
| Hornady Custom .450 Bushmaster 250gr FTX Ammo Ballistics | 2200 | 0.21 | 0.0" | -9.0" | -33.3" |
| Hornady Subsonic .450 Bushmaster 395gr Sub-X Ammo Ballistics | 1050 | 0.3 | 0.0" | -34.9" | -110.7" |
| HSM Bear Load .450 Bushmaster 300gr JSP Ammo Ballistics | 1930 | 0.225 | 0.0" | -11.9" | -43.1" |
| Underwood Xtreme Penetrator .450 Bushmaster 245gr Ammo Ballistics | 2260 | 0.145 | 0.0" | -10.4" | -41.1" |
| Winchester Deer Season XP .450 Bushmaster 250gr Extreme Point Ammo Ballistics | 2200 | 0.21 | 0.0" | -9.0" | -33.3" |
Zeroing the .450 Bushmaster
Every table in this section uses the same reference load as the calculator above, 260gr G1 .180 at 2,200 fps, with a 1.5" sight height over the bore, at standard conditions (59°F, sea level, no wind for drop; 10 mph crosswind for drift). A hunting rifle with a scope in standard rings sits about 1.5" over the bore; the zero you choose sets how far you can hold on hair without thinking about the range. Change the bullet, velocity or sight height in the calculator above to solve your own load.
.450 Bushmaster zero comparison
| 100-yd zero | 150-yd zero | 200-yd zero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Near zero | 35 yd | 22 yd | 15 yd |
| Far zero | 100 yd | 150 yd | 200 yd |
| Max ordinate | +0.5" | +2.2" | +5.0" |
| Max ordinate distance | 68 yd | 89 yd | 114 yd |
| Hold-dead-on window (8" vital zone, ±4") | 0–158 yd | 0–189 yd | 0–72 yd (peak is over the zone; back inside 153–227) |
| Sight in at 100 yd | +0.0" (+0.0 MOA) | +2.1" (+2.0 MOA) | +4.9" (+4.7 MOA) |
| Drop at 200 yd | -9.7" | -5.5" | +0.0" |
| Drop at 300 yd | -36.9" | -30.6" | -22.3" |
| Energy at 200 yd | 1,165 ft-lb | 1,165 ft-lb | 1,165 ft-lb |
How to read it: filled circles are the near and far zero, where the bullet's path crosses the line of sight;the triangle is the peak (max ordinate). The shaded band is the 8" vital zone, ±4" either side of the line of sight. The dashed line marks the edge of the hold-dead-on window. The chart is zoomed to where the zero matters; the tables below run to 400 yards.
Key terms
- Near zero
- Where the bullet first climbs up through the line of sight. It starts below the sight, because the sight sits above the barrel.
- Far zero
- Where it falls back down through the line of sight. A "200-yard zero" is the far zero; the near zero comes with it.
- Max ordinate
- The highest the bullet gets above the line of sight, between the two crossings. This is what makes a zero shoot high in the middle.
- Point blank range (MPBR)
- The zero that keeps the whole arc inside a vital zone for the longest distance, so you can aim at the centre and hold dead-on.
.450 Bushmaster with a 100-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 100 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 260gr load first crosses the line of sight at 35 yards, peaks +0.5" at 68 yards, returns to zero at 100, and is -9.7" at 200 and -36.9" at 300 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 316 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,200 | 2,795 | 0.0 |
| 25 | -0.3" | -1.18 | -0.34 | 2,089 | 2,519 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +0.4" | +0.70 | +0.20 | 1,981 | 2,267 | 0.7 |
| 75 | +0.5" | +0.63 | +0.18 | 1,878 | 2,036 | 1.5 |
| 100 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 1,777 | 1,824 | 2.8 |
| 125 | -1.2" | -0.89 | -0.26 | 1,681 | 1,632 | 4.4 |
| 150 | -3.1" | -1.98 | -0.58 | 1,590 | 1,459 | 6.5 |
| 175 | -5.9" | -3.23 | -0.94 | 1,502 | 1,303 | 9.0 |
| 200 | -9.7" | -4.63 | -1.35 | 1,420 | 1,165 | 12.1 |
| 225 | -14.5" | -6.17 | -1.79 | 1,343 | 1,042 | 15.6 |
| 250 | -20.6" | -7.86 | -2.29 | 1,273 | 936 | 19.7 |
| 275 | -28.0" | -9.71 | -2.83 | 1,210 | 846 | 24.4 |
| 300 | -36.9" | -11.73 | -3.41 | 1,155 | 770 | 29.5 |
| 325 | -47.4" | -13.91 | -4.05 | 1,107 * | 707 | 35.2 |
| 350 | -59.6" | -16.27 | -4.73 | 1,066 * | 656 | 41.4 |
| 375 | -73.8" | -18.79 | -5.47 | 1,031 * | 614 | 48.0 |
| 400 | -90.1" | -21.49 | -6.25 | 1,000 * | 578 | 55.0 |
260gr G1 .180 at 2,200 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 316 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
.450 Bushmaster with a 150-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 150 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 260gr load first crosses the line of sight at 22 yards, peaks +2.2" at 89 yards, returns to zero at 150, and is -5.5" at 200 and -30.6" at 300 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 315 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,200 | 2,795 | 0.0 |
| 25 | +0.2" | +0.80 | +0.23 | 2,089 | 2,519 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +1.4" | +2.69 | +0.78 | 1,981 | 2,267 | 0.7 |
| 75 | +2.1" | +2.62 | +0.76 | 1,878 | 2,036 | 1.5 |
| 100 | +2.1" | +1.99 | +0.58 | 1,777 | 1,824 | 2.8 |
| 125 | +1.4" | +1.09 | +0.32 | 1,681 | 1,632 | 4.4 |
| 150 | 0.0" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,590 | 1,459 | 6.5 |
| 175 | -2.3" | -1.24 | -0.36 | 1,502 | 1,303 | 9.0 |
| 200 | -5.5" | -2.64 | -0.77 | 1,420 | 1,165 | 12.1 |
| 225 | -9.9" | -4.18 | -1.22 | 1,343 | 1,042 | 15.6 |
| 250 | -15.4" | -5.88 | -1.71 | 1,273 | 936 | 19.7 |
| 275 | -22.3" | -7.73 | -2.25 | 1,210 | 846 | 24.4 |
| 300 | -30.6" | -9.74 | -2.83 | 1,155 | 770 | 29.5 |
| 325 | -40.6" | -11.93 | -3.47 | 1,107 * | 707 | 35.2 |
| 350 | -52.4" | -14.28 | -4.15 | 1,066 * | 656 | 41.4 |
| 375 | -66.0" | -16.81 | -4.89 | 1,031 * | 614 | 48.0 |
| 400 | -81.7" | -19.51 | -5.67 | 1,000 * | 578 | 55.0 |
260gr G1 .180 at 2,200 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 315 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
.450 Bushmaster with a 200-Yard Zero
Zeroed at 200 yards with a 1.5" sight height, the 260gr load first crosses the line of sight at 15 yards, peaks +5.0" at 114 yards, returns to zero at 200, and is +0.0" at 200 and -22.3" at 300 yards. It drops below the speed of sound at 315 yards.
| Range (yd) | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Wind drift, 10 mph (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | -1.5" | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2,200 | 2,795 | 0.0 |
| 25 | +0.9" | +3.46 | +1.01 | 2,089 | 2,519 | 0.2 |
| 50 | +2.8" | +5.34 | +1.55 | 1,981 | 2,267 | 0.7 |
| 75 | +4.2" | +5.27 | +1.53 | 1,878 | 2,036 | 1.5 |
| 100 | +4.9" | +4.65 | +1.35 | 1,777 | 1,824 | 2.8 |
| 125 | +4.9" | +3.75 | +1.09 | 1,681 | 1,632 | 4.4 |
| 150 | +4.2" | +2.66 | +0.77 | 1,590 | 1,459 | 6.5 |
| 175 | +2.6" | +1.41 | +0.41 | 1,502 | 1,303 | 9.0 |
| 200 | +0.0" | +0.01 | 0.00 | 1,420 | 1,165 | 12.1 |
| 225 | -3.6" | -1.53 | -0.44 | 1,343 | 1,042 | 15.6 |
| 250 | -8.4" | -3.22 | -0.94 | 1,273 | 936 | 19.7 |
| 275 | -14.6" | -5.07 | -1.48 | 1,210 | 846 | 24.4 |
| 300 | -22.3" | -7.09 | -2.06 | 1,155 | 770 | 29.5 |
| 325 | -31.6" | -9.27 | -2.70 | 1,107 * | 707 | 35.2 |
| 350 | -42.6" | -11.63 | -3.38 | 1,066 * | 656 | 41.4 |
| 375 | -55.6" | -14.16 | -4.12 | 1,031 * | 614 | 48.0 |
| 400 | -70.6" | -16.86 | -4.90 | 1,000 * | 578 | 55.0 |
260gr G1 .180 at 2,200 fps, 1.5" sight height over bore, standard conditions (59°F, sea level), 10 mph full-value crosswind. Positive drop is above the line of sight. * Below the speed of sound (1125 fps) from 315 yards; expect groups to open up past the transition.
Maximum Point Blank Range for the .450 Bushmaster
Maximum point blank range (MPBR) is the zero that keeps the bullet inside a vital zone, never more than half its height above or below the line of sight (an 8" zone is ±4"), for as far as possible. Zero at the distance in the table and you can hold dead-on from the muzzle to the far edge of the window.
| Vital zone | Zero at | Hold dead-on from | To (MPBR) | Max ordinate | Near / far zero | CSV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8" (whitetail, pronghorn) | 186 yd | 0 yd | 215 yd | +4.0" at 106 yd | 17 / 186 yd | Download |
| 10" (elk, moose) | 200 yd | 0 yd | 233 yd | +5.0" at 114 yd | 15 / 200 yd | Download |
MPBR assumes a centred hold, a level shot and no wind; it is a ceiling, not a licence to skip ranging. The far edge of the window is where the bullet has already fallen half the vital zone.
Similar Calibers
.450 Bushmaster Ballistics Comparisons
Stock Up On .450 Bushmaster Ammo for the Range
| PRODUCT | DEALER | QUANTITY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL PRICE | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $44.36 | $10.99 | $55.35 |
$2.77
20 Rounds
|
|
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $40.00 | $18.43 | $58.43 |
$2.92
20 Rounds
|
|
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $43.00 | $18.43 | $61.43 |
$3.07
20 Rounds
|
|
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $43.00 | $18.43 | $61.43 |
$3.07
20 Rounds
|
|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $58.82 | $10.99 | $69.81 |
$3.49
20 Rounds
|