Reloading The 450 Bushmaster

Table of Contents

Understanding the Benefits of Reloading

The .450 Bushmaster cartridge, born from a collaborative effort to provide a powerful and effective round for modern sporting rifles, has carved a significant niche for itself in the world of hunting and target shooting. Its straight-walled design allows it to be legal in several states with restrictive hunting regulations, and its hard-hitting performance makes it a favorite for taking down medium-sized game. While factory ammunition is readily available, those seeking greater control over their ammunition and a potentially more cost-effective approach turn to the fascinating world of reloading. Reloading, the art and science of crafting your own ammunition, offers significant advantages for the .450 Bushmaster shooter. It allows for customization, maximizing accuracy, and ultimately, optimizing the performance of your rifle. This guide will walk you through the process, providing the knowledge and insights needed to safely and successfully reload your own .450 Bushmaster cartridges.

Before diving into the mechanics, it’s worth appreciating the advantages reloading provides. The first and most immediately apparent benefit is cost savings. Over time, purchasing components like bullets, primers, powder, and brass cases is typically more economical than buying factory-loaded ammunition. This difference can be substantial, especially when considering the relatively higher cost of specialized cartridges like the .450 Bushmaster.

Beyond the financial incentive, reloading offers unmatched customization. You gain complete control over every aspect of your ammunition, from the type and weight of the bullet to the powder charge and overall cartridge length. This level of control allows you to tailor your loads to the specific needs of your rifle, your intended targets, and your shooting style. Want to optimize for long-range accuracy? Reloading allows you to experiment with different powders and bullet weights to find the perfect combination. Interested in reducing felt recoil or enhancing terminal ballistics on game? You can explore lighter or heavier bullets, optimizing the load for your specific hunting scenario.

Furthermore, reloading allows you to potentially increase accuracy. Factory ammunition is often manufactured to meet a broad range of rifle specifications. When you reload, you can meticulously match your loads to your rifle, achieving tighter groupings on the target. This involves careful attention to detail in every step of the process, from case preparation to bullet seating, and can result in a significant improvement in your shooting performance.

Finally, reloading promotes a deeper understanding of ballistics and the science of shooting. By engaging in the reloading process, you become intimately familiar with the components that create a round of ammunition. This knowledge allows you to troubleshoot issues, fine-tune your loads, and appreciate the factors that influence bullet trajectory and performance.

Essential Equipment and Components for Reloading .450 Bushmaster

The journey into reloading necessitates the acquisition of certain tools and components. This is not a hobby where you can simply “wing it.” Accuracy, safety, and achieving your desired results depends on having the proper gear and following the correct procedures. Here’s a breakdown of the must-have items:

The Reloading Press: The Foundation

The heart of any reloading setup is the reloading press. This is the tool that performs the key functions, like resizing the cases, seating bullets, and installing primers. There are three main types: single-stage, turret, and progressive presses. For the .450 Bushmaster, a single-stage press is an excellent choice for beginners. It performs one operation at a time, promoting a methodical approach and allowing you to focus on each step. As your experience and volume needs grow, you might consider a turret or progressive press for faster reloading, but the single-stage provides a solid foundation. Ensure your press is sturdy and well-built, as the .450 Bushmaster is a powerful cartridge, and the press needs to handle the force.

Dies: Shaping the Brass

Dies are the tools that shape your brass cases. A standard .450 Bushmaster die set will include:

Resizing Die: This die squeezes the fired brass back to the correct dimensions, ensuring a snug fit in your rifle’s chamber.
Seating Die: This die seats the bullet into the case to the proper overall cartridge length (OAL).
Crimping Die: This die crimps the case mouth around the bullet, helping to ensure consistent bullet pull and improved accuracy. Some die sets combine seating and crimping in a single die.

Invest in high-quality dies from reputable manufacturers.

Case Preparation Tools

The .450 Bushmaster requires meticulous case preparation for optimal performance:

Case Trimmer: Trimming is essential to standardize the case length. Cases stretch slightly with each firing. Maintaining a consistent case length improves accuracy. Manual or powered trimmers are available.
Scale and Dispenser: Precise powder measurement is paramount. A digital scale provides the most accuracy. A powder dispenser speeds up the process.
Priming Tool: Seating primers consistently is critical. Hand-held or press-mounted priming tools work well.
Case Cleaning Tools: Clean cases are important for good results. This includes a case tumbler or ultrasonic cleaner.
Other Necessary Tools:
- Calipers for accurate measurement of case lengths and cartridge overall length.
- Case Lube and Pad.
- Primer Pocket Cleaner.

The Components: Building the Round

The components are the building blocks of your ammunition. Choosing the right ones is crucial:

Brass Cases: Use new or carefully inspected used brass. Brands known for quality include Starline and Hornady. Inspect used brass for cracks, dents, and other damage before use.
Primers: Primers are the ignition source. Large rifle primers are required for .450 Bushmaster. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the best primer to use.
Powder: The propellant. Select powders appropriate for the .450 Bushmaster based on your chosen bullet weight and desired performance.
Bullets: Choose the bullet type and weight suited for your purpose (hunting, target shooting). FMJ, hollow points, and soft points are popular choices.

Reloading The .450 Bushmaster: The Process in Detail

Now, let’s get hands-on with the reloading procedure:

Preparing the Cases

Cleaning: Begin by cleaning your brass. This removes dirt, carbon, and other debris. Use a tumbler or ultrasonic cleaner.
Inspection: Carefully examine each case for any signs of damage (cracks, splits, dents). Discard any damaged cases.
Resizing: Lubricate your cases with case lube and resize using the full-length resizing die. This ensures proper dimensions.
Primer Pocket Cleaning: This removes any debris from the primer pocket.
Trimming: Use a case trimmer to trim your cases to the specified length, which is usually 1.690 inches (consult your reloading manual).
Deburring/Chamfering: Deburr and chamfer the case mouth to remove any burrs and ensure smooth bullet seating.

Priming the Cases

Install the primers using a priming tool. Ensure the primers are fully seated.

Powder Charging

Weigh out the correct amount of powder using a scale.
Consult your reloading manual for recommended powder charges, and starting loads, and maximum loads for your bullet and powder combination.
Start with the lowest recommended charge and work your way up gradually.
Carefully pour the powder into the case.

Seating the Bullet

Carefully seat the bullet to the correct overall length (OAL) using the seating die.
Follow the recommendations in your reloading manual for the OAL for your chosen bullet.

Crimping the Bullet

If your bullets need crimping, do so using the crimping die. Ensure you apply a proper and consistent crimp.

Load Development: Finding Your Sweet Spot

The final step is to develop your optimal load, fine-tuning for accuracy and your goals.

Gathering Data: Start with data from reloading manuals. Document all the data (powder, bullet, primer, charge weight, OAL)
Working Up the Load:
- Begin with the starting load.
- Increment the powder charge in small steps.
- Check for signs of excessive pressure (flattened primers, difficult bolt lift).
Testing and Accuracy:
- Take the reloads to the range and fire them.
- Use a chronograph to measure velocity.
- Evaluate group sizes and bullet impact.
- Continue to refine your load until you achieve the desired accuracy.

Troubleshooting Reloading Issues

Reloading is not always perfect. Here are a few common problems and their solutions:

Failure to Feed: The round does not chamber. This can result from an issue in case preparation, a dirty chamber, or an oversized bullet.
Failure to Extract: The empty case stays stuck in the chamber. This can result from a damaged case, or insufficient case lube.
Accuracy Problems: Bad groupings can result from many things, from incorrect seating, to the wrong load.

Prioritizing Safety: The Golden Rule of Reloading

Safety is not just important; it’s absolutely essential. Always follow these guidelines:

Always wear safety glasses
Reload in a well-ventilated area.
Never mix different powders.
Double-check your powder charges.
Properly store your components.
Always follow the loading manual.
Never overload your cases.

In Conclusion

Reloading the .450 Bushmaster opens a world of possibilities for the discerning shooter. While it requires an initial investment in equipment and a commitment to learning the process, the rewards are well worth it. You gain control, customization, and a deeper understanding of ballistics, and, ultimately, your shooting. Reloading empowers you to create ammunition tailored to your specific needs and to optimize the performance of your rifle. Embrace the process, prioritize safety, and enjoy the journey.

Resources

Here are some excellent sources of information to get you started:

Reloading Manuals (Hornady, Speer, Lyman)
Reloading forums and online communities.