I just purchase a Ruger Gunsite in 450 Bushmaster for hunting deer in OH. Intend to shoot mostly subsonic rounds though it. The scope I will use for it gives me 15 mil up w/ a 0 moa base. This will let me get out to 400 yards. W/ a 20 MOA base I can get out to 500 yards. I don't think that the round will be effective (even for steel never mind deer) past 400 yards. Any downside in getting the 20 MOA base? expect most shots to be at 200 yards or so where elevation would be 4.6 mils.
20 MOA Base for 450 Bushmaster Subsonic
- Thread starter MMH
- Start date
You should definitely check the energy on target at those ranges with subsonic ammo but should be no issue putting a 20 moa base on any rifle as long as the scope has enough elevation to allow you to zero. What scope is it?
20 moa base should be fine.
Terminals depend on bullet choice here... a 300 or 350g hard cast is going right through a deer out there pretty damn far... a light for caliber hollow point probably not. Subs at 500 yards is generally tough simply due to SD and variation in the rounds. You gotta really be on your game to get it consistent.
It can be done, but man its a pain in the ass before you start dealing with the drops and wind. It's like you're starting out behind the curve I guess is what I'm saying.
Powder and bullet choice? Need to choose wisely here. Not sure how your case fill is gonna be, and that can play hell right off with shots out there past 400 yards. Will need to find a bullet/powder that gives good case fill.
Inside 300 yards is doable for sure without Hercules level effort... sometimes you get lucky, but i prefer 200 yards and closer for most subsonic stuff, especially hunting... closer is better and what those rounds do best. Expanding subsonic and big wide flat noses do well.
Terminals depend on bullet choice here... a 300 or 350g hard cast is going right through a deer out there pretty damn far... a light for caliber hollow point probably not. Subs at 500 yards is generally tough simply due to SD and variation in the rounds. You gotta really be on your game to get it consistent.
It can be done, but man its a pain in the ass before you start dealing with the drops and wind. It's like you're starting out behind the curve I guess is what I'm saying.
Powder and bullet choice? Need to choose wisely here. Not sure how your case fill is gonna be, and that can play hell right off with shots out there past 400 yards. Will need to find a bullet/powder that gives good case fill.
Inside 300 yards is doable for sure without Hercules level effort... sometimes you get lucky, but i prefer 200 yards and closer for most subsonic stuff, especially hunting... closer is better and what those rounds do best. Expanding subsonic and big wide flat noses do well.
At 300 yards I am calculating 875 FPS & 671 Ft-Lbs of energy. This is for a 395 gr. Sub-X bullet leaving the muzzle at 1050 FPS. Although under the 1000 Ft-Lbs threshhold that many use for deer sized game, think it should be enough for a bullet starting out at .452 and expanding from there. As much energy as what a 44 mag would be hitting at a ranges less than 100 yards which has proven to be effective on deer.
The scope will be fine for travel - it is a Vortex 2-10 PST FFP.
Agree with what you are saying. Expect shots at 150 to 200 yards. Will go to my PRS range and see how reliably I hit at 300 and 400 yards. Have steel hung that is 12", 10" 8", 6" and 4". That will tell me how effective I am with that rifle & a subsonic cartridge.
I am concerned about the velocity variation. At 300 yards, if the velocity is down by 30 FPS (1020 FPS) the change in drop is 4.8". At 250 yards, the drop changes by 3.3" and at 200 is changes by 1.7". That is just elevation. Maybe a realistic hunting limit will be closer to 200 yards. Again, will be shooting plate to find out. If nothing else will be fun to see how I do at extended distances. Ultimately my maximum hunting distance will be defined by 95% hits (including cold bore) on a 6"plate.
Will start by shooting Hornady factory ammo. I don't have any brass and I'll spend as much on the components & brass as I will buying a loaded round.
The subsonic round has a advantage of a much better BC. Past 200 yards the 250 grain bullet will have less velocity variation, but be much more sensitive to wind. In addition, the 250 grain, 2200 FPS load is VERY destructive on a deer size animal - a lot of meat damage. In that regard, the subsonic will have plenty of energy but far less meat damage.
