When you get into the world of close range larger bore AR-15 cartridges, two of the most popular are the 450 Bushmaster and the 300 Blackout. Both of these rounds have their fair share of uses but what they have in common is the ability to deliver high amounts of energy on target at close range. So in this article, we will compare the two to see which is better.
Here is the short answer:
The 300 Blackout is a versatile cartridge that is suitable for both hunting and tactical applications. The 450 Bushmaster, on the other hand, is a powerful round designed explicitly for hunting large game at close range.
Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge, their ballistics, and see how they compare in-depth.
In-Depth Look at the 300 Blackout
The 300 Blackout, also known as the 300 AAC Blackout, was developed by Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) in partnership with Remington Defense. It was designed to provide improved close range ballistics over its parent cartridge the 5.56x45mm NATO. The 300 Blackout is a cartridge that is most commonly used for close range hunting or tactical shooting and, on occasion, is used by special forces when a short barreled rifle is required for short range engagements.
The 300 Blackout is a versatile cartridge suitable for both short-range hunting and tactical applications. When the 300 Blackout is used to take game it is generally used with a 150-grain bullet for animals like deer, or hogs within the 100-150 yard mark. The other common use for the 300 Blackout is tactical applications, especially in suppressed rifles or short barreled rifles, as this round has both many subsonic bullet options and is considered to be one of the most effective short barreled rifle cartridges.
However, there are downsides to the 300 Blackout, such as its limited range. Past 100 yards this round doesn’t have enough energy to kill a deer. Additionally, at just 300 yards, this round has 34 inches of drop which is too much to compensate without adjusting your scope.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 300 Blackout with a 150-grain boat-tail jacketed soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 1900 | 1202 |
| 50 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1810 | 1091 |
| 100 | 0 | 1.6 | 1724 | 990 |
| 150 | -3.6 | 3.5 | 1641 | 897 |
| 200 | -10.3 | 6.1 | 1561 | 811 |
| 250 | -20.5 | 9.4 | 1484 | 733 |
| 300 | -34.7 | 13.7 | 1411 | 663 |
| 350 | -53.5 | 19.1 | 1344 | 602 |
| 400 | -76.9 | 25.3 | 1282 | 547 |
| 450 | -105.6 | 32.4 | 1225 | 500 |
| 500 | -140.2 | 40.6 | 1174 | 459 |
In-Depth Look at the 450 Bushmaster
The 450 Bushmaster was designed in response to Michigan hunting laws that required straight-walled cartridges for hunting. It was introduced by Bushmaster Firearms International in 2007, and since then, it has become a popular choice for hunters looking for a powerful cartridge that can take down large game at close range.
The 450 Bushmaster is a straight-walled cartridge that is chambered in AR-15 platforms. It is specifically designed for taking down large game at close range and is an excellent choice for hunting deer or hogs.
There are downsides to the 450 Bushmaster. It does have a lot of drop past 200 yards and loses enough energy to kill a deer past 250 yards. However, at just 300 yards, the 450 Bushmaster drops 44 inches which is far too much drop to compensate for quickly.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 450 Bushmaster with a 300-grain jacketed soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 1900 | 2405 |
| 50 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1741 | 2018 |
| 100 | 0 | 2.8 | 1592 | 1687 |
| 150 | -4.1 | 6.1 | 1453 | 1406 |
| 200 | -12.4 | 11.3 | 1331 | 1179 |
| 250 | -25.5 | 18.1 | 1224 | 997 |
| 300 | -44.5 | 26.6 | 1136 | 860 |
| 350 | -70.3 | 36.7 | 1068 | 759 |
| 400 | -103.6 | 48.2 | 1014 | 685 |
| 450 | -144.9 | 60.9 | 970 | 627 |
| 500 | -195.3 | 74.8 | 932 | 579 |
In-Depth Comparison
When it comes to ballistics, the 300 Blackout and the 450 Bushmaster have different strengths and weaknesses. The 300 Blackout is designed for short-range shooting and is effective out to about 150 yards on deer. The 450 Bushmaster has more energy but also more drop and more wind drift especially at longer ranges.
In terms of bullet selection, the 300 Blackout has a wider variety of bullets available, ranging from lightweight varmint bullets to heavy, subsonic rounds. The 450 Bushmaster, on the other hand, is limited to heavier bullets designed for hunting large game with some subsonic options but not nearly as many as the 300 Blackout.
Finally, there is the issue of cost. The 450 Bushmaster is generally more expensive than the 300 Blackout, with ammunition prices ranging from $1.50 to $2 per round. The 300 Blackout, on the other hand, is generally less expensive, with ammunition prices ranging from $0.75 to $1.50 per round.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between these two rounds comes down to personal preference and intended use. If you are looking for a versatile round that can be used for a variety of purposes, the 300 Blackout is a great choice. If you are looking for a heavy-hitting round for hunting large game, the 450 Bushmaster is a better choice.