.450 Bushmaster 400 Yards Accurately - Mossberg Patriot 450BM

Published on August 7, 2021
Duration: 16:02

This guide details a technique for accurately engaging targets at 400 yards with a .450 Bushmaster rifle, utilizing a Vortex Crossfire II scope with a BDC reticle. It emphasizes understanding bullet drop, employing holdover techniques, and making iterative adjustments based on shot placement to achieve consistent hits at extended ranges. The instructor demonstrates how to use the reticle's aim points and estimate necessary compensation for distances beyond the scope's calibrated marks.

Quick Summary

Accurately shooting the .450 Bushmaster at 400 yards requires understanding bullet drop and using holdover techniques. With a scope like the Vortex Crossfire II and ammunition like Hornady 250gr FTX, you can achieve hits by aiming significantly above the target and making adjustments based on shot placement.

Chapters

  1. 00:30Introduction: Mossberg Patriot .450 Bushmaster
  2. 00:59Vortex Crossfire II Scope & BDC Reticle Explained
  3. 01:29Challenge: Shooting .450 Bushmaster at 400 Yards
  4. 01:55Setting Up for 400 Yard Shots
  5. 02:03Ammunition: Hornady 250gr FTX
  6. 02:40First Attempts at 400 Yards: Estimating Holdover
  7. 02:51Initial Shots: Low Impact and Adjustments
  8. 03:06Increasing Holdover for 400 Yards
  9. 03:31Misses: Leftward Deviation at 400 Yards
  10. 04:26Adjusting Aim Point: Higher and to the Right
  11. 04:41First Hit at 400 Yards
  12. 04:51Replicating Hits: Consistent Grouping
  13. 05:14Four Consecutive Hits at 400 Yards
  14. 05:52Analysis: Leftward Drift at 400 Yards
  15. 06:25Compensating for Left Drift and Holdover
  16. 06:56Examining Impact Zone and Bullet Fragments
  17. 07:45Re-zeroing and Checking 300 Yard Accuracy
  18. 08:05Discovering Major Zeroing Issues
  19. 08:13Extreme Low and Left Deviation at 100 Yards
  20. 08:54Conclusion: .450 Bushmaster Capability and Future Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the effective range of the .450 Bushmaster for hunting?

The .450 Bushmaster cartridge, particularly with loads like the Hornady 250 grain FTX, is considered to have plenty of power to take out deer beyond 300 yards, making it suitable for many hunting scenarios at extended ranges.

How can I accurately shoot at 400 yards with a scope that only has aim points up to 300 yards?

To shoot accurately at 400 yards with a scope limited to 300-yard aim points, you'll need to use a holdover technique. This involves aiming significantly above the target, estimating the bullet drop, and adjusting your aim point higher with each shot until you achieve consistent hits.

What are the key components for long-range shooting with the .450 Bushmaster?

For long-range shooting with the .450 Bushmaster, essential components include a reliable rifle like the Mossberg Patriot, a quality scope with a Ballistic Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle such as the Vortex Crossfire II, and appropriate ammunition like Hornady 250 grain FTX.

Why might a rifle shoot accurately at 300 yards but inaccurately at 400 yards?

Inaccuracies at longer ranges despite good performance at shorter distances can be caused by several factors, including windage issues, rifle cant, scope tracking problems, or a zero that is not stable across a wide range of distances. It's crucial to re-verify your zero at different ranges.

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