Introduction
The whisper of the wind through the timber, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the adrenaline surging through your veins – these are the hallmarks of a successful hunt. And in the pursuit of big game, having the right tool for the job is paramount. For decades, hunters have relied on the Remington 700, a rifle platform steeped in legend, known for its accuracy and reliability. Now, when paired with the potent .450 Bushmaster cartridge, this rifle becomes an even more formidable force, a true big-bore bolt-action powerhouse built to conquer the toughest hunting scenarios. This article delves into the world of the **Remington 700 450 Bushmaster**, exploring why this combination has become a favorite among hunters who demand performance and precision. We will navigate the strengths of both, along with the ways to optimize the rifle to fully realize its potential.
The Remington 700: A Foundation of Excellence
The Remington 700 has earned its place as an icon in the firearm world. Its story began with its introduction as a revolutionary bolt-action rifle, and quickly established itself as a mainstay in the shooting world. Its legacy of innovation and adaptation has continued to the present day. The rifle’s design and construction have allowed it to dominate various fields, from hunting to competitive target shooting and even military and law enforcement applications. It’s a platform built on consistency and excellence. The meticulous craftsmanship and careful selection of materials are essential to the rifle’s overall performance.
Key Features and Design
At its core, the Remington 700 features a bolt-action design, a system celebrated for its inherent accuracy and dependability. The bolt action provides a robust mechanism for chambering rounds, extracting spent casings, and preparing the rifle for the next shot. This precise action is crucial for achieving tight groupings on the range and ensuring a reliable performance in the field. The receiver, typically forged from high-quality steel, provides a solid foundation for the rifle, securely housing the bolt and action. The receiver’s design often incorporates features that facilitate easy mounting of scopes and optics, further enhancing the shooter’s ability to hit targets at a distance. The trigger system is another key component of the Remington 700’s performance. Many models feature adjustable triggers, allowing shooters to fine-tune the pull weight and overall feel to their personal preferences. This level of customization contributes significantly to the rifle’s potential for accuracy. Finally, the stock, which is the connection point with the shooter, comes in a variety of materials. Wood, synthetic, and composite materials, each offering its own aesthetic and functional characteristics, so that shooters can customize the rifle to match their individual tastes and requirements.
Advantages of the Remington 700
What truly sets the Remington 700 apart are its advantages. This rifle is known for its inherent accuracy and its capability for customization. Its modular design, coupled with the wealth of aftermarket parts, makes it a dream come true for shooters who appreciate personalization. Whether you are aiming for a custom-built, precision target rifle or a rugged, reliable hunting tool, the Remington 700 can be adapted to nearly any shooting purpose. Then, there is the rifle’s inherent reliability and durability, traits that stem from its solid construction and thoughtful design. A well-maintained Remington 700 will provide a lifetime of dependable service, making it a worthwhile investment for any serious shooter or hunter.
The .450 Bushmaster: A Powerful Cartridge for Hunting
Now, let’s move on to the cartridge that makes this combination so effective: the .450 Bushmaster.
History and Development
The .450 Bushmaster cartridge story began with a desire for a more effective hunting round, especially for states and areas where certain hunting regulations restricted the use of bottlenecked cartridges. The .450 Bushmaster was designed to address these specific regulations, providing a powerful, straight-walled cartridge that could deliver significant stopping power at moderate ranges. This straight-walled design made it a legal option for many hunters, and this quickly contributed to its growing popularity.
Cartridge Ballistics and Performance
The .450 Bushmaster is built around a large-diameter, heavy bullet, offering a significant increase in energy on impact. Typically, bullet weights range from around 250 grains to over 300 grains, delivering substantial energy to the target. This energy, combined with the cartridge’s flat trajectory out to a couple of hundred yards, makes it a solid choice for hunting a variety of game. Trajectory is an important element to consider. While the .450 Bushmaster excels at medium ranges, shooters should know the bullet drop. Knowing the bullet’s trajectory is crucial for accurate shot placement, helping the hunter determine the appropriate holdover at different ranges. The cartridge’s effectiveness is undeniable when it comes to anchoring big game. It can deliver a devastating blow, making it a good choice for hunting deer, bear, and other animals.
Advantages of the .450 Bushmaster
The .450 Bushmaster’s advantages are several. First and foremost, it provides a straight-walled design, making it suitable for hunting in states and regions that impose restrictions on bottlenecked cartridges. This is an important factor in ensuring compliance with local regulations. The cartridge delivers substantial stopping power. The .450 Bushmaster provides excellent terminal ballistics, leading to quick and decisive knockdown of the target. It’s a formidable choice for hunting large game. The cartridge offers an effective hunting range for many typical hunting situations. While not designed for extreme long-range shooting, the .450 Bushmaster provides excellent performance at distances out to several hundred yards, making it ideal for many hunting scenarios.
Combining the Remington 700 and .450 Bushmaster
The combination of the Remington 700 and the .450 Bushmaster creates a synergy of power and precision. The precision platform of the Remington 700, paired with the powerful and effective .450 Bushmaster cartridge creates an extraordinary hunting combination. The accuracy of the Remington 700 allows shooters to take advantage of the .450 Bushmaster’s capabilities, placing the shot where it matters most, while the cartridge delivers the necessary power for quick and ethical harvests. The integration of the rifle and cartridge results in a hunting system that’s more than the sum of its parts.
Building or Buying
You have two primary options when creating a **Remington 700 450 Bushmaster**: building it from the ground up, or buying a factory-built rifle. Building a custom rifle offers the ultimate in customization, allowing you to select each component to suit your specific needs and preferences. This approach involves selecting the receiver, barrel, stock, and other components. The rifle can be built by a skilled gunsmith or by an experienced shooter who has knowledge of the necessary tools and techniques. A factory-built rifle offers the convenience of purchasing a complete, ready-to-shoot firearm from a manufacturer. Many reputable manufacturers offer Remington 700 rifles chambered in .450 Bushmaster. You should do your research and choose a factory-built rifle from a reliable manufacturer.
Key Modifications and Considerations
Several key modifications and considerations go into building or optimizing a **Remington 700 450 Bushmaster**. Selecting the right barrel is vital. Barrel length and twist rate play a significant role in accuracy and performance. You will need to consider your anticipated hunting ranges and the bullet weights you plan to use, so the barrel can be adjusted accordingly. To maximize the performance of the .450 Bushmaster, choosing a scope is critical. Selecting a scope with sufficient magnification, adjustable turrets, and a reticle designed for bullet drop compensation, can considerably enhance long-range accuracy. The trigger is another area where modifications can bring significant benefits. A crisp, light trigger pull will help improve the shooter’s ability to make accurate shots. Many aftermarket trigger upgrades are available for the Remington 700, allowing for easy customization. Lastly, a proper stock is crucial for comfort and control. This will involve the consideration of your shooting style, build, and personal preference. The choice can greatly impact the feel of the rifle.
Hunting Applications and Advantages
The **Remington 700 450 Bushmaster** is a versatile rifle, well-suited for a wide range of hunting scenarios.
Ideal Game
One of the prime applications of this combination is for hunting deer, especially in areas with dense cover or in environments where shots are usually taken at moderate distances. The .450 Bushmaster’s stopping power, combined with the Remington 700’s accuracy, makes it a highly effective choice for bringing down deer. Another common use is for hunting bear, the .450 Bushmaster’s substantial energy and the Remington 700’s reliability make it a good option for pursuing these formidable animals. Wild hogs are also very vulnerable to the .450 Bushmaster. These tough, resilient creatures can be easily dealt with by the .450 Bushmaster.
Hunting Scenarios and Advantages
The **Remington 700 450 Bushmaster** shines in a range of hunting scenarios. It particularly excels in settings that call for close- to medium-range shots. This is when the .450 Bushmaster can deploy its power to the fullest. It offers easy compliance with regulations. Many states and regions restrict the use of bottlenecked cartridges for hunting, but the .450 Bushmaster’s straight-walled design makes it a legal and viable option. Recoil is also a factor. The Remington 700’s design, combined with careful stock selection, makes recoil manageable, enabling the shooter to maintain accuracy during follow-up shots.
Comparison to Other Cartridges
You should also compare the .450 Bushmaster to other hunting cartridges. For example, the .308 Winchester is a classic, highly versatile cartridge. However, it is a bottlenecked cartridge, which makes it unsuitable for some states and regions. The .308 Winchester offers a flatter trajectory and longer effective range compared to the .450 Bushmaster, but it often lacks the raw stopping power of the .450 Bushmaster at moderate distances. The .45-70 Government, another old classic, provides similar performance to the .450 Bushmaster in terms of stopping power. However, the .45-70 typically has a slower velocity and a more pronounced trajectory. The .450 Bushmaster is a good option, particularly in areas with straight-walled cartridge requirements.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
The advantages of this combination are many. You have the accuracy and reliability of the Remington 700. This is a highly reputable rifle platform known for its precision and consistent performance. The **Remington 700** is a trusted choice for hunters. The stopping power of the .450 Bushmaster. The .450 Bushmaster excels in putting down big game. The cartridge’s large-diameter bullets, combined with substantial energy, ensure a decisive impact. It allows you to remain compliant with regulations. The straight-walled design makes it a legal option for many hunting situations, helping the hunter to follow all local and state regulations. Aftermarket parts are easily available. Thanks to the popularity of the Remington 700, there is a wide array of aftermarket components, from stocks to triggers, which allows the shooter to customize the rifle to their exact needs and preferences.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages include recoil. Heavier bullets and a smaller frame will create more felt recoil, especially with lightweight rifles. This can affect follow-up shot speed. The effective range of the .450 Bushmaster is limited. While accurate at medium ranges, the .450 Bushmaster’s trajectory and lower velocity means that you will not be able to take shots at extreme long distances. It can be expensive. The cost of ammunition can be higher than more common calibers.
Maintenance and Care
Proper maintenance is essential for keeping your **Remington 700 450 Bushmaster** operating at its peak.
Cleaning and Lubrication
Cleaning is critical for preventing malfunctions and maintaining accuracy. Regular cleaning of the barrel, bolt, and action will remove carbon buildup, powder residue, and other contaminants, and you should use a high-quality gun cleaning kit. For the bolt, a good practice is to disassemble, clean, and lubricate it to ensure smooth operation. Then there is lubrication. Applying the correct lubricant to all the critical parts will help to reduce friction and prevent wear. You should also make sure to lubricate the bolt, the trigger mechanism, and the contact points in the action. You can protect your rifle from rust by proper storage. You should store the rifle in a cool, dry place. Use a gun safe or case for protection.
Troubleshooting
Even with proper maintenance, some issues can still arise. One common issue is failure to feed. This can be caused by a variety of problems, from a dirty magazine to worn parts. A quick examination, cleaning, and/or replacement of the problematic part often solves the issue. Extraction problems are another possibility. This often indicates a problem with the extractor or the ejector. A visual inspection of the bolt face and a cleaning should resolve these problems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the **Remington 700 450 Bushmaster** is an outstanding combination for the hunter who demands the best of accuracy, power, and versatility. The legendary Remington 700 platform, known for its accuracy and dependability, is elevated by the .450 Bushmaster cartridge. The rifle’s ability to deliver quick and ethical harvests is remarkable. The cartridge’s hard-hitting performance in close- to medium-range hunting scenarios makes it a good hunting tool for deer, bear, and wild hogs. Whether you choose to build a custom rifle or opt for a factory-built model, the **Remington 700 450 Bushmaster** offers a potent and reliable hunting solution.
If you are ready to take your hunting to the next level, the **Remington 700 450 Bushmaster** should be at the top of your list. Explore the options, and consider the many benefits. With its precision and stopping power, this rifle is a true big-bore bolt-action powerhouse ready to help you succeed in the field. Now, find a reputable dealer or gunsmith and prepare to experience the ultimate big-game hunting combination.
