The .450 Bushmaster cartridge is a straight-walled rifle round designed for use in modern sporting rifles. It offers considerable power, making it suitable for hunting medium-sized game at short to moderate ranges. However, its ballistic performance is limited compared to other rifle cartridges, and recoil can be substantial. For example, while effective on deer-sized game within 200 yards, its trajectory drops significantly beyond that range compared to cartridges like the .308 Winchester.
This cartridge emerged from the desire for a powerful round compatible with the AR-15 platform for hunting in states with straight-wall cartridge restrictions. This allows hunters to use a familiar and adaptable rifle platform with increased stopping power compared to cartridges like the .223 Remington/5.56 NATO. Its development filled a specific niche, offering a balance between power and platform compatibility.