If you’re an enthusiastic hunter who hails from a state where bottleneck cartridges are illegal, you’re definitely familiar with the .450 bushmaster. It’s a powerful straight-walled cartridge that originated all the way back during the second world war. This robust, short-range cartridge is called the Thumper for a reason and requires a steady scope to match it.
Now the cartridge might be of an old-fashioned build, but your 450 bushmaster scope doesn’t have to be. The modern market is full of more-than-capable devices. However, it might be hard to find a rifle scope specifically suited to a .450, so we’ve done the job for you. Here’s a list of the 6 best scope for 450 bushmaster, reviewed in detail for your convenience.
Top 6 Best scope for 450 bushmaster
| Name | Specs | USP | Today's Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burris FullField II | 4.5-14x42 | Best mid-range scope | Click Here |
| Bushnell Banner | 3-9x40 | Value for money | Click Here |
| Leupold VX-Freedom | 3-9x40 | Best low light scope | Click Here |
| Vortex Diamondback | 4-12x40 | Smoothest experience | Click Here |
| Vortex StrikeFire II | 1x30 | Most versatile scope | Click Here |
| Vortex Crossfire II | 4-16x50 | Feature-packed | Click Here |
1. Burris 4.5-14×42 FullField II Ballistic Plex Reticle Riflescope
Burris a popular optics brand that will show up in any search for a good scope. It supplies competitively priced US-made devices.
The Burris Fullfield II is a redesign that promises to change your hunting game. It’s lighter, shorter, and more durable than its predecessor.
Every glass surface on the lens that comes in contact with the air has a Hi-lume multi-coating to increase light transmission and greatly improve your visual experience. The 42mm front lens also allows for more light to enter the scope, giving you a bright, clear picture. This combination allows the scope to work well in low light conditions.
The Fullfield II comes equipped with Burris’ signature Ballistic Plex Reticle, a simple and elegant reticle that improves the performance of any caliber it is paired with. It’s accurate for up to a distance of 500 yards, compensating for any bullet drop along the way.
The eye relief stands at a comfortable 3.1-3.8 inches – enough space to save you from the powerful recoil of the 450.
It’s an SFP scope with an adjustable objective lens to get rid of that pesky parallax.
The body is constructed of a 1 piece tube and positively leak-proof thanks to its special quad seals. The European style eyepiece doesn’t require a locking mechanism.
However, the scope might not hold zero very well.
Pros
Cons
2. Bushnell Banner 3-9×40 Black Powder Rifle Scope Matte Circle-X Riflescope
Bushnell is a trustworthy and affordable optics brand that is known for its unquestionable lifetime warranty.
The Bushnell Banner 3-9×40 comes from the coveted Bushnell Banner series. It comes with the classic Circle X reticle and Dusk and Dawn multi-coated lenses for extreme brightness and clarity, especially when the sun’s not shining bright. Anyone who looks through this 450 bushmaster scope will tell you it provides a terrific image.
It has a fast-focus eyepiece to let you acquire your target without any waste of time. The windage and elevation turrets are finger adjustable and smooth.
You know you’re going to get a considerable recoil with the Thumper. That is not an object of worry with the Bushnell Banner and its 4-inch eye relief.
The reticle is in the second focal plane. This is good for simple and clear short-range hunting with the 450 bushmaster. The scope is also easy to mount.
The durability and sturdiness of a Bushnell scope go without saying. It’s completely weatherproof and shockproof. If you’re looking to buy a scope that can withstand a few knocks, this is it. This Bushnell Banner is an absolute steal for the money.
However, there is such a thing as too smooth- the focus rings are so easy to move that you might do it accidentally.
Pros
Cons
3. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 1in Riflescope
Leupold is a well-known brand that has over 100 years of experience in the optics field. Their devices are 100% US-made.
The Leupold VX Freedom comes with a Duplex reticle that makes focusing a breeze. The lenses are scratch and abrasion resistant and match military standards. They come coated with Leupold’s famous Twilight Max Light Management System that promises to elongate your hunting time beyond daylight and provide an unmatched visual experience.
The precise finger-click windage and elevation turrets are crisp, dependable, and repeatable. The scope holds zero well. The VX-Freedom is a recoil resistant with a 3.8-4.2 inch eye relief.
It weighs in at 12.2oz and is built with aircraft-grade aluminum to withstand anything you throw at it. It’s waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof, so it can definitely take a mean pounding.
The adjustment knobs can be a little tight though, so you might need to be patient there.
Pros
Cons
4. Vortex Diamondback 4-12×40 Matte Riflescope
Vortex is another immensely popular brand and one of the top players in the game. Almost all good hunters own at least 1 Vortex scope.
The Diamondback series is here to change the game at a competitive price range. The Diamondback 4-12×40 comes with the infamous Vortex Dead-Hold BDC reticle that allows the 450 bushmaster to shoot at any range it desires without leaving any guesses about the bullet hold-over.
The SFP scope comes with fully multi-coated optics to minimize dispersion and present high-quality images. I have 0 complaints about the glass. The fast-focus eyepiece comes as an added bonus to make target acquisition that much easier.
The windage and elevation turrets are another noteworthy feature here. They’re audibly crisp and allow for zero reset, ensuring precision and repeatability.
Vortex’s precision-glide erector system makes traveling across the 4-12x magnification range smoother than ever. The body consists of a single-piece tube made out of aircraft-grade aluminum, argon-purged for peak performance. The hard anodized matte finish helps you stay concealed.
It has a 3.1-inch eye relief, which might prove to be inadequate for some
Pros
Cons
5. Vortex StrikeFire II Sight W/ 4 MOA Dot
The fifth device on our list also comes from Vortex.
The Strikefire II sight reticle allows you to operate in 2 dot colors- red and green. It also comes with 10 brightness settings to allow you to transition smoothly through different lighting conditions. Two of these brightness settings are ideal for night vision, in case you want in on any nocturnal game with your 450 bushmaster.
The lenses are fully multi-coated for a crisp and clear viewing experience. Eye relief? Unlimited. The StrikeFire II can also hold zero perfectly.
The sight comes with a compact but sturdy single-piece chassis that can handle recoil like a beast. It’s incredibly easy to mount and doesn’t test your patience. The body is nitrogen-purged with O-ring seals, making it immune to any amount of fog and water. All this, in a device that weighs in at only 7.2 oz.
However, the on and off buttons are a little mushy for my liking.
Pros
Cons
6. Vortex Crossfire II 4-16x50mm AO Riflescope
Vortex strikes again.
Like any worthy scope, the Crossfire II comes with fully multi-coated optics that include anti-reflective coatings to avoid glare and produce brilliant images. The Dead-Hold BDC reticle eliminates all guesswork with remarkable accuracy. The fast-focus eyepiece does its job at letting you focus effortlessly.
The MOA turrets hold zero and can be reset. The objective lens is large can be adjusted to get rid of parallax. The reticle sits in the second focal plane, so it maintains its comfortable thickness and size across the magnification range. This great for short-range hunting, which the 450 bushmaster is best for.
The single-piece aircraft-grade aluminum tube promises peak performance under the most difficult conditions. The nitrogen-purging prevents any internal fogging that can obstruct your view. The sunshade and 3.7-inch eye relief is also something I can appreciate.
The one downside I found with this one is the weight. At close to 24oz, the scope can get a little heavy.
Pros
Cons
Things to look for when you’re purchasing the best scope for .450 bushmaster
Your criteria for a scope should go beyond just being compatible with the 450 bushmaster. There are other features on your 450 bushmaster scope that could make or break your game. Here are the ones you should look out for:
Clarity
Short-range or long-range, the quality of the image that your lens provides is paramount. The bigger your lens, the more light it lets in, and the brighter your image. However, big lenses add to the weight of your scope, so prioritize wisely. Pay attention to the lens coating.
Magnification range
The 450 bushmaster has a range of 300-500 yards, rendering it perfect for short to mid-range hunting. When looking for a scope to match this cartridge, you should make sure that its magnification is in line with the range of the 450. Anything too high might prove to be awkward. Since all the scopes on this list fulfill the 450 magnification criteria, you just need to choose one that suits your hunting needs best.
Eye relief
The 450 bushmaster is a high recoil cartridge – there’s going to be considerable knockback. Any scope with insufficient eye relief is a recipe for a rifle tattoo. The higher the amount of eye relief, the safer your orbital bone.
Durability
The 450 bushmaster can really punish your device. You need a scope that is durable enough to withstand high impact. The material and construction of the body are often overlooked when it sits below other dazzling features, but it’s the most important part of a 450 bushmaster scope during practical use. Abrasion-resistant lenses are also always welcome.
Conclusion
The 450 bushmaster is a high-power cartridge that guarantees a great shot and it deserves to have a well-built scope by its side. The contenders on this list are the best of the best. Pairing any of them up with the bushmaster will make you the most dangerous man in the forest. We’ve thought about the durability, magnification, relief, and clarity so you don’t have to.
We hope our concise reviews have helped you make up your mind. Rest assured that every 450 bushmaster scope on this list will let you hunt anything from deer to bear. Being legal doesn’t mean you can’t be lethal. Now go make that loud bang!