How to Choose the Best 450 Bushmaster Upper?

Firearms legend Jeff Cooper was a fan of the AR-15 design but not the .223 Remington or 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges, which was what inspired LeMag Firearms to develop a bigger round in the AR-15 platform. The gun manufacturer developed the .45 Professional round before Hornady became the manufacturer and the .450 Bushmaster round was officially born. 

The .450 Bushmaster rifle packs plenty of punch at moderate distances, making it a great firearm for deer hunting and an interesting addition to any gun collection. Similar to most cartridges that are compatible with America’s favorite rifle, the .450 Bushmaster can be built from a lower – all you need is a .450 Bushmaster and you’re set!

Important Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best .450 Bushmaster Upper

Here are a few things to look at when buying a 450 Bushmaster upper receiver:

Materials

Since upper receivers are very important, you need to make sure that the material used is durable. The two most common materials used to build upper receivers are aluminum and steel. While aluminum is not as durable as steel, it is lighter and still respectably tough enough to last you a lifetime of hard use. 

Since the .450 Bushmaster was designed as a hunting round, it’s unlikely that you’ll shoot it as much as you would with a tactical rifle and extended firing sessions is rare for such a round. Hence, aluminum material will work fine for a hunting round like this. But if you were to shoot a lot of rounds consistently, then steel would be a better option. 

If you were to go with steel, there are also many different types of steel for you to choose from such as chrome-moly and stainless steel. Both types of steel are great at holding up under extended firing sessions, but you need to be prepared to handle a heavier firearm. Steel adds weight which might not be something hunters who trek over rough terrain with the rifle slung over their shoulders all day as it will increase fatigue. 

Finishing

Aside from the material used, most quality upper receivers also come with special finishing to increase durability and rust/corrosion resistance. Some of the finishes available in the market include stainless, chrome lining, hard-anodized, or cerakote. 

Barrel Length

The three most common .450 Bushmaster AR-15 barrel lengths are 16 inches, 18.5 inches, and 20 inches. While the shorter 16 inches barrel offers the most maneuverability, bullet velocity and performance are less with higher recoil. 

The 18.5-inch barrel offers a good balance between the two but interestingly, it’s also the least common of the three. If you need low recoil, it is advisable for you to attach a .450 Bushmaster muzzle brake to your barrel. However, if you prioritize having more maneuverability in tight bushes then go with a shorter barrel, and if you need a more unwieldy one with better bullet performance, then go with the 20-inch barrel. 

Ease of Installation

Since the AR-15 platform is meant for gun owners to customize and build their rifles with their favorite parts, you shouldn’t need a gunsmith to assemble your upper receiver. In fact, many companies have created drop-in parts for you to install without a gunsmith’s help. However, there may be a few parts that will need a considerable amount of work to install, and you might just want to hire a gunsmith to do it for you anyway. 

Nonetheless, there are two ways for you to ensure that the component you pick is easy to install. The first is to check that they are mil-spec and that they meet military standard specifications. If they do, then the parts should be able to drop right in. Another thing you can do is to check the feedback of others online to get honest reviews of their experience.

Price

The final aspect to look at will be the cost of the part. This will be a very important factor in your consideration, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Stripped upper receivers cost less than complete upper receivers but you need to remember that you’ll still be going to have to buy other components on your own. Depending on the parts you get, the cost will add up and may eventually cost more than getting a complete upper. 

For quality stripped upper receiver, you can expect to fork out about $60 to $100 whereas the complete upper receiver will be around several hundred dollars. Another good thing to remember is that you can use a 5.56 lower receiver when building the .450 Bushmaster. So, if you already have a 5.56 AR, you don’t have to spend extra to get a new lower receiver.

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