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Scopes Outdoor Optics

Best Scope for .450 Bushmaster Reviewed by Pros (2024)

The best part about .450 Bushmaster is that you can hunt all medium to large North American game animals with it. Also, if you want an AR that’s able to overcome barriers better than an AK, you need to befriend these short-range calibers.

But picking the best scope for .450 Bushmaster is always a tricky affair. To help you with that, we reviewed today’s top contenders loved by shooting and hunting enthusiasts. Check to see which scope fits your needs and budget.

Our Top 5 Best Scope for .450 Bushmaster Review

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane

Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane

Why It Stands Out to Us

From the moment we saw Vortex Optics Crossfire II, we felt a vibe of efficiency under the layer of simplicity. This riflescope didn’t leave us any scope to question its fantastic build quality, sufficient eye relief, and perfect tube size. No doubt this is the best Vortex scope for 450 bushmaster on the market.

Besides, the multi-coated lenses do show excellence in what they’re made for. But what we loved the most is the ease it delivers on the adjustment. Overall, it’s just another scope that comes with the ability to make you fall in love with it.

Our Experience with the Vortex Optics Crossfire II

  • The magnification was sporting a level of performance that we can call nothing but top-notch. With that much ease of magnification, hitting the targets gets way easier.
  • We weren’t having any trouble in tracking the target at low light as no blurriness was making the sight hard to see. For clarity, we think its anti-reflective lenses deserve some claps of appreciation.
  • Adjusting the scope is more convenient than we thought. You don’t need any extra tools to adjust the turrets. Adding a cover over the turrets was a smart move as they deliver some extra protection to the dial.

And what to say about the eyepiece focus? Simply faster than anything we’ve seen before.

  • We didn’t know that the Dead-Hold BDC reticle with hashmark design could’ve performed so well. Later on, we discovered how good it was at eliminating guesswork not only on holdover but also windage corrections. Well, that was quite unexpected.
  • The scope does come with covers, and they leave no scope for dirt or water to get into the lens. But it takes a little time to put them on and take off.
  • We loved its eye relief. It doesn’t ask to get too much closer to the scope to have a clear view.
  • This scope has a deceiving construction. No, not in a negative way. The aircraft-grade aluminum seems to be quite strong and rigid. We wouldn’t have said that if we didn’t know how perfectly it withstands impact or recoil.
  • The matte surface wasn’t a glare magnet, and that’s good for two reasons. One – it won’t declare your position while shooting, and two – this finish makes the scope more protected.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The eye relief is not enough for scout rifles. You’re going to need a much bigger number on the eye relief for them.

Who Is It Great for

This scope can be the best scope for .450 bushmaster for you if you’re planning to shoot at varying ranges that makes estimating holdover a concern.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Having a flip-up cover could’ve made it a more convenient scope as the current one takes a little time to put on.

Our Recommendations

Avoid leaving the turrets exposed once you’re done with the adjustment. Otherwise, you might accidentally change the setting.

Specifications

  • Magnification: 2-7x
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 32mm
  • Eye Relief: 3.9″
  • Field of View: 42-12.6 ft/100 yds.
  • Tube Size: 1″
  • Turret Style: Capped

Pros

  • Easy adjustment
  • Protective coating
  • Waterproof
  • Fog-proof
  • Shockproof
  • Durable construction
  • Low glare

Cons

  • Comes with no mount

Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster 3-9×40 Riflescope

Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster 3-9x40 Riflescope

Why It Stands Out to Us

Hitting a distant target is hard, but it gets harder without a rifle scope like Leupold VX-Freedom. Its exceptionally powerful zoom, durable construction, scratch-resistant lens – everything has made it a piece worth having on your firearm.

Besides, its advanced optical system is capable of making it among exceptional pieces in your arsenal. Plus, shock, water, and fog are just words for this scope, as none of these can cause any damage to it.

Our Experience with the Leupold VX-Freedom

  • Indeed, its magnification level is one of the highest among all the scopes we’ve seen so far. But the variation came in that part only, not on the clarity. Even in long-range shots, the scope is capable of performing quite well.
  • The adjustment dial for magnification is smooth but not so loose that it gets adjusted with an impact or bump. It goes in the same way for the turrets, and yes, it’s adjustable without any tool.
  • No extra assembling was required to get it ready for action, and that’s definitely a good part of it. Besides, the matte finish on it made it look better as it doesn’t glare like a disco light. With the rugged vibe, it’s clear as day that this scope is made to sustain.
  • We think using a duplex reticle with SFP or a second focal plane was a good idea. With this, you won’t have to worry about anything except for the target, unlike the first focal plane.
  • The lens quality on this one is literally unquestionable. Its way to withstand the scratches surprised us like never before. It seems the coating is reliable enough to count on for some solid protection.
  • It was hard not to love its light management system. After all, who wouldn’t love a scope that’ll get them an extra few minutes to hunt even after the sun is down? The clarity in low light conditions is amazing.
  • Worrying about water, fog, or shock is kind of useless with it. It didn’t take us much time to realize that the scope is made to resist them regardless of the weather condition.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The scope comes with no caps. So, whether you like it or not, you’ll have to shed some extra bucks for them.

Who Is It Great for

Anyone who’s thinking about shooting within a range of 100 to 300 yards with total precision is free to give it a try. It surely will perform as well as the best scope for .450 bushmaster there is.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Having a rubber eyepiece would’ve been perfect in order to deliver better protection to the eye.

Our Recommendations

Don’t try to use its side focus adjustment dial for focusing the target image. Once its reticle is focused first, and after setting the parallax perfectly, there won’t be any problem in having image clarity.

Specifications

  • Objective Lens Diameter: 40mm
  • Magnification: 3 – 9x
  • Reticle: Duplex Reticle
  • Tube Diameter: 1″
  • Reticle Focal Plane: Second Focal Plane
  • Exit Pupil: 4.7mm

Pros

  • Water and fog-proof
  • Resistant to shock
  • Higher magnification
  • Impressively precise
  • Durable finish
  • Lightweight
  • Scratch-resistant

Cons

  • A bit bulky

UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope

UTG 3-9X32 1" BugBuster Scope

Why It Stands Out to Us

A good scope is mainly a combination of three things – good range, accuracy, and strength. The UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope got all of them. But it would be unfair if we say this scope is nothing beyond these as it has the required compactness, clarity, magnification, and versatility.

Our Experience with the UTG 3-9X32 1″ BugBuster Scope

  • Magnification on this one can reach 3x to 9x easily. If that doesn’t make it a scope with an impressive magnification level, we don’t know what does. The clarity it delivers at maximum zoom level is probably enough to put major high-end scopes at shame.
  • If the magnification dial is too soft, there’s a chance of you losing your actual zoom level with a bump. But thankfully, we didn’t see anything like that on this one as the dial was fairly stiff.
  • Hitting any close target is a piece of cake with this one as it got parallax adjustment. No target can be too close for you if you’ve got this one on your gun. By the way, it’s applicable with a distance of 3 yards and above.
  • The scope has eliminated the hassles of putting on a detached cap as it comes with Flip-open Lens Caps on both ends. With them, you won’t have to look for the caps in your pocket every time you’re walking towards the hunting spot or keeping the gun aside.
  • It might not be the lightest scope we’ve seen so far, but it definitely is among the most compact ones. Rather than looking like a humongous cylinder on the gun, it gives the firearm a decently efficient look.
  • One of the interesting things about this scope is you won’t have to change the windage and elevation adjustment every time. You just adjust and lock it. It won’t change unless you change it again manually.
  • Another feature of the scope that has made it a better choice is its amazing battery life. The battery is so strong that even after more than a year, it doesn’t show any downgraded performance; it depends on your usage pattern though.
  • We loved how the scope gives dual illumination light options. Under the low light, illuminated crosshairs can work as a game-changer. It’s up to you whether you want to use the green one or the red one.

What We Didn’t Like

  • In high-intensity settings, the crosshair gets a little blurred or fuzzy.

Who Is It Great for

If you’re planning to hunt in low light and have a possibility of struggling with the crosshair, then this one will be the best scope for 450 bushmaster you can get.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Having a more convenient mounting mechanism could’ve made the installation process easier.

Our Recommendations

Go for the red illumination at daylight and the green one when you’re running low on light.

Specifications

  • Magnification: 3 – 9x
  • Tube Diameter: 1″
  • Objective Diameter: 32mm
  • Eye Relief: 4.2″ – 3.2″
  • Exit Pupil: 10.6mm – 3.6mm
  • Weight: 13.9oz

Pros

  • Compact
  • Lightweight
  • Outstanding optics
  • Great battery life
  • Durable
  • Easily adjustable
  • Superb clarity

Cons

  • Improvable ring quality

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Multi-X Reticle Riflescope

Why It Stands Out to Us

Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope is one of the best deals you can have without shedding more bucks. But that doesn’t mean it leaves any scope to call it a low-end one with its great magnification level, quality optics, strong material, and beautiful design.

Our Experience with the Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope

  • The magnification and clarity, both on this one, are top-notch. After all, such amazing levels of performance are not expected from a cheap scope like this. We didn’t notice any problem in clarity, even if the distance was more than 200 yards.
  • Ease of adjustments can make a scope more appealing, and this one is the proof. There’s nothing in the adjustment part that we could call hard to pull off. The dial is not too loose, yet not so hard that it’ll ask for you to invest excessive force.

The same goes for the turrets. But like a cherry on the top, they’ve got caps on them for additional protection. Besides, those caps save them from accidental adjustments. And no, you won’t be needing any tool for the adjustment.

  • Its low light performance didn’t give any chance to complain about. Like the name, it served pretty well in both early dawn and dusk. Shooting down a deer or something like that is easy as pie with it, even if you do it 30 minutes before the sun rises.
  • Initially, you might think the reticle won’t be that easy to see in twilight. But trust us, that’s not going to be a problem for sure as it’s going to be right in front of your eyes regardless of the lighting level.
  • The ruggedness of the construction isn’t just a show-off. Along with staying strong, it held up against water, fog, and shock like the other toughest scopes we’ve seen out there. The design is also nothing exaggerating.
  • We expected the eye relief to be a little higher as the brand is Bushnell. But 3.3″ is pretty decent as well; not the highest, but definitely functional.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The thickness of the crosshair might come in the way of precision shooting at times.

Who Is It Great for

This is one of the best hunting scopes for 450 bushmaster for those who prefer night hunting.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Adding compatible stand-alone sun shades with it would’ve given it some extra advantage on brighter days.

Our Recommendations

Try using flip-up covers for instant protection and access to the scope.

Specifications

  • Eye Relief: 6″
  • FOV @ 100 yds.: 32′
  • Length: 12″
  • Magnification: 3-9x
  • Objective Lens: 40mm
  • Reticle: Multi-X (SFP)

Pros

  • Beautiful design
  • Strong construction
  • Smoother dial
  • Better clarity
  • Powerful magnification
  • Resistant to shock
  • Water and fog proof

Cons

  • No turret locking

Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Riflescope (511039)

Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Riflescope

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Riflescope (511039) is mostly about bringing excellence to the table without breaking the bank. Usually, we don’t expect high-quality configurations in low-priced scopes, but this has been an exception with its high-quality optical glass.

With the help of the fully-coated optics, it has made the distant images not only bright but also sharp. Besides, its ability to withstand weather conditions is equally remarkable.

Our Experience with the Simmons 3-9x32mm .22 Riflescope (511039)

  • Its level of clarity on the magnification is good. Especially on the lowest setting, the clarity is kind of mind-blowing. But once it reaches the highest level, it gets compromised a bit.
  • The caps that came with the scope were giving a nice sealing on both ends. This means, when you won’t be using the gun, you can keep the openings closed and save the lens from unwanted intrusion of dust or scratch.
  • In the question of build-quality, its sturdiness is quite hard to ignore. Due to being made for all-weather, nothing like water or fog could make way to slip in. Even when it came to shock, we didn’t find any reason not to call it shockproof.
  • The installation was a breeze and didn’t take more than a few minutes with expert hands. As the package comes with two rings, a few bucks of yours will be saved there as well.
  • Its truplex reticle doesn’t interfere with the visibility of the target. But unfortunately, like the magnification at higher settings, the crosshair also gets fuzzy a bit, and we didn’t like that.
  • The eye relief has nothing much to say about. Thankfully, it’s not the lowest one at least and was serving quite well in the field.
  • Its weight! Damn! Finally, something worthy enough to be called the lightest. Rather than adding any major weight to the gun, the scope was delivering good performance with the shots.
  • The windage and elevation adjustment was nothing hard to pull off. But what we liked more about this part was the caps, as they seemed to be shorter, unlike some other models we’ve reviewed before. This means it takes less time to unscrew them at the moment of need.

What We Didn’t Like

  • The Zooming ring takes a little time to break-in. But once it does, you won’t fall short in smoothness again.

Who Is It Great for

Any shooter who’s thinking about getting started with short-range shooting will get a performance like the best scope for .450 bushmaster from this one.

What Could Be Improved and Why

The level of clarity on higher settings requires some support from good hardware. So, it’ll be better to upgrade the lens to remove that hassle.

Our Recommendations

If you’re planning to use a flip-open cover for this one, use size 10 with a diameter of 1.516″ or 38.5mm.

Specifications

  • Weight: 9.6 Ounces
  • Material: Optical glass lenses
  • Maximum Magnification: 9
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 32mm
  • Minimum Magnification: 3
  • Eye Relief: 3.75″
  • Reticle: Truplex

Pros

  • Long-lasting construction
  • Promising clarity
  • Easy to install
  • Resists water and fog
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Tolerates shock
  • Convenient adjustment

Cons

  • Clarity issue on higher zoom

Buying Guide for the Best Hunting Scope for 450 Bushmaster

.450 Bushmaster Scope Buying Guide

Magnification Range

If you’d ask us about the first thing that you need to focus on more than anything, then we’d name the magnification range. No one knows your required level on that better than you. So, pick one, keeping that in mind.

Now, if you often experiment with long or close-range shorts, having a scope with variable magnification settings is your best way to hit the bull’s eye. Otherwise, having a higher magnification level is not mandatory when you’re happy with the short-range shots.

Reticle

A gunshot is always about calculation and what can help you the most is the right reticle. There’s a wider variety in the type of reticles, including Christmas tree, Mil-Dot, BDC, Duplex, etc.

But while choosing yours, focus on the answer to these questions and decide on the basis of them.

  • Is it interfering with your vision of the target?
  • Is it obscuring the target’s vital kill-zones after zooming in?
  • Do you want to stick to the same size after changing magnification?
  • Is it visible on a low magnification setting?
  • Do you want an increase in the size with the increased magnification?

Objective Lens Size

When you’re planning to hunt in the low light, there’s a chance of a larger objective lens working out just fine. But when the target is within a close range, lighting won’t be a problem, and that makes a bigger objective lens unnecessary.

Now the question is, what if you’re thinking about going for a higher magnification? Well, in that case, a larger lens will be the best. But make sure the glass quality is top-notch as well. In other cases, medium-sized ones are enough.

Water and Fog-proof

You need the right scope that can keep up with all weather conditions. Here, by the term ‘right,’ we’re indicating scopes that come with a construction style that is both fog and waterproof. This way, it’ll be easier for you to take the shot even in the rain or winter as you won’t have to worry about the water or fog damaging the scope.

Heavy-duty Construction

A scope for .450 Bushmaster rifle is nothing that you’ll buy every 2 or 3 months. You’re going to invest in it for a long time, and for that, it needs to have a construction that’s tough enough to sustain any hunting conditions.

Illumination

There’s no guarantee that you’ll always get sufficient light while looking out for a target. In such situations, what you need the most is a scope that can deliver you the required illumination for pulling the trigger, even if the light is low.

Scopes with automatic adjustments and better brightness settings can be more helpful.

First or Second Focal Plane

There’s an aspect that might put you in a confusing situation – whether you should go for a scope with reticle on the first focal plane or second focal plane. First focal plane reticles are good on the basis of their usefulness as they’re capable of changing size.

Plus, they also got holdover points with stable accuracy when you’ll be flipping between different zoom levels. But let us inform you first, they’re not the easiest one to get used to.

On the other hand, there are second focal plane reticles. If you’re looking for better consistency without changing reticle size while you’re switching between different zoom levels, then this is your thing.

But there’s a drawback on them too, and that is, they hold accuracy of the holdover points for only one magnification setting.

Clarity

The purpose of using a scope is to track targets with maximum clarity. So, when you are looking out for the best 450 bushmaster scope, make sure no matter how far the target is, it’s not compromising the clarity.

Eye Relief

It’s difficult to avoid the massive kick of 450 Bushmaster every time you pull the trigger. That’s why to keep your eyes safe during the shot, the scope needs to deliver sufficient eye relief.

Eye relief indicates the distance from the scope where you’ll be resting the eye without losing a clear view. With it, when there will be a kick, the scope won’t hit your eye or its orbital bone. While grabbing your next scope, check out if it’s offering eye relief of 2-3 inches at least or not.

Warranty

We’re living in a world where nothing is certain. Probably that’s why people love the word warranty so much. While bringing in your next scope, you’ll have to think of it too. It’s better if you can get something with a lifetime warranty, but if you don’t get that, pick one with 3-5 years at least.

Price

Buy once, cry once –  a simple motto that gun owners should keep in mind because no money is wasted on good optics. So, it’s not easy to find the best budget scope for 450 bushmaster when you’re short on cash.

But the good news is you can get a decent scope under $500 for the 450 BM range since you don’t need to cover lots of grounds.

What Makes a Great .450 Bushmaster Scope?

  • To be a great .450 Bushmaster scope, any scope requires to be extremely convenient to use and also capable of handling different weather conditions
  • It must contain variable magnification along with high-quality optics
  • The scope has to be strong enough to resist water and fog
  • It has to be efficient enough to assist you in hitting both medium and short-distance targets
  • The level of clarity has to be perfect as any blurry view can make you lose a target
  • Having the ability to deliver precision and comfort is a big plus for a scope. Try having one that can pull those off as they matter the most for making a scope a great one

Rifle Scope Maintenance Tips

  • The powders and solvents used for cleaning guns are capable of damaging not only the lens coating but also the waterproof seals. That’s why you better keep the scope’s cap on it while cleaning the gun.
  • Microfiber cloths and water often do a good job at cleaning lenses but not always. In such situations, you might need something stronger. No, we’re not talking about Windex, as that can damage the lens coating. You better try lens or eyeglass cleaner, but don’t spray them directly on the lens.
  • Avoid using toilet tissue, paper towel, and Kleenex for cleaning the lens as they can get the lens coating scratched. There are microfiber cloths that are specially designed for cleaning lenses. Try using them.
  • Don’t lose the cap while trekking in a hunting spot or getting out of it. Otherwise, the scope might catch a lot of dirt on the way. Besides, this way you can get some extra protection against rain too.
  • The turrets need some attention as well. Keep them clean to save from rusting, especially when you’re hunting in wet or windy conditions.
  • Keep yourself away from cleaning the scope with your shirt if there’s any kind of dirt on it. It’s better to have a microfiber cloth or LensPen in your pocket all the time for instant cleaning.
  • When you’ve got a battery-powered scope, keep the battery compartment clean periodically. That’s because, if anyhow water gets in touch with the battery, it might start corroding sooner or later.
  • It’s not always possible to reach each and every single crannies or small nook with microfiber cloths. Use Q-tip for cleaning them up.
  • Avoid cleaning the lens frequently as even overdoing it can also leave the lens scratched.

FAQs

1. What’s the effective range for .450 Bushmaster?

Ans. The effective range for the .450 BM is around 200 to 250 yards where it can deliver significant stopping power, making it suitable for hunting medium to big game. The bullet drop becomes more pronounced beyond that range and the energy and accuracy of the round decreases.

2. What magnification range is suitable for a .450 Bushmaster scope?

Ans. For hunting purposes, we would recommend a variable magnification scope with a range of around 3-9x or 2-7x because this will offer a good balance between close-and medium-range shooting. Many also use red dots for close to mid-range shooting.

3. Can I use the .450 Bushmaster for self-defense purposes?

Ans. While the .450 BM can certainly deliver significant stopping power, it is not a common choice for self-defense because of its limited magazine capacity and the size and weight of firearms chambered in this caliber. Other more compact and higher-capacity rifle calibers are generally preferred for self-defense scenarios, such as 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39mm, 300 AAC Blackout, and 308 Winchester.

4. Does barrel length matter for .450 Bushmaster?

Ans. Yes, it does. The barrel length directly affects the velocity and energy of the bullet as it exits the barrel. The additional barrel length allows for a more complete powder burn and helps maximize the cartridge’s potential. you’ll need this for long-range shooting or when hunting larger game at extended distances.

But the .450 Bushmaster suits shorter barrels best, usually around 16 to 20 inches to achieve its full potential. Also, a longer barrel will be less maneuverable in dense hunting environments or tight spaces while adding weight to your rifle.

About the author

Dan Goldsmith

Hi, this is Dan. We all know firearms are dangerous, but only when one doesn’t know how to use and care for them. I have 30+ years of experience with different types of guns and for the last 10 years, I have taught numerous people how to hold and shoot a gun while staying safe and keeping the surroundings unharmed.

My neighbors are some of my biggest admirers who enjoy talking to me about their guns, firearms safety and maintenance.

Whenever I am able to catch a moment of free time, you will find me enjoying my family or heading to the range on my motorcycle. I have enjoyed shooting sports ever since my dad introduced them to me as a child.

I like to think of myself as an outdoorsman who lives his life to the fullest. I hope you will benefit from my efforts to create valuable resources on this website. Happy reading!

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