Hello all,

Well I'm starting my second build, I recently purchased a .450 bushmaster, and was wondering if anyone had any ideas on optics.

I've never had any experience with optics on something this large in caliber and want something that will withstand the recoil this thing will dish out.

Comments, ideas, all appreciated

odn

If you are looking for a decent scope I have become a big fan of Hawke Optics. Well made, sturdy and crystal clear.

I also would like to get the .450, please let us know your range reports...

I don't know what the recoil is like with the 450, however, I have my Hawke scopes on a 22.250 and a .300 winmag with not a glitch to be had...

Leupold makes some shotgun scopes that are quite nice and at a good price.



TS

With an effective range of a 30-30, would you need much? 3x9x40?

Thanks guys for your replies,

I will definately look into the Hawk optics, and the Leupolds as well.

pdog,

Its not the range I'm worried about but a scope that can handle the recoil without having to be re zeroed all the time.

I remember when I was a kid my dad had a lever action .375 and the scope on that thing couldnt hold zero for anything. I cant remember the brand that it was, but I know it couldnt handle the recoil and I dont wish to end up in the same situation, to me if I would have to do that, it's pointless to even put optics on it, which is eventually the way he felt and took the optics off.

Stag,

Dont worry I will post pics and give a range report once everything is together, I'm still waiting on a few things for it once there here, and I get to take it out I will let you guys know.

Thanks again,
odn

Cool! I hope you find one that works for you.



TS

Good luck in your search. It's a shame a man has to dump the price of the rifle on optics to get reliability and true quality. Even the big names are going Chinese. We use Hilti tools at work, always considered THE best and their prices prove it. They were always made in Lichtenstein, until recently. I have a hamerdrill on its' third repair, a cordless drill on its' second. Why? Funny little fine print that now reads "made in china". Even the nails we use in powder actuated tools are made in china from cheese. We have old boxes of nails that look antique and say made in lichtenstein to high standards, you can drive em deep and straight, new nails same spec and size bend or shatter. It's sad really, when even a name you trust and have pride of ownership in lets you down by saving a buck but still charging an arm and a leg based on their name.
Sorry for the rant. GOOD LUCK!

hey guys,

Researching things a little I have seen that most with the bigger bore ar's are going a different route as far as optics are concerned. I'm now considering some sort of red dot. The thing is I can't seem to find anything that will hold up under those conditions, none of the stuff I have read has given specific red dots. Any ideas?

thanks
odn

OK enlighten me. .450? like a .450 marlin? or a different cartridge. a pic of the cartridge would be cool. I would also like to see a beowolf cartridge too.

hi indy,

Its a .450 bushmaster. From what I gather it is a rifle cartridge, (different people say different ones, I have heard .308 cut down, as well as .284, dont know for sure yet) with a .45 cal pistol bullet on it. Bushmaster started releasing these not long ago in the ar platform. I will happily tell you more and post a pic once I get my hands on some ammo. Right now everyone is back-ordered and I am waiting for it. Maybe someone else will come along that knows a little more about the specs of this round. I can tell you this though, the uppers are very nicely made, fit and finish is amazing. Now if I can just get my hands on some ammo and take her out for a spin we'll see what she can do in the field. And get some optics for it too of course.

odn

You mean 1x red dots? Like EOTech or Aimpoint. If so, I know EOTech will work on a .50BMG bolt gun, so it will certainly work on a .450 Bushy...


TS

Tigerstripe,

Thanks for the quick reply. Is there a specific model of eotech that you are speaking of, or does that pertain to all of them? I know they make one with bullet drop compensation for a .50 cal specific rifle, but do all there models withstand the recoil from such a large caliber?

thanks
odn

All of the ones marked EOTech will. The reason I saw marked EOtech is because the Bushnells are EOTechs without all the protection that the ones marked EOTech have. There are several "levels" of EOTechs: 512- AA battery not nightvision compatable. 552- AA battery NV compatable. 553-CR123 batteries NV compatable. There are the 511 and 551 which are the same as the 512 and 552 but use "N" batteries. I think they're cheaper, but the N batteries aren't anywhere as available as AA or 123 batteries.


TS

I think you're on the right track. I used both an aimpoint CompM2 and an eotech 552.A65 on my .50 beowulf with no wandering zero and no ill effects on the optic.

Thanks for your suggestions on the red dots guys, the only problem now is there is some stuff circulating about the potential for failure during firing of the Eotechs. I dont know for sure if its a substantial number of them that are malfunctioning, or if its something thats even true, but I know I want to wait till the dust settles on the whole thing before I get one. Supposedly their is something going on with the battery terminals in some models, and like everything else the more one person talks about it the more it becomes more widespread, so even though I dont know whether to believe the rumors or not, I think I am going to wait a little while on the Eotech to be on the safe side.

I may just look into the Aimpoints instead. Dont know for sure. I do know though that I need to find something. I dont want to waist the money on flip ups just to turn around and get a red dot.

Oh lifes little dilemmas

odn

I think we would have heard about the EOTech problem if it exists, but occasionally we miss things. I'll do some research. EOTech or Aimpoint is pretty much a personal preference thing...



TS

I would get flip ups with either one of them. Redundancy is never a wasted effort when it comes to rifles IMO.

It appears to be a problem limited to the 553 series.

I could see teething problems with those. Compared with the 512 and 552 it's a baby...


TS