Best Scope for a .450 Bushmaster Rifle – 2022 Top Picks

If you hunt medium to large game such as deer, elk, hogs, and moose, not many cartridges beat a .450 Bushmaster. When you use these, bringing down your target is a guarantee. 

Using a scope on your rifle will only enhance this accuracy and power, but finding the right one is tricky, especially if you’re a beginner. To help you get started, we created this comprehensive guide that tells you what you need in scope for a .450 Bushmaster and share our favorite five. 

Read on to learn everything you need to know about the best scope for .450 Bushmaster. 

IMAGEPRODUCT 
  • Best overall
  • Ten easy to adjust brightness settings, including two for night vision
  • Shockproof and fogproof
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  • Fast focus eyepiece
  • Second focal plane reticle
  • Fully multi-coated
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  • Best value for the money
  • Made of aircraft-quality aluminum
  • Scratch-resistant lens
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  • 12 brightness settings for illumination
  • Zero Set Elevation allows for a rapid return to zero in any condition from any distance
  • Parallax adjustable from 25 yards to infinity
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  • HiLume multi-coatings on every piece of glass
  • Lightweight but durable
  • Lower vertical crosshair and small ballistic lines
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What Purpose Does a Scope for .450 Bushmaster Serve? 

Although scopes are optional, they serve several purposes and can enhance your experience using .450 Bushmaster cartridges. A .450 Bushmaster has an incredible recoil, so a scope can help your eye stay protected while providing added visual accuracy. 

Eye Relief

One of the most important reasons to use a scope for a .450 Bushmaster is the eye relief. Since these are such powerful cartridges, they have considerable recoil, which could damage your eye. Scopes help protect against this.

Accuracy

A .450 Bushmaster is excellent for taking down large game like elk and deers, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need extra magnification. Scopes provide this, which helps you lock on to your target quickly. 

Illumination

Even if you’re hunting in daylight, you may need additional lighting, especially when shooting in heavily wooded areas. Scopes come with several brightness settings that can help you focus on your target no matter what time of day or weather conditions you’re hunting in. 

Are All Scopes for .450 Bushmasters the Same?

It’s easy to think that all scopes are created equally, but that’s not the case. A .450 Bushmaster cartridge is meant for distances between 300 and 500 yards, although it can be used outside this range. 

Still, it’s best to find a scope that has the appropriate magnification for these engagement ranges. For that reason, we don’t recommend scopes that have more than 15x magnification.

What to Look For When Buying a Scope for .450 Bushmaster

You can’t just pick any scope when using a .450 Bushmaster in your rifle. You should first look for options that were designed specifically for this cartridge. That’s because it has a high psi of 40,000, which creates a strong kickback every time it’s shot. 

Comfort

With such a powerful recoil, eye relief is of the utmost importance in finding the best scope for a .450 Bushmaster. If you’ve never heard this term before, eye relief is the maximum distance that you can rest your eye while still getting the full picture from your scope. 

Durability

Hunting is an outdoor activity, and a lot of the time, you’re dealing with inclement weather like rain, snow, or heavy winds. Your scope should be able to handle all of these. 

Features

Magnification is just as important as lighting. This allows you to stay focused on the game and get an accurate shot. Scopes for a .450 Bushmaster should be for close-range shooting or moving targets.

The Best Scopes for a .450 Bushmaster Rifle

Now that you know what to look for in a scope for a .450 Bushmaster, it’s time to see which ones will give you everything you need. Below are our five favorite scopes. 

Top Pick

Vortex StrikeFire II Sight w/ 4 MOA Dot

PROS

CONS

What Recent Buyers Report

Reviewers thought the Vortex Strikefire II Scope was the best option for the price. Many hunters were impressed with the level of clarity they got. This scope made it easy to set sights on your target with both eyes. 

There weren’t many complaints on the Vortex Strikefire II, but one minor downside was that the buttons can be a little sluggish and may need to be pressed hard to get a response. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

This scope made it to the top of our list because it gives you the maximum field of view and insanely fast target acquisition while keeping both eyes open. It comes with ten dot intensity levels, with two settings dedicated to night vision. 

What makes this scope great is the 30 mm aluminum alloy chassis that scope its extra-high recoil rating. The frame is also nitrogen purged, which makes it waterproof and fog proof.  

Bottom Line

The Vortex Strikefire II Sight is our top choice for scopes for a .450 Bushmaster because it has everything you need in a sleek and durable design. That, combined with the budget-friendly price, makes it a reliable scope that will last a long time. 

Runner Up

Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 Riflescope

PROS

CONS

 

Here’s another excellent option from Vortex, the Crossfire II. It’s ideal for a .450 Bushmaster because they’re explicitly designed for medium to close range targets. The classic design is streamlined and highly effective for an array of hunting scenarios. 

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent customers reported that it has excellent optics and locks in on a target quickly, so it’s no surprise that the Vortex Crossfire II provides superior eye relief. Buyers also appreciated that the scope was fog proof and had excellent magnification, even during low light conditions. It has a variable magnification of 2-7x32mm which also works as a scope for .17 WSM.

However, there were a couple of cons mentioned. Buyers reported that the adjustment measurements are a little off, making it challenging to switch settings.

Why It Stands Out to Us

The Vortex Crossfire II is a classic rifle scope with the versatility and durability you want when using a .450 bushmaster. It’s a single piece made of aircraft-grade aluminum and fully multi-coated, so it’s fog proof, waterproof, shockproof, so it significantly reduces recoil. 

We liked how good and clear the optics were. Not only were they sharp, but the fast focus eyepiece makes locking onto the game easier. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about the lenses getting scratched because they’re machine-locked. 

Bottom Line

You can’t beat the quality you’ll get with the Vortex Crossfire II scope. With a durable, fully-coated straightforward design and top-notch optics, it’s one of the best scopes for a .450 Bushmaster. 

Best Budget Option

Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9×40 1in Riflescopes

PROS

CONS

 

If you’re looking for an excellent all-around rifle scope on a budget, the Leupold VX-Freedom should be your first choice. It’s got a rugged, well-built scope that provides a clear view even in low light situations. 

What Recent Buyers Report

Recent buyers reported that it’s well-made and constructed out of aircraft-quality aluminum. It’s also waterproof and fog proof, and although it’s not labeled as shockproof, it’s sturdy enough to resist some recoil. 

Some buyers thought the optics could be better, but the quality is still high for the price. Another downside is the adjust dial, which doesn’t make any clicking sound when it’s turned. This led to some customers having a hard time knowing what setting they were on.

Why It Stands Out to Us

It’s made out of high-quality materials and can stand up against rough weather. The lens is also tough and has a scratch-resistant optical coating by Twilight Light Management System. 

The accuracy you get with the Leupold VX-Freedom is superb, and it’s easy to lock onto your target. Its field of view is excellent and ranges between 33.1 to 13.6 ft at 100 yards, perfect for hunting big game. It also features a 3:1 zoom ratio, so you can maintain an accurate view even as you zoom in and out. 

Bottom Line

The Leupold VX-Freedom is a durable rifle scope that won’t let you down. The rugged body makes it suitable for foggy and wet weather, and the optics are well-matched to more expensive options in low light situations. 

NightForce SHV 4-14x50mm F1 Riflescope

PROS

CONS

 

The NightForce SHV is a good scope for serious hunters or competitive shooters. That’s because it offers unparalleled illumination with its 12 brightness settings and illuminated reticle. The Zero Set Function also makes getting back to your zero settings effortless, even after multiple changes.  

What Recent Buyers Report

Many have said it has the ideal magnification for medium to close range shooting and has excellent target acquisition. The extensive lighting settings were also appreciated since it made it easier to shoot in various conditions. 

Some buyers did feel that the illumination is spotty at times. Though more common during daylight hours, it’s not enough to deter overall clarity. The lack of color through the glass was another con that some buyers identified.

Why It Stands Out to Us

This rifle scope has the perfect range of magnification for a .450 Bushmaster. You can set it between 4x to 14x, so it’s excellent at providing clarity on medium to close range targets. This scope also comes with a Zero Set Elevation feature, which gives you a rapid return to zero no matter the weather conditions or distance. 

The additional illumination that comes with the NightForce SHV is another stand-out quality. Not only does it have 12 brightness settings for lighting, but it also has brightened reticles. Finally, the controls are fluid and responsive, making it intuitive and easy to get used to. 

Bottom Line

The NightForce SHV is one of the best scopes for a .450 Bushmaster because it provides excellent magnification and clarity for medium to long ranges. It also locks in your target quickly and reset back to zero easily. With qualities like this, it’s a good investment for serious shooters. 

Burris 4.5-14×42 FullField Ballistic Plex Reticle Riflescope

PROS

CONS

 

Burris is one of the highest-quality scope brands on the market, and it shows with the FullField Ballistic Plex Reticle Riflescope. It has an unmatched steel-on-steel adjustment system and an overall streamlined design, making it simple to use. 

What Recent Buyers Report

They were impressed with the steadiness of the crosshairs, even after shooting dozens of rounds. It’s also extremely lightweight but just as durable as some heavier options. 

Recent buyers liked the optics’ clarity for this scope’s price range, but some thought it could be improved. The lens is well protected with a HiLume multi-coating, but it could still be a little sharper. 

Why It Stands Out to Us

The eyepiece and magnification ring are built into one unit, requiring only two seals instead of three. All the glass is also scratch-resistant and coated in HiLume multi-coating. 

We also liked the lower vertical crosshairs with small ballistics lines that automatically make up for bullet drop from 100 to 500 yards, making it a good option for a long day of shooting. The adjustment system makes it a good choice since it’s smooth and precise. 

Bottom Line

The Burris FullField rifle is an affordable option that packs quite the punch. The unique design and construction make it extremely durable, and optics are just right for hunting big game from mid to close range.

Benefits of Investing in a Quality scope for 450 bushmaster

As you can see, there are several benefits to using a scope for your .450 Bushmaster. It’s not necessary, but it can make a huge difference in your shot. With a good rifle scope, you’ll get eye relief, magnification, and enhanced clarity with additional illumination. 

Get the Right Scope Today

With these five options, you’re guaranteed to find the best scope for your .450 bushmaster. The Vortex StrikeFire II is our top choice, but each one checks everything off the must-have list. With these scopes, you’ll get excellent eye relief, maximum durability, and the right magnification range. 

Learn more about the best gun accessories, and check out more of our blog posts today!

People Also Ask

If you are still unsure of whether or not to purchase a rifle scope, check out our list of FAQs.

What scope should I put on my .450 Bushmaster?

Our top choice is the Vortex StrikeFire II, but the scope you use depends on your preference. 

How far can a .450 Bushmaster shoot accurately?

A .450 Bushmaster performs best when you’re shooting between 300 and 500 yards away. That’s because they’re best for large game or moving targets that you need to get reasonably close to.

Joseph Fox

Joseph Fox

Joseph Fox writes on a variety of topics ranging from reloading ammunition to gun cleaning. He has been featured on various publications like thetruthaboutguns, Sofrep & many more. Joseph is also the founder of Gunloading, where he reviews different types of reloading & firearm products available on the market.