11 of 14 .450 Bushmaster factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for whitetail deer; the best reach 200 yd (Barnes VOR-TX 250 gr XFB). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes VOR-TX 250 gr XFB | 250 | 200 | 2,250 | 427 | yes |
| Federal 260 gr Fusion | 260 | 200 | 2,200 | 466 | yes |
| Federal 300 gr Power-Shok SP | 300 | 200 | 1,900 | 569 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady American Whitetail TIPPED 250 gr FTX | 250 | 200 | 2,200 | 455 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Hornady BLACK 250 gr FTX | 250 | 200 | 2,200 | 455 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Deer Season XP 250 gr Extreme Point | 250 | 200 | 2,200 | 455 | behind the shoulder only |
| Barnes Harvest Collection 260 gr Sierra Pro-Hunter | 260 | 150 | 2,165 | 375 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady American Whitetail 245 gr InterLock | 245 | 150 | 2,200 | 354 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 260 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 260 | 150 | 2,040 | 372 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Premier AccuTip 260 gr | 260 | 150 | 2,180 | 333 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 260 gr Power-Point | 260 | 150 | 2,110 | 424 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal American Eagle 260 gr FMJRN | 260 | wrong bullet | 2,040 | 402 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington UMC Centerfire Rifle 260 gr Full Metal Jacket | 260 | wrong bullet | 2,040 | 402 | behind the shoulder only |
| Hornady Subsonic 395 gr Sub-X | 395 | wrong bullet | 1,050 | 513 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.