2 of 2 .450 NE factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for mule deer; the best reach 650 yd (Hornady Dangerous Game Series 480 gr DGS). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Dangerous Game Series 480 gr DGS | 480 | 650 | 2,150 | 1,275 | yes |
| Hornady Dangerous Game Series 480 gr DGX Bonded | 480 | 650 | 2,150 | 1,275 | yes |
Deer-class rules of thumb; a slightly bigger animal than a whitetail. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd. 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: chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com.