[Taco Salad]

I've decided that I need a Thumper, something that throws big chunks of lead at low to moderate velocities that will hit like Thor's hammer and travel through anything on this continant lengthwise. I'm not a lever action fan at all, love to look at them but they are the most awkward things to shoot out there, otherwise I'd go .45-70.

I'm thinking AR15 platform so I just need to buy an upper. I won't be buying it for 9 months to a year since I have a few bills I want to pay off first. This gives me lots of time to think on just what I want anyway.

The .450 Bushmaster has a lot going for it. States opening up shotgun only areas to straight wall really pushed it and now it's fairly mainstream with ammo found most places and while a bit pricey it's really not that high and it's not like I'd be stocking it for armageddon. I do think that the .350 Legend is going to knock this market back a bit though.

Then there is the 12.7x42. The ammo is harder to find and it's expensive, but damn, if you're going to punch a big hole in something might as well do it right.

Uses: This will literally just punch a few dozen holes a year in paper and defend me from the occasional gravel pit fridge or washer.

Before anyone points it out (which I'm sure some will anyway) yup I know it would make more sense to buy more mags or ammo or better glass for things that I already have. Don't care.

 

[backbencher]

If you hunt in one of the straight-wall states, .450 Bushmaster, even though .350 Legend might make more sense.
If you live in a Blue or Purple state, .458 SOCOM - it was designed to feed 10 rounds out of 30 round aluminum GI mags, so you can acquire as many 10 round .458 SOCOM mags as you like.

 

[Errant]

If you hunt in one of the straight-wall states, .450 Bushmaster, even though .350 Legend might make more sense.
If you live in a Blue or Purple state, .458 SOCOM - it was designed to feed 10 rounds out of 30 round aluminum GI mags, so you can acquire as many 10 round .458 SOCOM mags as you like.

I'm in agreement with Backbencher on this. However, if you're not reloading, ammo availability in your area should also factor in. I was in the same boat as you, after much homework I went with the 450B. It's plentiful around here(WV). Fremont tool company makes a mag follower that easily pops in a 30 round mag and makes a single stack mag.

 

[ajole]

450 BM. Ammo avaliability, and no stupid semi-proprietary BS going on.

BUT.....the 50 Beowulf/12.7X47 is a good choice if you reload, and also have or plan to get an AR47...I believe they use the same bolt. The 6.5 Grendel may as well, but I hear some people mill the face to a slightly different depth?

 

[Taco Salad]

450 BM. Ammo avaliability, and no stupid semi-proprietary BS going on.

BUT.....the 50 Beowulf/12.7X47 is a good choice if you reload, and also have or plan to get an AR47...I believe they use the same bolt. The 6.5 Grendel may as well, but I hear some people mill the face to a slightly different depth?

The 6.5 Grendel has it's own bolt. There is a depth difference from the x39.

 

[backbencher]

The 6.5 Grendel has it's own bolt. There is a depth difference from the x39.

I think that's dependent on which chamber you go w/.

 

[greg_r]

I have examples of both the 450 BM and the 350 LGND in MSR’s. Despite what some say, the 350 LGND ain’t no Thumper. My choice was the 450 BM. I had a 458 SOCOM. I actually like that round better, but I traded it in lieu of the 450BM because I have bolt and single shots in that chambering too. Ammo commonality was my thought.

The 50 Beowulf is interesting, but components are not too easy to find.

bottom line, in my opinion, if you do not reload go with the 450 BM. Reason is economics. The SOCOM will cost you between $3 and $4 per round most places. There is a wider selection of the Bushmaster ammo, and it is usually found around $2 to $2.50.

 

[Errant]

I have examples of both the 450 BM and the 350 LGND in MSR’s. Despite what some say, the 350 LGND ain’t no Thumper. My choice was the 450 BM. I had a 458 SOCOM. I actually like that round better, but I traded it in lieu of the 450BM because I have bolt and single shots in that chambering too. Ammo commonality was my thought.

The 50 Beowulf is interesting, but components are not too easy to find.

bottom line, in my opinion, if you do not reload go with the 450 BM. Reason is economics. The SOCOM will cost you between $3 and $4 per round most places. There is a wider selection of the Bushmaster ammo, and it is usually found around $2 to $2.50.

What he say

 

[jpkirwan]

I've decided that I need a Thumper, something that throws big chunks of lead at low to moderate velocities that will hit like Thor's hammer and travel through anything on this continant lengthwise. I'm not a lever action fan at all, love to look at them but they are the most awkward things to shoot out there, otherwise I'd go .45-70.

I'm thinking AR15 platform so I just need to buy an upper. I won't be buying it for 9 months to a year since I have a few bills I want to pay off first. This gives me lots of time to think on just what I want anyway.

The .450 Bushmaster has a lot going for it. States opening up shotgun only areas to straight wall really pushed it and now it's fairly mainstream with ammo found most places and while a bit pricey it's really not that high and it's not like I'd be stocking it for armageddon. I do think that the .350 Legend is going to knock this market back a bit though.

Then there is the 12.7x42. The ammo is harder to find and it's expensive, but damn, if you're going to punch a big hole in something might as well do it right.

Uses: This will literally just punch a few dozen holes a year in paper and defend me from the occasional gravel pit fridge or washer.

Before anyone points it out (which I'm sure some will anyway) yup I know it would make more sense to buy more mags or ammo or better glass for things that I already have. Don't care.

I know you said you don't like lever actions because they are awkward things to shoot. Has your only experience been with a 30-30 lever action? I had one, and it was awkward - hard to cycle. But I sold it and got a 44 magnum Henry Big Boy X. It's very easy to cycle and I can shoot both supersonic and subsonic loads. With a suppressor on the threaded barrel and subsonic loads it's pretty quiet.

 

[Farmplinker]

If you're only firing 2 or 3 boxes of ammo per year, might as well go 12.7. If you're shooting a few more than that .450. But if you really want to shoot a bunch of rounds, .350.

 

[Taco Salad]

If you're only firing 2 or 3 boxes of ammo per year, might as well go 12.7. If you're shooting a few more than that .450. But if you really want to shoot a bunch of rounds, .350.

I have no interest in the .350 and not sure why it's suggested.

 

[Twobits]

I've decided that I need a Thumper, something that throws big chunks of lead at low to moderate velocities that will hit like Thor's hammer and travel through anything on this continant lengthwise. I'm not a lever action fan at all, love to look at them but they are the most awkward things to shoot out there, otherwise I'd go .45-70.

I'm thinking AR15 platform so I just need to buy an upper. I won't be buying it for 9 months to a year since I have a few bills I want to pay off first. This gives me lots of time to think on just what I want anyway.

The .450 Bushmaster has a lot going for it. States opening up shotgun only areas to straight wall really pushed it and now it's fairly mainstream with ammo found most places and while a bit pricey it's really not that high and it's not like I'd be stocking it for armageddon. I do think that the .350 Legend is going to knock this market back a bit though.

Then there is the 12.7x42. The ammo is harder to find and it's expensive, but damn, if you're going to punch a big hole in something might as well do it right.

Uses: This will literally just punch a few dozen holes a year in paper and defend me from the occasional gravel pit fridge or washer.

Before anyone points it out (which I'm sure some will anyway) yup I know it would make more sense to buy more mags or ammo or better glass for things that I already have. Don't care.

I really don't think lever action rifles are that awkward to shoot. You just need to get used to it. Bolt action to me is more awkward than lever. I would love to have a lever action shotgun. Have a lever action rifle in a Savage 99 in 300 Savage. Can shoot it real well and fast if I need to.

 

[Taco Salad]

I really don't think lever action rifles are that awkward to shoot. You just need to get used to it. Bolt action to me is more awkward than lever. I would love to have a lever action shotgun. Have a lever action rifle in a Savage 99 in 300 Savage. Can shoot it real well and fast if I need to.

I bet a person could get used to being sodomized after a while too. Doesn't mean that's desirable.

 

[Pistolkitty]

I have no interest in the .350 and not sure why it's suggested.

Well, you did offer an 'Other' category in your poll, so maybe that's why.

 

[ajole]

I bet a person could get used to being sodomized after a while too. Doesn't mean that's desirable.

Ahhh, but learning to run a lever gun is still a desirable thing. And won’t get you in trouble with the religious folks, nor the police.🤣

But….there’s lots of desirable things out there that I’m not bothering to do or learn. Like learning to love the Glock.

It’s all good. We still have some freedom.👍

 

[lklawson]

I really don't think lever action rifles are that awkward to shoot.

Worked for Billy Jack, Lucas McCain, and Rooster Cogburn.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

 

[Pistolkitty]

Worked for Billy Jack, Lucas McCain, and Rooster Cogburn.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

I can't recall what long gun Rooster Cogburn carried, but I know La Boeuf's 'Sharp's Carbine' saved Roosters life at least once.

 

[backbencher]

I have no interest in the .350 and not sure why it's suggested.

B/c it tends to kill things just as dead as .450 Bushmaster w/ less recoil, noise, & cost, and you asked for other suggestions.

 

[ajole]

I can't recall what long gun Rooster Cogburn carried, but I know La Boeuf's 'Sharp's Carbine' saved Roosters life at least once.

Large loop Winchester, because he had to whip it around and cock it one handed on the last charge on horseback...

 

[undeRGRound]

THUMPERS.

I have a Thumper Collection but it's all handguns. Great Concept