The .450 Bushmaster cartridge is based on a modified .284 Winchester case. This provides a larger capacity for powder, enabling it to fire significantly heavier bullets at lower velocities than the original .284 Winchester. This design choice results in a cartridge well-suited for short to medium-range hunting of large game.
Utilizing a readily available, robust case as a foundation contributes to the cartridge’s reliability and ease of manufacture. The choice of a larger caliber caters to hunters seeking higher stopping power. This combination of factors led to the cartridge’s popularity, particularly for use in densely wooded areas where longer shots are less common. The original design goals emphasized effectiveness on large North American game, filling a niche between common handgun hunting cartridges and traditional high-powered rifle rounds.