Hi All,
I recently completed my first 450b build and I am stoked! I chose the 450 for one purpose: hogs! But its also a just plain freakin cool!
I looked at several options, but i am very happy I went with the 450. One big factor, frankly, was this forum. I have been very impressed with the people who post here - knowledgable and decent (helpful and and polite too) - not something you see in a lot of gun forums. I think that's important when choosing a calibre outside the mainstream.
I wanted a big bore ar because I like the platform. I've been using a Savage in 308 (which is an amazing weapon), but the ranch I go to for pigs is in the no lead zone. I've hit a 215 lb boar broadside with a super x 150 grain that was a direct spine hit, maybe 6 inches back from the neck. The beast started running! I hit him again and brought him down, but I won't soon forget seeing 308 slug lodged in the vertebrae and thinking about how that thing just took off running...
The main criteria for the build was light weight and power. I end up doing a lot of hiking when I go out. I went with the 20 inch upper, with the idea that the few extra fps won't hurt. For weight savings I used a "plastic fantastic" lower and an ace skeleton stock. I also kept the optic simple and light with a luepold fixed 4x33. It weighs in right around 7 lbs even (empty).
The first trip to the range was eye opening. Nearly broke my shoulder. Hurt worse than my 870 with 3" magnum buckshot... I added the Ross brake and a grind to fit Limbsaver and she's a pussycat now. Can't wait to try her out on hogs! Got to load up some non-lead first though...
Got my 454 Casull in the pic too - a hog killin combo!