The 450 Bushmaster exists because Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana changed the rules. Straight wall cartridge zones pushed hunters away from shotgun slugs and gave them a rifle cartridge that hits like a freight train inside 250 yards. The Ruger American in this chambering is one of the most common pairings, and it raises a specific optic question: what scope handles the recoil, fits the cartridge’s realistic range, and works in the timber and field edge habitat where the 450 Bushmaster earns its keep?
Eye relief on the 450 Bushmaster is not a comfort issue. It is a safety issue. The cartridge generates recoil in the 25 to 30 foot pound range depending on load, which is in the territory of a .338 Win Mag. A scope with 3 inches of eye relief on this rifle is how you end a season early with a cut above your eye. Four inches is the minimum. Anything less requires a conversation with your wallet about whether saving money on a scope is worth the risk.
The practical range for this cartridge from the Ruger American is 200 yards for most hunters, with capable shooters extending to 250 yards in good conditions. Maximum magnification of 7x to 9x is the right ceiling. These six scopes were chosen for eye relief safety, glass quality in hunting light, and honest match to the cartridge’s range.
Top Picks at a Glance
- Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 – Best Overall
- Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7×33 – Best Glass
- Vortex Diamondback HP 2-8×32 – Best Low Light
- Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 – Best for Open Fields
- Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36 – Best Premium Option
- Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 – Best Budget
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| Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 | Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7×33 | Vortex Diamondback HP 2-8×32 | Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 | Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36 | Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 | |
| Magnification | 2-7x | 2-7x | 2-8x | 3-9x | 2.5-8x | 2-7x |
| Objective | 32mm | 33mm | 32mm | 40mm | 36mm | 35mm |
| Eye Relief | 3.9 in | 3.7 in | 4.0 in | 3.5 in | 4.4 in | 3.9 in |
| Glass Tier | Standard | Standard+ | HP | Standard | HD | Standard |
| Weight | 11.4 oz | 9.3 oz | 13.2 oz | 12.6 oz | 10.0 oz | 11.7 oz |
| Reticle | BDC / V-Plex | Duplex | Dead-Hold BDC | Ballistic Plex | Duplex / FireDot | V-Plex |
| Warranty | VIP Lifetime | Lifetime | VIP Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | VIP Lifetime |
| Eye Relief Safety | Adequate | Adequate | Comfortable | Marginal | Generous | Adequate |
| Low Light Rating | Adequate | Good | Good | Adequate | Excellent | Adequate |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
1. Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 – Best Overall
The Crossfire II 2-7×32 is the most common scope paired with the 450 Bushmaster in straight wall cartridge zones for good reason. It is affordable, compact, and covers the full practical shooting range of the cartridge without asking the rifle to do something the ballistics cannot support.
At 2x you can track a deer moving through a gap in the hardwoods. At 7x you can read a rack at 180 yards before you squeeze the trigger.
Standard tier glass in the Crossfire II performs well in good light and in moderate low light. For a deer hunter sitting a fixed stand over a food plot in October afternoon light, the glass is sufficient. At first light and last light in dense hardwoods, you will start to feel the limits of standard coatings.
The BDC reticle is calibrated for the 450 Bushmaster’s trajectory and gives a 150 yard hold point and a 200 yard hold point without dialing. Confirmed at the range with your specific load, those hold points are accurate enough for a responsible shot on a deer. The V-Plex option is clean and simple for hunters who prefer a duplex.
Zero retention under 450 Bushmaster recoil is reliable. The Crossfire II is rated for hard recoiling calibers and backs that up in this application.
The Crossfire II 2-7×32 is the honest choice for a hunter who wants a reliable, functional optic on the Ruger American in 450 Bushmaster without spending more on glass than the rifle cost. It does the job in the conditions most straight wall hunters encounter. For a hunter whose shots are inside 175 yards in good to moderate light, the standard glass tier will not cost you a deer. Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- BDC reticle calibrated for 450 Bushmaster trajectory gives practical field holds to 200 yards
- 3.9 inch eye relief adequate for straight wall recoil in a fixed shooting position
- 2-7x covers every realistic hunting distance for the 450 Bushmaster
- Rated for hard recoiling calibers with reliable zero retention
- Most accessible price point for a genuine quality optic on this platform
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- 3.9 inch eye relief is the minimum safe margin for the 450 Bushmaster’s recoil level
- Standard glass tier becomes a limiting factor in the last 10 minutes of shooting light in timber
2. Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7×33 – Best Glass
The Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7×33 gives you better glass than the Crossfire II at a similar magnification range and a comparable price point. At 9.3 ounces it is the lightest scope on this list, which keeps the Ruger American’s handling trim for a carried deer rifle.
The 2-7x range is correct for the cartridge and the hunting context. Compact, low profile, and light. It points on a rifle built for close to mid-range deer hunting.
Leupold’s standard plus coating system in the VX-Freedom delivers better transmission than equivalent price competitors at dawn and dusk. At 7x in a hardwood stand at first light, the difference between this scope and a generic standard tier option shows as image brightness and clarity that lets you identify a deer a few minutes earlier in the morning.
The duplex reticle is simple and correct for the 450 Bushmaster. At 200 yards with a standard 250 grain load sighted in at 150 yards, the drop is manageable by aim point rather than holdover circles. The duplex keeps acquisition fast and uncluttered for a rifle used in moving target situations.
Zero retention under the 450 Bushmaster’s recoil is solid. Leupold builds its hunting scopes to handle hard recoiling cartridges.
The VX-Freedom 2-7×33 is the best glass option at the entry price tier for the 450 Bushmaster. Leupold’s coating advantage over standard tier competitors is real and shows in the conditions that define most deer hunting: dawn and dusk in October timber. The eye relief limitation at 3.7 inches is the only caution, and it is manageable with consistent shooting position discipline. Leupold lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Leupold coating system delivers better transmission than standard tier at dawn and dusk
- 9.3 ounces is the lightest option on this list for a carried deer rifle
- Duplex reticle is fast and uncluttered for moving deer in timber
- Reliable zero retention under the 450 Bushmaster’s hard recoil
- Better glass quality than the Crossfire II at a comparable price point
- Leupold lifetime warranty
Cons
- 3.7 inch eye relief is the second shortest on this list and requires disciplined shooting position on this cartridge
- Duplex reticle offers no holdover reference for hunters pushing to 200 or 250 yards
3. Vortex Diamondback HP 2-8×32 – Best Low Light
The 2-8x range is a slight improvement over 2-7x at the top end, giving better resolution at 200 yards for a careful shot decision.
HP glass is Vortex’s second tier above standard Diamondback and a meaningful step in low light performance. At dawn in a hardwood stand, the HP coating system lets you identify a deer at 150 yards when standard glass is still rendering the same animal as a gray shape. That window of extra visibility can mean the difference between a filled tag on the first day of season and waiting another hour for light.
The Dead-Hold BDC reticle in this configuration is calibrated for hunting cartridges and gives a usable 200 yard hold point for a 450 Bushmaster load sighted at 150 yards. It is not cartridge specific in the way a dedicated 450 Bushmaster BDC would be, so confirmation at the range with your load is essential.
Zero retention is reliable under the 450 Bushmaster’s recoil. The HP builds on the same mechanical platform as the standard Diamondback with improved glass rather than a different internal architecture.
The Diamondback HP 2-8×32 is the right scope for a hunter who takes the 450 Bushmaster in low light conditions. The HP glass tier earns its modest price premium over the Crossfire II in every dawn and dusk sit, which is where most deer hunting outcomes are decided. The 4 inch eye relief gives you honest safety margin on this hard recoiling cartridge. Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- HP glass delivers a genuine low light advantage over standard tier at dawn and dusk
- 4.0 inch eye relief gives the most comfortable adequate margin on this list for the 450 Bushmaster’s recoil
- Low light improvement over Crossfire II is meaningful in October hardwood stands at first light
- 2-8x range provides better top end resolution than 2-7x options
- Reliable zero retention under hard straight wall cartridge recoil
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- Dead-Hold BDC is not calibrated for the 450 Bushmaster and requires range confirmation
- Price step above Crossfire II requires honest assessment of whether low light improvement justifies the difference for your hunting style
4. Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 – Best for Open Fields
The Fullfield II 3-9×40 is the right choice for a 450 Bushmaster hunter who spends more time in agricultural fields and field edges than in heavy timber. The 40mm objective provides better light gathering than the 32 and 33mm options, and 9x at the top end gives you resolution at 200 to 250 yards that the 7x and 8x options cannot match.
The 3x minimum setting is narrower than 2x options for fast acquisition, which is less critical in an open field stand than in close timber.
Standard tier glass in the Fullfield II is adequate in good light. The 40mm objective gives a raw light gathering advantage over the 32 and 33mm options at the same magnification, which offsets the standard tier coating limitation at dawn and dusk.
The Ballistic Plex reticle provides holdover marks at 200 and 300 yards for hunting cartridges. For the 450 Bushmaster the 200 yard mark is practical. The 300 yard mark is outside the cartridge’s effective hunting range from this platform for most hunters. At field edges where you can count on 100 to 200 yard shots, the Ballistic Plex is fast and accurate.
Zero retention is reliable. The Fullfield II has a long reputation for holding zero across seasons.
The Fullfield II 3-9×40 fits a hunter who uses the Ruger American 450 Bushmaster for agricultural field and field edge hunting where shots from 100 to 225 yards are the norm. The 40mm objective and 9x top end serve that use case better than compact 2-7x options. The 3.5 inch eye relief requires consistent shooting position discipline on this cartridge, which is the most significant limitation to be aware of before purchase. Burris lifetime warranty.
Pros
- 40mm objective provides better raw light gathering than compact alternatives at equal magnification
- 9x top end gives better resolution at 225 yards than 7x or 8x options for field edge shots
- Ballistic Plex reticle gives practical 200 yard holdover for hunting cartridge use
- Proven zero retention across seasonal storage periods
- Most appropriate for open field and agricultural habitat at 100 to 225 yards
- Burris lifetime warranty
Cons
- 3.5 inch eye relief is the shortest on this list and a real safety consideration on the 450 Bushmaster
- 3x minimum is narrower than 2x options for fast shots in close cover or transitional terrain
5. Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36 – Best Premium Option
The Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36 has the most generous eye relief on this list at 4.4 inches. On a 450 Bushmaster, that extra margin is not marketing language. It is the difference between a clean shot from a kneeling position in the dark and a scope that punishes a forward head position. For a cartridge this hard recoiling, eye relief generosity translates to field safety.
HD glass with Leupold’s Twilight Max lens system delivers the best hunting light performance on this list at a price below the Razor HD tier. At dawn in an October hardwood stand, the VX-3HD renders a deer at 150 yards with edge definition and contrast that standard and HP tier options cannot match. That clarity translates to earlier shot decisions and cleaner kills.
The optional FireDot illuminated reticle adds a lit center dot that shows against a dark timber background before a black crosshair disappears in low contrast conditions. For a hunter who sits dark timber and targets a deer against a shadowed background, that dot is useful in a way that illumination is not always marketed to be.
Zero retention under the 450 Bushmaster’s recoil is excellent. Leupold designs the VX-3HD for cartridges with hard recoil.
The VX-3HD 2.5-8×36 is the right choice for a hunter who takes the 450 Bushmaster as a low light deer tool and wants the glass to match that intent. The 4.4 inch eye relief is the most important safety advantage on a hard recoiling straight wall cartridge, and the HD glass extends your effective shooting window at dawn and dusk beyond what standard or HP tier provides. For a dedicated deer hunter who hunts legal shooting hours hard, this scope pays for itself in the first season. Leupold lifetime warranty.
Pros
- 4.4 inch eye relief is the most generous on this list and the safest option for the 450 Bushmaster’s recoil
- HD glass with Twilight Max delivers the best low light performance on this list outside premium tier
- FireDot illuminated reticle option adds contrast against dark timber backgrounds at dawn
- 10 ounce weight keeps the Ruger American balanced and field ready
- 36mm objective provides balanced light gathering without bulky profile
- Leupold lifetime warranty
Cons
- Premium price is the highest on this list
- 2.5x minimum is narrower than 2x options for the fastest possible close range acquisition
6. Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 – Best Budget
The Vortex Diamondback 2-7×35 is the entry level option that still delivers genuine quality for a hunter working with a tight budget on the 450 Bushmaster platform. At 11.7 ounces it is a middleweight scope that does not unbalance the Ruger American.
The 2-7x range is correct for every hunting scenario this cartridge is used in. At 7x at 200 yards you can make a responsible shot decision on a deer.
Standard tier coating in the Diamondback is similar to the Crossfire II in most measurable respects. The marginal objective size advantage at 35mm versus 32mm gives a slight brightness improvement that shows most at dusk. It is not a dramatic difference, but it is honest.
The V-Plex reticle is a simple duplex appropriate for the 450 Bushmaster at close to moderate distances. For hunters who prefer a clean reticle without holdover clutter, the V-Plex is a practical choice inside 200 yards.
Zero retention under hard recoil is reliable. The Vortex VIP warranty applies to this scope regardless of how it was damaged, which is meaningful on a hard recoiling caliber where scope failures are more common than on mild cartridges.
The Diamondback 2-7×35 is the choice when the budget is firm and the Crossfire II feels like the floor. The marginal improvements over the Crossfire II in objective size and coating quality are real if modest. For a hunter whose deer season happens in good to moderate light at distances inside 175 yards, this scope is sufficient and the warranty backing is identical to every other Vortex on this list. Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable.
Pros
- Marginal improvement over Crossfire II in objective size and coating quality at a similar price
- V-Plex reticle is clean and uncluttered for close to moderate range 450 Bushmaster shooting
- 3.9 inch eye relief adequate for straight wall cartridge recoil in a consistent position
- Reliable zero retention under hard recoil conditions
- 2-7x range covers all realistic hunting distances for the cartridge
- Vortex VIP warranty: unconditional, lifetime, transferable
Cons
- Standard glass tier identical in limitation to Crossfire II in low light conditions
- Improvement over Crossfire II is marginal and may not justify price difference for budget conscious buyers
Eye Relief Safety Notes: 450 Bushmaster on the Ruger American
The 450 Bushmaster is in the top tier of hunting cartridge recoil. A typical 250 grain load at 2,200 feet per second from the Ruger American generates 27 foot pounds of recoil energy. That is more than a .30-06 Springfield and comparable to a .338 Win Mag.
3.5 inch eye relief (Burris Fullfield II): This is the minimum acceptable margin for this cartridge. Manageable in a fixed, repeatable shooting position such as a treestand with a front rest. In improvised field positions, it is a risk. If you choose this scope, confirm your natural eye position behind the scope before hunting season, not during.
3.7 inch eye relief (Leupold VX-Freedom): Adequate with consistent cheek weld. The small additional margin over 3.5 inches matter in a bad position. Still requires discipline, when wearing heavy clothing in cold weather that affects your shoulder mount.
3.9 inch eye relief (Crossfire II / Diamondback): The standard adequate margin for this recoil level. Comfortable in most shooting positions. Leaves a reasonable margin for a off position without consequence.
4.0 inch eye relief (Diamondback HP): The comfortable margin for the 450 Bushmaster. A full inch of additional clearance over 3.5 inch options. Recommended as the minimum if you shoot from improvised positions or in poor light when position discipline is harder to maintain.
4.4 inch eye relief (Leupold VX-3HD): Generous for this cartridge. The correct choice for a hunter who shoots from multiple positions, hunts in the dark, or has taken a scope cut before on a hard recoiling rifle.
Field Notes: Ruger American 450 Bushmaster Scope Selection
Match the scope to the cartridge’s real effective range
The 450 Bushmaster from a 22 inch barrel delivers 2,500 foot pounds at the muzzle and drops to around 1,600 foot pounds at 200 yards. Beyond 200 yards, energy retention and trajectory drop combine to make responsible shots on deer difficult without confirmed range data and deliberate aim point management. A scope with a 7x to 9x top end fits the cartridge’s actual capability. There is no reason to mount a 4-16×50 on this rifle.
Straight wall zone hunting often means last light shots
Straight wall cartridge regulations in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana were designed to open deer hunting options for hunters in suburban and transitional zones. Many of those zones feature agricultural fields, orchard edges, and suburban woodlots where deer movement peaks at last light. Glass quality at dawn and dusk matter more on this platform than it does for a hunter in a managed hunting area where deer move in good light.
Zero the rifle at 150 yards for field simplicity
A 450 Bushmaster load zeroed at 150 yards is 1.5 inches high at 75 yards and 4 to 5 inches low at 200 yards depending on load. That holdover at 200 yards is manageable with a duplex or BDC reticle and eliminates the need for dialing in most field situations. Confirm this with your specific load before season.
Final Thoughts
The Vortex Crossfire II 2-7×32 covers the Ruger American 450 Bushmaster for most deer hunters in straight wall cartridge zones: correct magnification, BDC for field holds, and solid recoil resistance at an honest price. Hunters who sit timber hard at dawn and dusk should move to the Vortex Diamondback HP 2-8×32 for the low light improvement and more comfortable eye relief. For a hunter who wants the safest eye relief margin on a hard recoiling cartridge and the best hunting glass outside a premium budget, the Leupold VX-3HD 2.5-8×36 is the scope that this rifle deserves. No scope on this list will let the 450 Bushmaster down inside 200 yards in legal shooting light. Go into the timber with the glass that matches the conditions you hunt.