Big bullets from an AR-15. That’s the trend these days, what with loadings like the .300 BLK and 6.8 SPC becoming popular and (kinda) mainstream. Am-Tac wanted to design a cartridge that not only pushed a massive projectile from an AR-15 rifle, but also used standard AR-15 magazines and existing tech. Their solution: the .416 Hushpuppy . . .
What’s cool about this round is its size. A 450 grain bullet is seated at the tip of this cartridge, and it leaves the barrel at right around 1,000 feet per second. That low velocity also means that the gasses at the end of the barrel are low pressure, and makes them easily suppressed with a standard .45 ACP can.
It might seem pretty cool, but there are some issues. Availability is only through Am-Tac, who make the only barrels and all the ammo. There are no reloading dies available yet, though they promise that they are coming. Even if the dies arrive, the cases are formed from 50AE brass where the neck is modified and the rims have to be rebated to fit the bolt. It’s a lot of work for a boutique caliber.
Whether this one will be a hit or not, only time will tell. As for me, I’m not putting any money on it just yet.