.45 Raptor
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.45 Raptor: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Rifle |
| Primer Type | Large Rifle |
| Used For | Hunting, Sport Shooting |
| Case Design | Rimless, Straight Wall |
| Year Introduced | 2014 |
.45 Raptor: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ High power in a short-action cartridge
- ✔ Excellent for medium to large game hunting
- ✔ Compatible with AR-10 platform
- ✔ Good terminal ballistics
- ✔ Reduced recoil compared to larger magnum cartridges
Cons
- ✘ Limited commercial ammunition availability
- ✘ Higher cost compared to more common calibers
- ✘ Shorter effective range than some long-action cartridges
- ✘ Less versatile than some popular hunting calibers
- ✘ Requires specific components for reloading
.45 Raptor: A Powerful Big-Bore AR-15 Cartridge
The .45 Raptor is a large-bore rifle cartridge designed for use in AR-15 style rifles. Developed by Arne Brennan in 2014, it offers significant power and versatility in a compact package. The .45 Raptor is based on a shortened .308 Winchester case necked up to .452 inch, providing excellent ballistics and energy transfer for hunting large game and long-range shooting.
Development and Design
The .45 Raptor was created to address the need for a powerful, large-bore cartridge that could function reliably in the AR-15 platform. Arne Brennan, known for his work with wildcat cartridges, designed the .45 Raptor to offer ballistics similar to the .460 S&W Magnum but in a more compact form suitable for semi-automatic rifles.
The cartridge is based on the .308 Winchester case, shortened to 1.771 inches and necked up to accept .452 inch bullets. This design allows for the use of a wide range of bullet weights, typically from 160 to 325 grains, providing versatility for different hunting and shooting applications.
One of the key features of the .45 Raptor is its ability to function in standard AR-15 receivers with only a barrel change. This makes it an attractive option for shooters looking to upgrade their AR-15s to a more powerful cartridge without significant modifications.
Performance and Applications
The .45 Raptor offers impressive ballistic performance, with muzzle velocities ranging from 2,200 to 2,800 fps depending on bullet weight and load. This translates to high energy levels, making it suitable for hunting large game such as elk, moose, and bear at moderate ranges.
In terms of long-range performance, the .45 Raptor maintains good accuracy and energy retention. With proper loads, it can be effective for target shooting at distances beyond 500 yards, offering a balance of power and precision.
The cartridge's large bore diameter also makes it an excellent choice for hunting in dense brush, where its heavy bullets are less likely to be deflected by vegetation compared to smaller calibers.
Timeline of .45 Raptor Development:
.45 Raptor Performance Characteristics
Key performance metrics of the .45 Raptor cartridge:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Diameter | .452 inch (11.5 mm) Compatible with a wide range of existing .45 caliber bullets |
| Case Length | 1.771 inches (45 mm) Based on shortened .308 Winchester case |
| Overall Length | 2.260 inches (57.4 mm) Designed to fit in standard AR-15 magazines |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,200-2,800 fps Varies based on bullet weight and load |
| Effective Range | 500+ yards Suitable for long-range shooting and hunting |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .45 Raptor loads.
.45 Raptor: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .45 Raptor ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting (Medium to Large Game) | 0-300 | Excellent for medium to large game, high energy transfer |
| Target Shooting | 0-400 | Capable of good accuracy at moderate ranges |
| Self-Defense | 0-100 | Powerful stopping power, but significant recoil |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .45 Raptor is known for its high energy and stopping power at shorter ranges compared to some smaller calibers. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .45 Raptor
The .45 Raptor's powerful performance profile makes it suitable for specific applications:
Caliber Comparisons: .45 Raptor
The .45 Raptor is a powerful, large-bore cartridge designed for AR-10 style rifles. To understand its capabilities, let's compare it to similar cartridges:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .45 Raptor with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .45 Raptor with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .45 Raptor with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .45 Raptor with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .45 Raptor
The .45 Raptor is a powerful, large-bore cartridge designed for AR-10 platforms. It offers high energy and excellent sectional density for its caliber.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .45 Raptor | 230 | 0.162 |
| .45 Raptor | 250 | 0.176 |
| .45 Raptor | 300 | 0.211 |
| .45 Raptor | 325 | 0.229 |
| .45 Raptor | 350 | 0.246 |
Note: The .45 Raptor offers a range of bullet weights, allowing for versatility in hunting and target shooting applications. Its sectional density values are competitive with other large-bore cartridges, contributing to its effectiveness for medium to large game hunting.