Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish Review

Is the Hype Real? Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish Reviewed

For anyone looking to push the .450 Bushmaster cartridge to its potential within an AR-556 platform, the Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish magazine is a critical piece of the puzzle. As a gear specialist with over a decade of experience across various demanding environments, I’ve learned that the devil – and often the reliability – is in the details, especially when dealing with larger, straight-walled cartridges. My need for this specific magazine arose from a desire to optimize my AR-556 for robust hunting scenarios where the .450 Bushmaster offers significant stopping power. Standard capacity magazines designed for smaller calibers often struggle with the unique dimensions and feeding characteristics of these larger rounds, leading to frustration and potential malfunctions.

My initial impression upon handling this magazine was one of solid construction. The steel body felt substantial, and the black finish was uniform and professional. It didn’t feel like a flimsy afterthought designed to simply hold cartridges. Instead, it conveyed a sense of purposeful engineering aimed at handling the stresses of the .450 Bushmaster. I had briefly considered a few generic aftermarket options, but the specificity of the Ruger branding for the AR-556 platform, coupled with the promise of internal bracing, steered me towards this model. My immediate feeling was one of cautious optimism – it looked like it was built to do the job, and do it right.

Real-World Testing: Putting Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial testing grounds for this magazine were the familiar confines of my workshop bench and then the open shooting range. I loaded it with new .450 Bushmaster ammunition, ensuring proper seating of each round. The process of loading was straightforward, with the rounds seating firmly without excessive force. At the range, the magazine fed flawlessly through several test firings. I experienced no jams, misfeeds, or failures to lock the bolt open on an empty magazine. The performance held true even as the outdoor temperature fluctuated slightly, indicating a robust design less susceptible to minor environmental shifts.

This Ruger magazine proved intuitive from the first use; there was no significant learning curve required. It functioned just as expected, seamlessly integrating with my AR-556. A minor surprise was just how smoothly the rounds presented themselves for chambering, even after multiple reloads. It truly felt like a component designed to work with the rifle, not just in it.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months of use, which included numerous range trips and even a controlled field test during a hunting season, this five-round magazine has held up remarkably well. It has been loaded and unloaded dozens of times, exposed to dust and grit on the range, and experienced light moisture without any discernible degradation in performance. The internal bracing system appears to be effectively preventing any follower tilt or cartridge misalignment, which is often the Achilles’ heel of magazines designed for straight-walled cartridges.

Durability has been excellent; there are no cracks, stiffness in the follower, or other signs of wear and tear that would compromise its function. Maintenance is as simple as any other detachable magazine: a quick wipe down with a cloth and occasional light lubrication if exposed to harsh conditions. I’ve used cheaper, generic magazines in the past that started showing performance issues after only a few uses, requiring careful manipulation to get them to feed reliably. This particular Ruger unit, however, consistently delivers the same smooth performance it did on day one, easily outperforming budget alternatives and matching the reliability of premium factory magazines from other manufacturers.

Breaking Down the Features of Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish

Specifications

The Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish is engineered with specific features to support the unique demands of the .450 Bushmaster cartridge in an AR-556 platform. Its 5-round capacity is ideal for hunting regulations and provides a balance between ammunition on hand and magazine size for maneuverability. The magazine boasts a robust steel construction, specifically a 410 stainless-steel body, which offers excellent durability and resistance to corrosion, ensuring longevity even in challenging environments.

This magazine incorporates an internal bracing system designed to properly support straight-walled rounds and prevent misalignment. This is a critical feature for the .450 Bushmaster, as its dimensions can be problematic for standard magazine followers and feed lips. Furthermore, the construction utilizes laser-welded seams, which contribute to its overall strength and reliability by eliminating potential weak points found in other assembly methods. The black finish not only provides a professional aesthetic but also offers a degree of surface protection. Compared to typical 30-round AR-15 magazines designed for smaller calibers, this 5-round unit’s reinforced internal structure is its most significant differentiator.

Performance & Functionality

In terms of its primary function, the Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish magazine excels at reliably feeding .450 Bushmaster cartridges into the AR-556 rifle. I experienced zero feeding issues during all my testing phases; each round chambered smoothly and positively. The internal bracing system demonstrably works by keeping the rounds stacked in a stable column, preventing the dreaded “nose-dive” or “catch-up” misfeeds that plague lesser designs.

The strengths of this magazine lie in its precise engineering for the specific cartridge and rifle. It delivers consistent performance that instills confidence, especially in situations where a firearm malfunction could have serious consequences. Its main weakness, if one could call it that, is its limited 5-round capacity, which is an intentional design choice for this caliber and platform, but means fewer shots are available between reloads compared to larger capacity magazines for smaller rounds. It fully meets, and in my opinion, exceeds expectations for a magazine of this type, providing a level of reliability that is paramount for this caliber.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of this Ruger magazine is driven by function, and it shows. The 410 stainless-steel body provides a solid feel without adding excessive weight. The overall build quality is evident, with clean lines and a uniform black finish that resists scratching and wear from regular handling.

Ergonomically, it’s designed to fit standard AR-556 magazine wells perfectly, allowing for quick and easy insertion and removal. The lack of complex controls or sharp edges means it’s comfortable to handle, whether you’re loading it at the bench or performing a hasty magazine change in the field. The follower moves smoothly within the body, and the feed lips are precisely shaped to guide the rounds without damaging them. These practical design details, like the well-machined feed lips and the smooth-moving follower, directly contribute to its reliable performance.

Durability & Maintenance

Based on its construction and my extended testing, this Ruger magazine is built for significant longevity. For its intended purpose within an AR-556 platform, it’s essentially a reusable, heavy-duty component. I anticipate it will last for many thousands of cycles with proper care.

Maintenance is refreshingly simple. A quick rinse with water if it gets particularly dirty, followed by drying and a light coat of lubricant on the follower and spring if necessary, is all that’s typically required. There are no intricate parts that are difficult to access or clean. The laser-welded seams are a notable feature that suggests a lack of potential failure points that might emerge with riveted or staked designs over time. My only minor concern, shared with all magazines, is ensuring the spring doesn’t weaken over extreme extended periods of being fully loaded, though this is a common characteristic for all spring-driven mechanisms.

Accessories and Customization Options

This particular item, the Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish magazine, comes as a standalone component. It does not include any additional accessories or offer inherent customization options in the traditional sense, as its primary purpose is to serve as a reliable ammunition carrier for the specified rifle and caliber. Its compatibility is strictly within the AR-556 platform chambered for .450 Bushmaster.

There are no specific aftermarket modifications or add-ons that are typically associated with this type of magazine, beyond perhaps a different color finish if available from the manufacturer. The focus is entirely on the magazine’s core functionality and robust construction. While you can’t customize the magazine itself, ensuring you have quality .450 Bushmaster ammunition to load into it is the most crucial complementary element for optimal performance.

Pros and Cons of Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish

Who Should Buy Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish?

This magazine is an excellent choice for owners of the Ruger AR-556 rifle chambered in .450 Bushmaster who prioritize reliability and performance. It is particularly suited for hunters who need a dependable magazine for ethical shot placement during their hunts, and for range enthusiasts who want to wring the most performance out of their .450 Bushmaster AR-556 without experiencing ammunition feeding issues. Anyone who has struggled with feeding problems from generic magazines when using this caliber will find this unit to be a significant upgrade.

Those who are looking for high-capacity magazines for rapid-fire scenarios or those on an extremely tight budget might want to look elsewhere. However, for anyone serious about maximizing the effectiveness and reliability of their .450 Bushmaster AR-556, this magazine is a near essential component. A must-have accessory to complement this magazine would be high-quality, reliable .450 Bushmaster ammunition from reputable manufacturers, as using substandard ammo can negate even the best magazine’s performance.

Conclusion on Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish

The Ruger 90679 AR-556 450 Bushmaster 5 Round Steel Black Finish magazine stands out as a well-engineered and exceptionally reliable component for a specialized application. Its robust steel construction, internal bracing, and precise design ensure that the challenges of feeding the .450 Bushmaster cartridge are met head-on. While its 5-round capacity is a limitation for some, it is a deliberate design choice that balances maneuverability with adequate ammunition for its intended purpose, primarily hunting.

Considering its performance, durability, and the confidence it instills, the price of $53.79 feels justified for the quality and specialized engineering offered. I would absolutely recommend this magazine to anyone who owns a Ruger AR-556 chambered in .450 Bushmaster and is seeking a dependable feeding solution. If you’re looking to avoid the frustration of misfeeds and ensure your rifle performs at its best when it matters most, this Ruger magazine is a worthwhile investment that delivers on its promise of reliability.