School me on .458 Socom

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Dadawada

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I'm going to add a .458 Socom to my collection. I'm debating whether to just add a complete upper or a complete upper and lower build.

I understand the the idea behind the .458 being compatible with the standard AR lower. I have to think the stock lower will take a beating from the extra stress. The uppers I've seen seem to just open up the ejection port and call it good to go.

But I have seen where companies like CMMG have started building purpose built lowers (the Anvil).

Would like feedback from you other .458 Socom owners.
 
Why do you want .458? What are you trying to accomplish with it? I've always thought 6.8 and now .300 are the go to variants.
 
Don't own one but have hunted hogs with one and they are a blast ... literally. I really don't see a use outside of hogs for them in the SE US. I will say do not shot a whitetail with one ...
 
Nobody else has really helped, so why should I start? :D

50 Beowulf upper if you want something on a standard AR lower that makes a big hole. Mine is loads of fun to shoot, and ammo is usually more affordable than 458 SOCOM.
 
Well, let me add to my question. Everything I have read says that .458 is such an amazingly fun round to shoot out of the AR platform... however, it has significant drop at any distance, especially compared to 6.8 or several others. I also understand that unless you're hunting bears at close range or hogs that exceed 200 or 250 pounds, you really don't need the extra energy.

Having said all of that, Wilson combat has adopted the round and added it to their AR offerings. But they also offer .300, 6.8, 6.5, .204 R, .338 F, 7.62, etc.
 
I have a 450 Bushmaster. Its a real thumper. The 458 carries more energy, though.

The 458 has more selections for projectiles, it can use the same projectiles that 45-70 uses. The 450B has less selection, as it is limited to .452 projectiles. The 450B does not really have a subsonic option, but 458 Socom can be subsonic with 500gn projectiles.

I believe if you select the proper buffer and spring, neither one will beat the lower to death. I have a heavy spring and buffer in my 450B, with a standard run-of-the-mill lower.
 
Nobody else has really helped, so why should I start? :D

50 Beowulf upper if you want something on a standard AR lower that makes a big hole. Mine is loads of fun to shoot, and ammo is usually more affordable than 458 SOCOM.

I will second the 50 Beowulf. I don't own one...yet...but have shot one. It is an impressive round at 100y, and heavy recoil makes me smile.
 
I was under the impression that .458 ammo is easier to find than .50 and cheaper.
 
I was under the impression that .458 ammo is easier to find than .50 and cheaper.
I never get in a hurry to buy Beowulf. You can buy it directly from AA and just wait.

For a quick price comparison, I went to Midway just now and sorted by Price per Unit.

Cheapest Socom was $2.50
Cheapest Beowulf was $1.35

That's about what I remembered when I was deciding was to buy a couple years ago.

Reloading is also an option, but haven't looked into the 458. The Beowulf has dies, lots of bullet options, and it's a straight wall case so should be pretty easy whenever I decide to attempt it.
 
I love my 50 wulf, and if you decide to reload you can use the same projectiles for .50 ae, and S&W 500 magnum I believe.
 
I love my 50 wulf, and if you decide to reload you can use the same projectiles for .50 ae, and S&W 500 magnum I believe.
If that is the case (and I think you are right) Berrys makes plated 300 and 350gn bullets that are good to 2000fps. I have a friend that loads those for his 500 S&W and has had good luck with them.
 
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Why do you want .458? What are you trying to accomplish with it? I've always thought 6.8 and now .300 are the go to variants.

No reason in particular. I just like the idea of a 45 caliber AR. I already have a .300.
 
Thanks for the replies. I just have always been fond of over the top large bores. I used to reload my S&W 500.

In the past, I've had the S&W 500, a Savage .458 Winchester Magnum Safari gun, a Weatherby .300 Weatherby Magnum (that one was stout), and a UTAS 12 gauge bullpup to name a few...

There is just something about shooting large bore guns.
 
Don't own one but have hunted hogs with one and they are a blast ... literally. I really don't see a use outside of hogs for them in the SE US. I will say do not shot a whitetail with one ...

I've seen video of guys taking deer and even a turkey with one. Didn't look like it did anymore damage.
 
Well, let me add to my question. Everything I have read says that .458 is such an amazingly fun round to shoot out of the AR platform... however, it has significant drop at any distance, especially compared to 6.8 or several others. I also understand that unless you're hunting bears at close range or hogs that exceed 200 or 250 pounds, you really don't need the extra energy.

Having said all of that, Wilson combat has adopted the round and added it to their AR offerings. But they also offer .300, 6.8, 6.5, .204 R, .338 F, 7.62, etc.

I'm seeing a lot of videos of guys taking game at pretty good distances (over 200 yards) with the .458. I'm sure it does drop but 1,900 fps helps keep it up and out fairly well.
 
Well, I own and love my .458 SOCOM you can use it for any game on the NA continent bar none.
1. Your lower will not take a beating, so use whatever you like! I recommend going to the Tromix website and purchase a complete upper. Tony was one of the developers of the round and is a great help if you have any questions, you can also get .450 Bushmaster uppers and 375 SOCOM uppers if you want.
2. 458 SOCOM vs 450 Bushmaster the main plus to the Bushmaster is that it is a straight wall cartridge. A little easier to reload...and you WILL want to reload so you can afford to shoot ANY big bore and this will be no exception. The 458 uses standard GI Mags, you need proprietary for the 450 Bushmaster (ergo mags are cheaper for the 458). Bullets I find a much larger selection for the 458 since it is the same bullets you use in a 45-70 if you shoot that caliber already, the 450 uses .452 which is basically 45LC/454Casull etc. so honestly it all depends on what you currently have....if you reload...if you are buying factory ammo, then this aspect does not matter so much, but save your brass either way! Other than that, it is a personal preference.
3. If you scope this rifle you will need GOOD Hvy Duty 3 screw rings!!! Or you will beat a scope to death! It isn't that the recoil is all that bad, but that the AR platform is inherently light and while it won't punish your shoulder if there is ANY movement in that scope you will be purchasing a new scope before long if you don't catch the fact it moved! Even if the scope does NOT move I would hesitate to put any electronic heavy scope, like a night vision scope. I put an ATI scope on mine and it lasted 3 rounds. Got it back from the company after they "fixed" it and it lasted 6 more rounds and then that was that!
4. Range and accuracy....totally dependent on the shooter, I load my 350gr soft points up so the are moving at 1800fps+ so if you shoot the rifle well 200+ yard shots are a piece of cake, and yes, the bullet will be slower at that range.....but it IS a heavy bullet, it will still kill most anything on the continent when it hits if you do your part! As for accuracy, well that is going to be up to you, the running joke is if you want to get a 1/2" group at 100yds just fire one round! But if I do my part with my Leupold 1-4x20 on mine I can do sub-moa.
If you have any specific questions or, if you find your way near Rock Hill SC let me know and you can try mine out!
Here is mine with a 16"bbl...the entire rifle is made by Rock River Arms:
 
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20140616_112250-1.jpg 20140616_112250-1.jpg Kinda miss my 458, hust not the cost of ammo. $62/box is too much for just plinking. It was a hoot, and damn powerful. I was shooting 350gr TTSX and layed a 2" diameter tree over with one shot. Built it for a hog hunt with guys from the old NCGO. Had function issues at the hunt due to rushing the build. I used a barrel, brake, and bolt from Tromix (the developer of the 458Socom) and had a standard upper machined. The Leupold VX-Hog on top in a PEPR mount was great. I am gonna build another big bore, but I will tell you this: it won't be another 458. Just too expensive if you don't reload. If you do reload, brass is scarce as Starline only runs it periodically. And when they do, it goes fast. Also remember that you need to consider a fixed (A2-style) buttstock as most adjustables can't withstand the recoil.
 
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I will add that I mounted a Bushnell 1-4x 24 on my 450b, and it did not last one mag. Bushnell replaced it. I went with a Vortex 1-4x and so far it has held together.
 
The Starline brass is affordable and unless you lose the brass when you shoot it, it will last a LONG time! I haven't had to purchase any more brass and I reload the same brass over and over. So with new brass cost when you reload is around $1.50 (depending on bullet) per round, once you shoot the brass and re-use it, the cost drops to around .75 per round give or take. You really do want to reload for it!!
 
mine is a complete 16" carabine RRA upper on a RRA lower with a CTR stock and a cheap primary arms scope on top.
Been hunting with it for the last 2 seasons everything from coyote to deer.
There's no tracking required and with the right bullet there's no "big hole on the other side".
In my neck of the woods the longest shot is just a tad over 100 yards, so accuracy is still plenty.

Never bought factory ammo for it,so, as others said reloading is a must.

Mazer pretty much nailed everything else.

also check out 458socomforums.com

lots of useful info there.
 
Ordered some XCaliber ammo. Hope it gets here soon.
 

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Range time went well. Lot of talk about recoil. There was some, but nothing like people made it out to be. Very manageable and very accurate. Surprisingly so.

Now just to find a handguard that won't interfere with the gas block.
 
Swapped out the handguard for an Aero Precision to clear the Wilson Combat gas block. They do sit taller than other gas blocks.
 

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