Ar15 upper in 458 Socom.

[Remow2112]

Anyone using one from someone other then Tromix? If so what brand and where the heck are you finding brass?

I am considering switching from 45/70 to 458 Socom. Thoughts from owners and reloaders welcome.

Dan...

 

[AZDESERTRAT]

I have had a few bear creek armory 458s (standard and side charger). They worked fine for the price point and I never had any issues. I sold them and upgraded to a Wilson combat heavy barrel 458. Haven’t had a chance to shoot it yet but I feel better About running hotter loads in the future now. I don’t reload (stupid I know) so can’t help ya there. I buy ammo from steinel and just save the brass for the future when I have more time to mess with reloading.

 

[Intel6]

I have a Rock River Arms upper and it has served me well. I reload and shoot jacketed bullets and lots of my own cast bullets mostly. Reloading is mostly straight forward as long as you use the correct tools and you have a correct chamber. It seems that many of the problems with the SOCOM is some manufactures not using the correct spec chamber reamer.

Remo, the 45-70 complements the .458 SOCOM nicely so don't get rid of the 45-70, just add the SOCOM. I load many of the bullets I make in both the 45-70 and the SOCOM.

By the way I am very near you guys and I am happy to help with reloading stuff, been reloading for 30+ years and been reloading the SOCOM for 10 years.

Below is a pic of my two favorite bullets I make and shoot in my SOCOM. On the left is a 360 Gr. PC'd bullet for both the SOCOM and the 45-70 (that is what the crimp groove is for). On the right is a 500 gr. spire point that I load for subsonic loads in the SOCOM.

 

[Remow2112]

Thanks for the info and Rock River arms. There seems to be a ton of debate on the correct ramp for 458 SOCOM. Good to see that you have had good results with RRA and Bear creek.

Once I get one Intel6 I may take you up on the 458 SOCOM reloading help. Been loading close to 30 years myself. Always good to get hints and tips on a new cartridge!

Dan...

 

[Joelgas1]

Man that’s quite a slug. What is the recoil like?

 

[Intel6]

Recoil is subjective but since it is in an semi-auto the recoil is not bad at all.

That 500 gr. is my normal "heavy" shooting bullet but it is not the heaviest one I make and shoot for the SOCOM.

In the PIC below you can see a 600 gr. solid and a 570 gr. HP I cast from the NOE MOAB mould. This is a big long bullet and you can see how far it goes back into the case. Once again, not pushing it too fast because there isnt enough room to really do that. I can push it past 1,000 fps but try to keep it around that speed.

 

[Remow2112]

Intel6 those are monsters! What powder are you using and have you used 5744?

Dan...

 

[Remow2112]

The Weatherby cartridge box as a back drop is a nice touch.

 

[Intel6]

Intel6 those are monsters! What powder are you using and have you used 5744?

Dan...

For these I use Accurate 1680 but most of the powder in this burn range should work like 5744, 4198 etc...

 

[Intel6]

The Weatherby cartridge box as a back drop is a nice touch.

I just like that classic box with the elephant, makes a good backdrop. That is my "big" .458" so that is why when people ask about the recoil of my 45-70 or .458 SOCOM I have to say it is subjective. My .460 Weatherby is a Ruger #1H which weighs about 8 pounds so when you are shooting full power loads it thumps pretty good. a 500 gr. .458" bullet going out at 2,700 fps generates some power. I also shoot lower velocity cast bullets out of it for plinking loads.

In the pic L to R:

500 gr. Soft point
300 gr. JHP
500 gr. Lead coated
obligatory .223 round for comparison

 

[Remow2112]

I got to shoot a Ruger #1 in 460 Weatherby. Not for the recoil sensitive. LOL.

I do have a Ruger #1 tropical in 458 Lott. Which will also wake you up when shooting full power loads. Ruger #3 in 45-70 is also very exciting.

Dan...

 

[coupeman]

Man I have always been temped by a 458 socom. Must resist

 

[DanceTiger]

Check out: CaveCreekGuns.com
George built a real nice .458 Socom for me

 

[Pscipio03]

I have a Rock River Arms upper and it has served me well. I reload and shoot jacketed bullets and lots of my own cast bullets mostly. Reloading is mostly straight forward as long as you use the correct tools and you have a correct chamber. It seems that many of the problems with the SOCOM is some manufactures not using the correct spec chamber reamer.

Remo, the 45-70 complements the .458 SOCOM nicely so don't get rid of the 45-70, just add the SOCOM. I load many of the bullets I make in both the 45-70 and the SOCOM.

By the way I am very near you guys and I am happy to help with reloading stuff, been reloading for 30+ years and been reloading the SOCOM for 10 years.

Below is a pic of my two favorite bullets I make and shoot in my SOCOM. On the left is a 360 Gr. PC'd bullet for both the SOCOM and the 45-70 (that is what the crimp groove is for). On the right is a 500 gr. spire point that I load for subsonic loads in the SOCOM.


PC 458 SOCOM.web.jpg

Out of curiosity, why are you gas checking a powder coated bullet?

 

[Intel6]

[/quote]
Out of curiosity, why are you gas checking a powder coated bullet?
[/quote]

Because I can, Its a personal preference. I know there are lots of people out there who say you don't need to put a GC on a PC'd bullet and there are some that I shoot out of bolt guns that I do not. With shooting PC'd bullets in AR's, when I push them fast I like to have a GC on the base. I do not use them on my heavier subsonic loads in the SOCOM but with the lighter ones I like the GC.

I have never seen anyone argue against putting a GC on a cast bullet because it makes it perform worse than a plain base. Most arguments against GC's have to do with cost or extra hassle putting them on. Both of those reasons are insignificant to me so I install them. Basically I see no negative reason for having them, only positive reasons so I use them.

 

[drjdog5150]

Great thread, I just picked up a Bear Creek upper and following this for knowledge.

 

[DMeacham]

I love my .458 socom. I became fascinated with the round, and bought a RF upper and a couple hundred rounds of ammo, and pissed away my year end bonus a couple years back.

I don’t have time, or knowledge, to reload, so I buy all my rounds from Nick from Black Butterfly Ammo. He has some great options. Although, I’d love to move to local if people would start carrying it here.

 

[Intel6]

I love my .458 socom. I became fascinated with the round, and bought a RF upper and a couple hundred rounds of ammo, and pissed away my year end bonus a couple years back.

I don’t have time, or knowledge, to reload, so I buy all my rounds from Nick from Black Butterfly Ammo. He has some great options. Although, I’d love to move to local if people would start carrying it here.

Hope you are keeping your brass?

It has some decent value compared to many other calibers.

 

[DMeacham]

Oh of course keeping it.

I also have about 500 .50bmg shells