Big bore AR

[XJThrottle]

Thinking of my next build...

Kinda feel the need for a bigbore. A .458, .450 bushmaster, Beowolf, etc..

It works mostly be for the fun of having/shooting.

Whatcha' got?

 

[XJThrottle]

Already have typical 5.56, 6.5G, and 300BO..

 

[Yugmoto1]

I've been curious about these as well. Oddly enough I have three friends that each have one of them. I haven't fired any of them at this time. My buddy with the 450 BM lives in SD, so that may be a while before I get first hand experience with it. He says it's a thumper though and he likes it. He also loads 45, so he can use similar bullets, but I don't know the particulars. The other two haven't been fired yet, but we have talked about taking them out together. I think the 50 looks pretty awesome. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I'd have to reload for any one of them to be able to shoot it much.

 

[Flash]

I've been curious about these as well. Oddly enough I have three friends that each have one of them. I haven't fired any of them at this time. My buddy with the 450 BM lives in SD, so that may be a while before I get first hand experience with it. He says it's a thumper though and he likes it. He also loads 45, so he can use similar bullets, but I don't know the particulars. The other two haven't been fired yet, but we have talked about taking them out together. I think the 50 looks pretty awesome. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I'd have to reload for any one of them to be able to shoot it much.

The 45 uses 0.452" or thereabouts bullets and the 450bm and socom and others like it tend to use 0.458" bullets.

I don't have an AR in this caliber but I do have a Marlin 1895 (1973 version) in .45-70 and shoot 400 grain bullets at around 1,900 fps. In a 7-1/2 pound rifle, the recoil will definitely get your attention.

 

[Intel6]

I have been shooting a .458 SOCOM for a few years, lots of fun.

 

[YNOTAZ]

458 SOCOM here also, love the big thumper.

 

[Yugmoto1]

They all look like fun. I think my SD buddy likes the 450 because he can use similar bullets to his 45, at least that was what he was talking about, while the 458 is a different size and has no interchangeability, obviously the 50 is a whole different animal. Knowing him he probably got a really good deal on it as well. I just looked at primary arms, they have some 458 barrels at a really "affordable" price. No idea about quality though. Anyone have any experience with them?

 

[XJThrottle]

At this time I'm not really interested in reloading. I simply don't shoot enough of any caliber for it to happen.

I might go dump a few hundred rounds of 9, or 556, in one day, but those are the cheapest to buy.

 

[samnev]

The 300 BO looks good to me.

 

[XJThrottle]

I'm already doing a 300 in a suppressed SBR...

 

[shooter444]

I wanted a Big Bore AR Thumper, starting many years ago, so bad I could taste it!

Then I looked into cost ! I reload and component prices did set me back in my chair, a bit. But, I figured it would just be a one time investment, so I gradually shook it off.

Then I looked into the cost of JUST AN UPPER!!! :angry-cussing:

Then I looked into 300BLK,... bought into it,... and haven't looked back!

300BLK pistols are a hoot to shoot!

Couldn't be more pleased!

 

[XJThrottle]

I'm not intending to build a $10,000 long range shooter. I've got a Rem 700 in 300wm and an AR in 6.5G for that. The glass on those cost more than i'm looking for this..

This is more for fun. It will most likely be a PSA~type upper, an 80% lower (F the man... Lol) cheap LPK.....ETC..

 

[nvgdude]

The .458 uses .458 caliber rifle bullets, the 450 uses .452 caliber pistol bullets.

Yes one can buy .452 bullets with heavier construction for rifle use, but by going with the .458 you have a much larger bullet selection appropriate for rifle velocities.

If one already loads .45 colt or .445 Casull then keeping common bullet diameters might make one lean to the 450. If I'm building a "Thumper" I'm going .458.

 

[XJThrottle]

Funny you bumped this. I got my stamps back for a couple SBRs, so short of the suppressor wait, they are done.

Somebody had a 458 sale over xmas, and got me thinking about this again.

 

[YNOTAZ]

The .458 uses .358 caliber rifle bullets, the 450 uses .452 caliber pistol bullets.

I think you have a typo. I hope you mean 458 SOCOM uses .458 bullets, same as the 45.70 which range from 300gr to 500gr bullets

 

[nvgdude]

I think you have a typo.

Obviously.

 

[YNOTAZ]

Glad you didn't take my post wrong.

Looked like a Nube looking for info so I wanted to make a correction.

 

[XJThrottle]

Just shopping bullet prices is keeping me from going 458. The 450BM and Beowolf are both a bit more than half of 458 (SGammo).

Leaning toward 450BM because of ammo choices. Any big reasons to go Beowolf instead?

 

[AZDESERTRAT]

I was struggling over which big bore cal to go with as well. Instead of beating my head against all the Internet info anymore I just bought the one with the cheapest factory ammo, 450 bushmaster. Got a complete upper from bear creek for 289 delivered. Mixed reviews on the web but with a lifetime warranty I figured what the hell, I’ll gamble on it. Took it to the range today with factory 450 Hornady Black 250grs and all I can say is wow! My
New favorite rifle. Slapped the upper on a Quentin Lower I had and had 1-1.5” groups at 100 yards no prob with the 1-4 vortex I put on in. Cycled 100% with the lancer 10rd (556) mag I had with me. I couldn’t be more impressed with the set up. It’s a hammer on the shoulder but well worth it. A blast to shoot!
Long story short, i think you’ll be impressed with any of the 3 choices, but 450 bush is much more affordable to shoot on factory ammo.

 

[40mike-mike]

50 Beowulf is a badass round out to 135 yards with my 18” barrel. Anything further then it tends to be a lob round.
For just swapping out a AR15 lower, BCG to 7.62x39 & opening up the ejection port, it’s a handy caliber to have on hand.
The 50 Beowulf stops feral pigs, good size game, engine blocks & any numb nuts wanting to breech my front door.
GO BIG OR GO HOME!