After a year with a 458 Socom.

[shootist7]

A little over a year ago, I put together a 458 Socom using a RRA upper (not the beast), an Anderson lower and a Magpul UBR stock. The Limb-Saver thing on the barrel was there when I got it and I just left it on. I'll have to take it off and see if there's any change. Haven't loaded for it yet as I fell into a bunch of factory ammo, but have everything to start as soon as needed. Got the upper used and all the ammo off of gunbroker. The factory ammo has the 300 gr. Barnes, shown next to a 5.56 55gr.. Just put a Burris MTAC 1.5-6x42 on it, haven't shot it yet, but prior to it I was using a Burris Xtreme Tactical XTR 1-4x20 in the Burris P.E.P.R. mount. Had absolutely no trouble with the scope or mount. I know the scope looks a little high, but it does line up perfectly. Thing really shoots! Very pleased with the accuracy but haven't tried it past 100 yards. I don't think recoil is bad at all, less than a 12 ga. slug gun. Have carried it now for 2 seasons in the deer woods but have yet to shoot a deer with it. I use 10 round mags, 3 rounds fit in them perfectly. It's great at the range and gets a lot of attention. A little pricey for a lot of range shooting, but you have to get to know your rifle! Maybe a pig hunt this winter!

 

[Txhillbilly]

The 458 SC is a fun cartridge to shoot,I had a mid gassed RRA upper for several years. After 100 yards,the bullets fall like a flying brick,around 1.5' drop at 200 yards and over 5' drop at 300 according to my ballistics program on my loads.
I never shot any factory ammo out of mine,I loaded 300 - 325 - 405 grain bullets with H110,Lil Gun,and Reloader 7 mainly.

It is a sledge hammer when it comes to hunting game at under 150 yards,but it is an expensive cartridge to shoot,and the effective range can be a pitfall in certain situations. I enjoyed owning one,but don't miss it when it comes to hunting at all!

 

[shootist7]

It's still enough of a novelty for me that I don't mind it. Eventually, I'm sure, it'll get used less often. So many guns, so little time!

 

[Beruisis]

I've been considering a 458 socom for some time. In east Texas in thick cover I go after hogs with an AK 47 & it has never let me down. Kind of hard to justify going to the socom but it looks like a neat round.
Beruisis

 

[shootist7]

It IS a neat round, but, your not going to shoot cheaper than 7.62x39! Plus, the rifle's not as light as an AK. But, a 300 grain .458" bullet going 1800 FPS out of a 16" barrel, not to mention heavier bullets through a suppressor, it just has a lot of cool factor! I love it, I'm almost 60 years old and still get excited about guns! LOL!

 

[XTR]

I'm really wanting to put one together on one of my spare lowers. I like my 45-70, and I have bullets rolling around so loading for it won't be a streatch

 

[akajun]

I'm really wanting to put one together on one of my spare lowers. I like my 45-70, and I have bullets rolling around so loading for it won't be a streatch

I bought a reamer and a couple of blanks, along with some star line brass. Gonna do a ar15 and a Mauser. Using a 1/14 twist barrel to handle 500 gr cast bullets that I shoot subsonic in my 45/70 mosin nagant.
Still waiting on my form 1 so I can build my suppressor

 

[shootist7]

That's what got me going on the 458 Socom, a semi auto 45-70!

 

[Ksmirk]

I had one but I guess the long range guy in me just never could accept the range limitations BUT whatever you hit it was like Thor's hammer! Tony at Tromix has been talking about a 375 Socom and it sort of has my attention but I'm really not a fan of the AR throwing my expensive brass I got into mine before they got as popular as they have became and back then finding components was a touch on the difficult side. Later,

Kirk

 

[johnfred1965]

I built mine for fun, but a friend of mine wants me to go bear hunting with him, Soooooooo...........

 

[shootist7]

I don't like brass spitting out all over the place either. I use a small brass catcher on it even when hunting, so far no problems with it. Where I hunt with it, in central Wisconsin, long range is under 100 yards. I too am thinking about a bear hunt with it up in Northern Minnesota. I've always been a fan of the 45-70 and have lever actions and single shot rifles, the 458 Socom just seemed a great idea! I was fortunate that the person I purchased the upper from had a bunch of ammo, brass and dies already for it that were all included in the agreed on purchase price. And then I found another guy selling off a bunch of Barnes .458" bullets. For me, I have a lifetime of components!

 

[XTR]

I have two 45-70s (one Highwall one C. Sharps '74) so I'm familiar with the foot and a half (or more) drop from 100 to 200 yards. Yea, they hit like a meteorite.

My current load for my 45-70 with 405s is pretty simple. I use a Swaro BRX reticle, it has ½ mil markings on the vertical post, and it is a ½ mil for every 25 yards from 100 to 200. Easy to remember. You can probably duplicate something like that with 325s or 350s in a 458, it would be super sonic, but with a can, and the little Swaro Z3 and a BRH retical you'd have a badass hog killer.

 

[Ranger1183]

Hello Friends! I have a 375 SOCOM i need help with reloading data. I have QuickLoad, but no idea how to make new data. QuickLoad only has data for 458 SOCOM. Is there anyone out there that can help me make a new folder/file for 375 SOCOM? Thanks.

 

[Woofie]

I have two .458 SOCOM uppers which alternately sit on a dedicated Bushmaster lower assy. At one point I had three uppers, but that is just too much for one man.
The "nice" upper is a Wilson Combat 16", I also built myself am 18" upper which shoots pretty well too.
For general practice I use 350 grn Berrys. For hunting I would go with the 300 grain Speer JHP or the GPM Quadra-Shock HV Stinger 250 grn. I used to be able to buy the latter bullets separately. They are very accurate and incredibly destructive:

There is only one manufacturer of SOCOM brass : Starline, regardless of what the headstamp says. Whilst several powders work in the SOCOM if you can lay your hands on some SBR SOCOM powder (Lovex) you won't be sorry.
I won't use brakes on the SOCOM. My hearing is bad enough and for field use they are too noisy. My pal has one and has had a couple of stuffed socks taped to the butt of his. Unless you are planning tio shoot quite a few rounds off the bench I don't think the recoil is too bad.
One thing to remember is that SOCOM is truly a Wildcat. There is no commonality, even with reloading dies. This can lead to frustration on occasion.

​

 

[XTR]

I’ve got one now. Love it. I shoot Remington 405s over N120 for both supers and subs.

 

[1911mag]

I am fortunate to have Rock River in my back yard. I spent years wanting one finally got 458 Socom and running 300 Barnes. Love it
Now just need a hog hunt in Texas

 

[Charlie-NY]

I've used the Barnes TTSX 300 in the SOCOM on several big hogs. Broadside hits in the chest put them down within 30yds - 40yds. I never shot one in the "ear hole" but I imagine it would make for an ugly sight.

If you want flatten the trajectory out a bit, the Hornady 250 MonoFlex is certainly worth a try.