ok, ive been bit by the bug... somebody point me in the right direction... dpms, rockriver, armalite?????... dies, brass???....thanks,jim

If you're wanting one on an AR, Rock River and direct from Teppo Jutsu is the only way to get it.

There are more than a few people with reamers though - several bolt guns and at least a couple of Ruger #1 and Encore's chambered in it.

The cartridge is certainly more inspiring when not limited by the 35k imposed limit on the AR's bolt lugs.

Has anyone tried to make a tougher bolt or is it pointless given the receiver design???

jim,
harry has an AR and a bolt gun

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
Has anyone tried to make a tougher bolt or is it pointless given the receiver design???

Olympic Arms make an oversize bolt and barrel extension for their WSSM uppers. Might be able to get them to do a small bolt face on the large bolt. The bolt is larger than an AR-10!!

www.dtechsuperstore.com/WSSM%20page.htm

Has a picture of the bolt compared to a standard AR-15

quote:

Originally posted by Macifej:
Has anyone tried to make a tougher bolt or is it pointless given the receiver design???

To what end? I haven't heard any issues coming from the standard AR bolt.

quote:

There are more than a few people with reamers though - several bolt guns and at least a couple of Ruger #1 and Encore's chambered in it.

Which barrel makers have the 458 socom reamer?

Ranb

quote:

Originally posted by ranb40:

Which barrel makers have the 458 socom reamer?

Ranb

Barrel makers? I haven't the slightest idea.

You might want to take a look at the 450 Bushmaster. With Hornady making ammo it will no doubt be the most popular of the bunch.

macifej, There are a few out there. Alexander Arms offers one made from H13 Tool steel, I believe, that's stronger then Mil spec bolts. http://www.alexanderarms.com/siteshopper.htm?cat=14&item=86

JP rifles also offers one and has an excellent write-up explaining the differences.
http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.7.php

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
You might want to take a look at the 450 Bushmaster. With Hornady making ammo it will no doubt be the most popular of the bunch.

The 450 Bushmaster is .452, not .458, which may limit the reloader to pistol bullets.

450 Bushmaster ballistics are impressive, though; 250gr bullet at 2200 FPS.

i looked at the hornady website ballistics on the bushmaster.... the choice of bullets is VERY limited...the .458 socom has lots of bullet weights, styles available and uses standard magazines, just reduced capacity... the .50 beowulf needs special magazines, (proprietary i think) so that makes it more expensive going in...i think i'll go with a .458 socom, just need to find 1... ive got a blued desert eagle .50ae, 1 magazine, 60 loaded factory, 60 once fired, and a set of rcbs dies i bought here on AR to trade.... i want a flattop, fixed rear stock, dies, brass, take or give $$$ depending on whats out there....

I recently tested a Rock River in .458 SOCOM and was very impressed with its accuracy. I wasn't impressed with the cartridge's performance on deer (a heart-shot buck ran a good deal and didn't leave any blood trail for the first 30-50 yards). Those big, heavy slugs worked like a champ on hogs, though.

I have a 458 socom buildt just now, on a short Remington action.
I will mostly use it subsonic, but I'll also try it with full power on moose this season.
I'll use special made heavy bullets, with big hollow points. These will expand in sub velocities.
I'm using a Douglas premium barrel, with 1:14" twist.
I have just sized the brass, but these cases are not any good I think. They are from starline brass. It's very easy to destroy the rim on them, when the case is extracted from the sizer die.
You have to have extremly much lubricants on it.

I'm looking forward to try it out.

One problem with the 458 Socom, besides finding ammo is that most 458 bullets are for higher velocities.
The various 300gr 45/70 bullets will do fine at 1800fps, but most heavier bullets will just act like solids.


In the 450 Bushmaster,
If I was to shoot game bigger than deer or the average black bear or wild pig, I would use bullets for the 454 Casull, or the Barnes X bullets.

the socom is a 45/70 in an autoloader .. and any bullet for that will work just fine... so hornady 300HP, rem 350HP, hornady 350NR, 400grs, 405's, and all the 45/70 barnes and others bullets..

so, don't load woodliegh .458 bullets, 500grs, but hornady 500grs are kind of fun

ordered a set of lee dies today for $39.95 and $4/shipping..... guess i'll start looking for brass and a gun this weekend....ought to have some hurricane $$$$ floating around somewhere....

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
One problem with the 458 Socom, besides finding ammo is that most 458 bullets are for higher velocities.
The various 300gr 45/70 bullets will do fine at 1800fps, but most heavier bullets will just act like solids.

I'd have to disagree to the extent that any of the bullets designed to perform in a 45-70 will perform in a SOCOM up to the Rem 405. The Remington 350 HP is the go-to bullet for most SOCOM aplications. The heavier 458 bullets designed for the magnums won't expand as readily but a bullet .458 inches in diameter doen't need a ton of expansion to work well on medium game. The only caveat I'd add is that like the old round nose 30-30, it ain't a long range item.

With a proper twist rate, the long 500 gr subsonic loads tumble on impact so expansion is a non-issue again. The little round performs well enough.