The average velocity was just shy of 1,900 fps, over 800 fps slower than the average .308 Winchester. The most popular 45-70 factory ammo is typically loaded with 325 gr, 350 gr, 405 gr, and 500 grain bullets while 250 gr, 300 gr, and 350 gr are the most popular for 458. bullets. For the 458, the most common options available are AR-15 rifles from manufacturers like Tromix, Wilson Combat, and Bear Creek Arsenal (BCA). It is a very powerful round that is capable of taking down large game animals. Our Sitemap. Its accuracy and power make it a great option for both long-range and close-quarters shooting. guns & our in-stock .308 ammo for sale by clicking here, The Best Self Defense Ammo Ballistic Testing. Are you interested in self-defense handguns? When comparing these two cartridges, you cant help but notice the size differences between the two. If that latter number looks familiar, it is. The 458 SOCOM is a large-bore cartridge that is suitable for hunting large game such as deer or hogs at short distances. The .458 SOCOM is a high-performance round designed for the modern sporting rifle. Furthermore, the case capacity is nearly identical between these two big bore cartridges, as the 450 can hold 59.5 grains while the 458 can handle slightly more powder with a 61.1 grain capacity. However, the chart below will give you a general idea of how much recoil each cartridge imparts on the shooter. It is unquestionably is the easiest to find factory ammo for as it is SAAMI certified and therefore larger ammo manufacturers like Hornady, Remington, Winchester, Barnes, and Federal make ammunition for it. However, all things being equal, the 458 will penetrate just a bit deeper than the 450. The .458 SOCOM has subsonic cartridges that pack bullets as heavy as 500 grains, which makes them ideal for suppression firing. That may or may not be a good thing depending on your personal preferences. For buyers considering these two cartridges, the type of rifle that can fire these rounds is an important consideration. And stay in touch with newsletters of our best articles on techniques, guns, & gear. The 450 Bushmaster (or 450 BM) was developed by Tim LeGendre of LeMAG Firearm. However, it can be reasonably assumed that the .308 Winchester will have greater long-distance potential than the .458 SOCOM. We already have an account registered for email address Check out. It is also more effective than the 50 BMG at close range. Use the information you learn responsibly. lbf (3,261 J). For the heaviest-recoiling loads, youll also want to trim cases and apply a firm crimp along with good neck tension. #14/24. Check out our Best Large-Bore Hunting Rifles. Developed in 2000, this round aimed to bring years of fighting within the Special Operations community to an end by offering more power. The 458 SOCOM cartridge fires a 0.458" bullet diameter which is more common than you might think as it is used by rounds such as the .45-70 Government, 458 Winchester Magnum, 450 Marlin, 460 Weatherby, and 458 Lott. The 1-22 twist rate is an absolute tack driver with 250gr - 325gr bullets commonly used for hunting and is the optimum choice for the Barnes 300gr TAC TX/TTSX SOCOM bullet. FREE SHIPPING Weekend - Help off-set income Tax Day. It is also effective for self-defense and can be used in both rifles and pistols. Patrick Sweeney is the author of many of Gun Digest books' best-selling titles, including Gun Digest Book of the 1911, Vols. When evaluating centerfire rifle cartridges, its a good idea to analyze the cartridge specs to gain more knowledge of each. The 300 AAC Blackout (300 BLK) was developed by Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) in an attempt to create a round that could be used in both AR-15 rifles and pistols. But if you are shooting at shorter distances and want to have more bullet energy, purchasing the 458 SOCOM is not a bad idea. No problem, their 458 socom AK kits and parts are pretty sweet too! The 458 SOCOM round was developed by Marty Fackler, a retired Army Colonel and former head of wound ballistics research at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. The 458 Socom has a maximum case length of 0.990 inches and a diameter of 0.458 inches. Once again, we see the .308 Winchester has stronger performance, despite the fact that lighter projectiles often strike with less energy. Really though, 450 Bushmaster is basically in the exact same boat as 50 Beowulf and .458 SOCOM. .45 Professional fell short due to the availability of materials needed in construction. These arent 55k psi loads -they run 38k which is comparable to 20 ga shotgun recoil. Designed for shots within 250 yards or less, these three rounds deliver crippling kinetic energy that can transform any AR-15 into a capable hog and deer hunting rifle. A .458 SOCOM cartridge with a heavier bullet (up to 600 grains) would also make a solid guide gun or bear protection rifle. Tyler Freel. Although, the rest is difficult to spot if you are a novice in the shooting community, considering their marginal terminal ballistics in the shooting range. For example, the 300 gr SST 458 SOCOM has a BC of 0.236, followed by the 250 gr XTP 450 Bushmaster at 0.21. It is designed to be used in a AR-15 platform rifle and is capable of taking down large game animals. This is for informational purposes only. The 450 Bushmaster or 458 SOCOM? It had to use standard AR-15 magazines. Its also a popular caliber for those who like to reload their own ammunition. DuraMag makes .458-specific magazines, and the rounds are single-stack in the tube (as in any AR-sized magazine) but with .458-shaped feed lips and follower. Members of Task Force Ranger were unhappy with the terminal performance of the longstanding 5.56 in the Battle of Mogadishu, and these complaints were the spark that initiated the development of the 458 SOCOM. So why choose the 458 SOCOM at all? For the speedy loads and the heavyweights going through your suppressor, youll want to use jacketed bullets. It absolutely hammers its target - even if its bullets are known to have trouble expanding past 150 yards. No 5.56 NATO or 6.5 Grendel for youWho needs all these namby-pamby intermediate cartridges anyway? JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. This means that the 300 Blackout will likely penetrate deeper into an assailant, making it more effective at stopping them. Buy what you want all in one place, cant beat that! Because of that when reloading you won't see overpressure signs yet that load may already be too much. With this, the 308 wind over the 450 SOCOM. Occupying the middle territory, the Resolute 200 opts for a mil-spec trigger and safety selector, Magpul MOE grip, and CMMG Ripstock. Click below for a FREE LESSON! In terms of performance, the 300 BLK is very similar to the 458 SOCOM. 30.2: 1199: 575: 400-79.9: 40.4: 1123: 504: 450-112.7: 52: 1062: 451: 500-153.2: 64.9: 1013 . The 50 BMG is a rifle-caliber round designed for long range shooting and penetration, while the 458 SOCOM is designed for close quarters combat and maximum stopping power. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Let us know about it in the comments! However, if you are just looking for a general-purpose caliber that can be used for both hunting and self-defense, then the 300 Blackout would be a better option. It should be noted that neither of these rounds are incredibly flat shooting. Since the users wanted bullet choices that left out the usual suspects back in the pre-9/11 days, those rejected being potential cartridges that used pistol bullets. Beyond military applications, the .458 SOCOM round has gained popularity with big game hunters. Out with the old, in with the new. However, once we move past 200 yards we see the two rounds start to separate as the 458 SOCOM starts to dip closer and closer to the subsonic velocities. Glancing only at those numbers, it doesnt seem like much of an advantage. Free Shipping Ends on Monday - 17 APRIL. Inspired by the lack of power offered by the 5.56 NATO cartridge used in the M4 carbine and the M16 rifle, the .458 SOCOM came about from informal . 350 Legend vs. 458 SOCOM | Caliber Comparison, 50 BMG vs. 500 Nitro Express | Caliber Comparison, 325 WSM vs. 300 Win Mag | Caliber Comparison, 303 Britsh vs. 6.5 Creedmoor | Caliber Comparison, 308 Winchester vs. 280 Remington | Caliber Comparison. (, We noticed that you have previously logged in with your, Check what do you get by creating an account, Bookmark and compare your favorite firearms, A Guide to .458 SOCOM: History, Rifles, & Parts. The 458 Socom has a maximum case length of 0.990 inches and a diameter of 0.458 inches. Let's explore .458 SOCOM -- its origins, what it's used for, and some guns and gear capable of handling this big bore. Heavy bullets with strong energy from a compact semiautomatic weapon was the goal, not blazing speed or long-range accuracy. All .458 SOCOM Resolute uppers work with standard AR-15 style magazines. Among all the .308 products we looked at, the round had an average velocity of 2,835 fps, which is a highly respectable speed for any cartridge. The .308 Winchester is a different story. The .473-inch diameter rim had been successfully used since the late 1800s in bolt-action rifles and is the spec for many modern-day calibers still. The .458 SOCOM and its shorter range would make for an excellent option when hunting something like hogs in brush-covered areas where shots tend to be shorter. When it comes to ammo availability, you simply cannot beat the 450 Bushmaster. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. But the .458 is my home defense gun. Although the smaller 0.451 diameter bullets can be handloaded safely, you will likely see decreased performance and accuracy as the bullet may not completely engage the rifling in the barrel. Its effective for hunting, home defense, and even long-range shooting. Well, actuallyyou might want some. The 308 Winchester offers ammo ranging from 125 gr to 175 gr while the 458 SOCOM offers 250 gr to 600 gr, which are heavier. I have a .458 socom and when clambering a round it does fine on some rounds, I have to Tao the forward assist on my rifle to fully seat the round. DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR A CWP IN SOUTH CAROLINA, 223 EFFECTIVE RANGE: HOW TO HIT YOUR TARGET EVERY TIME, This div height required for enabling the sticky sidebar, 2022 Yestactical.com We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. when it comes to larger game animals such as bears or hogs, some hunters believe that you need a bigger bullet. Oh, hey, theres a complete rifle on the end of the rack with a shot-out bore. Part of the issue was market availability at the time of testing. Another factor to consider is penetration. The AR simply held its ground as rounds flew downrange to ring the steel. Another major difference between both cartridges is the type of bullet they fire. Go ahead, nickname your .458 SOCOM AR-15 Thumper. Thats what it doeson both ends. Sectional density (SD) is a way to evaluate the penetration ability of a bullet based on its external dimensions, design, and weight. To provide a clean apples to apples comparison, a standard AR-15 carbine weight (7.5 lbs) will be used for each calculation. The .458 SOCOM, however, was a little less powerful, with energies ranging from 2,248 to over 2,500. The 458 SOCOM has more stopping power than the 223 Remington and the 308 Winchester rounds. The Recon Tactical from Wilson Combat is a sleek-looking rifle. It is also a bottle-necked cartridge that is based on the .223 Remington case. It is also a good choice for long range shooting because of its accuracy. It is unlikely that the whitetail or hog in your sights will be able to detect any differences in penetration. 450 Bushmaster vs 458 SOCOM caliber comparison by Ammo.com. The bottom line is that both cartridges have heavy recoil and are not suitable for recoil-sensitive shooters without proper training and acclimatization. At 300 yards, the 250 gr FTX and 300 gr TTSX loads are still supersonic (barely), while the 300 gr Power-Shok and 450 gr FMJ loads have dipped below the speed of sound. Two cartridges that have gained popularity in recent years are the 350 Legend and the 458 SOCOM. So, they chose the .458-inch bullet diameter. Its effective for hunting, home defense, and even long-range shooting. It is a rimless, bottlenecked cartridge that is based on the .50 Action Express case. However, this does pose an immediate question as to which 45-cal you want to pick up? You can find all of our in-stock .308 ammo for sale by clicking here. Only two different bullets were offered in .501 diameter. The average velocity was just shy of 1,900 fps, over 800 fps slower than the average .308 Winchester. The cartridge is also known for its ability to penetrate heavy brush and foliage, making it ideal for hunting in wooded areas. Required fields are marked *. So the .458 SOCOM will concede the velocity comparison to the faster .308 Winchester. Energy is one factor, but its not the only one. On the other hand, the 458 SOCOM offers similar ballistic performance to the 450 Bushmaster with heavier bullets. The main disadvantage of the 300 BLK is its lack of stopping power compared to the 458 SOCOM. The 350 Legend is a relatively new cartridge that was introduced in 2019, while the 458 SOCOM has been around for more than a decade. Mossberg 500 vs 590: Which Shotgun Is Right for You? Magazine Capacity: The 350 Legend is a smaller cartridge, which means that it can fit more rounds in a magazine. The lightest-weight ammunition (if we can consider something that tips scales at 140 grains as light) leaves your immediate vicinity at more 2,400 fps, depending on barrel length. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. If you need a caliber that can penetrate through barriers, the 300 Blackout is the better choice. What was the fattest case thatd fit through the barrel extension opening? In this case, the 308 Winchester got another win. Hand-Picked Daily GUN DEALS, and Exclusive Coupons Codes >>>. Since the middle of the 20th century, this round has brought speed, energy, and accuracy to the range and the field. Subscribe to Pew Pew Tactical's sales and deals email. Thatd be with the Polycase ARX ammunition. The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character. At 500-yards, the kinetic energy drops down to 500-foot pound. If you are looking for a caliber that is more suited for close quarters combat, then the 458 SOCOM is the better option. The 458 SOCOM is a relatively new caliber that was designed for use in AR-15 rifles. Both cartridges offer a range of bullet grains shooting enthusiasts could choose from, depending on their specific hunting needs. Now that we have looked at the short answer, we can look closer at each cartridge, their ballistics, and see how the two cartridges compare in-depth. Lets go straight to .45 caliber and get some work done! With an overall length of 36-inches, the CAR sports a lightweight 13-inch free-float rail with M-LOK compatibility. Long story short, it delivers. It is designed to be used in a AR-15 platform rifle and is capable of taking down large game animals. The noise, not so much. Bought a TROMIX complete upper from him, hammers anything you put in front of it. The likely candidate that was up in the rotation was a Hi-Lux 1-4 in a LaRue QD mount. Let your fellow shooters know share this article using the Facebook, Twitter and other social media icons below. It can shoot bullets weighing anywhere from 200 to 600 grains. So, theres plenty of options to be had. Also, on that no-snagging path, the brass deflector has been trimmed down. Its a reader favorite! Barrels were enlarged, running a 1:14 twist or 1:18 twist. As long as the bullet reaches its desired destination, it has basically done its job. Feel free to reach out to us or read our affiliate disclosure and privacy policy. 878K views 5 years ago Gregg demonstrates the .458 SOCOM launching some 300 grain hard cast hand loaded rounds. It is easy to fire multiple shot strings at steel without losing control. Learn how your comment data is processed. Since the 308 Winchester are lighter, it travels faster when shot. Although it is safe to claim that 450 SOCOM could smack a better bang inside 150 yards, it fails to stretch a distance up to 200 yards or beyond. For example, a .308 bolt action is perfect for subsonics, but if you use them in a standard AR-10 they will be quiet, but you must cycle the action manually for every shot. As stoutly as it thumps you, it hammers what it hits. In general, the 450 Bushmaster will have slightly less recoil than the 458 SOCOM. Key Difference Between 308 Winchester & 458 SOCOM. The 458 SOCOM can fire slightly heavier subsonic bullets up to 600 grains. (Dont know where to buy an NFA toy check out our list of the Best Places to Buy a Suppressor.). The first four entered the competition before .458 SOCOM was even finished with development. A 300-grain bullet definitely has stopping power. From complete uppers to barrels and boltsTromix has literally everything you could want for a .458 SOCOM build. We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared Right for you shy of 1,900 fps, over 800 fps slower than the 458 SOCOM can fire heavier! 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And privacy policy Legend and the heavyweights going through your suppressor, youll also want use... The barrel extension opening like much of an advantage 500 vs 590: which shotgun is Right for?! Its ground as rounds flew downrange to ring the steel for its ability to penetrate heavy and! Developed in 2000, this round has gained popularity with big game hunters shotgun! Comes to larger game animals such as deer or hogs, some hunters believe you... Ability to penetrate heavy brush and foliage, making it more effective stopping. Heavier bullets kinetic energy drops down to 500-foot pound blazing speed or long-range.. Guns & our in-stock.308 ammo for sale by clicking here, the 458 SOCOM a. Often strike 458 socom vs 30 30 less energy in this case, the kinetic energy drops to. Bushmaster with heavier bullets entered the competition before.458 SOCOM Resolute uppers work with standard AR-15 carbine weight 7.5.