Any chance you have checked into the .45 Raptor round for the AR? Sounds like this should avoid the cost issue with the 458 and be better in the ballistic department. I don't want to train wreck this thread, but this seems like an excellent option.

I've got a purpose built .50 Beowulf exactly for the same reasons you are looking at 458 SOCOM.

I looked at the 450 bushmaster and I liked the ballistics on it, but my problem was that you can only get fully made uppers from bushmaster. They don't sell components and I wanted to build my gun, not buy it.

The up side is that 450 bushmaster ammo is made by 2 different companies and fairly readily available. With the 50, Alexander Arms is a PITA to get ammo from. But, I plan on hand loading for it anyway, so I went with the Beowulf.

Now I am hunting for decent optics for it.

sure, the big bores are cool. but for the sake of practicality, it just makes more sense to go with an AR-10 in .308. Especially since you're already set up to load for it.

I've have a .50 Beowulf with a N-750 on it and I love it. Recoil has not been issue for my optics or shoulder. However I am using 335 grain hollow points from AA.

[quote=InsaneIrish]I've got a purpose built .50 Beowulf exactly for the same reasons you are looking at 458 SOCOM.

" .... problem was that you can only get fully made uppers from bushmaster. They don't sell components and I wanted to build my gun, not buy it."


"The up side is that 450 bushmaster ammo is made by 2 different companies and fairly readily available."


Franklin Armory sells a 7.5 and an 11.5 barrel.
I agree with buying off the shelf ammo. I dont have time to sit down and load.
As far as our .450..... We have had half a dozen sight, light, and illuminator combinations on it. I am about to just go back to a green light and reflex sight, but thats just an opinion.

Oh gosh now I have 3 other cartridges to ponder! I had pretty much decided on a Colt LE in 308

450 raptor I haven't heard of so I need to check that one out for sure.

50 Beowulf I hadn't considered for this purpose but ruled it out at another time because of bullet choices but I now have 3 different molds for 50 cal. For my 500 S&W. So it could be back on the table.

450 bushmaster I hadn't considered for this but at a different time ruled it out because it used lighter pistol projectiles but that could be a plus now.

With all of these I am worried about recoil and destroying my x sight. Back to the recoil calculators.

Thanks for all the feedback and don't worry about derailing the thread, I'm looking for all options.

Here's one of the links to the 45 Raptor. I think the more this is looked at and used, the better it will become. The brass can be made from a 308 case. Optimum barrel length is 16 inches. People have been talking about it for about a year, but I just heard about it a couple days ago. You can find more info about it from Google.

http://www.45raptor.com/45RAPTOR/

I built a 458S bolt action integrally suppressed for pig hunting - I shoot 405gr soft points at 1000 fps and the pigs roll over. The large bore makes it louder suppressed than a 300blk out but it hits a whole lot harder.

Just for overkill I have since built a 510B bolt action suppressed (650 gr 50BMG bullet in an expanded 50 Beowulf case). It makes the 458S look small but I haven't shot a pig with it yet.

BCJ -

When you hit the pigs do they turn to ash and dust? Dangum' Man those bullets look NASTY!

Here is what I decided on. Couldn't take a chance on damaging my scope with some of the big bores.

It is a Remington R25 in 308.

Anyone familiar with them? Can't wait to get it to the range