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458 SoCom or 458 Ham’r
gjshaw
Member Posts: 14,697 ✭✭✭✭
I’m wanting a new hog gun and I can’t decide on which one to get. The 458 SoCom has been around and ammo is available for it but the 458 ham’r looks real good and ammo is available for it thru Wilson Combat. Which one would you get and why?
Comments
458 HAM'R has an operating pressure limit of 46,000 psi.
458 SOCOM has an operating pressure limit of 35,000 psi.
The 458 SOCOM operates from any AR15 platform (reason for lower pressure)
The 458 HAM'R operates in a custom designed platform available only through Wilson
The choice should come down to what distance you normally shoot little piggies. When the cartridges comparisons are balanced, not slanted like Bill Wilson advocates for a sales position, the performance is nickels and dimes apart.
Ammunition is available for both as long as you give in to the hoarders prices. Most will run $3.00/shot except for some of the SOCOM at $2.00+/shot.
The 458 SOCOM AR15 will run about $2,000 per copy.
The 458 HAM'R runs $3,000 + per copy.
At the ranges we hunt feral hogs, flip a coin. I've never seen a difference on the field.
Best.
Ruger makes the AR 556 in 450 Bushmaster. It will push a 250gr bullet to 2200 fps and operates at 3850 psi.
Ruger makes the AR 556 in 450 Bushmaster. It will push a 250gr bullet to 2200 fps and operates at 3850 psi.
This I would like to see.🤔
Best.
OK
.450 Bushmaster
Overall length2.260 in (57.4 mm)
Maximum pressure (SAAMI)38,500 psi (265 MPa)
Ballistic performance Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy 250 gr (16 g) SST 2,214 ft/s (675 m/s) 2,722 ft⋅lbf (3,691 J)
260 gr (17 g) AccuTip 2,180 ft/s (660 m/s) 2,744 ft⋅lbf (3,720 J)
Here is a nice article to read:
https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/reloading-the-450-bushmaster/369516
Your second comment = Maximum pressure (SAAMI)38,500 psi (265 MPa)
Your first comment = It will push a 250gr bullet to 2200 fps and operates at 3850 psi.
Notice any difference?😯
Besides, we were discussing 300 grain bullets not 250 grain.
Best.
I see left off a 0 sorry🙄
A better response would have been to say I left off a 0.
Thanks for the correction I have never been the best typist or speller I try to get by.
Oh and they have a 240 grain bullet for the bushmaster that is meant to work at those velocities. Bear creek bullets makes them and I have heard they are pretty good.
I don't see where the OP was set on the 300gr bullet anywhere in his post. Federal makes a 300gr load for the 450 Bushmaster at 1900fps. I was just suggesting an alternative round and rifle that may do the job on hogs and be a little easier on the pocketbook. The 450 Bushmaster is ABOUT as powerful as a 444 Marlin and I haven't heard to many complaints about the 444 not being a good close in Bear, deer or hog gun once they worked the kinks out of the bullet.
If you are going to shoot factory ammo the 450 Bushmaster is a way better option. There are loads from Hornaday, Federal, HSM, Underwood, Winchester, Remington and few others. 458 Socom factory ammo is only put out by a few company's Underwood, HSM Buff Bore and SBR.
The difference in price is about $20 a box more for 458 SOCOM. The difference in performance in just about ZERO between the 450 Federal 300gr load and the 458 Underwood 300gr load.
The Wilson Combat 458 Ham'r is a great round and probably a fine gun but you will be digging deep in your pocket for the gun and the ammo, that is if you can find one because Wilson is suspending production on all guns except a few.
As of 9/1/2020, we will ONLY be accepting new orders for 9mm, 5.56, .223, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Blackout, 300 HAM'R, .308 Win, .458 SOCOM.
Ammo runs about $60 a box of 20 and is made by Wilson and I believe Underwood and SBR make it too. The Ham'r will give you about 300 FPS more velocity with the 300gr bullet but there is a cost for that.
If I wanted an AR platform shooting 45 CAL Bullet for hunting hogs I think I would opt for the Ruger AR 556 in 450 Bushmaster. But IMO if you are shooting hogs to cull them day and night a 5.56/223 will do the job. If you are hunting them in daylight either still, stand, driven or with dogs in close cover, my Choice would be a Lever action 45/70 or 35 Remington. Ammo is fairly cheap, they are both easy to reload for and Marlin rifles are plentiful and fairly easy on the pocketbook.
Thanks for the info and the heads up on the bushmaster 450. Looks like I have more reading to do before I make my decision.
Why not a .223 or 5.56.
Watching the videos of heli hog hunters and appears to me the 55 grain or so pills do the trick pretty good.
i guess I want a big thumper because I have all the small calibers, 223, 243, 222, 257 and more in mostly either Winchester or weatherby’s .. I am not wanting to devalue them by getting them scratched or something so a new beat around thumper is called for.
I was hesitant to post on this thread. I looked HARD at the 458SOCOM and the 458 Ham'r. I chose the 450 Bushmaster for several reasons. The first is bullet cost, load data cast bullets and availability of brass and bullets. The .458 bullets are EXPENSIVE when compared to .452. The 450BM will kill a hog out to 200 yards every bit as effectively as the .458 bullet. Brass is cheaper, Factory ammo is cheaper and more available. The uppers, bolt guns (Ruger American) or Encore barrels are easy to get and cheaper too boot.
I know at least one poster here has a lot more gun experience than I with guns, calibers, pressures and what-not, but DRT is still DRT. Numbers do not harvest game, good shot placement does.
Get the 450BM and never look back except for the money you have left in your pocket for beer and brauts at the end of the hunt.
I went with the 450 also because it was cheaper to feed and ammo a little easier to get before the panic buying.
Just in case Uncle Joe makes it hard to take the AR out in public without getting arrested I also got a CVA bolt rifle which for the price is a nice rifle figured I would at least have something to shoot my lifetime supply of 450 ammo with
I vote .458 SOCOM............have fired it, and like it. Standard AR lower and mags.
Well, after much reading and analyzing I thought I wanted a 458 SoCom but the data and expert’s convinced me that I need a 450 bushmaster. The hunt is on.
.450 bushmaster is also a legal cartridge for deer hunting public land here in Indiana. So that is the one I would get living where I do if I wanted something that would run through an AR platform. Of course the AR platform isn't important to me so if I got a .450 Bushmaster I would most likely get a bolt action or even a single shot rifle.
I have taken a large hog with one well placed shot using a 240 gr lead Keith style gas checked bullet hand loaded to max through a 44 mag. Ruger Super Blackhawk at about 50 yards....it "ran" 25 feet never moved after that.
I think a 450 bushmaster with much better numbers, using an ar carbine with a good low power variable scope or red dot would be a no brainer, especially with the total lower costs involved.
I think a Pump rifle in 450 bushmaster would be cool. Something like a colt lighting with a 6-8 round tube mag and the ability to mount a scope or red dot over the action.
I was thinking I might get a bolt action.
I think Ruger and Savage both make one.
I got the CVA Cascade in 450 Bushmaster shot it for the first time today I was quite impressed with it