.458 SOCOM vs .50 Beowulf
- Thread starter Boberama
- Start date
Kev,
do the big rounds not feed well into AR15 uppers? Or does it have more to do with the mag lips not being correct for a larger diameter case? What is the issue?
Is that the case with all large dia. rounds for the AR platform? Any word on the Bushmaster 450 round?
Thanks.
do the big rounds not feed well into AR15 uppers? Or does it have more to do with the mag lips not being correct for a larger diameter case? What is the issue?
Is that the case with all large dia. rounds for the AR platform? Any word on the Bushmaster 450 round?
Thanks.
458 socom uses unmodified ar15 mags. I think you have to bend the mags lips a tiny bit for the 50 beowulf.
I haven't heard anything bad really, what's the issue? What do you mean by longevity, specifically? And how much does the ammo cost in Canada? Does anybody on CGN actually own a .458/.50/.450 upper?
I think a big bore AR would be ridiculously fun to own and I'd probably buy one in a heartbeat, but if the brass is too expensive I might have second thoughts.
I haven't heard anything bad really, what's the issue? What do you mean by longevity, specifically? And how much does the ammo cost in Canada? Does anybody on CGN actually own a .458/.50/.450 upper?
I think a big bore AR would be ridiculously fun to own and I'd probably buy one in a heartbeat, but if the brass is too expensive I might have second thoughts.
The .499 LWR is pretty much dead. It had some feed problem issues, and was supposed to be slightly redesigned, but then LWRC had a bit of a melt-down, and has now changed direction.
The 450 Bushmaster, with ammo by Hornady, is building a good rep.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.450_Bushmaster (hotlink to reference material is fine)
.bushmaster.com/catalog_xm15_BCWVMS20-45.asp (hotlink to non-supporting commercial company not allowed)
As all of these are designed for AR15 platforms, I am not interested, as they are range-queens only. Now if the ACR or XCR has a barrel and bolt swap, then I could get very interested in building a hunting rig.
The 450 Bushmaster, with ammo by Hornady, is building a good rep.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.450_Bushmaster (hotlink to reference material is fine)
.bushmaster.com/catalog_xm15_BCWVMS20-45.asp (hotlink to non-supporting commercial company not allowed)
As all of these are designed for AR15 platforms, I am not interested, as they are range-queens only. Now if the ACR or XCR has a barrel and bolt swap, then I could get very interested in building a hunting rig.
6.8SPC has been tried and tested by the US Army -- that is as "big-bore" I would go with an AR platform.
Some people tried the .50 Beo over here - and it was a miserable failure. Big rounds dont feed well - and mags dont like them.
I think BigRed got one that was a cast off -and got rid of it as well.
Some people tried the .50 Beo over here - and it was a miserable failure. Big rounds dont feed well - and mags dont like them.
I think BigRed got one that was a cast off -and got rid of it as well.
Novelty factor I suppose
Both of those rounds would have plenty of 'stopping power', but in the real world the number of rounds in the mag is about 1/3 of .223's.
They have allowed export of at least one up here,(458 socom) and ammo is prett'near as scarce as hens teeth, which makes reloading an imperative.
Haven't run a huge number of rounds through it, .458 bullets ain't free, but it has had no feed issues yet, bottleneck cartriges tend to feed better than straight jacketed ones. The fat cartriges do tend to bulge the sides of aluminum mags out...
Although its not something I would shoot a whole lot at a time it does seem to put quite the grin on the shooters face. The 300gr H.Ps are very effective on water filled pop cans, too bad it's restricted cause it would make a nifty hunting rig for close range work.
Both of those rounds would have plenty of 'stopping power', but in the real world the number of rounds in the mag is about 1/3 of .223's.
They have allowed export of at least one up here,(458 socom) and ammo is prett'near as scarce as hens teeth, which makes reloading an imperative.
Haven't run a huge number of rounds through it, .458 bullets ain't free, but it has had no feed issues yet, bottleneck cartriges tend to feed better than straight jacketed ones. The fat cartriges do tend to bulge the sides of aluminum mags out...
Although its not something I would shoot a whole lot at a time it does seem to put quite the grin on the shooters face. The 300gr H.Ps are very effective on water filled pop cans, too bad it's restricted cause it would make a nifty hunting rig for close range work.
The only purpose for the 458Socom I can see up in Canada ( since they are all range only ) is it gives you a very fun alternative to 9mm ARs for lots of indoor ranges
Indoor ranges that don't allow 5.56 and limit muzzle velocity have no problem with a 400Gr at a lazy 1400fps
Brass is not that expensive ( $75 per 100 ) and seem to last forever
Indoor ranges that don't allow 5.56 and limit muzzle velocity have no problem with a 400Gr at a lazy 1400fps
Brass is not that expensive ( $75 per 100 ) and seem to last forever
Yeah it was a complete .50 Beowulf. Lower went to Brians m4 build and I think he traded off the upper (14.5" bbl, gas railed gasblock as I recall) . It took straight 20rders with a different follower.
The logic behind the guys that brought them in was to disable vehicles. Then they ran tests and found that greentip out of a 14.5" bbl actually did a better job on engines than .50 Beowulf...end of use.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I heard through a gun rag that the US Coast Guard tested 499 LWR, for small boat patrolling the Hudson River, Post-911.
After some testing/field use, they canned the idea. But apparently, the USCG, sold these AR type rifles, to a private company, for homeland security contract work,(??) along these same shorelines(????)
After some testing/field use, they canned the idea. But apparently, the USCG, sold these AR type rifles, to a private company, for homeland security contract work,(??) along these same shorelines(????)
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Didn't he get caught with dupe accounts on one of the forums puffing up his own ammo/upper?
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Stupid man....
There goes a career and reputation down the drain!
Silly boy.
Yeah he was claiming to be a SF Maj who ran tests etc -- someonechecked on the guy he claimed to be - and the guy knew nothing about it -- small world.
Same IP for both of his accounts too...
There goes a career and reputation down the drain!
Silly boy.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Since the export of all things over 0.499 is now a royal PITA if not impossible, The 458SOCOM wins this debate.
If you wish to reload, components are readily available taking care of the ammo issue.
As for the tops, if someone is willing to machine the barrels, I can supply all the match blanks you can ever want in ANY cal up to 0.458
From looking at the ballistics, either would be like a 20 or 16 guage SG. Excellent SR hitting power for sure.
Cast bullets would be an option in the 458 if you didn't mind changing your gas tube when it clogged up. Plated HG bullets would make for very cheap shooting (yes, I know the bores are a bit different so just make a HG bore rifle and use the appropriate HG dies.)
Jerry
If you wish to reload, components are readily available taking care of the ammo issue.
As for the tops, if someone is willing to machine the barrels, I can supply all the match blanks you can ever want in ANY cal up to 0.458
From looking at the ballistics, either would be like a 20 or 16 guage SG. Excellent SR hitting power for sure.
Cast bullets would be an option in the 458 if you didn't mind changing your gas tube when it clogged up. Plated HG bullets would make for very cheap shooting (yes, I know the bores are a bit different so just make a HG bore rifle and use the appropriate HG dies.)
Jerry
