Anyone done a 50 beowulf or 458 socom conversion/ build?

matm

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Edmonton, AB
I've finished my mixing up of pistols and non restricted, now I'm thinking of mixing up the AR, or selling it and starting over! It's 300 blackout right now and I like the caliber but I have a bolt action and I like the versatility of it better so I don't get the AR out much as it sits. I was doing some reading and 50 beowulf came to my mind and I wanted to feel out the feasibility of doing it in Canada. So if anyone has done it i would love some input! I did some research but when you put 50 beowulf and canada in the same sentence you just get a million results about the mags... not too helpful! Here's my questions

Can I do a barrel/bolt conversion?

Will a normal upper/lower take the recoil?

Can I get barrels in Canada? I've seen complete uppers for $1200
from wolverine but no barrels.

Should I just get a complete upper?

I know the ammo is expensive and rare but I can source brass and I reload.


Just looking for input on a possible new build!

Feel free to send me text at 613 403 7606

Thanks everyone

-mat
 
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As far as I know Alexander Arms haven't license out the design to anybody else, so you are limited to what is available from them. otherwise getting a complete upper and magazines is pretty much all there is to it.
 
Yes it appears they have exclusive rights to everything. I have seen conversion kits on American sites but couldn't find a Canadian source. Ah yes the ongoing magazine war.. I'll have to do some more reading on that
 
I know this subject has been beaten to death, but what about .458 Socom, you can get uppers from RRA and other sources, limitation has been no manufactured ammo in Canada, but Buffalo bore has began the process to bring it up. If you are a reloader like me, no problem since it uses the same bullet as a 45/70, there are lots of choices for bullets from 140g to 600g bullets. And since it is uses a rifle bullet unlike the 50 which has more choices of pistol bullets than rifle. You don't have to modify mags, any AR-15 mag will work. I bought a CMMG Anvil in .458 and it is my favorite AR to shoot by far. You can expect to hear negative from a certain member who thinks everyone should use a .450 Bushmaster in an ACR, he believes that it is superior to everything in an AR. But I weighed all the options and chose the .458 Socom, because I thought it was the best for Me. So this is my own personal choice
 
458 socom does appeal to me I actually heard about it when I was starting with 300 blackout. I didn't mean to rehash any old arguments I like to get input from people who have done it in Canada. Where did you get your upper if I might ask? Also how is brass availability? Ive seen factory 458 come up on the EE before (for $3 a round) i do like not needing to change mags out, especially with the red tape around the beowulf mags.
 
The 458 is bound by the same magazine issue as the 50 beowulf in the eyes of the RCMP SFSS.

As someone who owns multiple conversions, performance wise, the Remington 30 AR is the peak for the AR 15 platform. The bigger calibers are fun as well, but the legalities the RCMP has put on some of them via legal interpretations is not worth the headache of potentially losing everything while awaiting trial. IMO
 
Hmm this is interesting. I read some stuff about 2 round mags so you can't get more than 5 rounds of 5.56 in it. Maybe one day they will come up with a way to make the mags not fit 5.56. As for Remington 30 I haven't heard of that. Not looking for a performance AR, just something fun to shoot 40-50 rounds with the boys once in a while.
 
Remington built a proprietary Stanag pattern magazine for the 30 AR and 450 so there is no issue.

Nobody is making mags for the 458 and the companies that popped up for the 50 beo appear to have been more concerned with 223/556 functionality in the mags than the 50, so they are virtually rebranded 223/556 magazines in most cases
 
My goals are slightly different with the conversions as I use them for hunting, so it had to be in a NR platform and until the mag issue is resolved it is not worth the risk given the number of road checks I encounter during hunting season.

This is a 450 Bushmaster ( black finish) and Remington 30 AR (stainless) assemblies. both calibers use the same mag and bolt, just swap the barrel and done.
ZDHskgk.jpg
 
Love the acr but im not a hunter so paying double for non restricted isn't really beneficial for me. Also I'm in Calgary so I have a range membership regardless.
 
As mentioned, Alexander Arms sells complete uppers for the 50 beo. That's the easiest way to go, no messing around. Alternatively, you can get the barrel, fit it to a receiver and have a gunsmith (or someone knowing what they're doing) mill out the ejection port so the giant brass and eject.
Brass is relatively easy to get, but madly expensive. Same goes for the bullets. Definitely need to reload if you're looking for any volume of shooting. There are a few importers in Canada that could bring in loaded ammo, but at a much higher cost.
 
Seems like the whole upper is the "economical" option. brass is $120 per 100 through wolverine. I have a good brass catcher and it stands out enough haha. Keep hawk eyes on it like my 10mm brass.
 
Love the acr but im not a hunter so paying double for non restricted isn't really beneficial for me. Also I'm in Calgary so I have a range membership regardless.
I was more speaking towards why performance and legality is a big issue vs strictly range only use
 
458 socom does appeal to me I actually heard about it when I was starting with 300 blackout. I didn't mean to rehash any old arguments I like to get input from people who have done it in Canada. Where did you get your upper if I might ask? Also how is brass availability? Ive seen factory 458 come up on the EE before (for $3 a round) i do like not needing to change mags out, especially with the red tape around the beowulf mags.

The RRA upper can be bought through AZ tech armory, I bought a complete rifle, the CMMG Anvil, as for mags, I use 10 shot pistol mags, they will hold 4 rounds of .458. As I said about the member who spouts crap. I phoned the fireams section through the CFC and asked the same question, and they read me verbatum what has been written all over the web about mags. They stated it is the mag not the firearm that it is used in
 
Hey Mat,

I literally just start looking into these as well. Got an upper picked out in 12" with the tank brake :p I watched some reviews online and want to go with the .50 beo rather than the .458 socom. .50 beo appears to be a more capable round, and honestly, these are going to be used for blowing up pumkins in an outdoor range. The more oompf the better. With Wolverine Supplies supporting the AA product line I have no worries about warranty, parts, ammo etc either.

As for your questions:

Can I do a barrel/bolt conversion? Give Wolverine Supplies a call

Will a normal upper/lower take the recoil? I asked the same thing about the lower. WS confirmed any good AR15 lower is fine.

Can I get barrels in Canada? I've seen complete uppers for $1200
from wolverine but no barrels. Same, but I'd want a dedicated upper anyway for the reasonable additional cost

Should I just get a complete upper? Yes! :D

I know the ammo is expensive and rare but I can source brass and I reload. Distributor is WS, and it sounds like they're bringing in shipments for AA every couple months or so. You should be just fine. They can bring you in the dies from AA

Cheers buddy, all the best with your build!
Armand
 
Why would anyone want a 50beo with current rcmp magazine interpretations?
I have an un sellable firearm as a result, nobody will pay anything close to retail for a 2 shot semi. Only saving grace is that I can swap the barrel out and not have to worry about it until legalities are finalized with a court ruling.

what the firearms center may tell you in regards to legality is not what the RCMP are interpreting and enforcing with the crowns blessing at roadside if you are stopped. It can clearly bee seen by charges laid in the past and the current court case going forward.
 
After further research the 458 socom came out on top for me. 4 rounds in a magazine, more bullet choices, and cheaper overall reloads helped make my decision. Thank you everyone for the input! Looks like #####Armoury will be helping me get an RRA complete upper. Brass and bullets will be coming from budget shooter supply and dies locally from Western metal here in Calgary. Thanks again!

-mat
 
After further research the 458 socom came out on top for me. 4 rounds in a magazine, more bullet choices, and cheaper overall reloads helped make my decision. Thank you everyone for the input! Looks like #####Armoury will be helping me get an RRA complete upper. Brass and bullets will be coming from budget shooter supply and dies locally from Western metal here in Calgary. Thanks again!

-mat

Good Choice Mat, you will love it
 
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