.458 sicom

xrvic · December 23, 2014, 11:40 PM

Has anyone built a bolt action rifle off this round. Would a longer barrel add any performance. Just asking Any thoughts

FrankenMauser · December 24, 2014, 02:25 AM

All that you've ever wanted to know about the cartridge and its various applications can be found here: 458 SOCOM forum.

Short answer:
You can get a quite a bit more out of it, since you're not limited to the 36k PSI max pressure needed to keep the cartridge from tearing an AR-15 apart. Combined with the higher achievable pressure levels, the longer barrels likely to be found on bolt guns give another slight boost to velocity.

Long answer can be found by following the link above and reading for a few hours.

I recently considered converting a Ruger 77 short action to .458 SOCOM (I already have a 16.25" AR chambered for it). After quite a bit of thought, I decided against it, though.
For starters, magazine capacity would have only been 3 rounds. For the use that that rifle would be intended for, that isn't enough to satisfy me.
Additionally, the fat, stubby cartridge would be somewhat of a pain to get to feed reliably - even with pointy bullets like the Hornady FTXs and Barnes TTSX. The rebated rim also presents a feeding challenge, in that you have to get the cartridges to sit higher in the magazine, in order for the bolt face to hit the rim instead of the case body.
I tried weighing those factors against the fact that I could push heavier bullets to higher velocity than in an AR, but the benefit seemed negligible.

Scorch · December 25, 2014, 12:59 AM

If you want that kind of firepower in a bolt gun, consider the 450 Bushmaster or the 450 Marlin. Either will feed better than the 458 SOCOM out of a bolt action rifle, and either will match its power.

Jimro · December 25, 2014, 05:48 AM

Or the old 458x2inch American or 458 Win Mag loaded down to more sedate levels.

There are a lot better options for a bolt rifle than the 458 SOCOM.

Jimro

December 23, 2014, 11:40 PM	#1
xrvic Junior Member Join Date: December 23, 2014 Posts: 6	.458 sicom Has anyone built a bolt action rifle off this round. Would a longer barrel add any performance. Just asking Any thoughts

December 24, 2014, 02:25 AM	#2
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	All that you've ever wanted to know about the cartridge and its various applications can be found here: 458 SOCOM forum. Short answer: You can get a quite a bit more out of it, since you're not limited to the 36k PSI max pressure needed to keep the cartridge from tearing an AR-15 apart. Combined with the higher achievable pressure levels, the longer barrels likely to be found on bolt guns give another slight boost to velocity. Long answer can be found by following the link above and reading for a few hours. I recently considered converting a Ruger 77 short action to .458 SOCOM (I already have a 16.25" AR chambered for it). After quite a bit of thought, I decided against it, though. For starters, magazine capacity would have only been 3 rounds. For the use that that rifle would be intended for, that isn't enough to satisfy me. Additionally, the fat, stubby cartridge would be somewhat of a pain to get to feed reliably - even with pointy bullets like the Hornady FTXs and Barnes TTSX. The rebated rim also presents a feeding challenge, in that you have to get the cartridges to sit higher in the magazine, in order for the bolt face to hit the rim instead of the case body. I tried weighing those factors against the fact that I could push heavier bullets to higher velocity than in an AR, but the benefit seemed negligible. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

December 25, 2014, 12:59 AM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	If you want that kind of firepower in a bolt gun, consider the 450 Bushmaster or the 450 Marlin. Either will feed better than the 458 SOCOM out of a bolt action rifle, and either will match its power. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 25, 2014, 05:48 AM	#4
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Or the old 458x2inch American or 458 Win Mag loaded down to more sedate levels. There are a lot better options for a bolt rifle than the 458 SOCOM. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.