About .458 SOCOM
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to talk about
.458 SOCOM today. The cartridge has persisted for over 20 years and is employed by many shooters. Our goal today is to provide a brief overview of the cartridge while delving into traits, features, use cases, and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s talk about
.458 SOCOM.
What is .458 SOCOM?
The
.458 SOCOM is the result of the collaborative efforts of Teppo Jutsu, Tromix, Southern Ballistic Research, and Steinel. Initial development of the cartridge took place in 2000 and was spurred by the experiences of SOCOM members during Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu. SOCOM veterans stated that multiple
5.56x45mm NATO rounds were needed to dispatch enemies during the conflict. This sparked a desire for a larger cartridge with more efficient man-stopping potential. Additionally, emphasis was placed on ensuring the cartridge worked in an AR platform could be effectively suppressed.
The
.458 SOCOM is often compared to the
.45-70 Government. While the
.45-70 Government is a longer, rimmed cartridge, the
.458 SOCOM is capable of achieving similar values of muzzle velocities and energies. For example, a 300 grain
.458 SOCOM loading is similar to a light
.45-70 Government loading as it produces a velocity of 1,900 FPS and 2,405 ft-lbf. The
.458 SOCOM is a potent cartridge which is capable of imparting a considerable amount of kinetic energy, making it well-suited for defense and hunting. Recoil-wise,
.458 SOCOM, depending on the loading, can be described as somewhere between
12 gauge and
20 gauge recoil.
The
.458 SOCOM’s parent case is the .50 Action Express and notably features a longer case and narrower rim. To make the cartridge optimal for use in M4 and M16 style firearms, the length of the
.458 SOCOM is similar to that of the
5.56x45mm NATO. Loadings for
.458 SOCOM are available in a variety of grain heavy grain weights. These weights can often be found ranging from 250 to 600 grains depending on the specific loading one encounters. The wide range of grain weights allows for the development and use of
ammunition suitable for many use cases.
Purchase .458 SOCOM Ammo
AR Optimized
Due to the fact that the
.458 SOCOM was developed to work in military rifles such as the M4 and M16, it is at home in AR-15s as well. Standard AR pattern receivers and major components such as buffer tube assemblies and magazines are compatible with the
.458 SOCOM. As far as magazines go, one can utilize standard
5.56x45mm NATO magazines or magazines specifically made for use with
.458 SOCOM ammo.
Standard magazines hold
.458 SOCOM cartridges in a single stack manner with a reduced capacity. For example, a 30 round
5.56x45mm NATO magazine will hold 10 rounds of
.458 SOCOM. Specifically manufactured magazines feature things such as redesigned feed lips and followers to better accommodate the cartridge.
Most gun owners in the United States own AR-15s, making the
.458 SOCOM easily accessible by shooters of all types. If an AR-15 owner wanted to keep things simple, they could simply acquire uppers in various calibers for different use cases such as acquiring a
.458 SOCOM upper for hunting, suppressed shooting, or defensive use. All in all, the
.458 SOCOM cartridge is well-suited for AR use.
How Available is .458 SOCOM Ammunition?
At this point in time,
.458 SOCOM ammunition is somewhat limited in terms of availability and manufacturer support. It is not as available as mainstream cartridges like
.223 Remington,
5.56x45mm NATO, and
.300 Blackout. That being said, finding
.458 SOCOM ammo is not an impossible task by any means. Various companies produce loadings for the caliber such as
Precision One,
Underwood, Southern Ballistic Research, and
Corbon. These
ammunition offerings include specialized offerings optimal for use cases such as hunting, defense, and suppressed shooting.
While stock of the round may be elusive on store shelves, one may have better luck if they
shop for ammo online. By electing to
buy ammunition online, one will have a wider range of options to consider beyond what is on local shelves in their area. One can also opt to purchase
bulk ammo quantities when they can to ensure a healthy stock of
ammunition. Generally speaking, one will encounter individual box offerings and
bulk .458 SOCOM ammo offerings in case quantities. All in all, while the round may be a bit harder to track down, one can find
.458 SOCOM ammo if they set their mind to it.
How Available are Firearms Chambered in .458 SOCOM?
Similar to
.458 SOCOM ammo, firearms chambered in the caliber are somewhat limited as far as availability goes. This is not to say it is hard to find something chambered in
.458 SOCOM, offerings are not as common as firearms in calibers like
5.56x45mm NATO,
7.62x39, or
.308 Winchester. Most retailers tend to stock popular, long-standing firearms and calibers, meaning obscure and recent offerings may not be on hand. That being said, one can always inquire about special ordering a firearm or looking online for options.
At this point in time, companies such as Wilson Combat, Bear Creek Arsenal, Pro2A Tactical, and Black Rain Ordinance produce firearms in the caliber. One can also find a number of AR-15 parts such as upper receiver groups, magazines, and other components which support
.458 SOCOM. It is quite possible and easy for an end user to build an AR-15 of their own in the caliber. Additionally, an end user can simply install a complete
.458 SOCOM upper on an existing lower to perform a quick caliber swap. All in all, if you would like to track down a firearm or build a firearm in
.458 SOCOM, you can.
Purchase .458 SOCOM Ammo
What is .458 SOCOM Used For?
The
.458 SOCOM cartridge is well-suited for a variety of use cases. Like many rounds, the
.458 SOCOM is more than adequate for plinking and training. The
.458 SOCOM’s ease of suppression also makes it a very entertaining round to shoot. Heavy projectiles and specific loadings make the round a joy to shoot with a suppressor and capable of achieving hearing safe levels. The cartridge is also well-suited to defensive use and is capable of exhibiting effective fight-stopping capabilities. Defensive and duty use cases are reflective of the original guiding principle for the
.458 SOCOM and are supported by optimized defensive loadings.
Due to the big bore nature of the cartridge and its potency, the
.458 SOCOM is well-suited for dispatching a variety of game, specifically at distances within 200 yards. With the right loadings, an end user can hunt smaller game and varmints to larger sized game like black bear and elk with the cartridge. As always, one should ensure they employ appropriate
ammo, firearms, equipment, and practices while hunting. By doing so, one ensures an optimal and humane hunt. All in all, the
.458 SOCOM is a versatile cartridge well-suited to many roles.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the
.458 SOCOM is well-suited to the needs and preferences of many shooters. From hunting to defensive and recreational purposes, the cartridge demonstrates is versatility and effectiveness. We here at True Shot Ammo offer a range of
.458 SOCOM ammo for sale. These loadings are available in the form of specialized loadings tailored for purposes such as hunting use and suppressed shooting. Whether you are looking to
buy .458 SOCOM ammunition or are after another type of
ammo, we here at True Shot Ammo have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
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