.458 Socom

.458 Socom is a fairly new rifle caliber developed in 2000 AD that is specific for a customized upper half of an AR-15 (which is a semi-automatic civillian version of the fully automatic M16).


(AR15 Image Property of Bushmaster)

The AR-15 is probably the most versatile rifle on the market. By simply pushing out two push pins, and in some cases replacing the magazine, the upper receiver can be replaced with an upper of different caliber converting the typical .223 rifle into one of many calibers. Conversions are possible in the following calibers:
  • .20 Practical - Weaver Rifles
  • 22LR - Spikes Tactical
  • 5.45x39 - Smith and Wesson
  • .223 - Remington, DPMS, Colt, Bushmaster, etc...
  • 5.56mm NATO - Colt, Bushmaster
  • 6.5mm Grendel - Alexander Arms
  • 6.8 Remington SPC - Model 1
  • 7mm TCU - SSK Industries
  • .300 Whisper - SSK Industries
  • .338 Lapua - Bohica Arms
  • .40 S&W - Olympic Arms
  • 10mm - Olympic Arms
  • .45 ACP - Olympic Arms
  • .450 "Thumper" - Bushmaster
  • .458 Socom (Rock River Arms)
  • .499 LWR - LWRC
  • .50 Beowulf - Alexander Arms
  • .50 BMG - Bohica Arms
AR-15s are often incorrectly labeled as 'Assult Rifles', 'Military Rifles', or 'Weapons of War'. They are semi-automatic versions of the M-16 (you will never see an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle on the battlefield!). They also get a bad name by liberal politicians because of the fact that they use the .223 caliber which is designed as a man stopper. For hunting it's not even legal for use in deer hunting because the minimum caliber is typically .224 for most states. And the .223 is nearly too powerful for small game hunting. The .223 is usually used for varmints such as prarie dogs and coyotes that threaten livestock, or by law enforcement, military, or civilian personal defence. However, some states do allow deer hunting with the .223 caliber. Having the ability to upgrade the AR-15 to one of a larger caliber makes any argument against the AR-15 inappropriate.

'Socom' is short for 'Special Operations Command'. Not only is the .458 Socom great for military special operations that require a more potent caliber, it also opens up the AR-15 platform for big game hunting in the US. The great thing about the .458 Socom is that you can use the AR-15 platform, giving you a light weight potent rifle that is durable and lightweight, especially suited for big game hunting even in remote mountain terrain. Unlike the high velocity smaller diameter bullets, the .458 does not destroy edible meat on smaller game such as deer because of it's low velocity. It's a very good caliber for hunting big game in brush or timber where the range is fairly short. It's potent enough to take all big game in North America including the great bears.


(AR15 Image Property of Wikipedia.org)

.458 Socom is especially suited for handloading / reloading which increases its versitility and decreases the cost of ammunition. It uses a .458 inch diameter bullet, the same bullet diameter as the 45-70 military / hunting cartridge but able to withstand a higher load. Keep in mind that the 45-70 (designed in 1873) was used for buffalo hunts in the old west! The .458 Socom bullet weights range from 250 - 600 grains, with velocities from 980 feet per second (subsonic) to over 2000 feet per second! The effective range is similar to the 45-70. Using the 405 grain bullet it is accurate on a man size target to 300 yards, a 6 foot by 6 foot target to 600 yards, and with a 500 grain bullet can produce lethal injuries at 3,500 yards (almost two miles!). The bullet has a rainbow trajectory so unless you are skilled and know the distance, your bullet weight and powder, and correct for bullet drop, the effective range is about 100 yards. Of course with a lighter bullet and higher velocity the amount of bullet drop decreases. Here are a few reloading stats:
  • The brass trim to length is 1.570" - 1.575".
  • Use a light crimp only.
  • Use Magnum Large Pistol Primers
  • Typical powders include Hodgdon H110, Winchester Win296, Norma N200, Alliant Reloder7, IMR4198, Hodgdon Lil' Gun, and VVN110.
Another benefit of using the .458 Socom over the other calibers mentioned above is that is uses the same magazines as the .223:
  • Magazine designed for 10 rounds of .223 will hold 3 rounds of .458 SOCOM
  • Magazine designed for 20 rounds of .223 will hold 7 rounds of .458 SOCOM
  • Magazine designed for 30 rounds of .223 will hold 10 rounds of .458 SOCOM
  • Magazine designed for 40 rounds of .223 will hold 13 rounds of .458 SOCOM
  • The 90-round .223 drum can hold as many as 33-36 rounds of .458 SOCOM
  • The 100 round beta mag will not work.
Rock River Arms carrys the upper halfs for around $700.00 as of February 2009. I ordered one online and it took three months before it shipped out, quite possibly because of the political situation and new administration that has made just about any AR-15 and accessories nearly impossible to get without a long back order.


(Image Property of Rock River Arms)
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Page Posted on February 12, 2009
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