.450 Bushmaster or .458 Socom

[occifer1234]

I have been looking at both the .450 bushmaster and the .458 Socom and cant decide on which gun to go with. I am going hog hunting in Sept. and would like to have something by than. I would use the gun for hog, coyote, ground hog, raccoon's and possible even a deer hunt or two. I would put an Aimpoint reflex on top of whichever gun i decide. Can anyone help me better make a decision. As for ammo price i am aware the .458 socom is going to be a little more costly but i will reload my own ammo so i am less concerned about this. Any and all insight would be great.

Thanks

 

[Brownie]

As far as deer hunting in indiana as of right now the SOCOM is your only leagal cartridge of the two. Ihave a SOCOM and load for it. Just beware it is a little different beast to load for. Hope this helps you out a little.

 

[mkbar80]

I'm assuming you're plan is to buy an upper in one of these calibers and then switch back to a 223/5.56 upper for the coyotes & coons?? 458 on a racoon would have some impressive terminal effects


I looked into this a while back, at the time all the research I could find showed that neither of these calibers had much to offer above a rifled slug gun in terms of accuracy or terminal ballistics. Based on cost of the upper and ammo, I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger (but I REALLY wanted to).

I'd be interested in what other members opinions would be, or maybe what their experience is in using a 450 or 458 AR vs a rifled slug gun (whitetail and/or hogs in particular).

 

[occifer1234]

I was under the assumption that the law was changed to accept the .450 bushmaster. Last I looked this was a list of acceptable rifle ammo to use in Indiana.
.357 Magnum,.38-40 Winchester,.41 Magnum,.41 Special,.44 Magnum,.44 Special,.44-40 Winchester,.45 Colt,.454 Casull,.458 SOCOM,.480 Ruger,.475 Linebaugh,.50 Action Express,.500 S&W 460 S& W, 450 Bushmaster and Beowolf

Please let me know if it has changed.

Thanks

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

I was under the assumption that the law was changed to accept the .450 bushmaster. Last I looked this was a list of acceptable rifle ammo to use in Indiana.
.357 Magnum,.38-40 Winchester,.41 Magnum,.41 Special,.44 Magnum,.44 Special,.44-40 Winchester,.45 Colt,.454 Casull,.458 SOCOM,.480 Ruger,.475 Linebaugh,.50 Action Express,.500 S&W 460 S& W, 450 Bushmaster and Beowolf

Please let me know if it has changed.

Thanks

There's not an exhaustive list of Indiana deer-legal rifle-fired cartridges.

As long as the case meets meets or is between the min. and max. lengths, it's OK...provided it's .357" in diameter or larger.

.450Bushmaster is too long by a hair

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-Deer_Hunting_Equipment.pdf

Read that link for the case length requirements.

 

[shibumiseeker]

If you are considering the .458 and are looking for a good deal, get with Aszerigan, he's putting in an order to RRA tonight and has a pretty good price for an upper or a complete gun.

 

[chipdog4]

This should not even be a choice. Its the Socom all the way because of the .458" RIFLE bullet selection instead of the .452" HANDGUN bullet the Bushmaster uses.

The Bushmaster got more support earlier and is easier to come by (big name ammo manufacturer)

 

[kludge]

.450 Bushmaster or .458 Socom?

Ask me in a few months.

Hogs don't need anything that big, neither do deer, but we play the hand we're dealt.

What about a 7.62x39 for pigs? I think the SKS would do nicely. For a mutipurpose cartridge how about a 6.5 Grendel?

 

[RGriff69]

What about a 6.8spc? I'm building one for hog hunting. Great round.

You could use the 458 SOCOM for deer and pigs but like was said before, you don't need something that big.

 

[DocIndy]

Only one choice....458 SOCOM

The .450 Bushmaster isn't legal for deer in Indiana. If you want to deeer hunt here and ho hunt with it, the SOCOM is the winner. Thats exactly why I bought mine. Ammo is more expensive, but thats why I reload and have Andrew at Profire for. He has a great load with the Hornady 325 gr. FlexTip. I will be using my SOCOM this season for deer with 300 gr JHP's or the FlexTips. I will be going to Alabama later this week for work, but don't think I'm not scouting out a hog hunting spot for my next trip south. The lighter jacketed bullets in the Bushmaster don't perform quite like the SOCOM. If you haven't shot one, I'd be willing to let you pull the trigger on mine... after the first mag you will be ordering one for yourself. ITS AWESOME!

 

[occifer1234]

I have someone quoting both guns for me at cost so we will see what he comes back with and than get maybe an Aimpoint CompM4 to throw on top and start sling bullets.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

If you wanted, though, you could use the .450 Bushmaster in a T/C pistol with a 16" barrel...

But not a rifle with a 16" barrel.

Makes perfect sense to me!

-J-

 

[meyer4589]

If the proposed regulations pass then case length would be bumped up to 1.8 which would allow the .450 to be legal, but thats only if they get passed which I don't see happening till 2012.

So I'd go with the Socom

 

[Orsetto Lavatore]

It's trendy to talk about hogs like they are mythical demonic beasts of supernatural abilities, but in reality a standard .223 is plenty for all but the biggest of hogs.

A 375 / 416 / 458 anything is just not needed.

The only purpose you mentioned that would require a bigger niche' cartridge is the 'deer hunt or two', which would need them to be legal equipment.

I would go for the 458 SOCOM, simply because it is more common.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

It's trendy to talk about hogs like they are mythical demonic beasts of supernatural abilities, but in reality a standard .223 is plenty for all but the biggest of hogs.

I'll generally agree with this... Shot placement is key, though, with the smaller / lighter bullets. Something, say, in .30 caliber will be a little more foregiving of shot placement.

Many folks want larger/heavier bullets for hog hunting, though, for their ability to punch through brush better.

-J-

 

[Bert]

shot 2 hogs with my socom . unbelieveable . .223 isn't enough . hogs are tough . you'll want to knock them off their feet .