The .458 SOCOM Advanced Weapons System offers the operator a weapons platform with unsurpassed flexibility in projecting heavy firepower using a wide array of projectiles, depending on operational requirements. It allows the user the ability to choose from the following options by simply changing the type of ammunition used:

Hollow Point, Full Metal Jacket, Solid, and Frangible style bullets, ranging from
     250 grains to 600 grains (400-grain VLD bullets in bolt action rifles only).
High velocity (> 2000 feet/second) as well as Subsonic/Suppressed.
Semi-Automatic as well as Full-Automatic capability.
Up to 15 round magazine capacity.

The SinterFire ( www.sinterfire.com ) 300-grain frangible bullet in .458 caliber. These can be loaded in the .458 SOCOM for use as a subsonic close quarters/home defense round. The bullet disintegrates upon impact with hard surfaces such as interior walls, reducing the chance of injury to innocent bystanders. With more muzzle energy than the .45 ACP, this makes for an excellent choice for both law enforcement and the private individual. Load data for this bullet in the .458 SOCOM can be obtained from SinterFire directly.

TERMINAL PERFORMANCE

Field-testing of the cartridge shows that reliability with various loads using different projectiles is flawless and that the accuracy is outstanding. Velocity testing of the cartridge in a 24" barrel rifle using 300 grain bullets has shown velocities as high as 2,100 feet/second, rivaling modern high pressure loads in the venerable .45-70 as well as the 444 Marlin.

Similarly, using 500 grain round nose bullets, muzzle velocities exceeding 1300 feet/second were measured, offering performance on par with 1-ounce slugs used in 2¾" shells for the 12 gauge shotgun.

In addition, the use of heavy (500 to 600 grains) bullets, including specialized non-ricocheting frangible bullets, lends itself superbly to subsonic ammunition for suppressed applications.

 By using the standard .223 caliber lower assembly and UNMODIFIED magazines, the .458 SOCOM Advanced Weapons System can be deployed simply by switching upper assemblies. The standard 30-round .223 caliber magazine will hold 10 rounds of .458 SOCOM ammunition, whereas the 20-round magazine will hold 7, and the USA 40-round version up to 15 rounds. As such, the .458 SOCOM Advanced Weapons System lends itself perfectly for law enforcement and special operations applications.

(Click on image to view larger picture)

AR-15 SPR in .458 SOCOM featuring Ameetec Arms side charging upper receiver, PRI Gen III

carbon fiber hand guard, Lothar Walther barrel, SEI Vortex flash hider and IOR 6 x 42 tactical scope.

Bad news for the bad guys.

Applications

  Tactical Entry Weapon with suppressor capability.
  Vehicle Disabling using solid and tungsten core projectiles.
  Animal control (including medium to large size game).

Shown here is 400 gr. J36 bullet from Lost River Ballistic Technology in a suppressed Mauser bolt action rifle built by Robert Pauza.

Picture of a 5-shot group at 100 yards using the Remington 300 gr. HP fired from a 16" carbine (Picture by R. Williams)

Starline Bass, Midway USA and Graf & Sons now stock formed .458 SOCOM brass.
www.starlinebrass.com 

www.midwayusa.com
www.grafs.com
 

 

FOR THE .458 SOCOM FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, CLICK HERE

Upper assemblies for the AR-15 chambered in .458 SOCOM are available for purchase.  
Please refer to the "AR Uppers" page for more information or contact us directly at TeppoJutsu@peoplepc.com.

Loaded ammunition is available through CorBon.  Contact them at www.CorBon.com .