Need more power? Have you considered .458 SOCOM?
Developed in 2000, this round aimed to bring years of fighting within the Special Operations community to an end by offering more power.
This purpose-built round was designed around the M4 platform, with only minimal changes to the upper receiver being required.
The result was a thicker, heavier round that performed well at distance and was devastating at shorter range.
And guess what…we’re going to talk all about it today!
I’ll walk you through its origin, talk about the pros/cons, and how this round is applied today.
So, let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
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Where Does .458 SOCOM Come From?
As mentioned, the story starts in 2000 with Special Operations looking for a new round.
This project had a few factors that would need to be met to gain Spec Ops approval.
First, the round had to fit the M4.
Additionally, the round needed to be heavier than 5.56 NATO and perform at subsonic velocities while suppressed.
A total of five rounds competed for a coveted spot among Spec Ops – 7.62x39mm, 9x39mm Grom, .45 Professional, .50 Action Express, and, of course, .458 SOCOM.
The first four entered the competition before .458 SOCOM was even finished with development. But each of these had its own set of issues.
.45 Professional fell short due to the availability of materials needed in construction.
The round itself was sound and later became the .450 Bushmaster, but at the time of submission, extractors and bolts were made of a metal proprietary to General Motors.
The exclusivity of parts would ultimately knock it out of the running, as there were concerns of sourcing with only one supply chain available.
9×39 Grom faced its own set of challenges, as it never really gained traction outside of Russia.
While the round itself performs well and meets all the criteria, it was ultimately passed up in favor of the .458 SOCOM.
Part of this decision came down to cost, as the .458 round required changing only two parts.
The 9×39 would require modifying the receiver to accept magazines similar to the AK-47 (in addition to modifying other parts).
.50 Action Express showed promise but fell short for this application.
Part of the issue was market availability at the time of testing. Only two different bullets were offered in .501 diameter.
These rounds were designed for pistol use and didn’t perform as well at subsonic velocity while suppressed.
Digging up the Past
During the Vietnam War, a standout round was used throughout Southeast Asia. It fired suppressed out of bolt-action rifles and, with a 500-grain bullet, was subsonic.
Known as the .458 x 1.5-inch Barnes, it was the predecessor to the .458 SOCOM.
Though the 1.5-inch Barnes was the wrong size and weight for the M4 platform, it inspired Tony Rumore and Mary ter Weeme to develop the SOCOM round.
They planned to take the .50 AE casing and modify it to fit their needs.
Using the .50 AE casing for the parent design allowed it to use standard M4 magazines without modification.
It also provided the largest casing that would feed properly with the barrels they had in mind.
To make it more streamlined and useful, the pair ultimately narrowed the rim of the case from .514-inches to .473-inches.
The .473-inch diameter rim had been successfully used since the late 1800s in bolt-action rifles and is the spec for many modern-day calibers still.
The casing was then sized to fit a Barnes 300-grain X Spitzer bullet. Though, that was later replaced with the Barnes 300-grain Tipped Triple-Shock X, aka the TTSC or Tac-X.
The Results
With the design finalized, the M4 platform required two modified parts — the barrel and the bolt.
Barrels were enlarged, running a 1:14 twist or 1:18 twist. (Though 1:14 is the most commonly seen.)
Standard M4 magazines were used with a single stack of .458 SOCOM rounds resulting in 7 rounds in a 20-round magazine or 10 rounds in a 30-round magazine.
The .458 SOCOM eliminated the need for multiple shots to stop a threat in combat.
Looking at the 5.56 NATO round designated as M855 (the commonly used Army round at the time), the 62-grain projectile generated a muzzle velocity of 3,020 feet-per-second on average.
Compare that to a .458 SOCOM with a 300-grain Barnes projectile traveling, generating a muzzle velocity of 1,900 feet-per-second.
Glancing only at those numbers, it doesn’t seem like much of an advantage.
If we factor in the kinetic energy of the rounds as they leave the muzzle, though, the picture becomes clear why the .458 SOCOM was designed that way.
The M855 round of 5.56 NATO has a kinetic energy of 1,797 joules or 1,325-foot-pound.
Meanwhile, the .458 SOCOM packs a staggering 3,261 joules, or 2,405-foot-pound.
That much kinetic energy traveling at subsonic speeds will do wondrous things to a threat at close range.
With that much kinetic energy, the round can also be used at distance without much reduction to its effect thanks to the size and weight of the bullet.
At 500-yards, the kinetic energy drops down to 500-foot pound.
That’s like taking some .45 ACP rounds and keeping the kinetic energy consistent out to 500-yards.
What Is .458 SOCOM Used For?
Beyond military applications, the .458 SOCOM round has gained popularity with big game hunters.
The military used the .458 SOCOM as a short-range devastator, mostly running the round out of guns running shorter barrels.
Teppo Jutsu, the company Marty ter Weeme designed the round with, stated that complete powder burn was achieved at 9.5-inches.
In some cases, barrels were used out to 14.5-inches, but were almost always shorter than 16-inches, as that’s what Teppo Jutsu recommended.
Hunters, on the other hand, saw the round as the perfect tool for big game.
The kinetic energy achieved by the .458 SOCOM round makes it enough to ethically hunt any game animal in North America.
Smaller game will be obliterated the .458 SOCOM round, though.
So anything smaller than a full-grown deer is not ideal.
Luckily a quick upper swap to 5.56/.223 allows for on the fly changing in the event small game appears.
Best .458 SOCOM Rifles & Parts
Now that we’ve looked at where it came from, and its modern-day uses, let’s talk about some of the best guns and gear made for .458 SOCOM.
We’ll start with some complete SOCOM rifles, then head into uppers and barrels.
1. Wilson Combat Recon Tactical
The Recon Tactical from Wilson Combat is a sleek-looking rifle.
Outfitted with your choice of a 14.7-inch fluted/threaded barrel or 16-inch barrel models, the Recon Tactical sports an overall length of 31.75-inches (14-inch barrel) and 33.25-inches (16-inch barrel).
Empty, it comes in just over 6-pounds.
Wilson Combat’s rifle offers up an M-LOK rail, Tactical Trigger Unit, Wilson Combat/BCM Starburst Gunfighter Grip, and Wilson/Rogers Super-Stoc.
Though the Recon Tactical certainly tops our list in terms of looks, its price might come a bit high for some users.
Base price hovers in the $2,400 range.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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2. Rock River Arms CAR A4 LAR-15M
The CAR A4 LAR-15M exists alongside two other LAR series SOCOM rifles from Rock River Arms.
This particular variant brings a 16-inch barrel with a 1:14 twist. With an overall length of 36-inches, the CAR sports a lightweight 13-inch free-float rail with M-LOK compatibility.
Additional features include an A2 flash hider (5/8-32 threads), RRA Operator CAR Stock, and RRA Overmolded A2 Grip.
The RRA CAR A4 LAR-15M – other than being a mouthful – is a reliable and accurate rifle. And with a 1.5 MOA at 100-yards, it’s a suitable model for hunters.
At around $1,160, we also dig the price.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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3. CMMG Resolute
What CMMG does well is options…and we like options. The Resolute series comes in three tiers – 100, 200, and 300 allowing consumers to really dial in the features and price point they want.
Sporting 16.1-inch barrels, the Resolutes feature a length of around 33-inches and weight at 8.3-pounds.
Sitting at the top tier, the Resolute 300 boasts a CMMG Ambi safety selector, oversized ambi charging handle, Giessele SSA trigger, CMMG Ripstock, and Magpul MOE grip.
Occupying the middle territory, the Resolute 200 opts for a mil-spec trigger and safety selector, Magpul MOE grip, and CMMG Ripstock.
At the lowest tier, the Resolute 100 basically keeps its standard trading in the Ripstock for an M4 stock and A2 pistol grip.
All three come with 10-round CMMG Modified Lancer Mags and the option to Cerakote.
The Resolute 100 starts at $1,899, the Resolute 200 at $2,024, and the Resolute 300 rounds it out at $2,349.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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What do you think of the CMMG Resolute? Rate it below!
4. Wilson Combat Billet Upper Receiver
If you’re looking to build your own .458 SOCOM rifle, Wilson Combat has a solution.
The Wilson Combat Billet Upper Receiver is a solid billet upper with an enlarged ejection port perfect for that .458 brass.
It does not come with a forward assist. That may or may not be a good thing depending on your personal preferences. This design does limit snagging, though.
Also, on that no-snagging path, the brass deflector has been trimmed down.
What we really like is that this upper works alongside mil-spec parts and lowers. So, there’s plenty of options to be had.
Of course, the trade-off is that some swankier after-market accessories might not work.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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5. CMMG Resolute Complete Upper
CMMG comes in on our list again, but this time offering a complete upper.
The Resolute series, again, offers a few options for those that want to tailor features and price points.
For instance, the Resolute 200 ships with a CMMG charging handle, SV Brave, and RMO 15 M-LOK Handguard.
All .458 SOCOM Resolute uppers work with standard AR-15 style magazines.
It’s worth noting that the Resolute only works with CMMG .458 lowers.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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6. Faxon Firearms AR-15 Gunner Big Bore
The Gunner Big Bore .458 SOCOM barrel from Faxon Firearms features a 16-inch length and Nitride finish.
Of course, being a Faxon, you know you’re getting great quality.
The 4150 CMV barrel weighs in at 1.72-pounds and features a 1:14 twist.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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7. Brownells AR-15 .458 SOCOM Barrel
Another great 16-inch contender is the Brownells AR-15 .458 SOCOM Barrel.
Using a 1:14 twist rate, the Brownells barrel features a 4150 GBQ mil-spec bar-stock steel construction.
It also boasts a threaded muzzle so you can throw on your favorite suppressor. (Don’t know where to buy an NFA toy – check out our list of the Best Places to Buy a Suppressor.)
The American-made Brownells SOCOM barrel ships with a bolt and removable 3-post muzzle brake.
It’s a tad pricier than the Faxon, at $319, but well worth the extra cost.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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8. Tromix
From complete uppers to barrels and bolts…Tromix has literally everything you could want for a .458 SOCOM build.
With tons of options to choose from, you can really dial in what you want.
We dig that this is more or less a one-stop shop. Buy what you want all in one place, can’t beat that! It’s a reader favorite!
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Conclusion
If you find yourself in need of a high-caliber round with minimal change to your AR setup, the .458 SOCOM is a wonderful option that is purpose-driven. Long story short, it delivers.
In short, the .458 SOCOM round will likely stick around for a very long time.
Have a .458 SOCOM rifle? Let us know about it in the comments! Ready for more big bore? Check out our Best Large-Bore Hunting Rifles.
18 Leave a Reply
Rereading this article there are a few questions, one, was the rim downsized for making the case more streamlined? It doesn't do anything other than feed and eject - I surmise the rim was fitted to meet the dimensional restriction of the AR15 bolt face. Like Grendel and others, there's only so much room in the action to fit a large case. Also goes to proprietary bolt alloys, which seem to be required for these larger powder loads.
Another is the need for it at all - which was created when Army kept pushing the issue of the M4 with 14.5" barrel and it's performance. 5.56 doesn't go 3200fps from a 14.5" barrel, and it was causing a lot less stoppage at distances involved in Afghanistan. The final disposition was to reissue a model of the M14 using 7.62 as the fielded answer. Tactics and support had improved by the time it arrived and many units just racked them as no longer needed.
Sadly, the bias of the article is really revealed by placing the innovator at the bottom of the list - Tromix. Tony Rumore offers the correct chamber and properly enhanced bolt that feeds the round without hanging up. This goes right back to why the rim was cut down from the .50 AE - feeding that fat face at an fairly extreme angle cause the rim to hang up on standard 5.56 extractors and ejectors, which are the wrong parts to use. It's a finesse point many of the other makers continue to fail to improve and why the shooting public understands the need to avoid buying their model unless they can physically inspect to see if the correct part shapes are offered. Gun forums sell this round more than a once in a while article, with owners reporting their success - or difficulties with off brand guns. Attention to the details is exactly how .458s work reliably, same as any other gun.
Im just waiting for XTM to come out with bullets - in my case, for the .375. That may be a long time down the road, if ever, but the application seems to be appropriate for it's range and weight.
Correct, but 450 BM uses bullets that are .452" in diameter. 458 SOCOM uses bullets that are .458" in diameter.
If one handloads like me, the selection of .452" is very limited, and most are pistol bullets.
When choosing .458" bullets, there are literally hundreds of different styles and weights .
I have a .458 socom and when clambering a round it does fine on some rounds, I have to Tao the forward assist on my rifle to fully seat the round. If I don't fire that round to eject it it almost takes an act of god to extract that round just using the charging handle, it feels like the round is stuck in the chamber or like it's to small, firing that round it rejects fine and chambers another round fine. Any suggestions of what I should do or not do.
Who's barrel and bolt? Tromix uses the correct Pacific Gauge reamer, other barrels are using something considered "close enuff" which have feeding problems. Another plus about Tromix is the ejector and extractor have the correct bevels to feed that case where others use M16 spec parts that don't work as well.
The rifling has a short lead. If the bullet is seated .005 inches too shallow, it will engage the rifling before the cartridge properly chambers. Buy an Over All Length or OAL gauge. If the cartridge rim is above flush with the gauge the bullet needs to be seated deeper in the case.
From all the specs that I’ve seen, the .450 Bushmaster performs BETTER than BOTH the .458 S and .50 B. in all areas, with a higher velocity, more energy, and less down range drop.
At 250 grain, it’s as lethal as the other 2.
Just say’n!
Yes but keep in mind that 458 socom offers rounds that are up to 600 grains. That makes it more ideal to suppress especially in a shorter barrel. It also offers a large variety of other bullet types and can use regular gi metal 556 mags and some of the regular 556 polymer mags. 450 bushmaster cant do that as well as 458 socom. I guess someone could make 450 bushmaster ammo that goes higher up in grains and level the playing field in that area but for now 458 socom is better to suppress.
You left out the #1 in 458 socom and that is Tromix, I built 2 one in 16 in and one in 10.5 and let me tell you what, I can take down anything I point them at.
What is recoil like? This seems like a massive round for a roughly 6# AR.
These arent 55k psi loads -they run 38k which is comparable to 20 ga shotgun recoil. The BCG and bolt for the M16 just don't have the meat for higher pressure loads. Because of that when reloading you won't see overpressure signs yet that load may already be too much. Follow the suggested powder drops and don't push it.
Ditto on TROMIX! Tony is the man for 458 SOCOM. Runs his own shop, is super to deal with. Bought a TROMIX complete upper from him, hammers anything you put in front of it. Great round! Would recommend to anyone looking to build a wildly powerful AR15 platform. One shot does it all!
TROMIX?
Sometimes things slip our minds. Article has been updated. :)
If the 50 Beowulf had been available back during these trials, which round do you think SOCOM would have picked?
Wish I could remove the goofy gifs that PewPew inserts in their otherwise informative articles
All that talk about the .458 socom and no mention of TROMIX - literally Tony Rumore's company, and THE name in 458 SOCOM parts?
Sometimes we mess up and forget to add things. Our bad. Article has been updated. Thanks for the feedback! :)
No problem, their 458 socom AK kits and parts are pretty sweet too!