458 Socom or 450 Bushmaster 50 Beawulf AR 15 for a reloader/caster

[lksmith]

I have assembled my own 300AAC Blackout, and 458 SOCOM rifles. Both were attractive to me, because all my standard AR magazines work without modification. I can swap uppers and lowers between the three platforms as well. So I can mix and match magazines with varying capacities between my 5.56 AR's, and the two larger calibers.

I like to use the 20 round magazine on the bench, because it is less awkward than the 30 rounders. The 20 round standard AR magazine will hold 7 rounds of 458 SOCOM.

I can use the same boolits, or j-words between 308 Win, 300 Win Mag, and the 300 AAC. Then, boolits and j-words made for my 45-70 Marlin work in the SOCOM. I have a nice Ranch Dog 350 grain .458 mold that works very nicely in the SOCOM. My main thing was interchangeability.

Brass for the SOCOM is fairly expensive, but I suspect the same applies to the other large caliber AR brass.

That's just my preference, having looked at both the 450 Bushmaster and 50 Beowulf a lot before finally deciding on the SOCOM.

Sounds a lot like my thought process as well. For me the main reason for going 458 over 450 was the selection of heavy boolits and not having to modify the mags. I plan on using a can on my AR for quiet hunting and being able to get a bigger hunk of lead with the 458 and more available heavy bullets and molds broke the tie. Another thing that helped was that I have several hundred .458 bullets from a trade that need a home.

I know with the 458 you have to open up the ejection port on the upper (if using standard upper), but I think the same holds true for the other two choices.
Haven't had a chance to shoot much, but something about having a 45-70 in an AR appeals to me. Same thing can be said for having a 30-30 in AR (300blackout) and a 44mag in a 1911 (460 Rowland)

[Idaho45guy]

I bought a Ruger SR556 before the Trump election that I didn't need; already had a tricked out AR that I never shot. I realized that I didn't have a good camping/hiking/Jeeping rifle for protection against critters while in the Idaho wild.

Came up with the bright idea to buy a .450 Bushmaster upper. I already cast for my Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt.

Then I started searching for uppers and found that good ones were at least $700. Then I realized that you could only get nine rounds in a 30-round .223 mag.

So I bought a Marlin 1894 in .45 Colt that holds ten rounds for $500, then I "hot-rodded" it to make it as versatile as the AR...

Attachment 218943

I like how it turned out, but I think if I had to do it over again, I would have just bought the .450 Bushmaster upper.

[Outer Rondacker]

Idahoguy I think you have your info wrong. Its 10 Beowulf in a 30 223 mag. I think it is 14 450s in a 30. Not sure where you found that marlin for 500 bucks but congrats. That is a good deal. You can get 450 bushmaster uppers shipped to your house for 450.00

I should have gone with the colt round. Less new items needed.

[Lloyd Smale]

some of my 30 rounders hold 10 some 9. Depending on the follower.

[Outer Rondacker]

Holly smokes! I found one shop within an hours drive that has a box (3) of 20 Beowulf for sale. $58.99. (each) Its The plain Jane stuff. Nope not going to do it. Cant do it. Just can not.

[Gunslinger1911]

THAT"S why we reload !!! lol
"Gun" folks cringe when I pull out the S&W 500 because they realize how much the ammo costs.
Not for me; $60 / 20 ? Nope. More like $10 / 50.

Rondacker, we'll get you hooked up in no time !

[Outer Rondacker]

Oh just got the email my 50 upper shipped out today. Another member emailed me he has some brass. Im getting there.

[corbinace]

Look in S&S section for a 50 mold, that just came up.

[Lloyd Smale]

yup a guy sure couldn't own and shoot any weatherby caliber unless they were wealthy if they didn't reload. Cost me a few pennys more to load 50 Beowulf rounds then it does 44 mags or 45 colts. Couple more grains of powder. Couple more grains of lead. bottom line is if I didn't reload and cast I would probably own a 22 and an 06 and have a different hobby.

THAT"S why we reload !!! lol
"Gun" folks cringe when I pull out the S&W 500 because they realize how much the ammo costs.
Not for me; $60 / 20 ? Nope. More like $10 / 50.

Rondacker, we'll get you hooked up in no time !

[Outer Rondacker]

Look in S&S section for a 50 mold, that just came up.

Thanks for the heads up but you know the story. A day late and a dollar short. Its sold already.

Lloyd Smale, I understand that statement oh to well. I think most that have spent a some time here feel the same way.

[frankenfab]

You can get the Ranier plated 335 grain SP or hollow point from Midway for $86.00/500. They shoot very well.

As far as sizing goes, you do have to lube your cases well. If you're using spray on lube, you really have to let it dry.

[Outer Rondacker]

Ya midway was out last I checked.

I use the old method of the lube pad.

[Outer Rondacker]

If any of you guys show this thread to my wife we can not be friends anymore. LOL Na its ok. Well just ordered Lee mould, Dies, Sizer and two 10 round mags. Came to 102.97 shipped to the door from Brownells.

This is coming together nicely. Still need brass.

[Gunslinger1911]

Brass :
Starline brass, Midway = $74/100
Diamond K = $15 / 25 (once fired - mixed head stamp) or $71 / 100 (new Starline)
Starline = $170 / 250

[Outer Rondacker]

Brass :
Starline brass, Midway = $74/100
Diamond K = $15 / 25 (once fired - mixed head stamp) or $71 / 100 (new Starline)
Starline = $170 / 250

Gunbroker Great Lakes 100- for 48.00 x2 = 96.00 + 9.00 shipping makes for 105.00 to the door for 200 new.

As luck would have it i go offered a set of dies used moments after I bought new. LOL

[Gunslinger1911]

Nice score on the brass !

[Outer Rondacker]

Thanks. He has 12 more bags for sale.

[Gunslinger1911]

Ahhhhhh, you are killin me !
Too good a price to pass up.

[Outer Rondacker]

You ordered some didnt you. I see two more missing from the listing. LOL

[Gunslinger1911]

Guilty as charged.

Thanks for the heads up on those !