Wilson Combat .458 Socom

[GJM]

Bill Wilson went to Africa this summer, and shot almost everything with a WC AR in .458 Socom. Using a Barnes 300 grain at about 1,800 fps, he reported excellent results in harvesting a diverse bag of animals. That led to discussing my ongoing quest for the "ideal" Alaskan defensive long gun around big bears. Bill spec'd a lightweight .458 Socom for my use, including a 14.7 battle pinned to 16 inches, billet upper and lower, and a two stage trigger. Here is the .458:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/IMG_4894_zpsfkgg9rod.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/IMG_4894_zpsfkgg9rod.jpg.html)


I wasn't able to get the rifle, ammo (AK has shipping restrictions on ammo) and opportunity to shoot it until this morning. Recoil is about like .308 in a Tikka bolt action, and that was with just a Rogers butt stock, that has just a hard recoil pad. It weighs just over six pounds bare, and will be a great weight and size to carry in the field. Of course, it has all the AR benefits of BUIS, easy sling mounting, flashlight mounting, etc.

Here is the results from some fast shooting at 10-50 yards. Very nice to see those large .45 caliber holes. I also shot eight inch plates at 100, and it rocks them hard.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/FullSizeRender_zpsdkzu3et8.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/FullSizeRender_zpsdkzu3et8.jpg.html)

[Wondering Beard]

Would you say that it's the semi auto version of a 45-70 lever action rifle?

[Chuck Haggard]

I'm surprised he could get a semi-auto rifle into Africa.


My one worry would be reliability. None of the large bore ARs that I have yet seen have been reliable.

[GJM]

Would you say that it's the semi auto version of a 45-70 lever action rifle?

.45-70 lever gun terminal ballistics in an AR delivery system.

[BCL]

I have no need for this where I live and most likely can't afford the rifle or the ammo, but I certainly want one. Seems like it might be the ideal candidate for the perfect Alaskan rifle. Did Bill happen to mention how big the animals were?

[GJM]

I'm surprised he could get a semi-auto rifle into Africa.


My one worry would be reliability. None of the large bore ARs that I have yet seen have been reliable.

Chuck, I am comfortable with how the Barnes bullet will perform terminally, so my testing is very much confirming reliability.

So far, 100 percent with the serious ammo loaded with Barnes bullets, and the practice ammo loaded with Hornady bullets. The magazines are Lancer, tuned specially by Wilson for their rifles, and marked .458 Socom. The Barnes bullets have a very favorable shape for feeding, while the Hornady are more a flat point. Bill says if it feeds the Hornady, the Barnes are 100 percent.

[GJM]

I have no need for this where I live and most likely can't afford the rifle or the ammo, but I certainly want one. Seems like it might be the ideal candidate for the perfect Alaskan rifle. Did Bill happen to mention how big the animals were?

Little thru Cape buffalo.

[LittleLebowski]

Needs can.

[GJM]

Needs can.

I decided not to set it up for a suppressor, as I wanted minimum length and weight, and believe noise on a warning or aimed shot, based on past experience, might help stop a bear.

Here is the Hornady practice load, note the flat profile:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4899_zpswkutrtzv.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_4899_zpswkutrtzv.jpg.html)

Here is the Wilson serious load, with the Barnes 300 grain:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfjjusgkg.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfjjusgkg.jpg.html)

Here is my wife shooting her first fast string with the .458 Socom.

https://youtu.be/c91onbQvy30

[Luke]

Looks pretty serious in the video. I had no idea these things kicked that hard.

[TGS]

Pretty cool, George.

I'm curious: how does the .50 Beowulf stack up against the 458?

Once vetted, will the 458 become your go to GP rifle, to include short range hunting?

[GJM]

Looks pretty serious in the video. I had no idea these things kicked that hard.

That is what happens when you launch a 540 power factor BB out of a six pound AR.


Pretty cool, George.

I'm curious: how does the .50 Beowulf stack up against the 458?

Once vetted, will the 458 become your go to GP rifle, to include short range hunting?

I am not too familiar with the Beowulf these days. Either SteveB or I had something like that years ago, and it wasn't reliable, as I recall.

Once proven I would like to take the Socom bear hunting, but it doesn't shoot flat enough for where we moose and caribou hunt. I do see the Socom as a possible replacement for the SBS Benelli.

[SteveB]

That is what happens when you launch a 540 power factor BB out of a six pound AR.



I am not too familiar with the Beowulf these days. Either SteveB or I had something like that years ago, and it wasn't reliable, as I recall.

Once proven I would like to take the Socom bear hunting, but it doesn't shoot flat enough for where we moose and caribou hunt. I do see the Socom as a possible replacement for the SBS Benelli.

We had a pair of Beowulf uppers; between the two of them, we couldn't get through a mag of ammo without multiple FTF issues.

[JAD]

I do see the Socom as a possible replacement for the SBS Benelli.

The shotgun would seem sleeker and easier to carry; is it the greater capacity or the terminal effect that would make the SOCOM more attractive?

[GJM]

The shotgun would seem sleeker and easier to carry; is it the greater capacity or the terminal effect that would make the SOCOM more attractive?


The shotgun and Socom weigh about the same. The shotgun has a sleeker shape, assuming you do not have a pistol grip. The shotgun likely hits harder with Brenneke slugs than the Socom with Barnes.

The Socom has a better trigger. The Socom has better optics mounting, with QD options to ditch an optic quickly. The Socom has better iron sights. The Socom recoils less. Socom is easier to sling. Socom is easier to reload. Socom has an easy to adjust LOP stock. Socom holds more ammo. Socom is easier to shoot fast. Socom is easier to shoot at distance. Socom is more accurate.

[JAD]

The shotgun and Socom....

Well, let us know when you've had some time to put some thought into it.

[SecondsCount]

Nice rifle.

Bigger bores are always going to do better with shorter barrels but 1800 FPS is too slow for my liking/needs.

[GJM]

I continue to shoot the .458, and have yet to have a stoppage. Bill says they are expanding their ammo choices in this caliber, with a lower cost shooter load.

He also has been using a .338 Federal in an AR with good success on hogs and deer.

[JHC]

The shotgun and Socom weigh about the same. The shotgun has a sleeker shape, assuming you do not have a pistol grip. The shotgun likely hits harder with Brenneke slugs than the Socom with Barnes.

The Socom has a better trigger. The Socom has better optics mounting, with QD options to ditch an optic quickly. The Socom has better iron sights. The Socom recoils less. Socom is easier to sling. Socom is easier to reload. Socom has an easy to adjust LOP stock. Socom holds more ammo. Socom is easier to shoot fast. Socom is easier to shoot at distance. Socom is more accurate.

Well; yeah THAT.

[GJM]

Fancy east coast guys, like my friend SteveB, have Blaser packages -- high end, multi caliber kits. Being Bill W's unofficial (and unpaid) marketing adviser, I suggested the redneck equivalent to a Blaser kit, consisting of a Wilson .308 with .458 Socom and .338 Federal barrels. That would allow a guy to do bear, hogs and terrorists all in one handy kit.