Parts are coming together for my new Bear Rifle.

[6.8mmARHunter]

Parts are coming together for my new Bear Rifle.

Building a .458SOCOM AR15 upper. It's getting close. Charging handle, Flash Suppressor, Gas Block and Gas Tube are coming in tomorrow. The main component, the barrel, should be here any week now. People that ordered theirs in early January are receiving theirs now. I ordered my in mid January.

The upper receiver in the photo is a Mega Arms. The Bolt carrier is Nickel Boron that I got from Hamlund tactical. Handguard is a 11" Samson. Optic is Aimpoint M4s. Bullets are Barnes TSX 350 grain hollow point. Loaded cartridges (for comparison) are .308 Winchester, 6.8mm SPC II, and 5.56mm. The 350 grain .458 diameter bullets are huge!

I didn't draw Spring Bear, so I'll be waiting for August 1.

I'm like a kid before Christmas...





sam

[CAMPMEAT]

Start looking for ammo if you don't have any, it's hard to come by. Starline Brass is too, if you reload. It took me a lot of snooping around to find what I have.

[6.8mmARHunter]

Yep, I've got 100 pieces of Starline on back order with Midway. Fortunately I'm not in a big hurry. Hopefully I can get my hands on something before August...

Thanks...

[Timberstalker]

How do the ballistics compare to other more well known rounds?

[6.8mmARHunter]

How do the ballistics compare to other more well known rounds?

It doesn't shoot very flat. People have compared it to the old 45-70. It's probably a 200 yard rifle. For me the allure was that going into an AR rifle, you can put 10 round in the magazine, and you can fire them as fast as you can pull the trigger. I'm doing a backpacking trip this summer up near Cordova, Alaska. I'm not going to hunt, so it'll be strictly a defensive weapon. If a big brown thing comes around I won't have to run screaming like a girl...

[Timberstalker]

How do the ballistics compare to other more well known rounds?

It doesn't shoot very flat. People have compared it to the old 45-70. It's probably a 200 yard rifle. For me the allure was that going into an AR rifle, you can put 10 round in the magazine, and you can fire them as fast as you can pull the trigger. I'm doing a backpacking trip this summer up near Cordova, Alaska. I'm not going to hunt, so it'll be strictly a defensive weapon. If a big brown thing comes around I won't have to run screaming like a girl...

I figured as much by looking at the round. Should be a great brush gun and a little bit further. Hope you thump a masher in August.

[6.8mmARHunter]

How do the ballistics compare to other more well known rounds?

It doesn't shoot very flat. People have compared it to the old 45-70. It's probably a 200 yard rifle. For me the allure was that going into an AR rifle, you can put 10 round in the magazine, and you can fire them as fast as you can pull the trigger. I'm doing a backpacking trip this summer up near Cordova, Alaska. I'm not going to hunt, so it'll be strictly a defensive weapon. If a big brown thing comes around I won't have to run screaming like a girl...

I figured as much by looking at the round. Should be a great brush gun and a little bit further. Hope you thump a masher in August.

Thanks...

Last year I hunted with a 6.8mm SPC (0.277 diameter, 120grain - think 270 Winchester but not as flat or as fast), and I felt a little under gunned.... Although, I did have several 25 round magazines. I think with the .458 SOCOM I shouldn't have to worry.

[CAMPMEAT]

www.gunbroker.com has some for sale right now. You better get it because it will be gone and Midway never notified me when anything I ordered came in, just like the rest of them. You snooze, you loose.

[j_h_nimrod]

How do the ballistics compare to other more well known rounds?

It doesn't shoot very flat. People have compared it to the old 45-70. It's probably a 200 yard rifle. For me the allure was that going into an AR rifle, you can put 10 round in the magazine, and you can fire them as fast as you can pull the trigger. I'm doing a backpacking trip this summer up near Cordova, Alaska. I'm not going to hunt, so it'll be strictly a defensive weapon. If a big brown thing comes around I won't have to run screaming like a girl...

I figured as much by looking at the round. Should be a great brush gun and a little bit further. Hope you thump a masher in August.

Thanks...

Last year I hunted with a 6.8mm SPC (0.277 diameter, 120grain - think 270 Winchester but not as flat or as fast), and I felt a little under gunned.... Although, I did have several 25 round magazines. I think with the .458 SOCOM I shouldn't have to worry.

How many 25rd mags does it take for a black bear? 

ARs are not the best platform for a bear rifle for a number if reasons but to each their own I guess.

[6.8mmARHunter]

How do the ballistics compare to other more well known rounds?

It doesn't shoot very flat. People have compared it to the old 45-70. It's probably a 200 yard rifle. For me the allure was that going into an AR rifle, you can put 10 round in the magazine, and you can fire them as fast as you can pull the trigger. I'm doing a backpacking trip this summer up near Cordova, Alaska. I'm not going to hunt, so it'll be strictly a defensive weapon. If a big brown thing comes around I won't have to run screaming like a girl...

I figured as much by looking at the round. Should be a great brush gun and a little bit further. Hope you thump a masher in August.

Thanks...

Last year I hunted with a 6.8mm SPC (0.277 diameter, 120grain - think 270 Winchester but not as flat or as fast), and I felt a little under gunned.... Although, I did have several 25 round magazines. I think with the .458 SOCOM I shouldn't have to worry.

How many 25rd mags does it take for a black bear? 

ARs are not the best platform for a bear rifle for a number if reasons but to each their own I guess.

I think you could bag a black bear with one maybe two 25 round magazines of 6.8mm. You would only need one magazine of .458SOCOM thought. Hence the reason for the upgrade...

Would you mind sharing the number of reasons the AR is not good for Bears?

[6.8mmARHunter]

www.gunbroker.com has some for sale right now. You better get it because it will be gone and Midway never notified me when anything I ordered came in, just like the rest of them. You snooze, you loose.

Midway's Starline brass is $83. People on gunbroker are buying, marking up and reselling. I'd rather not enable them.

[mossback91]

How do the ballistics compare to other more well known rounds?

It doesn't shoot very flat. People have compared it to the old 45-70. It's probably a 200 yard rifle. For me the allure was that going into an AR rifle, you can put 10 round in the magazine, and you can fire them as fast as you can pull the trigger. I'm doing a backpacking trip this summer up near Cordova, Alaska. I'm not going to hunt, so it'll be strictly a defensive weapon. If a big brown thing comes around I won't have to run screaming like a girl...

I figured as much by looking at the round. Should be a great brush gun and a little bit further. Hope you thump a masher in August.

Thanks...

Last year I hunted with a 6.8mm SPC (0.277 diameter, 120grain - think 270 Winchester but not as flat or as fast), and I felt a little under gunned.... Although, I did have several 25 round magazines. I think with the .458 SOCOM I shouldn't have to worry.

How many 25rd mags does it take for a black bear?  

ARs are not the best platform for a bear rifle for a number if reasons but to each their own I guess.

That depends.........how hard can you throw one at a bears face? and how accurate are you?

[CAMPMEAT]

www.gunbroker.com has some for sale right now. You better get it because it will be gone and Midway never notified me when anything I ordered came in, just like the rest of them. You snooze, you loose.

Midway's Starline brass is $83. People on gunbroker are buying, marking up and reselling. I'd rather not enable them.

I hate to say it but, Midway won't get ahold of you. I paid a buck a piece for brass + shipping. How long have you been waiting for Midway ? I've been waiting for 2 years to get ahold of me.

[fly-by]

 [/quote]

How many 25rd mags does it take for a black bear? 

ARs are not the best platform for a bear rifle for a number if reasons but to each their own I guess.
[/quote]

Depends on your style of hunting.  I use a 338 Federal AR pattern rifle for calling bear in thick cover on the west side.  Goal is obviously to put them down with the first shot, but having an instantaneous follow up is a plus. The OPs build would be great for the same style of hunting and is probably a couple pounds lighter than mine.

It is nice to see more ARs used for any type of hunting as it helps them to be perceived as more mainstream.

[BULLBLASTER]

That looks like fun! How fast can you push those 350 grain bullets out of that? Not familiar with the cartridge at all.

[6.8mmARHunter]

www.gunbroker.com has some for sale right now. You better get it because it will be gone and Midway never notified me when anything I ordered came in, just like the rest of them. You snooze, you loose.

Midway's Starline brass is $83. People on gunbroker are buying, marking up and reselling. I'd rather not enable them.

I hate to say it but, Midway won't get ahold of you. I paid a buck a piece for brass + shipping. How long have you been waiting for Midway ? I've been waiting for 2 years to get ahold of me.

Yeah, I'll see if I can find some alternate sources...

Depends on your style of hunting.  I use a 338 Federal AR pattern rifle for calling bear in thick cover on the west side.  Goal is obviously to put them down with the first shot, but having an instantaneous follow up is a plus. The OPs build would be great for the same style of hunting and is probably a couple pounds lighter than mine.

It is nice to see more ARs used for any type of hunting as it helps them to be perceived as more mainstream.

^^^^
 

That looks like fun! How fast can you push those 350 grain bullets out of that? Not familiar with the cartridge at all.

Wikipedia indicates ~1800fps and ~2500f/lbs. It's not real fast nor flat shooting. The limitations are due to the case OAL has to fit in the AR15 magazine.

Some links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.458_SOCOM

https://www.google.com/search?q=.458socom&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=tEojU5WyJKLN2AXb5IH4CA&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=673



Thanks,


sam

[snowpack]

How do the ballistics compare to other more well known rounds?

When running sub-sonic, it is pretty good compared to other sub-sonics.  Part of the appeal of the cartridge.  Sub-sonic is generally loaded to 1050 fps, so the only things you can really change to alter ballistics are bullet design and weight.  The heavier bullets usually shoot flatter than the light ones when starting at the same speed.

[j_h_nimrod]

How many 25rd mags does it take for a black bear? 

ARs are not the best platform for a bear rifle for a number if reasons but to each their own I guess.
[/quote]

Depends on your style of hunting.  I use a 338 Federal AR pattern rifle for calling bear in thick cover on the west side.  Goal is obviously to put them down with the first shot, but having an instantaneous follow up is a plus. The OPs build would be great for the same style of hunting and is probably a couple pounds lighter than mine.

It is nice to see more ARs used for any type of hunting as it helps them to be perceived as more mainstream.
[/quote]

I should have qualified it as mostly opinion. I have never been a fan of ARs for a hunting rifle. They make a good varmint gun but beyond that I have little use for them. They are typically heavy, cumbersome, loud, and noisy which do not make them ideal in my opinion. 

As commented above though, it is great to see them in use so they are more accepted as mainstream and have more utility than just a combat weapon. Even though I don't care to use them I would hate to not be able to if I so choose.

[Blacklab]

Looking good  Don't forget to post pics when it's finished.

[Dan-o]

Nice.

I have a buddy who built an AR in 458 SOCOM several years ago.

He proceeded to draw a coveted bull elk tag and tip over a really nice bull with his.

Ballistically, it really is like having a semi-auto 45/70 in your hands.   

Great bear rifle.

[6.8mmARHunter]

I acquired some brass, bullets (more), some dies and an OAL guage. I have all the parts minus the barrel. I'm getting close. Come on barrel... Should be here any week now...

[Mark Youngblood]

I got a couple boxes of Hornady XTP (I think) bullets that I got by mistake (asked someone else to get me 45 bullets) and live in Spanaway if interested....

[6.8mmARHunter]

I got a couple boxes of Hornady XTP (I think) bullets that I got by mistake (asked someone else to get me 45 bullets) and live in Spanaway if interested....

I appreciate the thought, but the XTPs won't work for me. They come in 0.452" and 0.475" but not 0.458".

http://www.hornady.com/store/XTP-XTP-MAG/?page=4