458 socom with 10.5 inch barrel for hunting?

[bhhacker]

I am about to pull the trigger on an upper thats 10.5 inches that i would use on Admiralty Island for deer and also brown bear defense up here in AK.


From my research it seems like i wont lose a lot of fps with the shorter, more handy and lighter barrel but i am wondering if recoil in that size would be an issue.

Has anyone shot a shorter barreled 458? Is it comparable to a shotgun or more in terms of recoil? I am 220 and can shoot 12 gauge slugs pretty quickly.

 

[atomchaser]

Mine's not that short (18 inches) but the recoil is about like a 12 gauge shot gun. You're going to get a good bit more of muzzle blast and noise with a short barrel, however. Since you are using it for bear defense, make sure you really ring in out with the exact load and bullet and mags you intend to use. 458 AR's can be temperamental about feeding with certain bullets and mags.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Check if the barrel extension has the standard feed cuts or has had them ground down. The 458 will feed better this way.

 

[SuperNaut]

I've read about cycling issues with short bbl .458 SOCOM's, but that is purely internet chatter not direct experience.

My direct experience is with my 16.25" (w/Brake) that cycles perfectly, and recoils quite manageably. I'd compare it to a 20 gauge.

 

[Glock_10mm]

I assume you are following NFA and already have a registered SBR lower. I wound not recommend this as a pistol.

This is a really loaded question. 458 can be configured in a lot of different ways. Ive seen then totally reliable, and barely reliable. If you are set up for a suppreasor, it may not work well without it. It needs tuning, but like any gas operated can become a reliable platform.

You will see drop in fps from 16 to 10.5. I dont have a chrono, but from what ive read somewhere in the 200fps range. This matters for bullet selection, penetrations, and engagement range. For instance the ttsx need 1000fps to expand, and taking a 200yd shot may not allow it to. Also this is a close work caliber for under 200yd with a 16 barrel. At 10.5, aim for 50-150yds. It will drop a deer and be accurate if zerod for 100yds, i dont see a problem doing so.

As for bear, i have no experience, especially Alaskan Grizzlies. (I edited the rest as it was speculation).

Ive read pepperspray is better as a deterrent.
a 12ga 3" slug should work as well.

Will 458 kill a full grown grizzly, yes. Will it still have time to kill you before it dies... that is the big question, and depends on your shot placement.

 

[Marlin1895]

should get answer on the 458socomforms. sevral there have SBR in 458 socom.

 

[bhhacker]

It is so brushy here that shots rarely get over 50 yards, 100 yard zero is what id do to cover my bases.

I will register on the 458 forums and ask there too. I just feel that you could make a nice little package for hunting and bear defense. I agree that other things are to be used before firearms for bear deterrents but out in the middle of nowhere, i big bore rifle is nice to have just in case. This can put a big hurting on a lot of things, and in such a small, easily transportable package that is very alluring to me.

 

[Flintknapper]

Join us over here: http://458socomforums.com/

We would love to have you....and will answer all questions as well as we can.


Flint.