308 vs 458 SOCOM
Its been years since I've been on the forum but am considering a new weapon to do a little Pig hunting---or big pig hunting. I am going to purchase an AR style and want to know what would be best----458 or 308? In the big picture the 308 would be more versatile in the long run but the 458 has some serious knock down power. Thanks in advance
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skyman,
Stick with the 308, unless you like to spend lots of money for ammo. The 308, as you say is much more versatile than the 458, and has enough power for any pig on the planet. Concentrate on shot placement, as any bullet...even ftom a 500 Whiz Bang, in the wrong place will yeild a wounded animal.
Best
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On the plus side for the 458, it can be had in the smalleer AR-15 platform, where as the 308 is on the larger AR-10 platform. Then there is the 300 OSSM, which boasts 308 or better pereerformance from an AR-15 platform. I still say 30 calibeer, and a BARNES TSX bullet.0 -
This is a good question but I'm wondering if you watched Sons of Guns last night?? I guess there's pros and cons for each. If you already have an AR you can just buy the upper and it will save you some money. I haven't checked the muzzle energies of the 458 as it compares to the 308 but I wouldn't think they would be that far off. The 308 would/could be more versatile. The only problem I see with the 308 is that I'm sure you'd want this rifle with a shorter 16 inch barrel. The shorter 308 barrel would cause a lot more muzzle blast and a velocity loss. IMHO I'm not a fan of short barreled .308's. All mine are in 20 inch configurations. It would probably also require you to hand load your ammo. You'd want a hard heavy bullet probably in the 200-220 grain range and I don't think you can buy a factory load that heavy. If it were me I'd be tempted to opt for the 458 just because I have a number of receivers I could use it on and it's different. I could also go the .308 way as well for the same reasons except for the different part. I think your question is a very interesting one and I hope someone else comes along shortly with another view. 0 -
Yup I agree. The .308 is tested, universal, and can be easily bought on the surplus market for semi-inexpensive plinking. The proprietary(ish) .458 Socom round, while pretty cool and a neat idea, I've never seen on any local store shelf.
If you want a bit more thump with the identical tried and true platform, AR's are also being made in .338 Federal. In fact, you could get one AR-10 style lower, and uppers in .243, .260, .308, and .338 Fed. Then you're ready for anything in the US.0 -
If you're planing to only have one upper than I think the 308 would be best otherwise I would go with the 458. 0 -
I have an AR10, a DPMS LRT SASS in .308 but I've also been considering the .458 socom. I understand the ammo is spendy, but in my home state of Indiana, you can't use a .308 in a rifle configuration. Now if you put that .308 barrel on a Contender/Encore pistol frame, you're perfectly legal!??! In a rifle, N GO!
The .458 Socom IS legal for deer though, even in a rifle.
In Indiana, you can use a handgun to hunt deer, as long as it shoots a bullet of .243 diameter or larger.
If you use a rifle, it must fire a pistol cartridge, with a bullet of .357mag or larger.
There are also cartridge length perameters that make even less sense.
Anyway, I'd like to get a .458 Socom upper, but I'd also like to see it's popularity increase a little before I make the plunge.0 -
Great imputs thank you. Torn--only have funds for one. I like the smaller AR platform with the 458 upper but the only other long range weapon I have is a 243 so having a 308 would round out my collection and be great for pigs---however----the 458 would be pretty cool. I dod have an 1895 cowboy in 45-70 but thinking thats not the greatest pig gun. I'm really not into shots over 200 yards so I realy like serious knock down. I'll keep researching. Thanks all 0 -
For me, no brainer. . . .308.
It ought to be fine for pigs, tons of other applications, plus the ammo and guns are easy to find in any variety of configurations and bullet weights.
Not only are you going to have a hard time finding .458 ammo, its going to be pretty spendy, and only available in a limited number of bullet weights, etc.0 -
quote:Originally posted by skyman
Great imputs thank you. Torn--only have funds for one. I like the smaller AR platform with the 458 upper but the only other long range weapon I have is a 243 so having a 308 would round out my collection and be great for pigs---however----the 458 would be pretty cool. I dod have an 1895 cowboy in 45-70 but thinking thats not the greatest pig gun. I'm really not into shots over 200 yards so I realy like serious knock down. I'll keep researching. Thanks all
I've shot hogs with a Ruger #1 4570 & they went no where. I watched that sons of guns & they really over blown what it takes to kill a hog. So if that is what your basing your gun selection on I'd take it with a grain of salt. A 308 is more than enough gun to take even the biggest of hogs as long as you do your part. Heck a 22lr in a hogs ear will kill it just as quick.0 -
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I guess I picked the wrong time to post this topic right after that episode----those guys are sketchy at best. I guess if I want short range knockdown I can use my bolt action 44mag. That should be good out to 150yds. I have an SKS that would work as well. The 308 speaks for itself I've just never been a long range shooter. Guess it would give me the option if and when I get to longer distances. I just started looking into the hog hunt about a month ago--what arre typical distances for that game? 0
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