In case of Big Recoil, look into getting a few Buttstocks Modified with some Nitro Gas Filled Shocks. They're for Radio Controlled Cars (Maxxas Traxxas), but they're made exactly the same as the 1's for real Cars and Trucks. It will mitigate Heavy Recoil a ton.
This popped up in my recommendations, I didn't know what to expect but I was dying of laughter at the Bear Creek Arsenal part. No fluff, no fancy intro, no HIGH SPEED TACTIOOL shooting montage. Just directly to business from a guy in his backyard one handing everything with the camera. I like it
Hey, I love the cartridge comparisons. Two comparisons I’d love to see: 6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Grendel vs 6 ARC 204 Ruger vs 22 ARC vs 223/5.56 I love the AR length actions, and I’d love to see comparisons between them all. Anyway, keep up the good work.
The .458 has so many different options for projectiles that it's difficult to summarize with just one load. For example a 300gr SJHP load is going to act very differently from a 500gr lead flat nose.
How about 0.451-452? 116 results. The FTX bullet is absolute junk. Anything from Barnes in those diameters will be far superior. The FTX expands quickly and doesn’t retain much weight for penetration. The Barnes copper/brass monolith retains almost all the weight and expands almost double or more and gets a higher velocity.
People love to crap on BCA. I think as a community we should be embracing and praising companies like them offering decent products for subpar pricing. I have 3 uppers from them and ive had 1 hiccup with each in about 6000 rounds between all 3 and they have sent replacement part for free delivered to me in less than 10 days from email.
New owners and new machines. Sub 1MOA guaranteed with their .308. Lifetime warranty. Customer service is outstanding. To me, that was the difference... actual support.
I love BCA! i've bought a variety of products, mostly uppers. .223 wylde 18" upper, 5.56 pistol 9"ish?, and 10.5" 300. No issue with uppers. I did buy backup iron sites that did not fit. 100% refund on first contact. The sites were REALLY cheap. I think they upped the prices later, and presumably the machining quality. I bought offset mounts later, all good. If you gotta' spend money, BCA and PSA is not your go to vendor.
I've got 2 PSA ar's, THEY ARE BOTH SUB SHOOTERS ALL DAY!! One in 556 & one In 224 valkyrie. Not as accurate as my Wilson Combat but Wilson will do .3 MOA if I have a good day. Hard for ANY rifle to beat that!
You do realize that even though all three are close to the same caliber, that 2 of them were designed for use in self defense and the other (450bm) was designed for hunting. My 450 took a deer this past season, in Michigan, at approximately 130 yards and had no problem with pass through. Even at that range. So much energy transfer that the heart lungs looked like an explosion happened inside its chest.
I've had some minor issues with Bear Creek arsenal QC but on the other hand they're also some of the most accurate AR barrels I have. Especially their 223 wylde barrels
I have one of their 7.62x39 side charging uppers, and really, the only issue I've seen is that the gas key seems very lightly staked, but it's not popped loose yet, so until it does, I'm not calling it an issue. There's a series of torture tests ran on one of their 5.56 side charging uppers by a tiny youtube channel that has completely sold me on the viability of BCA. I'll link them here if anyone wants to watch them. ua-cam.com/video/Vy0UPqhfnxE/v-deo.htmlsi=NoQZmtLwoy3jZKu5 ua-cam.com/video/f6FHm-GHH7M/v-deo.htmlsi=QftF9SLG5eevz0cU
It's been beyond QC for me. I received one barrel that looked like somebody had used sandpaper lengthwise on it, so who knows WTF happened there, and I've received several that were damaged due to poor packaging. I didn't have any trouble returning them, but it's a huge waste of my time. Bear Creek makes Midway USA barrels, and I've never gotten junk or damaged barrels ordering through them. I also never got an answer from Bear Creek regarding the size of wrench I needed for the proprietary barrel nut used with their hand guard. It wasn't any common inch or metric size, so I had to remove it with an adjustable wrench and mill the damn nut slightly to fit a normal crow foot.
I just recently completed a .450 bushmaster build. I went with that over the .50 and 458 due to the similarities in powders and primers I use with my other handloads. The only complaint I have is getting brass for it.
Hands down, Banana Ballistics is the best no BS balllistic testing channel on UA-cam... but why do I keep thinking he's going to Rick Roll us with THAT VOICE! LoL
Have 2 BCA uppers, 7.62x39 and a 6.5 Grendel. Run great. As for the big bores, whoa, they pack a slammmm! Love the way they trashed the blocks. I would probably go with 450 BM just because of ammo availability. They are all sweet though.
I have run many tests between these 3 calibers over the years and the 450BM is the one that won my heart over. I have taken multiple large game animals with it and it drops critters where they stand. The 450 outperfomes the others in real world test scenarios and is flatter shooting. The biggest flaw I see in your testing is that your using standard cup and core bullets. Get some bonded or solid copper bullets.
Not to suggest something dangerous but the 450B parent case is the 284 Winchester. The 458 & the 50 Beolf are based on pistol cartridges. 284W is saami spec’d at near 60,000 psi. I’ve loaded the 450B with 45 ACP ball and 40 grain of lil’gun and it pushes 2400+ fps and make 2900+ fpe and will probably hole the steel plate since it’s a FMJ round. The numbers above are through a 16” bushmaster Upper. Plus this is a general 1.5-2.0” grouper at 100 yards. I nicknamed this my T-Rex load as I imagine you want a bunch of penetration if you’re shooting dinosaurs?
@@bananaballisticsit would have been fare if you used equal 6x6 blocks…the 50 and socom got a piece of balsa wood compared the huge solid knot you gave the bushmaster….first big testing fail from Banana Ballistics
.450 bushmaster is the least expensive and the only one using an actual parent rifle cartridge. .450 is far more versatile. And got screwed on the 6x6 test with a huge knot and the other two got a degraded piece of balsa wood. Disappointed 😂
I have two 458 SoComs, one AR and one bolt action. Try out the Barnes 300gr TTSX bullet made just for the SoCom. Lehigh used to make several nice bullets for the SoCom, but now there is only three offerings. If you are reloading your own for the SoCom use Reloder 7 or CFEBlk.
Great Vid. Loved it. I am a big bore guy through and through. Just finished a 450 BM build myself. Only went with that because of shared components with some of my other calibers I reload for. Also, not sure how similar it is to the other two but 450 is not very sensitive to barrel length. You don't lose much HP (Velocity) with shorter barrels. I went with a 10.5". Short range sledge hammer. Up there with my 45 Raptor and 45/70.
A better test would be with the largest grain bullet available for each cartidge. 458 is really in a different category due to wide range of RIFLE bullet type/weights (think 45-70). You're comparing what the best the other 2 cartridges can do, but just getting started with the socom. IMHO.
Crazy timing on this video!!! I just ordered some bullets to load for my .450 Bushmaster and some .50 cal for my Beowulf and 500 mag. From Midway USA of course. I love the big bore videos. Awesome work good sir 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
My 458 from Bear Creek Arsenal had so many issues that I gave up on it. Over the course of several correspondence, I returned it to BCA because of feeding issues. My semi-auto became a bolt action. When I got it back, it somewhat kind of worked. I was able to shoot 5 rounds without any issues. I Just left it at that and stuffed it back in the back of the safe. Haven't touched it since.
The best and worst thing about 458-socom is the variety of loads. I invented a H4 buffer for mine, and tried a bunch of different loads before finding what worked best for mine.
@arequina I agree with a heavier buffer. They offer buffer weights without a buffer and it's not hard to open the one you have already. Just try taking out a lighter weight and replacing it with a heavy weight one at a time until it works.
@@arequina it ended up being 6.4oz (180g if you're one of those metric people) I removed the rubber spacers between the tungsten weights, drilled out the inside until it was as deep as I was comfortable with and put one more tungsten weight in. Think I ended up shaving a bit off to get the plug back in the end.
My OCD would make me shoot multiple blocks one time a piece, and then compare the blocks. Shooting a block that’s been shot already is a compromised block. My opinion, do your thing though!
Like to c the “ 50 “ using solid brass “ ammunition “ it s apparently available through “ Alex “ Arms , probably would sail right through every thing tested
I’d like to see more 458 rounds like an Underwood solid copper or buffalo bore hard cast, talk to your ppl at Midway! Lol. Always good videos, keep it up👍🏻
Love your stuff. Very entertaining. Keep it up! And even though my beloved and cherished 458 didn't wipe the floor with the others, Terry told me it's his fav.
I prefer the 50 Beowulf in 350 FTX hp or 350 penetrator both accurate and great for purpose !!! Reloading a bit of a challenge due to mouth of case can fold ...
The BCA 50 Beo upper i got fit literally perfect on my Aero Precision lower. I have not shot because i just learned my Range doesn’t allow 50 Beo. I now have to get another membership for outdoor shooting.
Use to have a 458 socom and loved it. I used 45-70 projectiles for reloading and only cost me about .40 around. 450 bushmaster just came out and didn't know much about at the time. But I might have to get one since you can use 45acp projectiles.
I got one when it became legal for deer in MI. Reload with 45 pistol for cheaper shooting and then 450 bullets for hunting. Also being a bolt gun I can reload to MUCH higher pressure than stock ammo as stock is made for the weaker action of the AR. Though uploading a lot doesn't do as much for me since I have the 18inch barrel. If you get the 22 inch you see more gains from it
Really enjoy watching your comparisons! If you could get a 445 Supermag rifle for testing, I'd think it would be interesting. Any 44 mag single shot can be reamed out to this caliber. My converted Ruger No 1, 22" barrel, 445 Supermag shoots the 265 FTX @ 2114 fps for 2631 ft/lbs ME. I'd like to see what it would do in your test.
I think the biggest issue with the penetration testing with these cals is that it looks like you were shooting hollow points. Of course they are designed not to penetrate solid objects but rather to expand and to shed their energy perpendicular to the line of fire. This can be seen in the energy translated to the concrete. But I liked the test.
It would be interesting to see this test done again with Cutting Edge Bullets Safari Solid bullets that are just solid brass. I imagine the penetration would be insane. 450 Bowel Movement would have to sit out, though, because Cutting Edge does not offer them in .452.
Underwoods extreme penetrator fluted copper round in .450 is insane! Well it better be for near 100 bucks for 20rds. So expensive you gotta save them for a big foot or ware wolf
Great video as always, Thanks. Didn't catch what brand of ammo the SOCOM was, but I get over 1600fps with a 12" bbl over a moderate load of CFE BLK. Keep up the great videos.
.458 is great because the military actually used it a lot and there are subsonic or supersonic loads for it, which tends to make it more versatile. There's a lot more loads for it. However, for the most part all of them are pretty similar, .458 tends to be weaker as it was intended to be subsonic.
@@peternorton5648 yes it is very real. :) take a remington 300 ultra magnum case, cut the shoulder off and there you go. 65,000 psi and fully into 458 win mag territory but with a 50 cal projectile. It is a wildcat that was custom built. :)
I love my .450 BM and haven't had a deer get more than a few yards away doing a death run. Definitely puts their engine block out of commission 😂. Actually just looked at a 50 build yesterday because apparently I hate myself and my shoulder.🤣 Biggest thing that turned me off to the .458 when I built my .450 was the ammo price. I wanted to build a good hunting rifle with reasonable ammo cost (7mm Rem Mag definitely is not most times) and the .458 was 2x the cost of the .450. Enjoyed the video a lot and keep up the great work!
Those cartridges where not designed to stop an engine but (especially in the case of the .458) to go thru ‘things’ (windshield, branches,..) without being deviated from their path.. Anyway, great video, very informative. I went the 450BM way because of cost and, despite the bad reputation, my BCA upper is very accurate and very cheap compared to building your own upper.
I love my bear creek rifle it is amazingly accurate for the money I can almost guarantee 1 moa grouping or better with cheap ammo. Sure it feels cheap and is heavy but it shoots great and just runs! I’d love to use their barrels with a nicer everything else! Great video love your content keep up the great stuff!
From a handloader standpoint and the availability of solid .458 cal rifle rated projectiles, the SOCOM is my choice, which is why it's the only one I have kept. Them Hornady FTX are about the worst bullet you could load in that round. Great for human sized targets in self-defense situations, but not a good choice for much else.
My Bear Creek AR10 is actually awesome. I’d definitely recommend getting the better barrel option if you get a BCA AR, there base barrel option is ridiculously heavy. The fluted stainless barrel is fantastic. Honestly though, not the biggest fan of their lowers. Would recommend a PSA lower if you want something cheap.
Wonderful video. But something to think about. The longer you have those pressure treated blocks especially cut. The drying out and losing moisture content that's why they split in so many pieces.
450BM all day for me. Had the Ruger American with the tank break and ran a few different tests myself. Generally used Hornady Black between price point and general performance it was comparable to any other JHP there was to offer but as far as specialty ammo went I had gone with underwood ammo and tell you what those “extreme penatrators “ they offer are no joke aswell the “dangerous game” flats are gnarly aswell. But I’ve sent my fair share of JHP thru railroad ties , cinder blocks and any other piece of scrap that I could muster up. Just an over all fun Thumper for the price point as far as ammo and platforms go.
Cool tests. I have to comment on the Bear Creek Arsenal engraving the last upper that I bought had the engraving which I like . I had also order a 450 BM & 458 Socom which did not have the engraving. I think having the engraved upper BCA has up its imeage.
If I could please make a suggestion sir…your blocks of wood would give more consistency without knots in them. The density is vastly different than straight grain blocks. That’s all I’m sayin if you even read my comment sir. Still very grateful for your videos and the knowledge we all gain from them. Stay safe and blessed bud.
I'll take the .458...since I've had one for years. Have some 300 grain brass solids that get 'er done. Good for: very large game (Sasquatch, dinosaur, bear, etc) and things like stray houses and vehicles (they are out there) that require "oomph" and penetration.
450 for me. Its legal in Michigan for deer, the others aren't. Also i reload, so I can use cheap 45 pistol bullets for plinking or non deer ammo. In addition, since i have a bolt gun, I can reload to much more pressure than stock as stock ammo is loaded for AR platform that can't handle as much pressure
I like Paul Harrel's meat target for assessing damage much better than anything on this site. These large calibers were designed to dump most of the energy on the target so penetration tests on steel don't tell you much. Also the Bushmaster is much better in the 100 to 200 yard hunting range than the other 2 tested. But all three of these rounds can do a lot of damage at short range.
The 50beo with the 350g Brass Spitzer bullets is another matter entirely. They blaze through wood, making a clean hole, and can penetrate certain materials, such as mild steel. But since it is fairly slow moving, not likely to penetrate AR500 steel.
Sand box remains undefeated! Have you ever tested a 7.62 x 54, uncomfortable to shoot, I shot 3 rounds and give it back to my buddy. He was using some hot factory loads. Your vids are cool.
400gr Beowulf recoils like 12ga slugs. A little lighter but with more velocity. Try swapping the rifle stock for a Tailhook pistol brace. I bought a 10.5" for bear country. But the reliability of 50 cal straight wall cartridges in adverse conditions keeps that upper in a safe. Nobody carries 50AE in Alaska either.
This one was great, I was considering a build in BM450 at some point, and now... I'm still considering it. Side note, you've never done 6.8SPC and now that 6.8 SPCV2 is available with the original load spec it'd be cool to see the difference. The V2 just needs a compatible chamber capable of the increased pressure. Maybe pit them up against 300BO since that dumb round is what killed the 6.8 craze and made my ammo so damn expensive.. lol.
Check out War Thunder using my link to claim your exclusive Bonus Packshot: playwt.link/bananaballistics
Them Straight Walled Cartridges, always a blast to see.
In case of Big Recoil, look into getting a few Buttstocks Modified with some Nitro Gas Filled Shocks. They're for Radio Controlled Cars (Maxxas Traxxas), but they're made exactly the same as the 1's for real Cars and Trucks. It will mitigate Heavy Recoil a ton.
I have the BM so that’s the one I will keep, for now. It’s awesome and incredibly accurate.
20" 5.56 😅
This popped up in my recommendations, I didn't know what to expect but I was dying of laughter at the Bear Creek Arsenal part. No fluff, no fancy intro, no HIGH SPEED TACTIOOL shooting montage. Just directly to business from a guy in his backyard one handing everything with the camera. I like it
Yes! Back to basics.
This is the only firearms channel I'm subbed to for exactly the reasons you listed.
I think the flying banana intro is hilarious, so…
I have a 450 and love it. The straight brass lasts for many shots too. I like it suppressed as well.
"Yessir. Yessir. That's correct. No entry wound.... because his heart was ejected through his spine. Yessir. Helluva thing."
Hey, I love the cartridge comparisons.
Two comparisons I’d love to see:
6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Grendel vs 6 ARC
204 Ruger vs 22 ARC vs 223/5.56
I love the AR length actions, and I’d love to see comparisons between them all.
Anyway, keep up the good work.
I’d add 6 max to that list.
@@erroneous6947 Shoot I'd even throw in good old 6.5 Swedish to that first one, lot of people swear by it.
"getting plowed by the bison"
I think it's time you stepped away from the internet! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The 458 shines suppressed. Close enough to the 50, and you get 600gr slugs.
The .458 has so many different options for projectiles that it's difficult to summarize with just one load. For example a 300gr SJHP load is going to act very differently from a 500gr lead flat nose.
Alexander arms offers seven different rounds for the .50 Beowulf and you can reload using any bullets made for the Smith& Wesson 500.
@@travelinalaskan Wow that's cool. There are *40* 0.457-0.459 diameter bullets in stock and ready to ship at MidwayUSA right now. Out of 73 total.
@@travelinalaskan 0.500 and 0.501 diameter projectiles? Same vendor? 12
@@hessex1899 WOW!
How about 0.451-452? 116 results. The FTX bullet is absolute junk. Anything from Barnes in those diameters will be far superior. The FTX expands quickly and doesn’t retain much weight for penetration. The Barnes copper/brass monolith retains almost all the weight and expands almost double or more and gets a higher velocity.
Were I come from the 50 Beowulf is called the coyote nuke for damn good reason
I love my .50 Beowulf! The brass solids I have are nuts and the 400 grain soft nose fold every thing.
People love to crap on BCA. I think as a community we should be embracing and praising companies like them offering decent products for subpar pricing. I have 3 uppers from them and ive had 1 hiccup with each in about 6000 rounds between all 3 and they have sent replacement part for free delivered to me in less than 10 days from email.
New owners and new machines. Sub 1MOA guaranteed with their .308.
Lifetime warranty.
Customer service is outstanding.
To me, that was the difference... actual support.
I love BCA! i've bought a variety of products, mostly uppers. .223 wylde 18" upper, 5.56 pistol 9"ish?, and 10.5" 300. No issue with uppers. I did buy backup iron sites that did not fit. 100% refund on first contact. The sites were REALLY cheap. I think they upped the prices later, and presumably the machining quality. I bought offset mounts later, all good.
If you gotta' spend money, BCA and PSA is not your go to vendor.
I bought a 450 bushmaster from bca, zero issues.
I've got 2 PSA ar's, THEY ARE BOTH SUB SHOOTERS ALL DAY!! One in 556 & one In 224 valkyrie. Not as accurate as my Wilson Combat but Wilson will do .3 MOA if I have a good day. Hard for ANY rifle to beat that!
You do realize that even though all three are close to the same caliber, that 2 of them were designed for use in self defense and the other (450bm) was designed for hunting. My 450 took a deer this past season, in Michigan, at approximately 130 yards and had no problem with pass through. Even at that range. So much energy transfer that the heart lungs looked like an explosion happened inside its chest.
I've had some minor issues with Bear Creek arsenal QC but on the other hand they're also some of the most accurate AR barrels I have. Especially their 223 wylde barrels
I have one of their 7.62x39 side charging uppers, and really, the only issue I've seen is that the gas key seems very lightly staked, but it's not popped loose yet, so until it does, I'm not calling it an issue. There's a series of torture tests ran on one of their 5.56 side charging uppers by a tiny youtube channel that has completely sold me on the viability of BCA. I'll link them here if anyone wants to watch them.
ua-cam.com/video/Vy0UPqhfnxE/v-deo.htmlsi=NoQZmtLwoy3jZKu5
ua-cam.com/video/f6FHm-GHH7M/v-deo.htmlsi=QftF9SLG5eevz0cU
@@fenrisgaming8982 that was a very issue I had.
It's been beyond QC for me. I received one barrel that looked like somebody had used sandpaper lengthwise on it, so who knows WTF happened there, and I've received several that were damaged due to poor packaging. I didn't have any trouble returning them, but it's a huge waste of my time. Bear Creek makes Midway USA barrels, and I've never gotten junk or damaged barrels ordering through them. I also never got an answer from Bear Creek regarding the size of wrench I needed for the proprietary barrel nut used with their hand guard. It wasn't any common inch or metric size, so I had to remove it with an adjustable wrench and mill the damn nut slightly to fit a normal crow foot.
I've got several bca uppers and they all are A-ok, never a problem with anything, ill buy buy buy
Bad news… Your spouse says you can only keep/buy one of these (458 Socom, 450 Bushmaster, 50 Beowulf). Which one and what setup?
450 bm because it's the most affordable
Lie my ass off and get/keep all three
I just recently completed a .450 bushmaster build. I went with that over the .50 and 458 due to the similarities in powders and primers I use with my other handloads. The only complaint I have is getting brass for it.
Get a new spouse…
In the spirit of the exercise I'd probably say the second. But answering for a friend, and I quote "no body, no crime". I don't understand though...
Love the music bouncing back and forth from classical to metal. From serene to serious.
We need a ballistic high speed collab with all this destruction
We plebs can't wait to see how 8.6 Blackout handles your obstacle course.
8.6 ftw, my fav!
Picking up my 8.6 Fix in a few days. Pumped!
Love my Beo. Got a big can on the thing, some 600gr loads, and it’s pretty damn quiet, and devastating.
This guys voice went through puberty twice.
Lmao
All the other effects of puberty are still dormant though 😁
Love my beowulf!!!!! I cast and load my own, a solid brass spire point is a car killer
Hands down, Banana Ballistics is the best no BS balllistic testing channel on UA-cam... but why do I keep thinking he's going to Rick Roll us with THAT VOICE! LoL
When shooting the 1/4” plate it looks like you’re recreating the craters on the moon 😂🤪
Thanks! It's great to see another video comparing these bullets. I've learned it really comes down to bullet construction for how wins.
Have 2 BCA uppers, 7.62x39 and a 6.5 Grendel. Run great. As for the big bores, whoa, they pack a slammmm! Love the way they trashed the blocks. I would probably go with 450 BM just because of ammo availability. They are all sweet though.
I ordered the BCA 450 in right side charging model. Very happy.
I love my Beowulf, always fun, and with a limb saver pad you can shoot all day.
Do NOT play with the Battle Cattle Fluffy Murder Cows...
Well, unless you're aiming for a Darwin Award.
Other than that, very interesting comparisons.
I’m late to this party, but have to say I love the 458SOCOM I built several years back! My next choice would have to be the 50 Beowulf.
I have run many tests between these 3 calibers over the years and the 450BM is the one that won my heart over. I have taken multiple large game animals with it and it drops critters where they stand. The 450 outperfomes the others in real world test scenarios and is flatter shooting. The biggest flaw I see in your testing is that your using standard cup and core bullets. Get some bonded or solid copper bullets.
The next hottest Staight Wall cartridges .41 Great Lakes, and the handloader dream 400 Legend,
I agree, but it’s what I could find at the time to keep it fair
Not to suggest something dangerous but the 450B parent case is the 284 Winchester. The 458 & the 50 Beolf are based on pistol cartridges. 284W is saami spec’d at near 60,000 psi.
I’ve loaded the 450B with 45 ACP ball and 40 grain of lil’gun and it pushes 2400+ fps and make 2900+ fpe and will probably hole the steel plate since it’s a FMJ round. The numbers above are through a 16” bushmaster Upper. Plus this is a general 1.5-2.0” grouper at 100 yards. I nicknamed this my T-Rex load as I imagine you want a bunch of penetration if you’re shooting dinosaurs?
@@bananaballisticsit would have been fare if you used equal 6x6 blocks…the 50 and socom got a piece of balsa wood compared the huge solid knot you gave the bushmaster….first big testing fail from Banana Ballistics
.450 bushmaster is the least expensive and the only one using an actual parent rifle cartridge. .450 is far more versatile. And got screwed on the 6x6 test with a huge knot and the other two got a degraded piece of balsa wood. Disappointed 😂
Try using solids on the .458 instead of FTX.
I've never gotten solids that will cycle in my .458 AR upper. Not pointy enough.
I haven’t had much luck with the socom and ftx rounds on deer. They don’t seem to penetrate well. I have solids I’m going to give a try.
Lol, your “blaa” sound when hitting the sand cracked me up big time! 😂😂
This would be fun to revisit with these cartridges and the solid copper xtreme penetrator loads for them!
Another banger! Great video.
I have two 458 SoComs, one AR and one bolt action. Try out the Barnes 300gr TTSX bullet made just for the SoCom. Lehigh used to make several nice bullets for the SoCom, but now there is only three offerings. If you are reloading your own for the SoCom use Reloder 7 or CFEBlk.
I like the 300gr nosler ballistic tip
.45/70 is my favorite rifle cartridge, but dang, that .50 Beo is pretty dang cool. I guess that's my favorite auto rifle cartridge.
They make 45-70 Auto now.
@@anthonyrowland9072 you talking about .458 SOCOM?
@@honorb4glory606 Nah, they have actually 45-70 Auto. Not sure if it's really needed but it exists. ua-cam.com/video/-L_gzFu9TNg/v-deo.html
Oh man gosh- “What’s so special..?!?” All my food spit out 😂
Great Vid. Loved it. I am a big bore guy through and through. Just finished a 450 BM build myself. Only went with that because of shared components with some of my other calibers I reload for. Also, not sure how similar it is to the other two but 450 is not very sensitive to barrel length. You don't lose much HP (Velocity) with shorter barrels. I went with a 10.5". Short range sledge hammer. Up there with my 45 Raptor and 45/70.
glad to hear it from you steve. i was more interested in a 10.5 450bm ar for the same reasons
A better test would be with the largest grain bullet available for each cartidge. 458 is really in a different category due to wide range of RIFLE bullet type/weights (think 45-70). You're comparing what the best the other 2 cartridges can do, but just getting started with the socom. IMHO.
Another .300bo type flop "gOoD fOr SpEcsHuL OpErAtIoNs aNd sUrPrEsSeD!"
Crazy timing on this video!!! I just ordered some bullets to load for my .450 Bushmaster and some .50 cal for my Beowulf and 500 mag. From Midway USA of course. I love the big bore videos. Awesome work good sir 👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
My 458 from Bear Creek Arsenal had so many issues that I gave up on it. Over the course of several correspondence, I returned it to BCA because of feeding issues. My semi-auto became a bolt action. When I got it back, it somewhat kind of worked. I was able to shoot 5 rounds without any issues. I Just left it at that and stuffed it back in the back of the safe. Haven't touched it since.
The best and worst thing about 458-socom is the variety of loads.
I invented a H4 buffer for mine, and tried a bunch of different loads before finding what worked best for mine.
@@amn1308 I've been using the standard H2. If you don't mind me asking, what's the weight of your H4 since it's a custom made.
@arequina I agree with a heavier buffer. They offer buffer weights without a buffer and it's not hard to open the one you have already. Just try taking out a lighter weight and replacing it with a heavy weight one at a time until it works.
@@arequina it ended up being 6.4oz (180g if you're one of those metric people) I removed the rubber spacers between the tungsten weights, drilled out the inside until it was as deep as I was comfortable with and put one more tungsten weight in.
Think I ended up shaving a bit off to get the plug back in the end.
@@amn1308 thanks.
Surprised the Beowulf did that well. I do love that cartridge.
Another good one! Thanks to the bassy banana ballistics bro!!!
My OCD would make me shoot multiple blocks one time a piece, and then compare the blocks. Shooting a block that’s been shot already is a compromised block. My opinion, do your thing though!
Like to c the “ 50 “ using solid brass “ ammunition “ it s apparently available through “ Alex “ Arms , probably would sail right through every thing tested
I was really hoping after this extensive review, you'd say, "Baby lock the door and turn the lights down looooow"
Bear creek arsenal has been great to me
Me too.i've got more than my share of them on palmetto State lowers. They do their job.
I've returned more to them than I've kept because their packaging sucks and arrives with barrels poking out.
@@KevinJames-yg9eu that sucks, mine have always shipped in a bunker I needed a sawzall to open
my 50 beowulf broke within 100 rds
My 6.5 Grendel broke the extractor claw within 200 rounds
That was some pretty enemic 458, my 300 grain hollow points run 1900fps all day long out of my 16 inch barrel.
I get over 1600 from the 325 FTX in my 12" barrel with a moderate load of CFEBLK. I agree, a bit anemic.
I run black butterfly... try the Giganticus maximus fractura
I’d like to see more 458 rounds like an Underwood solid copper or buffalo bore hard cast, talk to your ppl at Midway! Lol. Always good videos, keep it up👍🏻
Love your stuff. Very entertaining. Keep it up! And even though my beloved and cherished 458 didn't wipe the floor with the others, Terry told me it's his fav.
Love that socom! Not as much as my 45/70, but not far behind!
The 458 and the 50 Beowulf are my favorite calibers I use them for home defense 😊
Dudes thumb looks like Abraham Old Town from momma named me sheriff on Hulu looks like he wants a rooster someone😂
Love to see you do this again with FMJ for all three.
I prefer the 50 Beowulf in 350 FTX hp or 350 penetrator both accurate and great for purpose !!! Reloading a bit of a challenge due to mouth of case can fold ...
The BCA 50 Beo upper i got fit literally perfect on my Aero Precision lower.
I have not shot because i just learned my Range doesn’t allow 50 Beo. I now have to get another membership for outdoor shooting.
Use to have a 458 socom and loved it. I used 45-70 projectiles for reloading and only cost me about .40 around. 450 bushmaster just came out and didn't know much about at the time. But I might have to get one since you can use 45acp projectiles.
I got one when it became legal for deer in MI.
Reload with 45 pistol for cheaper shooting and then 450 bullets for hunting.
Also being a bolt gun I can reload to MUCH higher pressure than stock ammo as stock is made for the weaker action of the AR.
Though uploading a lot doesn't do as much for me since I have the 18inch barrel. If you get the 22 inch you see more gains from it
been waiting years for somebody to do this, nice job
remarkable amount of energy dump.
so from all of your tests (and I mean all) all I need is 6 inches of sand in a box and I'm bulletproof 🙂
Really enjoy watching your comparisons! If you could get a 445 Supermag rifle for testing, I'd think it would be interesting. Any 44 mag single shot can be reamed out to this caliber. My converted Ruger No 1, 22" barrel, 445 Supermag shoots the 265 FTX @ 2114 fps for 2631 ft/lbs ME. I'd like to see what it would do in your test.
I think the biggest issue with the penetration testing with these cals is that it looks like you were shooting hollow points. Of course they are designed not to penetrate solid objects but rather to expand and to shed their energy perpendicular to the line of fire. This can be seen in the energy translated to the concrete. But I liked the test.
Definitely do this again with underwood or one of the full copper penetrator rounds in all 3. Definitely one of your best.
Here in Alaska if I'm heavy bear country I carry a 450 bushmaster or a 50 Beowulf. Thank you for the video.
It would be interesting to see this test done again with Cutting Edge Bullets Safari Solid bullets that are just solid brass. I imagine the penetration would be insane. 450 Bowel Movement would have to sit out, though, because Cutting Edge does not offer them in .452.
Underwoods extreme penetrator fluted copper round in .450 is insane! Well it better be for near 100 bucks for 20rds. So expensive you gotta save them for a big foot or ware wolf
Got a BCA 300BO pistol upper and I love it! No issues
H3 buffer and heavy spring, makes big bore shooting not bad.
Great video as always, Thanks. Didn't catch what brand of ammo the SOCOM was, but I get over 1600fps with a 12" bbl over a moderate load of CFE BLK. Keep up the great videos.
I've had two BCA uppers in 7.62x39, side chargers. Both have been pretty good.
.458 is great because the military actually used it a lot and there are subsonic or supersonic loads for it, which tends to make it more versatile. There's a lot more loads for it. However, for the most part all of them are pretty similar, .458 tends to be weaker as it was intended to be subsonic.
Ive had the .50 and hated it. Got a 450 now and love it. Ballistics wise, the 450 smokes the other two. What barrel is on the 450?
Ive got the mac daddy of the big AR calibers.....
500WTF. Uses an AR10 frame.
(Clears throat) um, a 500 “what the f@$k”?? 😂😂 If this is real then I need one just for the conversations.
@@peternorton5648 yes it is very real. :) take a remington 300 ultra magnum case, cut the shoulder off and there you go.
65,000 psi and fully into 458 win mag territory but with a 50 cal projectile. It is a wildcat that was custom built. :)
50 SDM short for 50 Sodomizer, based on the 7mm RSAUM and uses 50 bmg projectiles in an AR10 platform. It's wicked!
I love my .450 BM and haven't had a deer get more than a few yards away doing a death run. Definitely puts their engine block out of commission 😂. Actually just looked at a 50 build yesterday because apparently I hate myself and my shoulder.🤣 Biggest thing that turned me off to the .458 when I built my .450 was the ammo price. I wanted to build a good hunting rifle with reasonable ammo cost (7mm Rem Mag definitely is not most times) and the .458 was 2x the cost of the .450. Enjoyed the video a lot and keep up the great work!
Those cartridges where not designed to stop an engine but (especially in the case of the .458) to go thru ‘things’ (windshield, branches,..) without being deviated from their path..
Anyway, great video, very informative.
I went the 450BM way because of cost and, despite the bad reputation, my BCA upper is very accurate and very cheap compared to building your own upper.
I have a Ruger American Ranch in 450 and I love it! Absolute thumper of a round in a lightweight rifle.
Got one too. Good rifle
Though with that muzzle break its one of the loudest guns I have shot.
I hunt with earplugs now
@@travisrolison9646 yes it's a great way to clear an indoor range 😂
Yeah, when i look down, i always see 3 rifles to choose from ... Even in the toilet ! 🤣
I love my bear creek rifle it is amazingly accurate for the money I can almost guarantee 1 moa grouping or better with cheap ammo. Sure it feels cheap and is heavy but it shoots great and just runs! I’d love to use their barrels with a nicer everything else! Great video love your content keep up the great stuff!
From a handloader standpoint and the availability of solid .458 cal rifle rated projectiles, the SOCOM is my choice, which is why it's the only one I have kept. Them Hornady FTX are about the worst bullet you could load in that round. Great for human sized targets in self-defense situations, but not a good choice for much else.
I think every cartridge should get it's own wood block. Especially if it's busted. Love your videos. I'm huge fan.
My Bear Creek AR10 is actually awesome. I’d definitely recommend getting the better barrel option if you get a BCA AR, there base barrel option is ridiculously heavy. The fluted stainless barrel is fantastic. Honestly though, not the biggest fan of their lowers. Would recommend a PSA lower if you want something cheap.
Wonderful video. But something to think about. The longer you have those pressure treated blocks especially cut. The drying out and losing moisture content that's why they split in so many pieces.
450BM all day for me. Had the Ruger American with the tank break and ran a few different tests myself. Generally used Hornady Black between price point and general performance it was comparable to any other JHP there was to offer but as far as specialty ammo went I had gone with underwood ammo and tell you what those “extreme penatrators “ they offer are no joke aswell the “dangerous game” flats are gnarly aswell. But I’ve sent my fair share of JHP thru railroad ties , cinder blocks and any other piece of scrap that I could muster up. Just an over all fun Thumper for the price point as far as ammo and platforms go.
Cool tests. I have to comment on the Bear Creek Arsenal engraving the last upper that I bought had the engraving which I like . I had also order a 450 BM & 458 Socom which did not have the engraving. I think having the engraved upper BCA has up its imeage.
If I could please make a suggestion sir…your blocks of wood would give more consistency without knots in them. The density is vastly different than straight grain blocks. That’s all I’m sayin if you even read my comment sir. Still very grateful for your videos and the knowledge we all gain from them. Stay safe and blessed bud.
I'll take the .458...since I've had one for years. Have some 300 grain brass solids that get 'er done. Good for: very large game (Sasquatch, dinosaur, bear, etc) and things like stray houses and vehicles (they are out there) that require "oomph" and penetration.
Really makes you think
I'm excited for this.
Can you do a test between types of bullets like hornady a-tip vs fmj and a hunting bullet?
450 for me. Its legal in Michigan for deer, the others aren't.
Also i reload, so I can use cheap 45 pistol bullets for plinking or non deer ammo.
In addition, since i have a bolt gun, I can reload to much more pressure than stock as stock ammo is loaded for AR platform that can't handle as much pressure
I like Paul Harrel's meat target for assessing damage much better than anything on this site. These large calibers were designed to dump most of the energy on the target so penetration tests on steel don't tell you much. Also the Bushmaster is much better in the 100 to 200 yard hunting range than the other 2 tested. But all three of these rounds can do a lot of damage at short range.
Ill take the .458 bc of the whole straight walled cartridges & feeding issues in ARs
Imo you have more variety in projectiles for reloading. If you’re into that.
@@erroneous6947 true thats another good point
50 beo would be my pick if ammo was more readily available, but seeing how its not, id choose 450 BM. GREAT video 👍
The 50beo with the 350g Brass Spitzer bullets is another matter entirely. They blaze through wood, making a clean hole, and can penetrate certain materials, such as mild steel. But since it is fairly slow moving, not likely to penetrate AR500 steel.
This is my first time watching one of ur vids and I did not see that face with that voice in my head 😂😂
Great test !!! 50 beowulf is great.
Imagine being the hardware store guy when BB walks in...
Love to see you redo the test but with fmj bullets and not hunting/hollow points!
Sand box remains undefeated! Have you ever tested a 7.62 x 54, uncomfortable to shoot, I shot 3 rounds and give it back to my buddy. He was using some hot factory loads. Your vids are cool.
@7:35 Did anyone else play that back over and over and just keep laughing?
400gr Beowulf recoils like 12ga slugs. A little lighter but with more velocity. Try swapping the rifle stock for a Tailhook pistol brace. I bought a 10.5" for bear country. But the reliability of 50 cal straight wall cartridges in adverse conditions keeps that upper in a safe. Nobody carries 50AE in Alaska either.
That chassis looks amazing
This one was great, I was considering a build in BM450 at some point, and now... I'm still considering it. Side note, you've never done 6.8SPC and now that 6.8 SPCV2 is available with the original load spec it'd be cool to see the difference. The V2 just needs a compatible chamber capable of the increased pressure. Maybe pit them up against 300BO since that dumb round is what killed the 6.8 craze and made my ammo so damn expensive.. lol.