Need .458 SOCOM loads

[redneck2]

I'm looking for load info. Seems pretty scarce. I did a search and came up empty. Using this for deer hunting. I tried one of the links from a very short previous thread. Had to be a subscriber to log on.

Mr Google wasn't much help either for reload stuff.

Anybody have any ideas?

 

[Grumulkin]

PM me you e-mail address and I can e-mail you what I've got from what I consider to be a reliable source. It's data I haven't personally verified so you are fully responsible for any results you get.

Thus far I've personally tested loads with H4198 and RL-7. Thus far RL-7 has worked the best for me but I have a bunch more loads to try. In regards to RL-7, I started with the following load:

Case: Starline
Primer: CCI 350
Bullet: Hornady 325 gr. FTX (Flex Tip)
Powder: RL-7 Weight: 39.0 gr.
COAL: Bullet seated to cannelure

I worked up in 0.5 grain increments to 42.0 grains and the pressure was OK even at that load. The best 50 yard group came at 40.5 grains (3 shots 0.869 in. center to center) with the groups widening after that until at 42.0 grains the group size was 1.920 in. In short, I see no point in pushing the load in my gun beyond 40.5 grains.

Once again, you are entirely responsible for your own load workup.

 

[redneck2]

I'll pm.

I'm thinking from what I've seen that those powders may be a little too slow. The site I saw had H-110 and Lil'gun. The Lil'gun load was giving about 2,000 fps, so it looked the most promising.

Thanks

 

[Grumulkin]

There was a thread on another site abut Lil'gun in Freedom Arms revolvers. The head guru at Freedom arms in testing Lil'gun loads found them to burn very hot and rapidly damage barrels. I'll not put Lil'gun through any gun I own.

 

[redneck2]

OK...maybe need to scratch that.

 

[jmorris]

34.5 grains of H110 with a remington 405g sp exits a 16" RRA upper right at 1700 fps.

Edit: I guess I don't have to tell you to back off 10% and work up for your rifle...

 

[redneck2]

That would give me a place to start. I'm thinking I'd like the flattest shooting round I can get. The 325 Flex Tip should be great, just need a load

 

[jmorris]

The 458 is a bad choice if you were looking for a flat shooting round, it's basically a 45-70 for ar's. As a general rule lighter faster bullets will give better trajectory, 250 grains is considered light in .458 there are some "special" bullets around the 100 grain mark but you are getting so far from the concept behind the 458 socom.
Like trying to make a racecar out of a train.

 

[redneck2]

Using it for deer hunting in Indiana. We have pretty tight rules about cartridge case dimensions. Basically, pistol rounds or equivalent are acceptable. Anything like .243, .308 is not. Trying to get the flattest shooting for the SOCOM. A 325 grain should be way plenty for deer

 

[jmorris]

That makes sense, you might run some tables on the 250's they are still plenty and might give better results.

 

[~z]

Grumulkin, if you are in the mood to share, I would be interested to review some of your data. Data on this case is sparce as of yet. PM inbound and an early thanks.

I have heard of some loadings with IMR 3031, anyone have data on this? I have about 18 or 19# of this on hand from my high volume P-dog days that I would be quite interested to devote to the SOCOM if applicable.

Thanks,
~z

 

[jmorris]

3031 is a bit too slow for the socom. Magnum pistol powders are what work best.

 

[m0par]

I tried one of the links from a very short previous thread. Had to be a subscriber to log on.

If you're speaking of 458socomforums.com, it has been hacked. The site wants to run a script from russia on your computer. Owner/operator knows about it, but for reasons unbeknownst to me, hasn't just taken the site offline until fixed.

That site is a great resource for 458Socom stuff when it is up, but has a history of being hacked, etc. The site is obviously a low priority item, as it has been down for about a month, and if past performance indicates future results, it will be down for several more, if it ever returns.

That being said, my favorite load for the Hornady 325gr FTX is 40.0gr of H4198, WLP primer, and 2.180" OAL (no crimp).

Clocks at 1730fps from my 16" RRA. I don't know what you're shooting, but if it is the RRA, I think you'll be hard pressed to find a combo that pushes the 325gr at 2000fps safely. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Of course, as stated previously, start lower and work up. This load is near max for my gun and for case capacity. Any higher and primers start flattening.