Not again.......! Feral Hog Control in East Texas
- Thread starter Flintknapper
- Start date
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Flintknapper
Member
^^^^^^^^^^^^
The .458 SOCOM is a large cartridge (by comparison) and I chose it specifically for hog hunting/control.
But, I have found it to be a quite versatile round in terms of bullet selection.
It is a short range cartridge no matter how you choose to load it; there is no getting around that.
200 yards is the practical limit with most loads. Bullet ‘drop’ becomes significant somewhere between 125-150 yards.
I believe the round is at its best with bullets weighing 300 to 400 grains, BUT there are bullets available as light as 100 grains (see far left in pic below), or as heavy as 600 grains…and literally dozens of bullets to choose from. Below is what I currently load for it.
You might think that the same barrel (twist rate) would not shoot such a wide range of bullets accurately, but it is bullet ‘length’…not weight that determines that.
The picture below is 5 rounds of Lehigh 100 grain aluminum CQB at 100 yds.
That is a one inch group. Not bad considering the bullet is almost ½” in diameter. I can push that bullet to just over 3,000 fps from a 16” barrel.
The bulk 405 Remy will do even better than that (accuracy in my rifle). The 540 cast will shoot 1-1/2” if I do my part.
Anyway, the pigs don’t really care and I am getting off the subject here (hunting).
The .458 SOCOM is a large cartridge (by comparison) and I chose it specifically for hog hunting/control.
But, I have found it to be a quite versatile round in terms of bullet selection.
It is a short range cartridge no matter how you choose to load it; there is no getting around that.
200 yards is the practical limit with most loads. Bullet ‘drop’ becomes significant somewhere between 125-150 yards.
I believe the round is at its best with bullets weighing 300 to 400 grains, BUT there are bullets available as light as 100 grains (see far left in pic below), or as heavy as 600 grains…and literally dozens of bullets to choose from. Below is what I currently load for it.
You might think that the same barrel (twist rate) would not shoot such a wide range of bullets accurately, but it is bullet ‘length’…not weight that determines that.
The picture below is 5 rounds of Lehigh 100 grain aluminum CQB at 100 yds.
That is a one inch group. Not bad considering the bullet is almost ½” in diameter. I can push that bullet to just over 3,000 fps from a 16” barrel.
The bulk 405 Remy will do even better than that (accuracy in my rifle). The 540 cast will shoot 1-1/2” if I do my part.
Anyway, the pigs don’t really care and I am getting off the subject here (hunting).
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Armored farmer
Member
Dang it Flint.....You got me lookin' at .458's.
Twmaster
Member
Well doggonit. I've got everything but a barrel and BCG to build a 458 SOCOM.
Flint, On the Bearclaw it does not look like you are seating them to the crimp groove... (Yes, I know, Semi Auto Vs. bolt gun)
Are you casting any of your own pills?
On a side note, I've no idea where exactly you are Flint but I recently took a ride through SE Texas (across I20) on my way to visit with my sick father in SC. Very pretty part of Texas.
Flint, On the Bearclaw it does not look like you are seating them to the crimp groove... (Yes, I know, Semi Auto Vs. bolt gun)
Are you casting any of your own pills?
On a side note, I've no idea where exactly you are Flint but I recently took a ride through SE Texas (across I20) on my way to visit with my sick father in SC. Very pretty part of Texas.
OP
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Flintknapper
Member
Correct, the bullet is constructed with the 45/70 and certain other cartridges in mind, (where you could put a small roll crimp in that groove).
The bullet has four driving bands and I crimp (using a Lee FCD) on the last one in order to achieve a certain COAL.
The cartridge must fit a standard magazine (for length)....but you have limited space for powder (in the SOCOM) so its a balancing act to find a COAL that will allow you to fit the cartridge in the magazine, keep the most available powder capacity and feed correctly (because of the 3/8" meplat of this particular bullet).
Not only is it devastating on game they are really fun to shoot.
My 10.5" "PISTOL"
and its big brother 16" RRA carbine with the partial pistol
If you have a chance to build one of these you will not be sorry. Even with the difficulty getting some components. I ended up with what I need for many years now. Only took me 3 years to get there but worth the wait and perseverance.
ETA; barrels are readily available and are to true specifications via TROMIX. My 10.5 is one of Tony's barrels and bolts.
My 10.5" "PISTOL"
and its big brother 16" RRA carbine with the partial pistol
If you have a chance to build one of these you will not be sorry. Even with the difficulty getting some components. I ended up with what I need for many years now. Only took me 3 years to get there but worth the wait and perseverance.
ETA; barrels are readily available and are to true specifications via TROMIX. My 10.5 is one of Tony's barrels and bolts.
lloveless
Member
In May 0f 2013 at 2130 as I was going from Rock Springs to Del Rio, Tx, I literally ran into a herd of pigs with my Chevrolet Cavalier 15 miles south of Rock Springs. On contact with the herd I rammed the pedal to the floor and when the bumping was over, I stopped, and looked around to make sure there were no pigs before opening the door. My poor car. The head lamps were drooping down like eyeballs, one light reflector missing, I couldn't open the hood. So I turned around and went back til I encountered 2 hogs in the north bound lane. 1 dead and the other attempting to crawl off the road-back legs not working. I turned around into the south bound lane, and got out of the car, and here is an 18 wheeler coming in the northbound lane so I got out a light, and waved them down. One trucker duct taped my car together while the other trucker and I euthanized the "broke back" hog with my Ruger LCP .380, then I pulled the other hogs off the road. One had been a female-belly had burst open and there were 6 fully formed piglet fetus in the road. The 5 adults were 200-300 lbs. I was going to take one back to eat, but the smell was terrible! I wanted to hunt pigs, but not like that! It cost me $993 to fix the car.
NcongruNt
Member
Twmaster: $300 will get you a barel and a bolt:
http://www.tromix.com/socom-parts.htm
And of course, the ejection port has to be enlarged.
http://www.tromix.com/socom-parts.htm
And of course, the ejection port has to be enlarged.
Twmaster
Member
The ejection port is an easy mod. I have access to a bridgeport mill.
NorCalTechy
Member
I built my 458 SOCOM using a Wilson Combat forged lower and a Wilson forged upper that came with an enlarged ejection port. Wilson offers a barrel kit with an adjustable gas block and straight gas tube.
Lower:
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Lower-Receiver-AR-Style-Forged-with-Integral-Enhanced-Trigger-Guard/productinfo/TR-LOWER-IETG/
Upper:
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Billet-Upper-Receiver-458-SOCOM/productinfo/TR-458UPPER-BIL/
Note: This upper does not have a forward assist.
16 inch Heavy Barrel, BCG, Gas Block etc.
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/458-SOCOM-Build-Kit-16-Heavy-Barrel/productinfo/TR-458K-HB/
I put a Leupold VXR 3-9X50 Scope on it and a Fab Defense GL-Shock Buttstock. (I can email a photo to anyone who has place to host the image)
Everything went together and ran flawlessly. Its really fun to shoot. The family has some vineyards in Mendocino county and we have recently had an incursion of wild hogs. I started the build of this gun for pig hunting before our invasion... Talk about timing!
I live in CA, so I am working up a load for the Barnes 300gr TTSX (all copper). My initial load was 30 grains of IMR 4198. I was hoping for 1600 fps, but only achieved about 1425. The Quickload data from Teppojutso.com -> http://www.teppojutsu.com/downloads/458_socom_quickload_300_ttsx.pdf implies I should be able to achieve nearly 1700 fps... My starting load has nearly filled the case (the data indicates a compressed load), so I expect pressure will begin to rise quickly as I add more powder.
Does anyone have a load they have worked with for the 300 TTSX and IMR 4198?
Does anyone have any experience with this bullet on hogs?
Lower:
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Lower-Receiver-AR-Style-Forged-with-Integral-Enhanced-Trigger-Guard/productinfo/TR-LOWER-IETG/
Upper:
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/Billet-Upper-Receiver-458-SOCOM/productinfo/TR-458UPPER-BIL/
Note: This upper does not have a forward assist.
16 inch Heavy Barrel, BCG, Gas Block etc.
http://shopwilsoncombat.com/458-SOCOM-Build-Kit-16-Heavy-Barrel/productinfo/TR-458K-HB/
I put a Leupold VXR 3-9X50 Scope on it and a Fab Defense GL-Shock Buttstock. (I can email a photo to anyone who has place to host the image)
Everything went together and ran flawlessly. Its really fun to shoot. The family has some vineyards in Mendocino county and we have recently had an incursion of wild hogs. I started the build of this gun for pig hunting before our invasion... Talk about timing!
I live in CA, so I am working up a load for the Barnes 300gr TTSX (all copper). My initial load was 30 grains of IMR 4198. I was hoping for 1600 fps, but only achieved about 1425. The Quickload data from Teppojutso.com -> http://www.teppojutsu.com/downloads/458_socom_quickload_300_ttsx.pdf implies I should be able to achieve nearly 1700 fps... My starting load has nearly filled the case (the data indicates a compressed load), so I expect pressure will begin to rise quickly as I add more powder.
Does anyone have a load they have worked with for the 300 TTSX and IMR 4198?
Does anyone have any experience with this bullet on hogs?
OP
OP
Flintknapper
Member
I have a SOCOM build kit from Wilson Combat coming. They said it should ship on Monday. It will be in my hands by Thursday. The question is twofold. Do I rebuild my present upper or another one? And where am I going to hunt pigs in Misery? I have been told in hushed tones there are some on Gubmint land near Truman lake. Within sight of water. I hope not but would gladly help slow down their numbers if possible.
Lightninstrike
Member
If you find a spot please let me know, I'm down the road in Kansas. I've been traveling to Texas for my efforts. Works pretty good since I travel there on business anyway, can mix the two.
I've been traveling to Texas for my efforts. Works pretty good since I travel there on business anyway, can mix the two.NorCalTechy
Member
Packy
My advice is to buy the upper from Wilson and build it. Wilson will send you a drawing that shows how to open up your ejection port, but since you will probably pay somebody to do that work, why not just buy the upper? I think they sell the 458 SOCOM uppers for $150 & $290.... Just remember that the $290 upper does not have a forward assist (if that is important to you) ... I bought that one and it is very nice. I only have a couple of hundred rounds through my upper, but thus far I haven't needed a forward assist. I do keep the rifle clean though.
It's nice to see that Wilson Combat is now selling both 4 & 7 round 458 SOCOM magazines with modified feed lips and caliber marked. For those of us in CA, this is really nice. Hopefully they will come out with a 10 real soon now.
My advice is to buy the upper from Wilson and build it. Wilson will send you a drawing that shows how to open up your ejection port, but since you will probably pay somebody to do that work, why not just buy the upper? I think they sell the 458 SOCOM uppers for $150 & $290.... Just remember that the $290 upper does not have a forward assist (if that is important to you) ... I bought that one and it is very nice. I only have a couple of hundred rounds through my upper, but thus far I haven't needed a forward assist. I do keep the rifle clean though.
It's nice to see that Wilson Combat is now selling both 4 & 7 round 458 SOCOM magazines with modified feed lips and caliber marked. For those of us in CA, this is really nice. Hopefully they will come out with a 10 real soon now.
OP
OP
Flintknapper
Member
Anyone looking for a SOCOM upper or barrel kit would do best to look at the TROMIX, in my opinion. They are experts with the round (have been on board since its inception).
The kit should arrive soon. I have a Bridgeport vertical mill in the basement. I got the specs from the Wilson website. The upper w/forward assist is coming from www.midwayUSA.com I think I can make it work. I have the Lancer magazines here. They are supposed to work but mine are not specced for the SOCOM. I could have an interesting array of problems crop up but it should be fun to work them out. Thanks for the suggestions. I had already ordered the parts. Wish I had known the uppers were readily available from Tromix. I might have gone that way. Packy
Congrats Packy. Let us know how it turns out. And we need pics
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Flintknapper
Member
Thanks Rusty, happy to help. If you have specific questions...please let us know.
Someone will do their best to address your questions or concerns.
Remember, this in not 'MY' thread (I just started it), but 'A' thread...where everyone is welcome to participate and contribute.
Flint.
Someone will do their best to address your questions or concerns.
Remember, this in not 'MY' thread (I just started it), but 'A' thread...where everyone is welcome to participate and contribute.
Flint.
OP
OP
Flintknapper
Member
^^^^^^^^^^
Hah, you're a real 'trooper' then Packy.
I started the thread and I don't think I've read ALL of it.
Seriously though, if it helps anyone (even in a small way)..then it has been worth everybody's effort here.
Flint.
Hah, you're a real 'trooper' then Packy.
I started the thread and I don't think I've read ALL of it.
Seriously though, if it helps anyone (even in a small way)..then it has been worth everybody's effort here.
Flint.
OP
OP
Flintknapper
Member
Been raining here (off and on) for 3 days! Arrrrggghhh!
Has finally let up.
Good chance that will put hogs on the move in search of food.
Since 'Your's Truly' now has a full blown case of Cabin Fever, I am grabbing my rifle and heading for the woods.
Wish me luck.
Flint.
Has finally let up.
Good chance that will put hogs on the move in search of food.
Since 'Your's Truly' now has a full blown case of Cabin Fever, I am grabbing my rifle and heading for the woods.
Wish me luck.
Flint.
