T/C in .458 SOCOM

[Dinny]

Hello everyone,
 I'm usually a H&R/NEF poster, but have run up on some unique information that I thought some of you would be interested in.  I have learned alot about the .458 SOCOM from it's inventor Marty ter Wemme.  To be fired in a single-shot, whether it's a H&R, T/C Contender or Encore, the brass must be formed from .348 Win brass.  In the case of factory brass, the difference in the case diameter and rim diameter is enough that it's a challenge to find an extractor that will allow enough room for the cartridge to fit in the chamber.  Reed's Custom Ammo has agreed to form the brass from .348 Win. I have yet to confirm if they will load the custom ammo.  Match Grade Machine needs at least 2 barrel orders to warrant purchasing a reamer.  Marty told me that he would be more than happy to grant reamer purchase permission if he had enough interest. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to express your interest in a custom .458 SOCOM barrel.

Thanks,

[Reed1911]

Thanks for the plug Dinny, I'm a sponsor here so most folks know us.

We will produce the ammunition as well as the brass, and the barrels. Time frame is unknown since we are sop covered up in ammo order right now.

[Dinny]

Thanks for posting your services specific to this project.  The more I learn about your business, the more I am impressed!  We'll talk more in the future when we both have more time.

[missionvista]

Hello to all,

At present I am seeking someone to manufacture a barrel for the T/C Contender G2 in .458 SOCOM; however, being currently capable of reusing my present supply of 458 factory brass is essential. It would be difficult for me to justify the barrel purchase if a different version of brass would be necessitated.  I need to be able to use my current ammo supply interchangeably.

Dinny, please clarify ... If Match Grade Machine can make a barrel that will run my ammo (.458 SOCOM), or would the purchase of brass formed by Reed's Custom Ammo out of .348 Win brass be a new version, so to speak, not compatable with other .458 SOCOM weapons?

Thank you for the research you've done thus far.

[Dinny]

missionvista,
  Since the .458 SOCOM was designed for semi-auto rifles, you would have to form new brass from .348 Win brass to acquire the rim that is necessary for extraction in the T/Cs.   I know of a custom gunsmith who is running a few experiments trying to develop a extractor that is capable of pulling the brass out of H&R rifles. If the task is accomplished, perhaps the design may be used for T/Cs also.  Right now it looks unlikely, but then again, I wouldn't bet against this gunsmith.  Thanks for your interest.

[Reed1911]

Okay just to clue everyone else in and explain this a little. The .458 SOCOM is a .50 AE case that has not been trimmed yet to the normal 50AE length, then the case rim is further rebated from its .44 Mag size that it is now to the size of the .308 rim size Now, yes, rebated cases have been in the past and are still able to be used in the T/C but the amount that the case has been rebated is so mcuh that there is not enough room for both the extractor and a spring long enough to push it up in the cut out of the barrel. I have played a little in my head with the idea that when we make the barrels we could make that cut deeper to take a longer spring that would make it, but then you run into having to have a pivot point capable extractor, and, and, and  (don't wanna type that much, sorry) any how for those that were lost or only had a base idea of what the case was this should cover the question of why making the brass from the 348 is the way to go on the SOCOM barrel.                       

[Graybeard]

I do NOT believe the .458 SOCOM is safe in the Contender. I'm pretty sure that would be an Encore ONLY round. Far too much case diameter and pressure for a Contender. Might be wrong but don't think so.

[Dinny]

I don't know either, but Tromix has a prototype Contender in .458 SOCOM

I stand corrected, it is an Encore!

[Reed1911]

IIRC it is 30KCUP what is the cutoff for the contender for thrust.

[Hopalong7]

That would be about the same(or maybe a little worse)as running the 45-70 up to 30KCUP.  I'm with Mr. Bill...not in my Contender!  ???Walt