I’m usually a few days behind on watching television shows, so I was watching the latest episode of Sons of Guns last night and something strange happened. Normally it seems like everything they make is a crime against nature, from their “tactical” Thompson to their “hot rod” machine gun, but for the first time ever I actually wanted something they made.
A few weeks back I went hunting with Tyler Kee on his family’s property in Texas hill country. Which, by the way, is such beautiful land that I’ve started looking for jobs down there just so I can scratch my long range itch more often. And while we did bag us some deer, the most fun part of the weekend was taking down those two hogs.
Wild hogs are the bane of a Texan’s existence. They destroy crops and property, injure people and kill livestock. In short, they’re terrible pests and they need killing. Plus they breed so fast that there’s a nearly endless supply for the Texan hunter. Oh, and did I mention you can turn them into bacon?
They’re the perfect game animal — nasty enough that you can thin their numbers without remorse, prevalent enough that you’re almost guaranteed to see a herd in some parts, and delicious enough to eat.
The problem is that the hogs move in packs, and if you’re not quick you only have time enough to down one or two before they scurry out of the hot zone. As soon as you break that first shot with a traditional hunting rifle they’re off and running, and while a quick motion on the bolt may get you back on target in time for a second shot it’s not optimal. You really need a semi-auto rifle to do it properly.
That’s where this beautiful monstrosity comes in.
What you see here is a suppressed AR-15 in .458 SOCOM, a short and fat round designed to work (albeit single stacked) in a standard AR-15 magazine and use a standard AR-15 lower receiver assembly. There’s also a silencer attached to the front of the gun to quiet the shots and hopefully keep the hogs from realizing they’re taking fire until it’s too late. The final version (up top) also has a night vision scope for nighttime hunting, when the hogs are most likely to make an appearance.
A quick note about .458 SOCOM as the ammunition choice. It’s very true that hogs have a thick hide and require some “oomph” for the round to penetrate, but I’m thinking that going straight to a round with (allegedly) as much power as a .45/70 government cartridge is a little overkill. Not to mention the fact that ammunition costs would be sky high, follow-up shots would be difficult, and the thing would have to have a rather large barrel. There was a scene in the show where the gas block for the .458 SOCOM barrel needed to be turned down because it was too large to fit under the handguards (I wonder what that does to barrel harmonics…). I’m partial to .300 BLK, but I wouldn’t be opposed to modifying this build to be based on an AR-10 platform instead of the smaller AR-15 lower.
The stock is another thing I might change. I’ve always been a fan of the Magpul UBR for precision rifles as it adds a ton of stability to the firearm, but to each his own.
Despite the minor issues I’m still salivating over this thing. But then I remember what this thing costs, and that there isn’t much use for a hog rifle in Virginia, and I go back to the classified ads for San Antonio…
The guys at JagerPro in Georgia use the AR-10 for just such a reason.
http://www.jagerpro.com/tacticalhunting.aspx
I can’t imagine .300 BLK not being a better choice (thinking economy vs effectiveness vs more sensible over time)
,..unless you just want an AR-10 lower for at future .308 build. 🙂
I heard the .300 BLK has some sectional issues (??) and its range and accuracy is crap. I’ve read the review here,and really enjoyed it. I’m thinking about building one mostly because I have all this .223/5.56 brass.
I want to use my AR-10 for Hog Hunting in MS. They have the same problem and same solution as Texas. The .308 gets the job done.
A couple honest questions here: how much would one of these custom dealies cost? And what would they do that an off the shelf M1A Scout or Socom 16 wouldn’t do?
And now for the truly important question you left unaddressed in your post: what are the differences between wild hog bacon and regular bacon?
The .458 Socom is one of those boutique rounds that has always piqued my interest. Nice to see SOA make a rifle that actually looks good and serves a more genuine purpose.
PS: Get out of NoVa Nick, as a gun guy you’ll never regret it.
I just watched the episode last night as well (aren’t DVR’s one of the greatest inventions ever?). I too, thought that that rifle was pretty bad ass. Anybody know how much those rounds cost?
To Sons of Guns: keep making stuff like this and forget about dumb stuff like the rotary AK guns and other obnoxious crap.
I dislike this show. It makes gun owners look like obnoxious morons who need incendiary rounds and explosives to make a point. These morons are like the OCC Tuttles making candy crap firearms instead of candy crap motorcycles. Really stupid.
Tasty? Oy, treif.
The daylight test run raised a question for me. If these hogs hate noise, thus the suppressor, how do you hunt them from an airboat?
I’d just use a M1A, and in lieu of suppressors, bring some friends.
If 20 rounds of 7.62 x (number of friends) won’t do the job, I’d call in air support.
In Soviet Russia… You are the airstrike!
Rock River Arms makes an AR in .458 Socom they advertise at $1,150. I’d imagine it would be about 3 grand cheaper than Red Jacket and with their current staff and ATF problems I would stay away from them for the time being.
I am having an AR15 system put together right now for around $8.5k in parts alone. Every little part is being Cerakoted. The parts are mainly from Wilson Combat. I added up the cost but, its what I wanted. Lower in 5.56 and a Upper in 300blk. With extra barrels and parts. Wanted to get .458 SOCOM barrel/bolt but had to stop myself because I would need rail and optics for that upper to. Below is fraction of what I bought. Hope to do a review on here when I get it.
2x$250barrel in 5.56=$500
1xbarrel in 300=$300
4x$100ajustgasblocks=$400
1xTrijicon scope=$900
1xAimpoint scope=$550
2x$360DD Lite Rails=$720
32x$17Magpul Mags=$544
@BryanI seen you post about your set-up before
Why does it seem like you need to keep justifying the cost of your AR system?
Having second thoughts about spending at least twice than is required?
I have to second that…
“I am having an AR15 system put together right now for around $8.5k in parts alone. Every little part is being Cerakoted.”
“I added up the cost but, its what I wanted.”
Thats pure insanity. For a .300 BLK build IMO. For what your spending you could build a top of the line AR-10 and not have to spend nearly as much as your spending. 32 Magazines? Thats 16 mags per rifle. Your building two rifles right? The rifles your building according to your specs, are build for long range, am I wrong? Than why the .300 BLK. Let me ask you this. Are you building an SBR? Do you, or do you plan on, owning a supressor? Why .300BLK and not .308? If its range your looking for in an AR Platform, have you considered 6.5 Grendel? IMO you dont need to Cerakote EVERYTHING. Upper and lower receiver, maybe the buffer tube assembly, and maybe your rails and barrel. Thats about it. All of which you could easily do on your own and from the looks of it, save your self a ton of cash. I dont want to jump on your back, just trying to understand how you could sink $8.5k into an AR15. 3 Barrels? 4 BCGs? 32 PMags? .300BLK?
When I get it back I will do a detail review of all the parts cost and why I picked each part.
I count 3 barrels but 4 adjustable gas blocks. At $17ea for Magpul mags, you’re getting ripped off. I’m just pointing out where the math doesn’t add up. I could care less about which actual components you use; it’s your money, spend it how you want.
Try the .50 Beowulf. A little cheaper and similar ballistics.
LOL. A buddy of mine has a .458 socom. He took it hog hunting while visiting relatives in the hill country (Texas). They went hunting at night with a spotlight (legal in texas for non-game species). Three guys went. My buddy had the .458, another guy had something else (maybe an AK), and the other guy had a Benelli M2 with a 26″ inch full choke barrel and a tube extension loaded with 00 buckshot. Who do think was the hands down winner on hog extermination? I’ll give you hint: not the socom.
Why wouldn’t a partition bullet in .308 or .243 work?
They can penetrate just as well, bullets perform well, shoot flat, and fit in an AR type platform.
Only advantage of a big bore rifle is that you don’t have to rely on the bullet expansion to do the work….but it will with modern bullets.
Either cartridge is plenty for thick hide hogs with the right bullets.
I’m already looking at a 300blk right now,I garauntee it has enough power to take out any size hog with a hollow point. And I can reload it easily!
If .458 Socom is anything like .50 Beowulf it will be cheap as dirt to reload. You can get Ranier 335 gr hp’s and 405 gr solids in bulk for a very reasonable price. I agree though that a supressed Blackout would probably prove superior if you are looking for sheer numbers. I have taken quite a few hogs with my Beowulf but it does tend to absolutely destroy both shoulders using the 405 gr solids.
Ruger used to make a carbine in .44 mag with a four round rotary magazine. Bring that back and that’s all you need. Or else a good Winchester 94 in 30/30. Really, you’re just trying to reinvent the wheel here.
The stated purpose of the build was for a weapon to bring down Hogzilla, a generic southern term for feral hogs weighing in at 500 pounds and up. While those porkers do exist the vast majority of feral pigs run 200 pounds or under. After a year or so in the wild even domestic hogs will develop a gristle plate across the chest as a defense against the tusks of other hogs. This plate has been known to turn light pistol rounds, but should not be proof against even heavier 5.56 JSP slugs, though I’d opt for something a bit larger.
My personal favorite pig getter is a Marlin 1894 .44mag with 240 grain JSP loaded hot. In the lever gun recoil recovery is quick and follow on shots can be made without ever losing your sight picture.
I thought about the .458 SOCOM until I priced the ammo. It is over $2 a round.
I will stick with 7.62X39 or 12 gauge slugs. I could not afford to practice much with the .458 SOCOM and I do like to practice.
Ive killed more hogs with my single shot 22 hornet than probably all of you people put together talking about a .458 Socom get the fuck out of here with that bullshit
Every gun posted up here is over kill in my opinion I have yet to find any type of animal that can stand up to my single shot 22 hornet from monster hogs to black bears. It makes short work of them with a well placed shot behind the ear. My next challenge for it would be elk or moose. Idk well see.
Please, tell us more. Oh wonderful and powerful hog killer… how you kill more hogs than anyone combined with a .22…
7.62×39
Bought a RRA 458 Socom upper for $725.00 and it shoots great. Fits on my RRA 5.56MM lower like a glove but it will fit on any AR mil-spec lower. MOA or less at 100 yards with a Hornady 325 gr FTX round or a 500 gr RN or Barnes 300 gr TTSX, all at about 1,800 FPS. The 500 gr bullet is at about 1,200 FPS. I use Hornady 300 gr HP for practice ammo at $18 bucks for a box of 50. I’ve hit 200 and 300 yards just fine but its a rainbow shot like a mortor. I reload and cost is down to about 50 cents/round after the first shot. Case are initially expense at about $0.88/case but then you can get over a dozen reloads which brings the cost down significantly and if you cast lead gas checked bullets, then its even cheaper. If you get a car length barrel, then you have a wide variety of powders to choose from but if you get a mid-length barrel, then Alliant Reloader #7 is highly recommended. I live in Texas and bought it for hog and deer hunting.
I have the 458, 6.8 SPC and 300 BLK and I’ll take them hog hunting and see what’s what. Personally, I think the 458 is a sure thing, the 6.8 is second and you really need to select the correct bullet for the 300 BLK.
As far as cost, I build my own and don’t have $8.5K in all three rifles including the suppressors and the optics (Aimpoint Pros).
Also as far as the 458 SOCOM goes, Marty ter Weeme of Teppo Jutsu invented it and licensed it to several outfits (Rock River). Others saw fit to reverse engineer the reamers and use it without license (Wilson Combat) which I find to be objectionable and refuse to do business with those outfits.
I think the problem is too many people forget that BEST results are when they use their weapon in the MID RANGE of its capability, have it properly tailored to fit them, and the CORRECT ammo for the job to be done.
I have an RRA 458 upper on a PSA lower, After 10 rounds of 300 JHP at 1830 fps, the Bushnell AR scope literally fell apart on the inside and my shoulder was B&B for a week. I added a shotgun recoil pad and a stiffer spring to tame the recoil, but still haven’t found a good optic (that is affordable) so I am on iron sights.
Overall, this is a GOOD MID RANGE ( 150 to 300 yds) knocker downer. For longer range, I have my M1 Garand, and shorter range my 300 blackout. Each weapon has it limitations that a lot of people forget when they try to have a one gun fits all situation. Anyone who tries to get an AR platform 300 Blackout to shoot reliably beyond 150 yds, or a 458 beyond 300 yds is pushing it beyond the intended design.
If people insist on pushing the limits, a 45 ACP 1911and a S&W 41 mag 4 inch are capable of shooting and hitting a 6 inch target at 200 yds . Not intended for that, but are capable of it.
Semper Fi