Buffalo Bore 458 SOCOM 400gr JFN – Proven Heavy Hunting 20 Round Box

Description

Buffalo Bore 458 SOCOM 400gr JFN is Buffalo Bore item 47D, one of six 458 SOCOM loads in its range. It uses the 400 grain Speer jacketed flat nose bullet at about 1,550 fps and 2,134 ft-lbs, and it comes in a 20 round box. Buffalo Bore describes it as very versatile for North American hunting.

• Who Makes Buffalo Bore 458 SOCOM 400gr JFN
• Specifications and Performance
• Field Notes

Who Makes Buffalo Bore 458 SOCOM 400gr JFN

Buffalo Bore Ammunition is a Montana company that builds heavy hunting loads and tests them in real firearms. Its 458 SOCOM range covers medium game loads, heavy big game loads and subsonic loads, so shooters can match the ammunition to the job.

The 458 SOCOM is an AR-15 big bore cartridge. It uses a standard AR-15 lower receiver and magazines with a dedicated upper, and it fires 45 caliber bullets similar to those used in the 45-70 Government. Buffalo Bore 458 SOCOM 400gr JFN sits at the heavy end of that range.

Buffalo Bore places this load, along with item 47C, in the category it says can take big game animals weighing over 2,000 pounds. For deer, medium hogs and black bear, the company points to its lighter 47A and 47B loads instead.

That approach is typical of Buffalo Bore. Rather than chasing the highest velocity number, it matches bullet construction to impact speed so that the bullet expands and still penetrates deeply. With heavy, slow bullets like this one, that balance is what produces reliable results on large, tough animals.

Specifications and Performance

Buffalo Bore lists Buffalo Bore 458 SOCOM 400gr JFN at 1,550 fps and 2,134 ft-lbs. The Speer 400 grain flat nose is a decades-old design that the company knows well from 45-70 loads. Buffalo Bore explains that at impact speeds around 1,600 fps it mushrooms to about one inch and holds together while penetrating at least 24 inches.

At around 1,500 fps impact speed, Buffalo Bore says the bullet expands to roughly 0.85 caliber and penetrates about 30 inches. As velocity drops further, it expands less and penetrates more, until it stops expanding at around 1,000 fps. That makes it a strong choice where deep penetration on heavy-boned animals matters most.

• Product: Buffalo Bore 458 SOCOM 400gr JFN
• Manufacturer item number: 47D/20
• Cartridge: 458 SOCOM
• Bullet: 400 grain Speer jacketed flat nose
• Velocity: about 1,550 fps (Buffalo Bore published)
• Energy: about 2,134 ft-lbs
• Quantity: 20 rounds per box
• UPC: 651815458045

Field Notes

The 458 SOCOM has a curved trajectory compared with typical rifle cartridges. With a 100 yard zero, a heavy 400 grain bullet drops quickly beyond about 150 yards. Most hunters keep shots within about 150 to 200 yards and confirm their holdovers on paper first.

Check your magazines. Many standard AR-15 magazines work with the 458 SOCOM, but some followers and feed lips cause problems with the large, heavy cartridge. Test Buffalo Bore 458 SOCOM 400gr JFN through each magazine you plan to hunt with.

Because flat nose bullets are blunt, they may chamber slightly differently from round nose or spitzer loads in some rifles. Cycle a few rounds by hand before your first range session to make sure feeding is smooth.

Recoil is substantial from a heavy bullet in a light AR-15 rifle. A good muzzle brake or suppressor and a solid stock weld help. Make sure your upper, bolt and barrel are rated for 458 SOCOM loads of this weight.

Store ammunition cool and dry. Rifle ammunition requires buyers to be at least 18, and some states add extra rules. Check your state hunting regulations for straight-wall or caliber rules before using a 458 SOCOM for big game.

Browse our full ammunition selection for other big bore loads, and see Buffalo Bore item 47D for full details.