458 Socom vs 50 Beowulf – Detailed cartridge comparison for you

Same, same but different. That’s the first thought that will come to your mind when you look at popular cartridges. The 458 Socom and 50 Beowulf are examples of the same. While purchasing, the chances are that you will get confused because you are unable to understand their differences. But hey, don’t worry about it at all. We are here to clear the confusion so that you make a sound choice.

458 Socom vs 50 Beowulf – A brief introduction

Both 458 Socom and 50 Beowulf are big cartridges designed for tactical uses and big game hunting. They have so many similarities that hunters often wonder whether there’s any difference at all. 

458 Socom

The 458 Socom entered the US market specifically for the US military. Tromix took the contract and produced 458 rifles in 2002, merely 2 years after the design of .459 was finalized. Today, many companies have the license and the gun is very popular among AR enthusiasts and civilians in general.

50 Beowulf

50 Beowulf also came into the market around the same time (2001). It was to be used with M14 and AR15. The rounds became popular in the military and the police force very fast. Today, they are a popular choice among those looking for home defense as well as big game hunters.

458 Socom and 50 Beowulf – Specifications

When it comes to cartridges, we must discuss the ballistics. 

• Velocity: Since these are both suitable close encounters only, their velocity is low. If we were to compare strictly, the 50 Beowulf would take the cake because its velocity is just slightly higher than the 458 Socom. However, beyond 100 ft. you will not notice any difference.
• Ballistic co-efficient: Both the cartridges have low ballistic co-efficient. This is because their primary function is to deliver more force. Again, if we were to compare them you’d find that 458 Socom has a slightly higher value.
• Trajectory: Until 150 yards, their trajectory is more or less the same. You will notice a difference after 200 yards or so. The 458 Socom has a flatter trajectory than its counterpart and this difference keeps increasing with distance.
• Recoil: The recoil energy of 458 Socom is less than that of 50 Beowulf.

458 Socom and 50 Beowulf – Availability and cost

Both of them can be difficult to find because their availability is limited. However, you can look online for stores that stock them and purchase them from there.

As for the cost, 458 Socom is priced higher than 50 Beowulf. When compared to other rounds, they are both on the expensive side because they are primarily made for the military. Once their availability to civilians increases, their price will also go down.

Conclusion

458 Socom and 50 Beowulf are great rounds. They are reliable and can elevate your hunting experience. The only thing to note is that their accuracy depends on practice. So, make sure you take your time to adjust to them. These cartridges are also amazing for home defense. If you can afford them, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t purchase them.