AR 15 "thumpers"

**Rosko Packer** · August 7th, 2008, 01:40 PM

I used 2 be a non AR-15 fan. Thought they were kinda ugly (I'm a blued steel and oiled walnut guy). Neither was I a lover of the 223 round, especially when people try to stretch it's use out to 1000 yards and such. But I am a "gun nut" and eventually bought a lightly used 15 and changed my tune. The 223 is fun to shoot, has great accuracy potential, and is great for some uses (NOT 700-1000yrd shooting where some energy is required to remain at the end of the trip), but in any event, I now own 3 AR-15 types in 223 and have a "10" on the way in 308. I intend, some day, to get one of the so called "thumpers" - Beowulf,450 Bushmaster,etc. Please give me your opinions on the best of these (I'm not into reloading at this time, which I know might make a difference). The 458 SOCOM is tapered, ballistics are close, it's difficult to sort thru all the variables. I am most concerned with accuracy (and of course reliability/useability). I also want to know why the 460 SW magnum is not considered for this platform. I have the revolver with 8 inch barrel and this cartridge is a screamer (2000+fps). This meets (exceeds) the abilities of these other rounds. The 460 is also more common in commercial sales etc. Is it too long? Is it too hard to adapt thing to make a "fit"? Throw some knowledge at me guys!

**brian** · August 7th, 2008, 02:16 PM

i was'nt an ar guy, and still am not.
bought a BM to see what all the fuss was about, and stilll have'nt figured it out?
they look cool and shoot well and all, but don't do it for me.

**SteveWag** · August 7th, 2008, 05:45 PM

I have to disagree about the effectiveness of the .223 at 800, 900 and 1000 yards when used as a target rifle. I agree it is not suitable for any long range hunting. The Palma match has just ended at Camp Perry. Palma rules allow only 308 rifles with iron sights OR the current military rifle of the host country, fired at 800, 900 and 1000 yards. So, the M16 is OK when shot in the USA. Quite a number were used this year.

Steve Wagner

**P-11 shooter** · August 7th, 2008, 05:50 PM

Isn't the 460 a rimmed cartridge? I don't have any experience with it, but if it's rimmed it may be hard to reliably feed from a magazine.

**Whiterook** · August 7th, 2008, 06:33 PM

I'm interested in these rifles too. My main questions would be about ammo availability. What is the most common "thumper"? Does it have the easiest to acquire ammo?

**Lycanthrope** · August 7th, 2008, 10:37 PM

.50 Beowulf.

Lycanor.458SOCOMthrope

**Rosko Packer** · August 8th, 2008, 01:42 AM

P--11 is correct, the 460 S+W is a rimmed cartridge. It is not a large rim like a 45-70. The over all length of the 460 is exactly the same as 223, brass to brass and even bullet tip to tip when the most common pointed SST/FTT is stood next to a standard 55 grain 223. Is this little rim unworkable in a SA action? (pardon my ignorance please). I have never compared the 450 BM size-wise to the 460 (actually 45cal.) but if it works straight across in AR mags etc. it seems it would be the same size as the 460. If I am not mistaken, however, the 460 is ballistically superior. How come?

**2ndchance** · August 15th, 2008, 03:53 AM

Awhile back someone (I think it was Olympic Arms) made an ar-15 upper in .45acp, 40cal and 10mm. Now, that would be cool to have a large pistol caliber. Currently there is a .449 caliber out there ,too. I think this was in response to California ban on 50 cal ammo.