Post by GLSHOOTER on Jul 17, 2014 15:28:30 GMT -8
I have been waiting for a final version of the 458 SOCOM from Black Hole for some time. Initially we made up a pair of standard AR barrels for a trial run. Once they arrived it was a learning curve on the ammuntion since none was available and the cost when it was was averaged around $3.50 each. Pretty steep for learning on..LOL We learned to size the new cases like everyone else in the US using STARLINE brass and got some chamberable goodness. Hornady dies were used and are readily availble.
The first barrels had a mid gas set up in them but it was decided early on that a carbine would give a cushion in load development. That is one big expansion ratio hole in that tube. After that was decided we Black Hole about fired up the lathes to make some new tubes for testing. About that time the KTB integral compensated barrels were getting their final design touches. This is the Victory Series that Carl wants to do. I got a 556 version last week so this one doubled the bore size and raised the bullet weight by a factor of almost ten. Quite the step up. The 556 holds the muzzle down when you are hosing and going and I hope this one does too.
I got a text from BHW that the barrels had shipped on Tuesday. They arrived in St. George, Utah today, Thursday, and I got a call from Ritch. I did the vicarious thrill thing listening to the shipping tubes being opened. The description was..............stimulating!!
Well Ritch had to go to work so he sent me a few photos as proof of life to the project.
The Boomer Brothers
Barrel lasering so we can tell them apart in the horde.
The compensator from the bottom.
All the above pictures were taken at about 11:25. As I said Ritch had to go to work so he said he would do the build tomorrow. I guess he punched in late because forty five minutes later the phone squeked and this is what I had.
The barrels use an 0.936 gas block and are 16" long. Hand gaurd is a BTE as is the adjustable gas block. The upper is an Aero that BTE opened the port on. Ritch said they are very light so mated to an ACE Skeleton stock this should be a true wildcat on both ends. I can see bear medicine on this one. I must admit I did whoozy out and ordered up a 1" pad for my ACE that should be here next week. Pain is OK in the right setting but this won't be one of them. I might go out and buy a postage scale just so I can get some real world weights. I'll run a low powered scope to start but I can see a set of irons in the future to run with. I've got a set of GG&G rears so just need to dig up a front set up. Magazines are good old 556 so that won't be an issue.
I'll keep this running as I get it tested out. Hopefuly it will shoot like the other BHW SOCOMS that have been shot across the country. Putting it in a stainless match grade barrel should make for interesting hole punching.
Greg
The first barrels had a mid gas set up in them but it was decided early on that a carbine would give a cushion in load development. That is one big expansion ratio hole in that tube. After that was decided we Black Hole about fired up the lathes to make some new tubes for testing. About that time the KTB integral compensated barrels were getting their final design touches. This is the Victory Series that Carl wants to do. I got a 556 version last week so this one doubled the bore size and raised the bullet weight by a factor of almost ten. Quite the step up. The 556 holds the muzzle down when you are hosing and going and I hope this one does too.
I got a text from BHW that the barrels had shipped on Tuesday. They arrived in St. George, Utah today, Thursday, and I got a call from Ritch. I did the vicarious thrill thing listening to the shipping tubes being opened. The description was..............stimulating!!
Well Ritch had to go to work so he sent me a few photos as proof of life to the project.
The Boomer Brothers
Barrel lasering so we can tell them apart in the horde.
The compensator from the bottom.
All the above pictures were taken at about 11:25. As I said Ritch had to go to work so he said he would do the build tomorrow. I guess he punched in late because forty five minutes later the phone squeked and this is what I had.
The barrels use an 0.936 gas block and are 16" long. Hand gaurd is a BTE as is the adjustable gas block. The upper is an Aero that BTE opened the port on. Ritch said they are very light so mated to an ACE Skeleton stock this should be a true wildcat on both ends. I can see bear medicine on this one. I must admit I did whoozy out and ordered up a 1" pad for my ACE that should be here next week. Pain is OK in the right setting but this won't be one of them. I might go out and buy a postage scale just so I can get some real world weights. I'll run a low powered scope to start but I can see a set of irons in the future to run with. I've got a set of GG&G rears so just need to dig up a front set up. Magazines are good old 556 so that won't be an issue.
I'll keep this running as I get it tested out. Hopefuly it will shoot like the other BHW SOCOMS that have been shot across the country. Putting it in a stainless match grade barrel should make for interesting hole punching.
Greg