458 SOCOM for bear works when the bullet is heavy, holds together, and is placed well at a known distance. Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures a 650 gr Maker REX solid copper subsonic load for 458 SOCOM that carries about 1,473 ft-lb at the muzzle and about 1,342 ft-lb at 100 yards from a 12.5-inch barrel. It is loaded as 458 SOCOM XL and fired from the CM7S bolt action and the CM10 semi-automatic. Chattahoochee Munitions designs 458 SOCOM XL to take any North American bear: black, brown, and grizzly bear.
Is 458 SOCOM Good for Bear?
Yes. With a heavy bullet designed to penetrate and a shot at a known distance, 458 SOCOM XL is a bear cartridge for every North American species. A bear has a heavy coat, thick fat, and dense muscle over the vitals, so penetration and a large wound channel matter more than speed. 458 SOCOM fires a .458-inch bullet, and its heavy bullets keep their momentum through hide and bone.
The 650 gr Maker REX is a solid copper expanding bullet. Maker states that REX projectiles expand to nearly three times their original diameter while keeping nearly all of their weight, so the bullet stays heavy as it penetrates. Solid copper is also lead free, which some hunting areas require.
458 SOCOM for Bear: Brown and Grizzly Bear
Larger bears carry heavier bone and more muscle, so the question is penetration, and penetration comes from bullet weight, sectional density, and a bullet that holds together. The 650 gr REX has a sectional density of .443, against about .204 for a 300 gr .458 bullet, and its solid copper construction keeps nearly all of its weight. At about 1,010 fps it carries the momentum of 650 grains through hide, muscle, and bone.
On brown and grizzly bear, a shot through the shoulder that breaks bone helps anchor the bear, and a heavy solid copper bullet is suited to that shot. Hunting these bears is closely regulated: many areas require a licensed guide, and some jurisdictions set minimum cartridge requirements for big game. Confirm the rules where you hunt.
458 SOCOM for Bear: Energy and Drop
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (100-yard zero) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 1,010 fps | 1,473 ft-lb | – |
| 100 yd | 964 fps | 1,342 ft-lb | 0.0 in |
| 200 yd | 925 fps | 1,235 ft-lb | -35.9 in |
Measured from a 12.5-inch CM7S barrel; the CM10 semi-auto load averages about 1,012 fps from 12.5 inches. Most black bear shots over bait or with hounds are close, well inside 100 yards, where the 650 gr bullet carries nearly all of its energy and the drop is small. Beyond about 150 yards, the steep subsonic trajectory makes range estimation critical; see 458 SOCOM effective range. See 458 SOCOM ballistics for the full table.
458 SOCOM for Bear: Why the XL Load
Standard 458 SOCOM is limited to 2.260 inches overall to fit an AR15, which forces long, heavy bullets deep into the case. 458 SOCOM XL moves past that limit. Chattahoochee Munitions loads the 2.035-inch, 650 gr projectile in factory-new Starline brass to 2.802 inches for the CM7S and 2.790 inches for the CM10, seating it less deeply and reclaiming case capacity. That is how a 650 gr bear bullet fits a 458 SOCOM firearm with a detachable magazine.
458 SOCOM for Bear: Shot Placement
When you use 458 SOCOM for bear of any species, remember that the vitals sit low and forward and a thick coat hides the shoulder. Aim on the crease behind the front leg, about one-third of the way up the body, on a broadside or slightly quartering-away bear. A heavy .458-inch bullet that reaches both lungs, or the heart, puts a bear down quickly. Wait for a clear broadside shot rather than shooting at a bear facing you.
Suppressed 458 SOCOM for Bear Hunting
A subsonic 458 SOCOM load with a suppressor makes a quiet shot, which is useful over bait, where a loud report can push other bears away from the site. With subsonic ammunition, use an enclosed suppressor on both the CM7S and the CM10. The 12.5-inch CM7S is offered with the all-titanium PLACID OTB, which keeps the suppressed rifle short in a stand or blind. Suppressor and hunting rules vary by state; check yours before the season. Read the 458 SOCOM suppressor guide for more.
Bolt Action or Semi Auto: 458 SOCOM for Bear
The CM7S bolt action makes no action noise and suits deliberate shots from a stand. The CM10 semi-auto gives fast follow-up shots. Both are chambered in 458 SOCOM, configured for 458 SOCOM XL, and offered with 12.5-inch and 16-inch barrels with a 1:10 twist; CM7S barrels are made by Mos-Tek. Each uses its own ammunition: the bolt action load at 2.802 inches and the semi-auto load at 2.790 inches. Compare them in 458 SOCOM bolt action vs semi auto.
458 SOCOM Firearms for Bear Hunting
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures complete factory firearms chambered in 458 SOCOM and configured for 458 SOCOM XL:
- CM7S 458 SOCOM 12.5-inch SBR with PLACID OTB
- CM7S 458 SOCOM 12.5-inch bolt action pistol or SBR
- CM7S 458 SOCOM 16-inch bolt action rifle
- CM10 458 SOCOM 12.5-inch semi-automatic SBR
- CM10 458 SOCOM 16-inch semi-automatic rifle
For hogs and deer, read 458 SOCOM hunting, and see every configuration on Terminal 458.
458 SOCOM for Bear FAQ
Is 458 SOCOM enough for black bear?
Yes, at moderate distances with a heavy bullet that penetrates. The Chattahoochee Munitions 650 gr Maker REX carries about 1,342 ft-lb at 100 yards.
Is 458 SOCOM enough for grizzly bear?
Yes, with 458 SOCOM XL. The 650 gr solid copper REX has a sectional density of .443 and keeps nearly all of its weight, so it penetrates heavy bone and muscle. Place the shot carefully at a known distance.
Is 458 SOCOM enough for brown bear?
Yes, with 458 SOCOM XL. Chattahoochee Munitions designs the 650 gr load to take any North American bear, including brown bear, with a well-placed shot at a known distance. Many areas require a licensed guide for brown bear.
What is the best bullet weight in 458 SOCOM for bear?
Heavy bullets carry momentum through hide and bone. Chattahoochee Munitions loads a 650 gr solid copper Maker REX as 458 SOCOM XL.
Can you hunt bear with subsonic 458 SOCOM?
Yes, at known, moderate distances. The 650 gr subsonic load carries about 1,473 ft-lb at the muzzle, and the solid copper bullet is designed to expand at subsonic velocity.
How far can you shoot a bear with 458 SOCOM subsonic?
Keep shots at distances you can range and hold for. With a 100-yard zero, the 650 gr load drops about 36 inches at 200 yards.
Is a suppressor legal for bear hunting?
It depends on the state. Many states allow suppressors for hunting; check your state’s current rules.
Who makes a 458 SOCOM rifle for bear hunting?
Chattahoochee Munitions manufactures the CM7S bolt action and the CM10 semi-automatic in 458 SOCOM with 12.5-inch and 16-inch barrels, configured for 650 gr 458 SOCOM XL.