Suggestions for a reloading setup for 458 Socom

[Mikemass]

I recently added a 458 Socom upper to an 80% lower I finished last year and thought I'd just shoot it occasionally, however I really enjoy shooting 458 but the 2-$3/rd really stings so I think I'm ready to start reloading.

I'm completely new to reloading so I need a complete setup. I will most likely only be reloading this caliber and estimate a volume of 200-300 rounds/mo.

I am thinking either a single stage or a Lee turret press.

Open to thoughts and suggestions. Thanks

[RiskyBusiness]

Let me know what your final cost per round come out to when you're all set up. I might want to dabble with a 458

[Divernhunter]

Where are you located? If near me you can come by and learn on my stuff then decide what you want/need.
I would get a single stage unless taking 30seconds to change dies just is too much work/time. If so do not start reloading.

My 1st suggestion is to get the Lyman #49 or 50 manual and read it. It will answer 99% of your questions. IF you go cheap and get Lee dies(and other stuff) be sure to order some real locking rings from Hornady.

If you have any questions PM me and I will give you my phone number to talk about it. I have helped a large number of people get into reloading so you will not be the 1st or last. I enjoy it.

[Mikemass]

Let me know what your final cost per round come out to when you're all set up. I might want to dabble with a 458

Where are you located? If near me you can come by and learn on my stuff then decide what you want/need.
I would get a single stage unless taking 30seconds to change dies just is too much work/time. If so do not start reloading.

My 1st suggestion is to get the Lyman #49 or 50 manual and read it. It will answer 99% of your questions. IF you go cheap and get Lee dies(and other stuff) be sure to order some real locking rings from Hornady.

If you have any questions PM me and I will give you my phone number to talk about it. I have helped a large number of people get into reloading so you will not be the 1st or last. I enjoy it.

That's very generous! I wish I was closer I'm in LA.

I'm thinking about going with Redding dies as that's what Tromix sells and Tony seems to be the 458 guru. I think I can handle a 30 second change or like you say I shouldn't be reloading. I'll grab the Lyman manual and do some reading. I have no problem spending money on good tools, I've learned cheaping out on tools is usually more expensive since it avoids buying the good stuff later.

[Dave626]

i do reload 458socom


325ftx with 29gr lil gun powder, 2.140" coal
Hornady Dies Set

if you have the brass already, bullet 325ftx $0.70, powder, $0.12, primer $0.03

get the tromix 458 case gauge for cheap insurance


3 shots 50 yards

[Whiterabbit]

Hi Mike,

My suggestion:

Get an RCBS single stage kit that has basically all the tooling needed. The price is reasonable. The press is the key component. The rest you can use right away, but you'll end up replacing bits over time as you optimize your process. You are only reloading 458 socom, so as you reload through your batches, you'll take notes of what steps are annoying to you, and you'll replace that tool as needed. Over time, your productivity increases, and reloading transitions from a learning experience, to a stress relieving joy.

I'm not a fan of turret presses personally, and RCBS presses are built like tanks, so it is an easy recommend.

Eventually if you really do keep shooting 2-300 a month, you'll likely outgrow the press too, and purchase a progressive. By then you'll have your reloading cadence down, have 90% of the equipment minus progressive, and be in a better spot to tool up. And there is always a need for a single stage to perform an operation or two while the progessive is setup for high volume 458 reloading, so the RCBS kit is never wasted money. Never.

I like RCBS dies, but I'm a fanboy for their dies. I prefer no moving parts in my dies. If you like the sliding bushings and parts inside the redding dies, knock yourself out. I'm sure they are great too.

[Whiterabbit]

My only other suggestion is if you decide not to get a kit, and just go ala-carte, make sure the press has a hollow ram for spent primer control. Seriously, plan for spent primer control.

[RiskyBusiness]

i do reload 458socom


325ftx with 29gr lil gun powder, 2.140" coal
Hornady Dies Set

if you have the brass already, bullet 325ftx $0.70, powder, $0.12, primer $0.03

get the tromix 458 case gauge for cheap insurance


3 shots 50 yards

Damn that bullet is expensive. Anyone here cast their own 458'? Id imagine you can bring your cost down to 20cpr

[Whiterabbit]

I cast my own 45 cals. getting down to 20 cents each will be hard, since powder and primer you are already at 15 cents a piece.

If lead costs $1/lb then you are at 1.43 cents per 100 grains. 5 cents gets you 300 grains of bullet, but lead is not usually $1 a pound these days, and definitely not if you want to control your alloy. If you figure $2 a pound after shipping and alloy, you are at 3 cents every 100 grains, and for a 350 grain bullet you are at 11 cents. Up that to 15 cents if you want to use a gas check.

So, for a solid hard cast bullet you are looking at 24-31 cents a round depending on bullet weight and gas check.

That's for home-cast. For purchased bullets, it may be a little more. I see a 300 grain hardcast for 12 cents, but if you want a 450 grain gas checked bullet it's closer to 50 cents each. You may be able to find a vendor for 350+GC for 30 cents, but might be tough.

taking out the gas check saves a huge amount of cost for commercial bullets.

[Mikemass]

OK...I Finally got some stuff setup and loaded my first rounds today!

Here's my setup...


Had my wife print a modified primer catcher/redirector




Taking these to the range tomorrow.

[Whiterabbit]

lookin' good

Tell me about the primer catcher.

[Mikemass]

Thanks! I remembered the suggestion to keep primer disposal in mind and saw someone mention a 3D printed one in a youtube so a quick Google search, a download from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1692346 an email to my wife asking her to print this when the printer was free (she uses it to print jewelry models) and it was ready in the morning. Works very well. The primers drain down the vinyl tube into any size bottle with a screw top.

Stopped by the range for an extended lunch to try out my first rounds. I ran into a buddy there so didn't get to shoot as much as I would have liked but I'm pretty sure I sold a 458 lol.

Here are the targets from the Hornady 300gr HP and Berry's 350gr. Indoors so only 25 yards.





For those asking about cost, I made a quick chart of the stuff I've loaded and am planning on loading soon.

[Whiterabbit]

I like the 27.5 lilgun and the 350 grain bullet. Would be neat to see at 100 yards shot off bags.

[santacruzgunner]

Hows the recoil on that 458?

[Walther White]

What 458 upper did you go with and where can I get one?