I've been considering a .458 SOCOM but am undecided. Part of the appeal is being able to use pistol bullets out of it. ( I think) It looks like it would be a handy hammer out to 150 yards or so.

So what have you hunted with it and how did it work?

50 beowulf here. Fairly similar.

Works fine. Have yet to have an animal drop, but none made it 100 yards either.

Those that get this DRT stuff in their heads have to remember that its the shot PLACEMENT that does that, consistently, rahter than any other choice.

I have the socom on my list due to 45 bullets cheaper than 50 pistol bullets. And suppressor capability.

I don't expect its overall performance to do anything different than the 50. Kind of a 270/06 kind of thing.

No sir, the SOCOM uses the same bullets as the 45-70, and that is what makes it a better killer than the 450bushmaster and 50 Beowulf. they use pistol bullets with thin jackets and don't compare to the heavier 45-70 .458 diameter bullets the SOCOM uses. the SOCOM basically gives 45-70 performance out of a .223 length gun being able to shoot bullets as heavy as 500-600grs just like the 458win magnum.

Other things to consider are

.223/5.56 30 round clips only hold 10 rounds of SOCOM ammo without any modification

Bolt face is the same size as the .223/5.56 which leave more metal around the rim hence making a stronger action less likely to fail.

RE pistol bullets in the 50 beowulf thin jackets, being that I use the best bullets out there, jacket is not an issue with either round.

Just run barnes and life is fine.

I do like the bolt face size though. Smaller gives more metal for sure. Not that I"ve ever seen a big one fail, the only bolt I"ve ever seen fail was on an army national guard gun in 223.

If I wanted something like that the .458 SOCOM is probably a good hunting round. A plus is the bullets can also be used in .45-70's - at least ones that don't have tubular magazines!

Barnes makes a .458 dia 300gr TTSX, which is designed for the .458 SOCOM. It is also a dandy bullet for strong modern single shot .45-70's. Since I have a #1 Ruger in .45-70, I have a few of them .

It would also be a good bullet in a Siamese Mauser, or other Bolt action .45-70 - but a real bad idea in a tubular magazine

I've been using 300gr .452 XTPs out of a BP rifle @ 1,700fps and they kill like execution.

I see no need for any tougher bullet on deer. Can't recall the last time I recovered one.

yep, i run 90 xtps out of my 32-20 thats not supposed to kill deer... haven't recovered a bullet yet out of maybe 5-6 deer, a few hogs and a javelina. Even shot the javelina in the front shoulder.

I've not seen a pistol Barnes bullet that coudn't be used in a tubular mag yet, but they may have one.

Could you use those Barnes/Thompson Red Hots in a tubular mag?

I've used those w/BP on deer and they kill & penetrate exceedingly well too.

I'm quite honestly thinking of a .458 SOCOM with an 18 to 20" barrel and a Trijicon reflex site for chasing elk in the timber.

I grew up in Oregon and the .45-70 was pretty popular with elk hunters on the coast. Well the area I'm living in now is much like it. Steep, thick, dark and shot's are quick and close.

Sounds like a match made in heaven. The SOCOM is also at home chasing big bears and hogs thru the thickets too.