Unleashing the Power: The Best 458 SOCOM Suppressors
Some people think that you can’t suppress really big cartridges such as the 458 SOCOM, but they’re wrong. Sure, it’s a bit more difficult to do than smaller, more popular rounds, but it’s absolutely possible. All you need is the right suppressor!
Understanding the 458 SOCOM Round
The concept for the 458 SOCOM was born after the 1993 conflict in Mogadishu (remember Black Hawk Down?) when complaints arose around the effectiveness of the standard issue 5.56 NATO cartridges fired by regulation M4 carbines.
The desire to create something that was bigger and badder but still capable of being fired from the AR platform would take a number of years to design and perfect, but today, you can readily get bolts and barrels that fit the big round as well as factory loaded 458 SOCOM cartridges to go with it.
The 458 SOCOM Cartridge
There’s no other way to put it: the 458 SOCOM cartridge is a beast. It offers legendary .45-70 Government performance in a modern package for the 21st century.
Cartridges are available loaded with a wide variety of bullet weights ranging from 140 to 600 grains. That’s really saying something considering that the two most common weights for 5.56 NATO cartridges are 55 and 62 grains – more than double the heaviest weight of the 5.56!
Obviously, the lighter the bullet, the faster the speed. There’s simply no chance of eliminating the supersonic crack made by the lighter bullets as they speed by at more than 2,000 feet per second. However, the much heavier 600-grain bullets can be slowed down to half that speed, putting them in the subsonic range.
Benefits of Using a Suppressor with the 458 SOCOM
Since the 458 SOCOM is a beast of a cartridge, there are some things that are just a given when shooting it: noise and recoil. Both can be significant if you’re only accustomed to shooting regular 5.56 or .223 ammo. Thankfully, a suppressor can help with both of those things.
When shooting heavy, subsonic ammo through a suppressor, you’ll notice a much quieter shooting experience with the 458 SOCOM because there will be no supersonic crack and better gas dissipation. Even when shooting faster supersonic ammo, you’ll notice (and appreciate) the decibel reduction.
Just as important as the reduced sound is the reduced recoil you’ll experience with a suppressor. Shooting the 458 SOCOM through a suppressor will help mitigate some of the felt recoil you’ll experience. Given the size of the cartridge, you’ll be glad to have that reduction if you plan on shooting any sizeable volume of 458 SOCOM.
Considerations for Choosing the Best Suppressor
There are a number of things that come into play when choosing a suppressor, and they’re just as important whether you’re looking to suppress .22LR or 458 SOCOM. Here’s what we think are most important:
- Sound Reduction
- The whole point of a suppressor is to reduce sound, so be sure to look at test specs to see what kind of decibel reduction a given suppressor offers for the caliber you’ll be shooting.
- Recoil Management
- An added benefit of a suppressor is that it helps reduce recoil. If you’re planning on a full day of shooting, the less recoil you experience, the better. Plus, less recoil can help make you a better shot.
- Weight
- Adding a suppressor to the end of your barrel will change the balance of the gun. Be sure to consider how much weight you’ll be adding and whether or not its an amount that you can live with long term.
- Length
- Putting a suppressor on your gun makes it longer. If you’re running an already long barrel, you want to make sure that the extra suppressor length isn’t going to make the gun unwieldy.
- Durability
- Suppressors are expensive and take awhile to get. Therefore, whatever you buy is a long term investment. Take into consideration how the suppressor is made and how that will translate into durability and longevity.
| Category | Best Overall | Lightest | Most Affordable | Most Versatile | Best Big Bore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | BANISH 46 | SilencerCO Hybrid 46M | Coastal Gun Model X 458 | Griffin Bushwhacker 46 | Bowers VERS 50 |
| Caliber | .460 | .460 | .458 | .460 | .510 |
| Weight | 16.3 oz or 20.4 oz | 12.2 oz or 14.9 oz | 29 oz | 15.8 oz or 17.6 oz | 20 oz |
| Length | 7.9" or 10" | 5.7" or 7.7" | 8.7" | 7.7" | 11.2" |
| Price | $1,249 | $1,169 | $675 | $999 | $895-$995 |
Top Suppressor Models for the 458 SOCOM
There are more suppressors on the market today than ever before, and picking the right one can be a bit of a challenge. That’s why we’ve put together this list of what we consider to be the best 458 SOCOM suppressors available today.
Best Overall: BANISH 46
We admit that we’re probably a little biased, but we truly do believe that the BANISH 46 is the best overall suppressor for use with .458 SOCOM. Modular in design, it can be used with a wide assortment of rifle calibers including .458 SOCOM and up to the mighty .45-70 Government.
Made of titanium and Inconel, the Banish 46 provides the ultimate combination of durability and weight reduction. The BANISH 46 weighs only 16.3 oz in the short configuration of 7.9”, and 20.4 oz in its 10” configuration. It’s also got a variety of mounting options, including direct thread, a quick-detach muzzle brake attachment, or a Nielsen Device.
This user-serviceable suppressor can be easily disassembled for configuration changes and cleaning. Since it’s made of titanium, you can easily clean the baffles in a tumbler, ultrasonic cleaner, or by hand with a brush and solvent.
Advantages:
- Durable yet lightweight titanium construction
- Modular design for different lengths
- User-serviceable for easy cleaning
Drawbacks:
- Price may put it out of reach for some people
BANISH 46 Specs
- Caliber: .460
- Weight: 16.3 oz or 20.4 oz
- Length: 7.9″ or 10″
- Price: $1,249
Lightest: SilencerCo Hybrid 46M
The Hybrid 46M is a modular centerfire rifle suppressor that allows for the removal of a front module which provides the shooter with a shorter and lighter suppressor body still capable of effectively suppressing all centerfire pistol cartridges as well as rifle offerings as large as .45-70 Govt and .458 SOCOM. It weighs less than one pound even in its longest configuration.
The Hybrid 46M is rated up to .460 Weatherby Magnum, and both long and short configurations are full-auto-rated.
Advantages:
- Even in its full configuration, it’s still the lightest suppressor on this list
- Shortest on the list in its small configuration and on par with others in full configuration
- Comes with multiple caliber front caps
Drawbacks:
- Fully welded, so user-serviceability is limited
SilencerCo Hybrid 46M Specs
- Caliber: .460
- Weight: 12.2 oz or 14.9 oz
- Length: 5.7″ or 7.7″
- Price: $1,169
Most Affordable: Coastal Gun Model X 458
The X Model 458 from Coastal Gun is perfect for the budget-conscious big bore suppressor buyer. By taking a solid piece of aircraft-grade billet stainless steel and machining a silencer, it means that there’s no entrance cap – it is an integral part of the suppressor – and no spacers – they are machined into the suppressor body. Spiral flutes on the exterior aid in cooling, which is important when you’re shooting such large calibers. This suppressor is built like an absolute tank, so you can be sure that it will last a very long time no matter how much 458 SOCOM you put through it.
Advantages:
- Price point makes it very affordable even with the tax stamp cost
- It’s not sealed, which makes it user-serviceable
- Being made from one solid billet makes it very durable
Drawbacks:
- It’s the heaviest suppressor on the list
Coastal Gun Model X 458 Specs
- Caliber: .458
- Weight: 29 oz
- Length: 8.7″
- Price: $650
Most Versatile: Griffin Bushwhacker 46
Versatility is the name of the game with the Griffin Bushwhacker 46. Engineered to be more compact, more durable, with higher performance, and more mounting options than any other, the Bushwhacker 46 is the class leader in the most versatile category.
This more updated version provides better sound reduction, stronger construction, reduced backpressure, and higher heat resistance. This all adds up to a suppressor that will take whatever you throw at it, no matter the caliber or what firearm and mounting option of choice that you use as your host.
Advantages:
- User-serviceable for easy maintenance
- The newer Gen 2 version offers even more decibel reduction
- Compatible with a wide variety of mounting options, pistons, and end caps for optimum versatility with multiple calibers
Drawbacks:
- Not modular in design
Griffin Bushwhacker 46 Specs
- Caliber: .460
- Weight: 15.8 oz or 17.6 oz
- Length: 7.7″
- Price: $999
Best Big Bore: Bowers VERS 50
For the big bore shooter who wants just one suppressor to do it all, this is it. If you want to up your big bore game beyond 458 SOCOM and step into the world of .50 caliber, then the Bowers VERS 50 has got you covered. Rated for everything up to .510 Beowulf (bet you didn’t even know that existed!), the VERS 50 weighs just 20 ounces – pretty darn light for what this suppressor is capable of taming.
Advantages:
- Since it’s a .50 caliber can, you get even more options in terms of calibers
- A variety of mounting thread inserts are available for your preferred form of attachment
- Can be ordered with an optional all-stainless baffle stack, which changes the rating to 2,650 FPS
Drawbacks:
- Not user-serviceable
Bowers VERS 50 Specs
- Caliber: .510
- Weight: 20 oz
- Length: 11.2″
- Price: $895-$995
Invest In a Quality Suppressor Today!
The market for suppressors is plentiful, and narrowing it down to the right one for you can be confusing. Thankfully, our staff has been shooting and selling suppressors for more than 15 years. Suffice it to say that we’ve got a pretty good handle on which silencers pair best with certain guns and calibers, like the 458 SOCOM cartridge. If you’re having trouble deciding, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll happily talk you through the options and then, when you’re ready, get you on your way to silencer ownership and suppressed shooting!