Large caliber question

[RC3]

So, im planning on building a big bore and turns out there are three very similar cartridges. 450, 458 and .50b. So, ballistics are very similar, so the biggest question is, which one is the one with the most ammo and cheaper?. Also, how much of a range penalty will I get if I use a barrel shorter than 16in? 

[mikegideon]

458 has the most bullets available. Ammo is real expensive if you don't reload. Not a long range gun.

[RC3]

1 hour ago, mikegideon said:

458 has the most bullets available. Ammo is real expensive if you don't reload. Not a long range gun.

I know the range is abysmal, but thats not what I am building them for. In looking for a weird melon devastator. But they all seem to cost the same when it comes to rounds and build price.

[1gewehr]

All of those cartridges are ballistically similar.  The uppers vary wildly in price, though!

For barrel length, the rule of thumb is you lose 25-50fps per inch shorter than normal.  Those rounds are optimized for 16 inch barrels.  If it was me, I'd stick with that.  If you want more muzzle blast and fireball, go with a shorter barrel.

Don't forget to think about R Lee Armey as you blast away at melons!  

[DaveTN]

18 hours ago, RC3 said:

I know the range is abysmal, but thats not what I am building them for. In looking for a weird melon devastator. 

Then use a 600 grain 12GA slug. The gun will cost far less than the others you are looking at and the results of those others will pale in comparison visually.

[RC3]

3 hours ago, DaveTN said:

Then use a 600 grain 12GA slug. The gun will cost far less than the others you are looking at and the results of those others will pale in comparison visually.

That sounds awesome, but I have a lower just laying around and after building two pistols, im itching for something "exotic". I might go 300bk, but im unsure on the platform as a whole

[RC3]

6 hours ago, 1gewehr said:

All of those cartridges are ballistically similar.  The uppers vary wildly in price, though!

For barrel length, the rule of thumb is you lose 25-50fps per inch shorter than normal.  Those rounds are optimized for 16 inch barrels.  If it was me, I'd stick with that.  If you want more muzzle blast and fireball, go with a shorter barrel.

Don't forget to think about R Lee Armey as you blast away at melons!  

I was at kroger just imagening buying a whole cart full of random melons. And then using the remains as compost.

[peejman]

47 minutes ago, RC3 said:

I was at kroger just imagening buying a whole cart full of random melons. And then using the remains as compost.

Don't use them as compost unless you want a couple hundred little melon vines to magically appear in the spring.  AMHIK. 

[Alleycat72]

With the 450 you can use cheap .452 bullets that expand at 45 colt velocities. 

[Garufa]

Palmetto State announced they will be coming out with their own .450 and .458 AR stuff.

[RC3]

3 hours ago, Garufa said:

Palmetto State announced they will be coming out with their own .450 and .458 AR stuff.

Yeah, but I am planning on using a bear creek side charging upper. I cannot go back. I have seen the light and I have been converted. But I do have a PSA side charging upper that they sold years ago. I will not get rid of it.

[mikegideon]

49 minutes ago, RC3 said:

Yeah, but I am planning on using a bear creek side charging upper. I cannot go back. I have seen the light and I have been converted. But I do have a PSA side charging upper that they sold years ago. I will not get rid of it.

Just bear in mind that the ejection port needs to be milled out on the big bore guns.

[RC3]

On 1/26/2019 at 7:23 PM, mikegideon said:

Just bear in mind that the ejection port needs to be milled out on the big bore guns.

Yep. BSA does have a complete 10.5 in 450 upper though. I am very tempted.

[Lapuafan]

On 1/24/2019 at 2:20 PM, RC3 said:

I know the range is abysmal, but thats not what I am building them for. In looking for a weird melon devastator. But they all seem to cost the same when it comes to rounds and build price.

Build 338 lapua and be done.