Best .458 SOCOM Barrels of 2022: Reviewed In-Depth

Best Overall:
Faxon Firearms - AR-15 Gunner Big Bore Barrel .458 Socom

Those of you who are looking for a shorter barrel need not worry, as we haven’t forgotten you and neither has Faxon Firearms. At 10.5 inches, we think this barrel length is an excellent compromise between the maneuverability of a shorter barrel and the versatility of a longer barrel.

Created from 4150 CMV steel, it is ready to take on larger-caliber cartridges and is specially designed for the .458 SOCOM. Faxon Firearms has further added a black-nitride salt bath finish that is a gorgeous flat black and helps resist both corrosion and reflection.

It features a 1-in-14 rate of twist, a pistol-length gas system, and button rifling. You’ll enjoy exceptional accuracy as a result of not only the barrel length in contrast to most shorter barrels, but also these features. Lastly, you get an 11-degree target crown to further enhance your accuracy.

Additionally, you get a threaded muzzle for support of suppressors. When using a shorter barrel, and frankly the .458 SOCOM in general, we strongly recommend the use of a suppressor, so this is a good thing to watch out for.

All of this is on offer for a very reasonable price, too. While shorter barrels tend to be a bit lower in price compared to their longer and more material-hungry brethren, this is still well-priced compared to comparable barrels of this length.

Bottom Line

Those looking for a short barrel but wanting to keep as much accuracy and performance as possible should seriously consider the well-made and well-priced Faxon Firearms .458 SOCOM barrel.

Best .458 Socom 18-Inch Barrel: 
Remington 700 .458 Socom 18″ Barrel

If you’re looking to go long, the Tromix Remington 700 .458 SOCOM 18” barrel is for you. We’re never shy about voicing our admiration from Tromix products, as we’ve separately taken a look at their excellent complete upper for the .458 SOCOM.

Here, you’ll get an 18” barrel with a 1-in-14 twist, a Remington 700 chambered in a .458 SOCOM. While it only comes in stainless steel, a black finish may be chosen. It features a muzzle threaded to 5/8 at 24 threads per inch, weighing in at an even two pounds.

You’ll want to be aware that it requires a Remage—that is, Remington of Savage—a barrel nut as it installs similarly to a Savage. Installation for most users will require a gunsmith. When ordering, it is possible to request the barrel nut for a little extra.

In terms of performance, you’ll enjoy exceptionally low recoil and maximized bullet velocity. All this ensures optimum accuracy while the long barrel ensures those who prefer to stretch the .458 SOCOM to its range limits will be happy to attach their most complementary accessories.

Lastly, what we always love about Tromix is that their reputation is built not only on quality and high-performing parts, but the fact that all their parts are hand-made and individually inspected. Their parts always ship very quickly and their customer service is top-notch.

Bottom Line

Those looking for a long barrel would be wise to entrust the widely-loved Tromix, who put their heart into each piece, including this quality and velocity-maximizing barrel.

Best .458 Socom 8-Inch Barrel: 
.458 Socom Barrel & Bolt Combo

Those looking to go as short as possible while retaining performance must take great care to find the best solution, lest they introduce a lot of undesirable side-effects such as reduced bullet velocity or wild recoil. Of course, durability is also a concern with less material handling the kick.

Just as they have the best option for a longer barrel, Tromix has the ideal solution for a short barrel. While this barrel is available in a wide range of sizes, it is perfect for those looking for an 8” length.

First of all, it’s constructed with 4150 carbon steel or 416 stainless steel for superior durability. Featuring a 1-in-14 twist and a .458 SOCOM bolt with right-hand ejection, you get an extractor, ejector, and the gas rings.

For legality concerns, you should keep the barrel’s total measurements and the total measurement of your build in mind. The profile is .900” below the barrel’s hand guards, .875” to the gas block and .850” to the muzzle.

It features a hard-working and efficient pistol length gas system and an incredibly maneuverable weight of only 1.03 pounds.

It is threaded to 5/8-24 threads per inch. Bear in mind that you will undoubtedly want a suppressor for this length of barrel, too. We strongly recommend it for using the .458 SOCOM in general, but at this length, it’s practically a necessity.

That said, we find that this barrel offers great recoil considering its length and weight, in large part due to the quality craftsmanship and material that back every Tromix product.

As is usually the case with Tromix, you may choose your finish, although it is matched to the steel. Thus, if you opt for the stainless steel, you will not get the reflection-resistant black finish of the 4150 carbon steel.

Bottom Line

Those looking to go as low as an 8” barrel should do themselves a favor and trust Tromix, who has manufactured a barrel capable of withstanding the punishment of a .458 SOCOM cartridge for the long haul.

4. Brownells - AR-15 .458 Socom Barrel

It is from Brownells, and is also 16 inches in length, but it does offer some key differences while maintaining a great price tag and construction that made the first entry our top pick. In fact, this one is Brownell’s idea of a “budget barrel,” and as such there are some downgrades, but these changes are very reasonable.

First of all, instead of the 416R gun barrel steel, you get 4150 GBQ mil-spec, bar-stock steel. Nonetheless, its durability has been enhanced thanks to stress relief and further nitride-treatment with a matte black finish. Not only does all of this make for comparable durability but it also addresses our desire for a reflection-resistant surface.

Here, you get button rifling, a traditional land-and-groove rifling, and a 1:14 rate of twist. There is also a threaded muzzle to support a suppressor attachment. It comes with a bolt and optional 3-post muzzle brake. You’ll also get a .875” OD gas block and an 11-degree target crown.

Ultimately, these features make for a more specific type of user than our previous entrant, but great design and choices such as the 11-degree target crown will certainly make it appeal to many. Add an even better price tag, and it should make it a very attractive barrel for anyone on a budget.

Bottom Line

While it doesn’t match the first entrant on our list, Brownells has ensured this lower-priced option is still durable, effective, and well-designed.

5. Brownells Premium Barrels - 16" .458 Socom W/Muzzle Brake And Bolt

More than just a great place to start your search, Brownells can always be counted on to provide superior value. Their 16” .458 SOCOM barrel is not only well-priced, but offers both excellent construction and excellent performance, with a generous bit of extras.

First of all, this barrel is machined from 416R gun barrel steel and is given a stainless-steel finish. It features 5R rifling and a 1-in-14 twist rate. Performance is exceptional and beyond what should be a baseline standard, with as minimal a recoil as you can realistically get from the barrel itself.

It offers a carbine-length gas system and the muzzle has been threaded at ¾-24 with a gas shoulder that accepts .936 gas blocks. On the other side of the gas port are dimples which help to secure the gas block’s set screws to prevent unwanted movement.

Further enhancing stability, the barrel comes with a stainless-steel heliport muzzle break and a head-spaced bolt. All this helps to improve the already low recoil you’ll get with this barrel.

Ultimately, it makes for excellent performance at an excellent price. Is it the absolute best in terms of performance? Not necessarily, but it certainly can give everyone else a run for their money, while asking very little money from you. For this reason, we think this barrel is a solid place to start your search. The value to performance ratio is simply the best.

Our only criticism would be—and it’s a bit nitpicky—that you can’t get this in a black finish to resist reflection. That said, it’s not a particularly uncommon issue, and you could always have it treated if you so wished.

Bottom Line

Brownells has produced, as they often do, what the model barrel for using the .458 SOCOM ammo should be. Soundly produced all-around and offered at a great price, this is simply an excellent barrel for the average user.