Recommendations: Custom bolt gun for both subsonic and high powered hunting

[revive]

I'm planning to built a new bolt gun, one that spans the gap from subsonic plinker to high powered hunter.. hoping to spark some conversation and get recommendations from folks that have either used one of the calibers I'm considering, have recommendations on the gun smithing needing to be done or can give real world experience with other cartridges/calibers.

Here's the goal:

Box fed bolt action (would love to do a box fed lever, but the BLR is the only real option there, and limited to 4 rounds

I'm leaning towards the 10 FCP-SR but am open to the right firearm platform for the round I go with (based on the feedback I get here)
The ideal goal is an intregally suppressed, box fed bolt rifle that I can run medium to heavy weight bullets through


Used for subsonic plinking within 100 yards (possibily some hunting) as well as high powered hunting up to (max) distances of 200 yards (deer, hogs, etc.)
.44 - .50 caliber bullets in weights from ~200 to ~?? (would love to have a round capable of 200-500 grain bullets)
Once I've selected a cartridge I'll purchase the bolt action and have a gunsmith do any needed work: re-barreling, reaming, etc. also making sure twist rate is appropriate for bullet weights.


SIDE NOTES -
I'm all about real world application and prefer reliability over 'features': I'd rather have a heavy, flat front bullet than a HP that might/might not expand, depending on velocity. Terminal Performance is the primary measure I look at and, especially for subsonic, I know 100 yards will likely be the max distance - I'm fine with that. I'd rarely take a shot over 200 yards unless it was just ringing steel for fun.
I've considered 45-70 but for subsonic work there's just too much case capacity and everyone that I know who reloads it has stories to tell about bent brass at the case mouth - also costs more (brass, powder charge, etc.)


Here are the calibers I'm debating over and their potential application:

44 Magnum: capable of sending 200-320 gr pills down range from subsonic to high power. (200 gr to 320 gr)
Pros:

Great bullet selection and reloading data available
Can also be used in a sidearm - eg. Super Black Hawk, etc.
Lesser expensive brass/powder than the other cartridges on my 'list'
There are some lever guns available in this caliber


Cons:


Only bolt gun, that I know of, that's chambered for it is the Ruger 77/44
Rimmed case might not lend well to a custom bolt gun (that's not made for feeding it)
Difficult to suppress the lever gun options - no integral option so I'll have a can hanging off the end of an already long rifle




45 Long Colt: capable of powder puff rounds up to some very stout loads - as long as new, stronger brass is used. (230 gr to 360+ gr ?)
Pros:


Highly available and good bullet selection
Can also be used in a sidearm
Very affordable brass and components
Same as the 44 magnum regarding lever guns
Capable of heavier bullet weight than the 44 mag


Cons:


I don't know of any bolt gun chambered in it
Rimmed case might not lend well to a custom bolt gun


500 S&W Magnum: Not too familiar with this round, not having shot it before.. but, very capable cartridge (275 gr to 500+ gr ?)
Pros:


Decent bullet selection
Capable of heavier bullet weight than the 44 mag or 45 LC
Possible to carry in a side arm, though very unlikely I'd carry one this size
Seems very capable and looks to have great potential based on data available


Cons:


More expensive components
More of an 'unknown' for me, as I don't have real world experience with this round


45 Raptor: interesting round. .308 bolt head so basing the rifle on a .308/7.62 bolt gun would be as simple as new barrel, reamed for the cartridge (simple, not easy)
Pros:


Performance seems to be excellent with this round
Greater bullet weight range (160 gr to 400+ gr)
.452 Caliber bullet options are plentiful and most are designed to work great at moderate velocities (eg. works well for subsonic)
Uses standard .460 S&W reloading dies and .308 shell holder lowering cost of 'wildcat' reloading components


Cons:


Interest and availability of this cartridge is yet unknown
Mimics/Close performance to other existing cartridges, though would be easier to chamber/feed this round, potentially


Other options I've through about, but have no personal experience with:

450 Bushmaster (250 gr to ??)
Not sure how 'simple' it would be to convert say a 10 FCP-SR to chamber this round


458 SOCOM (250-600+ gr)
This is actually one of the rounds I really like the performance of... the cost is a downside to entry


Again,.. not sure of the practical ability to convert the rifle





So, there it is.. the near sum total of the research I've done regarding a cartridge that I can reload for both subsonic (preferably above 300 grains, heavier == better), that uses SWC style, large meplat bullets and is still capable of running 'lighter' bullet weights at high velocities for better range, when needed. I'd prefer to run a rifle with an integral suppressor and will have one made for the chosen platform, as long as it'll handle the hi-velocity of the cartridge selected. In a perfect world, I'd be able to throw 300, 400, 500+ grain (?) hard-cast lead rounds down range at @ 1050fps with the integral suppressor providing little more than a 'poof' for a sound signature (from what I have seen from the 44 mags, anyways) and still be able to throw 250-300 grain bullets at full velocity through the integral without damaging it. IF I have one made, it'll be made for easy cleaning/disassembly and strong. I'd gladly trade the slight addition of weight over a bull barrel to get the sound reduction.


Looking forward to hearing your comments, suggestions and ideas !!


References:
http://www.silencerresearch.com/sound_suppressors_on_high_powered_rifles.htm


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.44_Magnum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_Colt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.500_S%26W_Magnum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.458_SOCOM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.450_Bushmaster
http://www.45raptor.com/45RAPTOR/performance/
http://www.45raptor.com/45RAPTOR/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/45RaptorCompare.pdf (http://45raptor.com/45RAPTOR/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/45RaptorCompare.pdf)

[Anschutz]

I'd go with the 44. The ruger is well made and there's already those that have done it. Or... you can build a 45-70 bolt gun and suppress it. That would meet all of your wishes.

[revive]

@Anschutz Thanks for the reply.. 44 Mag is what originally got me into this mindset.. then, I started doing research on the larger calibers... making me second guess my original desire to get a 77/44. Still very open to the 44 mag,.. just wanted to get more feedback, maybe other folks' perspective on these larger calibers.. cost, performance, etc.. again, thanks for the response, appreciate it!

[Anschutz]

@Anschutz Thanks for the reply.. 44 Mag is what originally got me into this mindset.. then, I started doing research on the larger calibers... making me second guess my original desire to get a 77/44. Still very open to the 44 mag,.. just wanted to get more feedback, maybe other folks' perspective on these larger calibers.. cost, performance, etc.. again, thanks for the response, appreciate it!
Yeah. I'd love a 77/44 would make a good walking around gun when the weather is nasty and don't feel like stripping the guide gun.

[handirifle]

Well you WILL have issues with a bolt gun working any rimmed cartridge. Probably the easiest way to go, would be (IMHO) with the 450 Marlin. It is not a rimmed cartridge, it headspaces off the rim, like a magnum as a 300 WM or so. It uses the same bolt head as the magnums as well, so nothing special there. I think you can get away with a magnum or '06 based magazine as well.

The 450 can easily be reloaded to the specs you have specified. 500gr bullets in .458 dia are easy to come by, and you can easily load them from subsonic to 1600-1700fps, if your shoulder can handle it. If you go lighter, as a 300gr it can push 2300-2400. You can choose between black powder subs, that are clean burning, like trail boss and easily hit 900fps with a 400gr load.

Be aware that some lever guns in 44 mag, will NOT feed the heavier bullets well. I would suggest looking up the folk over at Paco Kelly's Leverguns forum to as about specifics.

You can also go with a Marlin (get the JM stamped older ones) in 45-70 and do all the above mentioned. I have one, it's my 3rd 45-70 and as we like to say, they can be loaded from mild to wild. WAY more versatility than a 44 Mag. JMHO

[handirifle]

Based on what I have read from guys that hunt with the 44, they are not confident over 100-125 for deer. Be your own judge. As far as ballistics, there's not a snits worth of difference between a .429 and a .458 bullet diameter, as far as range in the 200 yard area.

[sixonetonoffun]

There is a flatback controlled feed 7rm stainless listed by tammons that would make a dandy 500/375 or 50 B&M long. Priced fair with a solid scope. 500 S&W would be doable for that matter.