Freedom arms or BFR, which one is the most accurate?

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Samb1611

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I am new to this site and this is my first post. I am 50 and want to buy once and cry once but I already messed that up.. So, help so that I do not have to buy a third time. I am trying to get the most accurate revolver. The choice is between freedom arms m83 or the BFR. The caliber is 454 casull, why this round? I like it and have reloading dies, brass and bullets for said round. I do not want to take the lost of changing to another. Now without getting into a long store about my revolver that I had that was over-bored from the factory and was designed that way to keep the pressures down, (per three well known revolver smiths) that I spoke with. I am only interested in the two stated revolvers. The barrel length will be 5.5" to 6.5". I will be reloading jacketed bullets and cast. I am looking for real world accuracy test that you all have done with the above revolvers. I am not looking for the prettiest gun. This gun is for hunting and target shooting. I want to shoot it out past 200 yards. I know about the safety and 4 rounds issue. If I cannot do it in 4 round the fifth is not going to save me. The FA is more money but how much accuracy am I getting for that price.
 
I think you're asking too much of a revolver.

Get a rifle.

At 200 yards, despite some gun writer claims of downing big game at 700 yards, that was a matter of either dumb luck or smart typing. Get a rifle.

At 200 yards, you're not in much danger from any critter unless that critter is using a rifle back at you. Get a rifle.

As much as I hate catchphrases, this one comes to mind: "The only purpose for a handgun is to fight your way to a rifle." Not 100% true, but it comes to mind.

Get a rifle.

Terry, 230RN
 
Didn’t the late great Bob Munden shoot a Freedom Arms revolver? I’m sure he doctored his a little but I’d still love one.
 
I don't have a BFR, but I've heard nothing but praise for the quality and accuracy of the BFR. Physically it is bigger and heavier than the FA if that that matters to you.

I have a 6" .454 Field Grade FA83 that I bought in the late 80s. It's a very accurate revovler - here are a few targets

Target%20FA83%20454%20Duplicate.jpg
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Target%20FA83%20454%20Duplicate.jpg

Those targets are rested at 25 yds. I've shot groups on paper out to 100 yds that measured in the 2 - 3" range but never took any pictures.

Have shot the gun out to 400 yds on large steel plates and with a rest and optics it's more than capable, but you do need a spotter. A 300gr bullet at 1,600 fps and zeroed at 125 yds is never more than 3" above or below the point of aim out to 150 yds.

Here's a picture of my old FA83 with a J Point red dot. I've found that as I get older, my grip strength has deteriorated a bit and the Pachmayr's help me control the recoil a bit better. For longer distances, the Red Dot makes a big difference for age challenged eyes.

Group%20Pic%20IMG_0145%202_zpsqniz5z7d.jpg

I doubt you can go wrong with either, if weight isn't a consideration.

FWIW,

Paul
 
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I am a HUGE FA fan so take my reply accordingly. I would go with FA if you want a .454, they do it better than anyone and the quality of their guns is top notch. For your long range ask I would go with a longer barrel. I would also look about a spare cylinder in 45acp if you're ordering it so then you can enjoy it more plinking with cheaper ammo (or 45LC if that is your flavor).

I do not own a BFR but they are on my shot list, likely in 50JRH. They are a excellent handgun but the FAs are better in my mind.
 
I am a HUGE FA fan so take my reply accordingly. I would go with FA if you want a .454, they do it better than anyone and the quality of their guns is top notch. For your long range ask I would go with a longer barrel. I would also look about a spare cylinder in 45acp if you're ordering it so then you can enjoy it more plinking with cheaper ammo (or 45LC if that is your flavor).

I do not own a BFR but they are on my shot list, likely in 50JRH. They are a excellent handgun but the FAs are better in my mind.

Thank you
 
I think you're asking too much of a revolver.

Get a rifle.

At 200 yards, despite some gun writer claims of downing big game at 700 yards, that was a matter of either dumb luck or smart typing. Get a rifle.

At 200 yards, you're not in much danger from any critter unless that critter is using a rifle back at you. Get a rifle.

As much as I hate catchphrases, this one comes to mind: "The only purpose for a handgun is to fight your way to a rifle." Not 100% true, but it comes to mind.

Get a rifle.

Terry, 230RN

Ummmmmmm.................he doesn't want a rifle.
He wants a revolver.

He didn't ask for the best tool to shoot something past 100 yards with. He asked specific questions about two particular revolvers, both of which are capable of doing what he wants to do with them.
He's not "asking too much" of them.
Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who can hit what they're aiming at at past 200 yards with a revolver.

The best person I can think of to weigh in on this is @MaxP. I'll tag him here. I know he has a lot of experience with both platforms, and has real world knowledge of both.
 
The BFR is a great gun and an even better value, but a Freedom Arms revolver is on an entirely different level in terms of the precision with which it’s built. Just get the best and don’t look back.
 
Ummmmmmm.................he doesn't want a rifle.
He wants a revolver.

He didn't ask for the best tool to shoot something past 100 yards with. He asked specific questions about two particular revolvers, both of which are capable of doing what he wants to do with them.
He's not "asking too much" of them.
Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who can hit what they're aiming at at past 200 yards with a revolver.

The best person I can think of to weigh in on this is @MaxP. I'll tag him here. I know he has a lot of experience with both platforms, and has real world knowledge of both.
Thank you
 
The BFR is a great gun and an even better value, but a Freedom Arms revolver is on an entirely different level in terms of the precision with which it’s built. Just get the best and don’t look back.
Than
I am a HUGE FA fan so take my reply accordingly. I would go with FA if you want a .454, they do it better than anyone and the quality of their guns is top notch. For your long range ask I would go with a longer barrel. I would also look about a spare cylinder in 45acp if you're ordering it so then you can enjoy it more plinking with cheaper ammo (or 45LC if that is your flavor).

I do not own a BFR but they are on my shot list, likely in 50JRH. They are a excellent handgun but the FAs are better in my mind.
Thank you
 
Ummmmmmm.................he doesn't want a rifle.
He wants a revolver.

He didn't ask for the best tool to shoot something past 100 yards with. He asked specific questions about two particular revolvers, both of which are capable of doing what he wants to do with them.
He's not "asking too much" of them.
Believe it or not, there are a lot of people who can hit what they're aiming at at past 200 yards with a revolver.

The best person I can think of to weigh in on this is @MaxP. I'll tag him here. I know he has a lot of experience with both platforms, and has real world knowledge of both.
Thank you
 
The best person I can think of to weigh in on this is @MaxP. I'll tag him here. I know he has a lot of experience
I bet I can guess his answer, maybe...
@MaxP is a true expert though and his opinion is held extremely highly by me and many others.

I want a bfr cause they're awesome.
I have a FA and it is awesome.
20200206_174449_kindlephoto-60856440.jpg
10" in 454 casull. It's more accurate than I am.

That said, my ruger (I know you don't want to know) in 454 is freaking awesome too...just saying.
20191224_115313_HDR.jpg
 
The BFR is a great gun and an even better value, but a Freedom Arms revolver is on an entirely different level in terms of the precision with which it’s built. Just get the best and don’t look back.

I will put BFRs against FAs in a test of accuracy any day of the week including Sunday. The BFR is also a precision built machine but unlike the FA, it has a transfer bar and can be safely carried with a full cylinder.
 
I will put BFRs against FAs in a test of accuracy any day of the week including Sunday. The BFR is also a precision built machine but unlike the FA, it has a transfer bar and can be safely carried with a full cylinder.
My next revolver is going to be a bfr, with 99% certainty. That 1% snuck up on me the past 2 times I was about to plunk my money down on some bfr goodness. I won't let it happen again, hopefully.
 
I will put BFRs against FAs in a test of accuracy any day of the week including Sunday. The BFR is also a precision built machine but unlike the FA, it has a transfer bar and can be safely carried with a full cylinder.

Small point as I know we're talking FA83s for the .454, but the FA97's do have a transfer bar safety.
 
My next revolver is going to be a bfr, with 99% certainty. That 1% snuck up on me the past 2 times I was about to plunk my money down on some bfr goodness. I won't let it happen again, hopefully.
Been there. The 1% that keeps me from a pair of BFR's (one in 460 S&W and one in 45-70) are the "bucket list" guns. Case and point is my 4.2" 357 mag SP101 that I pick up on Thursday or Friday. The 45-70 BFR would have been ordered to pick up just after the 4th of July until I stumbled across a good deal on the SP.
 
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