BFR Revolvers-Questions

Status
Not open for further replies.
2

22-rimfire

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2005
Messages
11,781
Location
TN
Does anyone have any experience or info on these revolvers? I have picked one up a couple of times, usually in 45-70, and pretty much layed them back down at Gun Shows. Anyone have any experience and feelings about the 475 Linebaugh/480 Ruger BFR revolver? Fit and Finish? Accuracy? Reliability? Durability? Warranty work? etc. Just looking for opinions on these revolvers and the manufacturer..... Are these comparable to a Ruger in terms of fit and finish?
 
I fired a friends BFR in 45-70 some. The gun looks to me to be quite necely fit, finished and was perfectly reliable. It had a 9" +/- barrel on it and was superbly accurate! Recoil was certainly present but a big ole slow push (shove?) and plenty of muzzle rize. Believe me, it also hit the target with authority!

I'd not hesitate to own, shoot, use one of the above in any caliber you mentioned if you have a suitable application for one.
 
While I wish they would come out with a .223 in the BFR, I am wondering why not just go with a Ruger Super Redhawk in the .480 Ruger caliber? Seems like they kind of belong together and can be picked up a hell of a lot cheaper than the BFR offerings. Just wondering is all...

Noidster
 
You are right Noid, a used Super Redhawk would be cheaper. But they are just so ugly! I'd even spring for a .480 Ruger conversion on a Redhawk before I'd buy a Super. :)
 
I have one in 500 Mag and 45-70. I love the gun, fit and finish are very good and they are accurate. I have taken deer and black bear with mine. I like them better than a Ruger. Just my experience not what I read or what someone told me.
 
Mine's .45-70. I've had it for slightly more than 6 years, IIRC. It's my "dishwasher safe" go-to gun for when the weather turns wet, foul and nasty during hunting season. The deer are the only ones that have had reason to complain about it so far... ;)

MVC-008F.jpg
 
I have an BFR Custom shop model in .475 Linebaugh:
475BFR1.jpg


Some thoughts:
It is a VERY accurate hangun.
I wish it had a longer barrel for better sight picture/practical shooting
The quality of machining is amazing... you can spin the cylinder and it appears to just spin forever... the balance is perfect. The fit and finish is perfect everywhere.

It has a polished forcing cone and a perfect crown. HOWEVER... the machining was so perfect that the corners were too sharp. This is the only gun I have ever fired that cut me. In more than one place! I had to take it to my local sixgun hero ALan Harton at Single Action Services and have him knock the edges off of it. As usual he did a masterful job.

This particular gun likes the heavier bullets best. Don't know why but it shoots the 420gr bullets a lot better than 350-380gr bullets. Luckily it will shoot the heavies quite well at less than full velocity.

The gun wears custom buffalo horn grips and they fit me perfectly. If I allow the gun to roll up, I can shoot it a lot, but I am not quite as accurate. If I hang on to it like I should it is a 1" gun at 25 yards, but I limit my shooting to less than 50 rounds per trip.

There is nothing in the Western Hemisphere I would not feel comfortable shooting with this gun. I believe it would do great bodily harm to Elk, Caribou and the biggest bears... though I would obviously appreciate a big rifle back up. :D
 
Markbo: That is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. Some one suggested the Super Redhawk.... well, I already have one in 480. A local store here has a new one with a 7.5" barrel and I have been eyeing it up. But frankly, I don't really like the SRH much and wanted something different in the same caliber but versatile enough to handle the 475 too. I'm hoping to be able to get most of the good qualities that you get with a Freedom Arms revolver without the price. More than likely, I will eventually buy a Freedom Arms revolver too and most likely in 475 Linebaugh/480 Ruger.
 
Markbo, my 500 BFR has been customized also, I had it cut down to 6 inches and a had a 4 port Mag-na-porting installed. I also had an action and trigger job done. My BFR's are what I consider my tough go anywhere guns also.

Also, where did you get the buffalo horn grips? I love them...
 
My grips are from Eagle Grips. I am not exaggerating when I say they feel like custom fit grips. I HAVE custom grips that don't feel this good.

There are several other good things about the BFR 22 - You can use any leather that will fit a Ruger Blackhawk. It is a little tight, but they do fit. The BFR's that I have shot have all been very accurate and while they might not be on the same level as FA, they are certainly nothing to be ashamed of!

I have been a Redhawk fan since they first came out and I have to say I am not too fond of the Super... it is just too much, though I DO like the grips better. I think the only SR I would have is if I had my gunsmith remove the frame extention and install a heavy barrel with a ring cut out so I could still mount a scope. I'd probably opt for a .500L. Even without the extention they are still hella big revolvers!

FWIW I have a .460S&W X frame too. It is really big, but man when that baby goes off everyone at the range turns to see what in the heck that was! :D
 
Markbo, I have a S&W 460 Mag also, it is a 7.5 inch PC model, I also have a S&W 500 Mag with a 4 inch barrel. I love them big bore handguns.
 
Markbo, I ordered as set of the buffalo horn grips about a little over a week ago. I am going to put them on my BFR in 45-70. Should be a fitting grip for the 45-70.
 
I love my BFR in 454 casull. it locks up tight and shoots way better than I do. I was very vervous about the recoil at first but I am very satisfied and I am pushing a 300 grain hornady xtp at a little over 1600 fps. I love the 454 and will hang onto it for a long time but....that 475 is really something. I don't know what you are using it for but if you do get to take it out to 200 yards let me know how you do.
 
I also have one in 454. Its my bear hunting gun, handloaded with some rather hot 300gr XTPs.

Its as close to a Freedom Arms as I'll ever get - its really that good.
 
475 bfr

This thread looks a little old but I'll add my 2 cents...
I got the 475 BFR 7.5" a few years ago, good gun and accurate and a lot of loading options with the 480 special so to speak. I got all the different highth fiber optic front sights Magnum Research offers they will accomadate and ajust to any load I can make . Magnum research also sales a fine holster for these guns too ,these holsters will work with scoped guns. Not only a good huntin gun but good service too. Peaple who hunt should take a look at these guns. They offer some guns Ruger should be selling in my opinion this gun is stilling Rugers nitch in the SA market.
I would love to get the 454 6.5" and the 44 Shorty BFR's. I would'nt mind owning that 22 hornet either. I will buy another its just a matter of time, this 475 SA I have is a really good hunter.
I forgot to mention I have a 480 SRH 9.5" that I use my 480 special loads in most of the time a great option to have so I don't have to resight my BFR all the time.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

O
  • Locked
BFR revolvers in 480
Replies
4
Views
744
10shooter
1
T
  • Locked
S&W or Magnum Research BFR in 460 S&W?
Replies
16
Views
5K
Redhawk1
R
Necessary_Nutrient
Magnum Research BFR in .475 Linebaugh/480 Ruger
Replies
9
Views
923
Targa
Targa
captain awesome
  • Locked
45/70 bfr, 475 linebaugh, and 480 ruger.
Replies
7
Views
4K
ArmedBear
A
E
  • Locked
Thinking about trading my Alaskan for BFR
Replies
11
Views
1K
Zaydok Allen
Zaydok Allen
Back
Top