Magnum Research 500 mag or 45/70

[jmcarter]

I saw a some Magnum Research BFRs the other day at my local gun shop and am wondering which would be better for anything from deer to huge hogs and black bear. Don't really know how the 45-70 would work out of a 7.5 or 10 inch barrel since it has slower burning powder intended for a longer barrel. And if the velocity drop from the shorter barrel isn't to bad a plus on the 45/70 is it is a low pressure cartridge. Also which has more readily available ammo not a reloader yet, just don't have time. And what is a good deer load and a good hog and black bear load for either the 500 mag or 45/70. The only reason I'm leaning toward the 45/70 is because it's way more versatile, that is if there isn't a huge velocity drop from the short barrel and it can handle buffalo bore loads and other similar loads. Is there any real difference in the 7.5" and 10" far as velocity drop. Or is there another BFR that would be better suited for deer, black bear and hog. Gotta have a BFR just don't know which one. decisions, decisions can't afford both. Thanks

 

[buck460XVR]

For deer, Blackies and Hogs, I would think the BFR in .460 would be much better than either since you seem worried about bullet velocity dropping. Since you do not reload, you could use .45 Colt and .454 instead of just downloading .460 cases. Around here .460 ammo is cheaper and more readily available than either .500mag or 45/70.

 

[Sam1911]

If you aren't handloading, neither is probably a great idea. Without the ability to tune loads to achieve some level of power you're comfortable with for practice sessions, both are pretty disadvantageous. As buck said, getting one in some chambering (like .460/.454/.45 Colt) that lets you buy factory cartridges in significantly different power levels moves this out of "Doh!" category into the "Yaay!" column.

Beside that, deer, hogs, and black bears are not exactly hard to kill. Even the lowly .44 magnum is more than plenty for those and can be had in a much more compact, easily carried/packable gun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, without reloading the 44 Magnum would probably be your best bet. I'm just wondering when the 44 Magnum became a Varmint cartridge? It's like the 30-06 which is also now a Varmint cartridge too!

 

[22-rimfire]

Either should perform quite well for you if you like the delivery package. As you know, there are Buffalo Bore loadings that would fit your needs. The big thing about the 45-70 is that it is rated at 28,000 psi and nearly 62,000 psi for the 500 S&W. The recoil impulse should reflect those pressures with factory loadings especially in the higher bullet weights that are available.

If you are serious about just getting into the big bore game (beyond 44 mag), I would suggest you pick up a copy of Max Prasac's book "Big-Bore Revolvers". But he does not deal with the 45-70 much.

If you are comfortable with the BFR package and focused on either the 45-70 or 500 S&W, the 45-70 should be easier to shoot well. That makes a big difference. The X-frame S&W should be a bit more comfortable package to carry in a shorter barrel.

Added: I can't speak from experience about the 45-70. The long cylinder in the BFR turns me off. It just does. You get the long cylinder with the 460 S&W too. I chose the 6 1/2" BFR in 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh. Whether it is better, I have no idea. I just liked the more compact revolver size in the BFR. Plenty of medicine for essentially any game in North America that you might want to hunt and take a shot a reasonable ranges.

 

[jmcarter]

Getting the 45/70 BFR with the 10 inch barrel. Since it is a lower pressure cartridge, less wear and tear on the gun and less snappy recoil, compared to the 500 mag. Should be the perfect hunting revolver for what I need/want, a big single action built like a tank. I know a 44 mag is all really need but I just need a excuse to get a hand cannon.

 

[22-rimfire]

Gosh... and I thought the 9.5" SRH was a hawg! I hope you enjoy it. You planning on scoping it?

"less snappy recoil"... what an understatement! The 500 S&W has a severe recoil impulse in the heavy bullet weights (like about 50 ft-lbs). The 44 magnum... about 19 ft-lbs in a traditional load.

There isn't much in the way of revolvers that really get me excited anymore... but this does. I think I need to get out and shoot my BFR in 480/475 soon.

 

[beatledog7]

I'm just wondering when the 44 Magnum became a Varmint cartridge? It's like the 30-06 which is also now a Varmint cartridge too!

Some varmints are bigger than others. From Dictionary.com:

var·mint [vahr-muhnt]
noun

1. Chiefly Southern and South Midland U.S.
a. vermin.
b. an objectionable or undesirable animal, usually predatory, as a coyote or bobcat.

2. a despicable, obnoxious, or annoying person.

So a varmint could be any size, really.

 

[usurp31]

Carter, did you end up getting the BFR? If so, from where? I've also been looking at it in 45-70 and 30-30.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Don't really know how the 45-70 would work out of a 7.5 or 10 inch barrel since it has slower burning powder intended for a longer barrel. And if the velocity drop from the shorter barrel isn't to bad a plus on the 45/70 is it is a low pressure cartridge.

Just a note on what you said about the 45-70 using a slow burning powder, it does not. The 45-70 uses some of the fastest rifle powders on the market like IMR4198, H4198 and AA5744. Unique, Red Dot, 2400 and a few others are also used for "Trap Door Loads" using lead bullets. The fairly new Trail Boss is also used in the 45-70 and that's a fast pistol powder.

Since there is load data available for 3 different ranges of 45-70 ammo I'm sure you can achieve the velocity you want even from a 10" barrel. Available load data ranges from 18,000 CUP all the way up to 50,000 CUP.

 

[usurp31]

That's good to know about the 45-70 ArchA; I'll keep that in mind as I look more in to the BFR.

 

[CraigC]

A good .41Mag, .44Spl, .44Mag or .45Colt will definite do the job.

If you're deadset on something bigger, consider standard length cartridges like the .480Ruger, .475Linebaugh or .500JRH. Either of them is a bonified 150yd hammer. A 10" .500S&W BFR is a whole lotta sixgun for nothing and the .45-70 won't be very efficient in a handgun.