Thinking about trading my Alaskan for BFR

[eldon519]

I'm thinking about trading my Ruger .454 Alaskan for a Magnum Research BFR in .475 Linebaugh, probably the 6.5" if I can find one. I kind of came into ownership of the Alaskan by accident, and I've enjoyed it as a fun novelty, but I don't know if I would miss it if it were gone. I've never shot anything more than maximum .45 Colt Ruger loads through it of the 250 and 300 gr persuasion, but I have put max load 360gr Ruger rounds through my Bisley. Would the BFR be a huge jump in recoil to the Bisley? I know the .475 is much more poweful, but the BFR is also nearly 3/4 of a pound heavier. Based on the recoil calculations I have checked, with a gun as heavy as the BFR, the recoil velocity between the Bisley and the BFR ought to be similar and in my experience, recoil velocity is the best indicator of whether or not it will be painful in the hand despite how heavy the recoil may be overall.

Those of you who have shot the .475 BFR, how bad is it? I know it doesn't have the Bisley grip frame, but it is closer to a Super Blackhawk I think than a regular Blackhawk which might add some comfort. I don't have a real need for an Alaskan or a .475 BFR, but I can definitely think of more uses the BFR could be put to for my life and habits.

 

[Cosmoline]

I've shot the Alaskan a bunch. I have less experience with the BFR but the .45-70 one I shot some years back was excellent. The recoil was rolling and with standard hunting-pressure loads there was no pain involved. Dead accurate, too. But it had a long barrel and was quite heavy. I don't know how heavy the 6.5" BFR is in that chambering.

 

[wickedsprint]

My 8 YR old niece shot my .454 Alaskan with no difficulties controlling it. It's not the best platform for estimating one's recoil tolerance since it's so easy to shoot. Our .357 snubby actually feels livelier and stings more.

At the end of the day I feel a BFR with a full barrel is more useful than an Alaskan in more situations so I vote trade!

Mine was an expensive novelty so I offloaded it.

 

[22-rimfire]

I recently purchased a slightly used 6.5" BFR in 475 Linebaugh/480 Ruger (2002 Manufacture). Unfortunately, I haven't shot it yet, so I'm not much help. Business has been kind of slow and I have not been in the mood to blast away $100 worth of ammo. I do have a 9.5" SRH in 480 Ruger however. I expect the BFR to be about as comfortable to shoot in 475L (Hornady 400 gr) as the SRH in 480 Ruger (Hornady 325 gr) if that means anything.

The 6.5" ones are hard to find. Most are 7.5".

Added: Come on up to TN and we'll go shoot it. We both can learn.

 

[eldon519]

Agreed wickedsprint, it really does handle recoil pretty well. It is a bit psychologically challenging and the grips tend to remove a little skin in the web of my hand after many rounds, but even my SP101 does that with every grip I have tried on it (stock, Hogue rubber, Pachmayr Compac).

22-rimfire, I appreciate the offer. Whereabouts in TN are you located? I find myself near Chattanooga once in a while. I can bring the Alaskan if our paths cross just for fun. It does put a grin on your face and isn't so bad with the .45 Colt +P. Actually surprisingly easy to shoot well at 25ft too, a little tougher at extended range.

 

[22-rimfire]

Eldon, SE TN is my stomping grounds. I could have sworn that you had Miami listed as your location? Oh well. I used to live in Houston TX too. Hated it. Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin are pretty nice cities at least the last time I spent any time there.

 

[Boxhead]

The BFR is a fine piece and they are consistently scary accurate. I shoot mine with sub-480 Ruger level loads as I have no need for more. I tweaked mine a bit to get it right for me. I like 5 1/2" barrels, it was a 6 1/2" that actually measured 7" given how BFR measures barrels. I would do just as you are thinking.

 

[eldon519]

22-rimfire,

I, myself, can't stand Houston as well. I'm originally from Atlanta, and still spend a lot of time back there and keep a good bit of my gun collection in GA which is why I'm up near Chattanooga once in a while. There is an outdoor shooting range not terribly far from the border that I go to once in awhile.

Boxhead, I love your revolver. I have seen pictures of it before when reading about the grip-reshaping.

 

[22-rimfire]

Hiwassee? I shoot there sometimes. Trout fish on the river. Beautiful country.

 

[eldon519]

I've never been up there, I was thinking Chestnut Mountain Range near John's Mountain WMA. A little south of Dalton, GA. It isn't that great, but it is outdoor. You used to be able to shoot steel spinners which I enjoyed, but now it is paper target only. You can take a chrono up there though which is nice.

 

[22-rimfire]

I may have to check out Chestnut Mountain range. Hiwassee is a 100 yd range in the national forest (north of Benton TN off US 411) . The pistol range is 50 yds and I shoot 22 rifles on it. It is remote which makes it fun especially if you hit it on a weekday and often have the place to yourself. Tuesdays I believe the rangers shoot there and it is pretty much "closed to the public", but I have shot when they were there. You just can't plan on it in an absolute sense.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Personally, I wouldn't do it, but that's just me. If you have no use, and don't care, then go for it. An unshot gun that is still in current production is just a waste of space.