Bfr .454

[bosterr]

Rather than hijack HighDesertHunter's thread on the .454, I'm starting this new one. In particular, hey 44man... Are you the fella that said in a recent thread that the BFR is the only revolver that has the absolute correct size cylinder throats, forcing cone and bore sized for cast boolits? It sounds like you know enough about these that you must own one? I'm severely interested in one of these revolvers, since the late model ones ship with a scope mount. Iron sights just don't work very well with my old eyes. I'm not interested in anything other than the .454 (7 1/2") in one of these, I already have a large collection of J. D. Jones's handcannons, so I don't need a 45-70 or 30-30 revolver. How tight do these guns lock up compared to a Freedom Arms revolver at maybe 2 or 3 times the price? I would think they would have to have pretty darn tight tolerances to chamber such a high pressure round. I never load light in anything either. I'm not recoil sensitive at all, so loading light isn't my way.

Anyone else who has first hand experience with a BFR in .454 can chime in as well. ALL pros and cons will be appreciated!

[High Desert Hunter]

I wouldn't hesitate, I have handled 2, and if I were to buy a 475, I think it would be my first choice. I love my Freedom Arms, and it was a long time dream to own one, but I feel the BFR is an extremely well made revolver, and it is American made.

[DougGuy]

If I were to go beyond the .45 Colt, it would be a 7 1/2" BFR .475 end of discussion. So far I haven't seen anything a heavily loaded .45 Colt can't do.

[44man]

I do not own a .454 because of the primer used but the BFR is correct for twist to use heavy boolits. 1 in 16" where all others are 1 in 24".
The BFR has a good lockup but just enough play for alignment. My .500 JRH from the custom shop has almost no play at all.
I prefer the .475 myself. I have 3 BFR's and friends have many, all shoot lights out.
I like you already to shoot what a gun is made for. Look at the .475.
Freedoms are too tight.
I have measured many BFR's and these are measurements. 45-70 has throats at .4592" to .4595" with groove of .458". .475 has throats of .4765" with groove of .475'. Never measured the .500 JRH but a .501" boolit is perfect.
BFR's have perfect twist rates for all calibers.
Never look for a cylinder that does not move, a few thousandths is needed for a reason.
Just try to get a BFR from me! You better run fast.

[bosterr]

Man guys, that's the info I'm looking for! I'm sure going to compare the .475 to the .454. Large heavy boolits are my game! My all time favorite big bore is a 15" Encore 500 S & W rechambered to 50 B & M Alaskan. I'm shooting a 400 gr. TC GC downrange @ 1900 fps. I will be buried with it. More BFR comments are very welcome!

[ole 5 hole group]

I've got a couple BFR's and a FA97. I compare the BFR to the FA favorably. I have the BFR's in 454 and 500JRH, both from the custom shop with 6" barrels. It's a well built, 5-shot cylinder, heavy puppy.

For the 454 I use cut-down 460 brass and run WLP primers with no problems, even through the 460 case is made to run rifle primers. I tried Federal 150 and 155's as well as their 210 rifle primer and found very little velocity difference and accuracy seemed the same. I've got a boat load of WLP's, so I use them where ever I can.

The revolver shoots well but you can load it to uncomfortable levels, if that's your desire, and still hit tiny to small targets.:-o

I really don't remember why I ever decided to purchase that beast, as I've loaded my FA97 and Redhawk to insane pressures (velocities) resulting in more than enough recoil for the average gun-powder junkie and the velocities with the 325 grain cast was right on the heels of the 454 heavy loads with 325 grain cast.

[44man]

My man that seen what I said about primers. The BFR in .454 will shine with cut down .460 brass and a LP primer, mag best but no flies on the WLP. Brings the .454 into the world.

[dhom]

I have a 475 BFR and love it. It is well made and shoots better than I can. I also have a 454 FA83 and can tell you it is very well made and accurate. Actually, I have heard rumors of the 500JRH in the making for BFR's. I love my Rugers also. Enough of my babbling, I don't think you can get a BFR owner to talk bad about it. They are well made and tough! Money well spent!! If the truth be told , I like shooting the 475 better than the 454.

[DougGuy]

44man would you say the .475 drops deer faster than any other handgun caliber based on your experience?

[andyw513]

Not trying to change the subject here, but the newest BFR threads that I can find are nearly 3 years old. I've got a 10" 45-70 in layaway right now and plan on casting. At the time, I have a 500 grain round nose bullet that I use in my Lott. Am I going to have throat issues with shooting cast like I did with my .45 colt Blackhawk? I'd hate to be out the price of another reamer.

[44man]

44man would you say the .475 drops deer faster than any other handgun caliber based on your experience?
Yes, 100% true. It is just unreal. A little work to control but hit and most deer are legs up before I come out of recoil. Yes it is a hard gun to control, not for most

[odis]

In 2009 I had a precision center BFR made up in 45colt, Brett at the center told me it would have the same barrel as the casull, 1 in 20. Great gun I love shooting it but I can only compare it to a Ruger, never shot a FA.

[Ramjet-SS]

I have the 30-30 and absolutely love the gun it exceeded my expectations with regards to quality and accuracy.

[andyw513]

So I should possibly be good to go without working with the throat any? I plan on shooting mostly cast. I think I'll save my bonded solids for the Lott lol.

[dubber123]

You asked for pros and cons, so from my admitted limited experience with BFR's, Pretty well made, actually quite well made for the money. Cosmetically a step or two above the average Ruger, but they should be. The barrel on the one I worked with a lot was very smooth, and it shot very well indeed. The grips are homlier than a mud fence, and sound closer to plastic than rubber when you tap on them. The sights are slightly better than that, but the rear is standard "eh" quality Ruger stuff, and the front is aluminum. Fortunately both are easily remedied. The trigger probably won't be good out of the box, but that is an easy fix too.

For the money, they are hard to beat. The one I worked with was a .475, and I can whole heartedly recommend that caliber.

[snowwolfe]

[QUOTE=dhom;3010531] Actually, I have heard rumors of the 500JRH in the making for BFR's. [/QUOTE

BFR USED to be chambered in the 500 JRH but that chambering was discontinued.

[Markbo]

All you guys with .475 BFRs can you recommend one light and one heavy load? Ive tried only 2 bullets in mine (380 & 425 I think) & got mediocre accuracy out of my custom shop 4 5/8". FWIW for anyone looking to get one mine was so finely machined it cut me up like a jealous woman. I took it to Alan Harton aftrr the first trip to the range to knock off all the corners.

[dhom]

The 475L totally impressed me on whitetail deer. I used a 425 WFN for them and lets just say it is obvious when the bullet makes contact! [sorta like a wrecking ball]

[44man]

The 475L totally impressed me on whitetail deer. I used a 425 WFN for them and lets just say it is obvious when the bullet makes contact! [sorta like a wrecking ball]
Yes indeed, yet not much meat loss tossed in.
I made my own molds for all of mine and use a 420 WFN design in the .475. I use a Fed 155 and 26 gr of 296 for 1329 fps.
All BFR's have shot dead nuts with cast out of box. I do the triggers and install a 26# Wolfe hammer spring in them, same as my Rugers.
My custom shop .500 JRH needed no trigger work, perfect as you can get. Stinking crazy accurate. I use a 440 gr WFN I designed. Fed 155 and 29.5 gr of 296, 1350 fps.
Sad they don't offer the JRH but you can get from custom shop. Start at 6" and mine is 7-1/2".
This is what my boolit did at 50 yards. 122134 The .475 is close to this.
.475 recoil is brisk from the bench and has some torque. Seems more then the JRH but the JRH is no ***** cat either. Lets you know something happened and turns a .44 into a mouse.

[44man]

All you guys with .475 BFRs can you recommend one light and one heavy load? Ive tried only 2 bullets in mine (380 & 425 I think) & got mediocre accuracy out of my custom shop 4 5/8". FWIW for anyone looking to get one mine was so finely machined it cut me up like a jealous woman. I took it to Alan Harton aftrr the first trip to the range to knock off all the corners.
The caliber does not like light loads. Your problem is the short barrel. You can't reach spin and it is like holding a 20' python by the tail.
The caliber NEEDS at least 6". I wanted 10" but at the sale price I had no choice so got 7-1/2'. No regrets at all.
Heard of guys cutting the .460 S&W short. Gain twist barrel so there was no spin left and it is a shot gun. If you knew the difference from 4-5/8's to 6" you would never get a short barrel again.

[High Desert Hunter]

122139
This is a Brian Pearce article from 1999 in Big Bore Handguns Magazine. The best group recorded was the Win 231 at .9 with the 395gr bullet.

[High Desert Hunter]

122140
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[44man]

Naw, you will never shoot 547 yards with 231. Get over it, drive the .475 like a muscle car. It just has to be the best of the best. It thrives on 296.
Why did Brian shoot 25 yards?
I will never forget the time at the range with rifle shooters shooting at a 6" swinger at 400 yards, most missing it. I asked them if I could shoot it. OK so my first shot was a sighter, Pete seen it so I adjusted and hit the next 4 shots. Pete hit 3 out of five. Many rifle shooters packed up and left but a bunch came to see what we were shooting. I showed my BFR. Shot from Creedmore. They had no idea a revolver could do that.
My friends and I have driven many rifle shooters home at ranges when we shot pistols and revolvers.
Once a guy came to the range and asked to set a target, Said "sure." He put up big paper at 15 yards and shot his .44 SBH at it, missed paper. I asked if I could shoot his gun, I clicked the sight and from Creedmore I hit a gallon jug every shot at 200 yards with my loads. Had wood panels and I got cut bad. Blood everywhere. I told him what to do but he packed up and left.
You don't know the revolver you have.

[Cornbread]

I have a BFR in .454 Cassull and I love it! Everyone who has come to my place and shot it thinks it is the Bee's knees too. My father hates shooting pistols but he loves this one. Shot a deer with it this year. Not my first with "a" pistol but it was my first with "this" pistol. I don't scope my guns and it was a 50 yard neck shot. Hit exactly where I was aiming and dropped it on the spot without so much as a jump. Just flop, dead.

I can only compare it to Taurus and Ruger because those are the only other brands I have. I passed on the Freedom Arms because the only model they have chambered in 454 has to be carried on an empty cylinder and the cylinder is shorter so I can't use longer bullets....well that and they cost so much more I didn't see how it would be worth it for what I want. It is definitely superior to both the Taurus and Ruger in every way.

Cons:
Trigger was heavy, that was an easy fix. Somebody here on this board showed me how to do it.
The factory grips are cheap looking and feeling. They remind me of the stock plastic Ruger cheese grater grips. This is an easy fix too if you want.
Front site on mine was way too tall. Hit it with a grinder real quick and now it is great.

[dubber123]

All you guys with .475 BFRs can you recommend one light and one heavy load? Ive tried only 2 bullets in mine (380 & 425 I think) & got mediocre accuracy out of my custom shop 4 5/8". FWIW for anyone looking to get one mine was so finely machined it cut me up like a jealous woman. I took it to Alan Harton aftrr the first trip to the range to knock off all the corners.

I don't shoot nearly as good as Jim, but if 1.5" or less 50 yard groups with iron sights will suffice, just load 8 grains of Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol, Herco, etc. under the LEE 400 gr. RF. Mine do that through a 4.75" F/A. and I'm sure the BRF will too if the trigger isn't too awful.

If that isn't light enough, try 5 grains of Trail boss. It chronos at an honest 500 fps. and shot into 1.5" at 50 yds. off my knees from the sitting position. It hits very close to my 440gr. at 1,325 fps. load.

For a full power load, try a 425 gr. WFN GC with 25-26 grains of H-110 and a mag primer. (Work up in your gun). This should hit around 1,300 fps. from your short barrel. 25.5 Chronos at 1,340+ fps. from my 4.75" F/A. My brothers 6.5" BFR requires another 1/2 grain to equal it.

My 4.75" barrel seems to match the velocities most of the long barrel guys report, so I don't worry about it much.. :)

[dubber123]

The ugly grips are pretty easy to get rid of if you have any whittling skills..
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/dubber123/IMG_0051.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/dubber123/media/IMG_0051.jpg.html)

[Markbo]

The price was right on the custom shop gun I got...I didnt order it like that. I would prefer a longer barrel actually. Anybody shoot gbeirs scoped?. I wonder what MR would charge for a new barrel? Also you guys recommend WFN bullets. Are the all gas checked? Also..in general​ arent LFN bullets more accurate?

FWIW mine has Eagle black buffalo horn grips.

[dubber123]

The price was right on the custom shop gun I got...I didnt order it like that. I would prefer a longer barrel actually. Anybody shoot gbeirs scoped?. I wonder what MR would charge for a new barrel? Also you guys recommend WFN bullets. Are the all gas checked? Also..in general​ arent LFN bullets more accurate?

FWIW mine has Eagle black buffalo horn grips.

Nope, 44mans WFN's are plain base. I have a 4 cavity LBT that makes a 420 gr. WFN plain base also. I personally have had better luck with GC boolits in full power loads. My brother has too with his BFR.

I have always heard the LFN profile is better at long range, but I can"t prove it. I haven't shot mine much past 200 meters, and I can"t find any fault with the accuracy of the WFN at that range. I have gotten sub 1" groups on occasion at 50 yds., and I think that is fine accuracy for most any handgun, much less one with a short barrel and iron sights.

If you propose a swap here on the forum, I bet someone would gladly swap you their long barreled one for yours.

[Thor's Daddy]

122140
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Hey, High Desert, is there any way you could post a higher-res version of this article??? I can't glean the load data off of it (much less read the main article) and I would LOVE to read it.

FWIW, I've run from 13-15 grains of HS-6 in my 475 BFR behind a 400gr WLN with impressive accuracy. I've been tempted to try some HP-38/W231 as well, but up until a few days ago have been unable to get my hands on any. Will be loading some shortly now that I nabbed a couple pounds down at the hardware. I know some folks figure it foolishness to run such a stallion so "softly", but the versatility is EXACTLY the reason I bought a 475L in the first place. And even at a paltry 900fps, a 400 grain bullet will certainly down any whitetail you'd care to shoot.

[High Desert Hunter]

I will see what I can do!

[happie2shoot]

I have one BFR in 475 and one in 454, also have six total 454, had nine but sold some,
I love the 454 the most.

Have shot 137gr balls at 800fps and 435gr boolits at 1350fps in the 454, whats not to
love.

I have not had a problem with the small primer.

[44man]

The Lee 400 gr .475 boolit shoots very well, it is a PB too. 15 gr of HS-6 does work. My deer load with my 420 gr is 26 gr of 296 and with the Lee it is 26.5. I water drop WW lead.
The problem with the SR primer in the .454 is only with starting loads of H110 or 296. Just load at or near max with these powders.
I use an Ultra Dot for deer but did not have one yet when I bought the .500 JRH so I put my old Loopy scope on it. Made my 440 gr boolit to test and to show what a BFR can do, I put 5 shotgun shells on their sides at 50 yards, shot into the bases, 5 shots got all five but I lost 2 in the weeds.
The base measures 3/4" and I centered all. This boolit is also a PB.122196122197Then I taped this one on paper at 100 yards, used the Ultra Dot on it. These guns don't fool around and I will never shoot good enough to make use of what is built in them.
I have tried many Keith boolits too, that were sent to me but none would shoot good.
I fully believe a WFN can be accurate at 1000 yards, I no longer have a place that far.
I have yet to see any difference between a WLN and WFN, my JRH boolit is 80% meplat.

[bigboredad]

Ive had a freecom in .454 and currently own a bfr in 475 I went that way since I have .45 colts in rugers that I shoot 345gr bullets to 1300+ if I need to. My .475 came with a 7.5 barrel and it was so muzzle heavy I cut it to 5.5. It now handles fabulous and I lost a whopping 25fps. The grips sucked and I went with the micarta grips. Now the gun fits my hand and heavy loads have heavy recoil but they are not uncomfortable and I can control the gun much better. I shoot my designed 425 and 415gr bullets one is a wlfn that penetrates into tomorrow and the other that is a wfn that slaps like nothing I've seen before. I only shoot to 100yds and have a quart jug of egg not and can get 4 inch groups with the wfn. Others can out shoot me but considering I have ms and constantly shake and diuble vision more than not I was very pleased. I also use tight group and load it down to 650 for a non typical bowling pin oesshoot and both my bullets go where I want them at that speed. The bfr does have sharp edges but anyone can take care of that. I know you will be happy with the bfr and if you are dead set on the .454 I think you should grab one and don't look back

[High Desert Hunter]

122205122206122207122209122210122212122217
Hope these are clearer, took forever due to the higher resolution.

[44man]

If you want muzzle heavy, try my 10" 45-70, :veryconfu Yet it can be shot off hand.
I still think back as to why I bought it but I have everything for the 45-70, so what the heck.
Took me a long time to work out the powder but this thing will thread a needle at 100. It was my first BFR and I learned a lot so if SS would pay overtime, I would have every caliber they make, yes even the .454. Been reading about how guys love the 30-30 too.
Obumber will pay for housing, phones and medical if you jump the border or don't work but the sucker will not buy me guns. Something wrong there!
Once you learn what the guns like, you will wonder what took you so long!

[Markbo]

I cant tell by looking at the cover - what date is that article?

[bigboredad]

I don't recall anyone wanting a muzzle heavy gun in any caliber

[High Desert Hunter]

It is from 1999.

[44man]

Something you get used to. I remember shooting IHMSA with my 10-1/2" SBH from Creedmore, perfect but when I tried off hand, the barrel would droop out on me. After the big BFR, I got used to the long ones and have no trouble now.
I call the long barrel a shake damper now. I take out my little Mark II and it shakes so bad it is crazy. I can hold a long, heavy gun steadier now because the loose nut has unscrewed more! :bigsmyl2:
I can hold my heavy rifles steadier too while the nut behind them waggles all over.

[mk454]

Ive got right now a bfr 500 jrh, had a 475 linebaugh, and 2 454's, one 7.5" and one 5.5". Theyre both very accurate. Better than freedom arms no but very nice and very accurate. Our 454's are very very accurate and have killed lots of game. Triggers have varied a bunch from greatnto horrible but my son actually likes the creep on his and uses it to shoot better than anyone else
i know. I no longer have the 475, quite frankly never had a use. I know
some love it. Ive killed cape buff on down with the 454 and love the velocity with the hollow points on smaller gAme. I think youll love the 454. Its my favorite and can give ya some good loads from mild to wild

[MrBFR]

I've got a 7.5" (more like 8.125") BFR in 454, it's nice. I would have liked to find a 475L version but really I've go so much .45 stuff the 454 really made the most sense. It's quite versatile, I've loaded up 250gr XTP's to 1300 fps or 300gr XTP Mags to 1800 fps (and will push any big ole hardcast faster than it needs to be pushed!). For the money, they're nice revolvers.

[Markbo]

So instead of a mice to moose gun, you have a moose to cape buffalo gun, eh? ;)