BFR 475/480 or 500JRH ?

[kevinp]

I want a new big bore hand gun. I've got a 44mag and a 45 blackhawk, I had a 480 ruger, sold it years ago, but I still have the dies.
Now, I just want something bigger to play with,
So I sorta narrowed it down to one or the other above.
I'll probably never shoot anything bigger than a whitetail.
So whats the advantages between the two, as far as brass, bullets, recoil, ect.

[dhom]

All the calibers you mention will work well. My personal pick would be the 475 because it is a little easier to get reloading components. That said I have a BFR 475 that Jack Huntington has done some work on and I love it. I mounted a Ultadot 30mm on mine and it is really accurate and easy to use. I also have an FA83 454 and that is a very well made revolver to say the least. I have to admit I have been looking at the 500 JRH, but haven't been able to convince myself to buy one yet.

[dubber123]

I've played around with the idea of the JRH, and it sounds like a great caliber. I already have a .475, and there just isn't enough difference to spend the money. Yet. Either is more than enough gun for anything that needs shooting, and I hear accuracy is comparable. If having a "big" gun is part of your equation, well, .500 IS bigger than .475 :)

[ole 5 hole group]

I've got both and either one can get your attention. The brass for the 500 JRH was getting scarce and people were reverting to cutting down 500 S&W brass, however, starline is making another batch run, so there will be plenty in the very near future.

One problem with the 500 JRH brass is that it will only accept 440 grain cast bullets, as anything heavier in cast will cause a bulge due to case taper and will not chamber properly. You can shoot 500 grain jacketed from Hornady, as that bullet has a slight base taper (boattail type) and will chamber smoothly.

If you get the 475L, you'll probably always ask yourself why didn't I go 500. If you go 500, you'll ask yourself, why not a 475L. Seems like once you venture into the big bore territory you "need" or "want" everything you think you can afford. Worked for me.:-o I've got the 475L (a couple of them), 500JRH, 500S&W Ross model and a 500 Maximum Linebaugh. I don't want a 50 Alaskan or a 60 anything.

If you want a 500 caliber - I think I'd recommend the John Ross 500 S&W. There might be a few problems right off the get go, such as tight cylinder throats but it's much friendlier to heavy loads relative to felt recoil due to the weight - the compensator models even more so, but the muzzle blast is a bear to put up with for some. I have the Ross model, as my noggin couldn't take the concussion of the ported 500's - but the Ross will bite when using over the top loads and 500 to 600 grain bullets - a lot more so than the ported models.

They all can be loaded down for plinking, as the vast majority of shooting is done at paper targets, but they all can be loaded up to breakdown the largest of game animals in North America if that might be a future possibility. Just put your money down and get one - doesn't matter which one, as you'll be putting your hard earned money down again for the other one sometime in the future.:-o

[kevinp]

Thanks, I ordered the BFR in 500jrh, I thought about the 454, 475/480, 500s&w & the 460 s&w.
I guess i'll start with the 500JRH and go back down in caliber. I thought real hard on 475/480, because I had a 480 once, and really liked it.

[ole 5 hole group]

Welcome to the Big Bore Club, where only the mentally challenged willingly venture forth. :-o

[44man]

Either is good, I like both. However I had trouble with the JRH on deer, poked a hole with long runs and no blood trails. I shoot a hard boolit so I cast a soft nose with half the nose softer and nothing has dropped deer faster. The .475 will put 99% of deer on the ground without a soft nose. My .475 uses a 420 gr and my JRH uses a 440 gr of my own design, made my own molds. I will not ever part with either.

[Harles Dawson]

Pictures of molds and bullets would be appreciated by all, I think, but by me for sure. Harles

[Don Purcell]

ole 5 hole group, 10-4 on the Ross .500. When you start getting above "midrange loads" it starts to get uncomfortable quick. But with a 450 gr. 1/2 inch diameter bullet a midrange load will handle pretty much anything.

[44man]

Pictures of molds and bullets would be appreciated by all, I think, but by me for sure. Harles
OK, little out of focus, cheap camera. The .500 loaded shows the half soft nose.134807