45-70 to .500 S&W?

[kfouts2]

I was admiring the affordable Henry All Weather 45-70 and the unaffordable Big Horn Armory Model 89 .500 S&W and was wondering if anyone has modified a 45-70 to work with .500 S&W?

Seems like the Henry would work and the cost of modifying it would still make it far less than the Model 89.

But I have lots of ideas and have found out that most of them are bad.

[Petander]

Well I have wanted a lever 500 S&W since 2003 when I got my first 500.

I tend to think that the guys at Big Horn know the best... If I was a gunsmith with a full shop I might DIY... maybe not.

[dangitgriff]

From Wikipedia:
“The .500 S&W Magnum has a maximum working pressure of 60,000 psi (4,100 bar). However, most factory ammunition is limited to 50,000 psi (3,400 bar) to help ease extraction of fired cases. The cylinders of the S&W Model 500 revolver are engineered to be capable of withstanding 50% over pressure. Regular proof-load testing is performed at 20% over pressure.[5]”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.500_S%26W_Magnum

Standard pressure for 45-70 is 28,000 p.s.i., with modern levers capable of 35,000 p.s.i. +P loads (25% increase) maximum and high-strength actions (i.e., Ruger No. 1’s) capable of 40,000 p.s.i., maximum (43% increase).
Reference: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overpressure_ammunition

[DiverJay]

I was admiring the affordable Henry All Weather 45-70 and the unaffordable Big Horn Armory Model 89 .500 S&W.

I struggled for years with the want of a 500 S&W levergun vs the cost of the BHA Model 89. After selling some stuff and saving, I am proud to say my new BHA Model 89 will be delivered next week. Problem solved.

[osteodoc08]

I would really like one in the 475 Linebaugh variety. Was looking at them yesterday. Once you add some options the price really skyrockets

[indian joe]

ok fellas - I need educating here
have not seen a BHA89 downunder and unlikely I will
So what did they do to the 86 action (apart from shortening it some - which would strengthen the action body) what else that makes it soooooo much stronger than a modern built (Miroku or Pedersoli) 86 ??? .....BHA can take 60kPSI against "modern made levers and the Ruger SS at 40kPSI" puzzles me some
not that I would want to shoot a 45/70 running 50kPSI anyway (maybe once) but just curious as to what they changed internally.

[John Taylor]

I'm in the process of turning a 458 #1 Ruger into a 500 S&W now. I have done several 86 to 50 Express which is a bit of fun and lots of recoil. Working on a 50-100-450 on a model 71 for self. I have not played with the new Henry so don't know much about them. The book shows the 500 S&W at 60,000 psi, wonder if a BLR will hold that much.

[Petander]

I struggled for years with the want of a 500 S&W levergun vs the cost of the BHA Model 89. After selling some stuff and saving, I am proud to say my new BHA Model 89 will be delivered next week. Problem solved.

We need a range report and pics,please.

[kfouts2]

I would proudly deliver a pizza for a range report and pics! Taking into consideration the infor Dangitgriff provided it appears that a Henry 45-70 can be made into a .500 S&W but it will only be good for one shot. : )

[Shawlerbrook]

Check out Regan Nonneman and the 50 Alaskan.

[kfouts2]

The Regan Nonneman .50 Alaskan is beautiful but Dangitgriff has pointed out the pressures of the .500 S&W will probably explode the barrel. :(

Looks like I need a second job to afford the Big Horn. I asked Henry to think about putting one into production and they said they would think about it. Maybe if we got everyone we know to send requests into Henry they would cave and make one for around $1,500?

[444ttd]

a 500 linebaugh is all you need.

https://www.shootersforum.com/handguns/35970-500-linebaugh.html

[rockrat]

You could probably do a 50 AK on the 45-70. As for 500 S&W, I have a Ruger #1 for that. Goodsteel did that one

[Petander]

When you shoot a 500 S&W revolver it's only natural to think about a 500 S&W lever gun.

[reivertom]

I'd be willing to bet the chamber pressures might be too much for the action or somebody would be making them already..

[kfouts2]

I spoke to the folks at Regan Nonneman. Great people! They agreed the .500 S&W pressures were just too high.

I agree with Petander. When you shoot the .500 pistol your wrist, hand, and head beg you to get a lever. Do you think if I put this on a Go Fund Me page I could get enough to buy a Big Horn Armory Model 89? Or hold a sign downtown that said, "Gunless, please help?" I am feeling a whole lot like Bob. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fztNCJy-GXI