Magnum Research 'Thunder Snub' BFR in .45-70 Gov't.

[M-Tecs]

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/1/30/review-magnum-research-thunder-snub-bfr-in-45-70-govt/?fbclid=IwAR0qRVyAOmOmrBAL2WSgs7UUslB43YepH81OWkKa 1eqNFxBbOTzIGri0O0o

[historicfirearms]

Good article. The pentagonal cylinder sure takes some getting used to.

[mattw]

Nope, not me would not even touch off one round!

[Texas by God]

So ugly it hurts. Literally and figuratively! And a Custom Rem 700 .458 pistol is ILLEGAL. Some folks and their kids!

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[lefty o]

the ugly hurts, but more than likely not that bad to shoot. its still not super light, and the 45-70 in a revolver just isnt all its cracked up to be when it comes to power.

[lar45]

In my 10 45-70 BFR, I have pushed 405gn cast to 1750fps before. I think that that is all it's cracked up to be.

[Geezer in NH]

So ugly it hurts. Literally and figuratively! And a Custom Rem 700 .458 pistol is ILLEGAL. Some folks and their kids!

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Wrong $200 dollar Tax stamp on proper ATF form totally legal.

[redneck1]

I'm trying to wrap my head around why a Remington 700 pistol in .458 would be illegal ?

But anyhoo .. I'm not a fan of the long frame bfr's , it's pure aesthetic's for me .
But I am a bfr fan , I love my .475 , And I've wanted to do a short barreled 500jrh for awhile if funds ever permitted .
This just affirms my desire :)

[M-Tecs]

So ugly it hurts. Literally and figuratively! And a Custom Rem 700 .458 pistol is ILLEGAL. Some folks and their kids!

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Mag is too short if you are referring to a 458 Win Mag but fully legal without a stamp as a 458 Win Mag single shot or a shortened 458 Win Mag for magizine usage. https://www.remington.com/handguns/700-cp

[M-Tecs]

I'm trying to wrap my head around why a Remington 700 pistol in .458 would be illegal ?

But anyhoo .. I'm not a fan of the long frame bfr's , it's pure aesthetic's for me .
But I am a bfr fan , I love my .475 , And I've wanted to do a short barreled 500jrh for awhile if funds ever permitted .
This just affirms my desire :)

If it started as a rifle the action can not be used since it would be a SBR. If it started as a pistol no issues. Heard the case on both sides about an unassigned action for use as a handgun. I am not comfortable make a statement on what is legal on that issue.

[historicfirearms]

A virgin action can legally be made into a pistol.

[redneck1]

That clears up my confusion , reading the article and seeing that custom built statement I just assumed it would have been built on a virgin action . And never even thought about anything else .
I'd of also automatically assumed that if it had been built on a rifle action the proper tax stamp would have been acquired.

[Earlwb]

I am truly impressed. I thought my 6 inch barreled BFR in .45-70 was the smallest one out there. I never thought that Magnum Research would custom make one until now. I totally missed it. I wear a shooting glove to prevent damage to by finger behind the trigger guard. But yes the recoil is a bit stiff.

[Idaho45guy]

If he had stayed with the standard cylinder and round barrel, and maybe gone another inch on the barrel, it would have been a cool looking pistol. But the author specifically chose the options that made it so hideous. I'd hate see his taste in clothes and cars. Probably drives a Pontiac Aztec and wears blue polyester leisure suits.

[Texas by God]

In my defense, the author stated that his cousin Steve had a 458 Winchester Magnum Remington 700 "pistol" built "years ago"- so I "assumed" that a Remington model 700 rifle in .458 WM was cut down for the purpose. During the XP100/Contender glory days of Silhouette shooting/hunting I desperately wanted to build my own 98 Mauser 8mm pistol- but the fact that it was a Felony put a damper on that idea. Maybe you could ask the BATF for permission first but they probably would say no.

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[frkelly74]

Ouch! I do not personally understand why anyone would want what looks like lightening cuts on a cannon like that. I would leave all the weight that could be aesthetically possible on the gun, because it's gonna kick you! More weight is your friend when there is that much power involved, I think. (Maybe some wheels too.)

[44MAG#1]

Since no one factory produced a production XP 100 pistol in 458 Win Mag it had to be custom.. It was a handgun to begin with not a rifle turned info a pistol and was registered as a handgun. Not illegal to put a rifle caliber on a handgun. If it was explain a 223 Contender or a 30/06 Encore. Midwayusa used to sell Contender and Encore Barrels in rifle calibers before TC became a name only.
The barrels didnt need to be registered. I have bought rifle cartridge chambered barrels from SSK before to use in Encore and Contender frames registered as handguns.

[44MAG#1]

How much power do you think the 45/70 revolver has? Not with the weak 45/70 ammo but the correct loading for power.


the ugly hurts, but more than likely not that bad to shoot. its still not super light, and the 45-70 in a revolver just isnt all its cracked up to be when it comes to power.

[megasupermagnum]

It's a similar idea to the Ruger Alaskan. I don't know how you could possibly shoot something like that effectively. It's got to be better than the 45-70 derringer though.

That BFR chambered in 307 Winchester sure would be something to behold though. A real "short rifle".

[Winger Ed.]

That looks like something Officer Tackelberry on "Police Academy" would carry as a back up.

[Good Cheer]

That thing deserves another Paul Kersey movie.

[Petander]

An excellent article.

I like big... only have one "big" , a 500 snub right now, but big is good... fun and makes sense to cast for.

[Earlwb]

How much power do you think the 45/70 revolver has? Not with the weak 45/70 ammo but the correct loading for power.

The article referenced above had a chart showing muzzle velocity and energy levels out of the snub nose pistol. A heavy or maximum load would do nothing but yield a huge flame front from the unburned propellant and a higher noise level. The barrel is too short for it to develop best performance. But it would have performance similar to the 45 magnum handguns like S&W makes.

[44MAG#1]

The trouble of quantifing power it is different to many people. Me, just to get a handle on things, I will use momentum. Also I like to use a level playing field. If you look at the velocity of the 540 Garret which loaded to 35,000 CUP's the velocity is 967 fps. with a 540 grain bullet that gives 74.6 pounds feet momentum. One would have to push a 240 grain bullet 2176 fps to equal it. The Buffalo Bore 500 grain load ran 1147 Fps. One would have to push a 240 grain bullet 2389 fps to equal the momentum. One can argue with Isaac Newton on the worth of momentum. I am not going to argue as I am being careful not to upset anyone. I like momentum simply because it can be quantified with out giving one sided creedence to any one thing. It is simply how much push, if you will, and object in linear movement has. Nothing more nothing less.
So that being said I am not going to be enticed into the age old argument of energy vs momentum vs bullet construction vs shot placement vs temperment of the animal etc.
I hope you understand my stance and be sure you compare barrels of very similar length when comparing ballistics. Not a 3 inch barrel compare to a 6 inch etc.
Thank you for your time.


The article referenced above had a chart showing muzzle velocity and energy levels out of the snub nose pistol. A heavy or maximum load would do nothing but yield a huge flame front from the unburned propellant and a higher noise level. The barrel is too short for it to develop best performance. But it would have performance similar to the 45 magnum handguns like S&W makes.

[lar45]

One thing that it didn't cover was what did they use for an ejector rod?
It seems like way back I saw a pic of a 50 Alaskan BFR with a 2" barrel. I can't seem to find the pic anywhere.

[Biggin]

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Kinda homely to me.

[lar45]

Here's a 50-110 BFR Snubbie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNSlfFM3YSY

[Earlwb]

The trouble of quantifing power it is different to many people. Me, just to get a handle on things, I will use momentum. Also I like to use a level playing field. If you look at the velocity of the 540 Garret which loaded to 35,000 CUP's the velocity is 967 fps. with a 540 grain bullet that gives 74.6 pounds feet momentum. One would have to push a 240 grain bullet 2176 fps to equal it. The Buffalo Bore 500 grain load ran 1147 Fps. One would have to push a 240 grain bullet 2389 fps to equal the momentum. One can argue with Isaac Newton on the worth of momentum. I am not going to argue as I am being careful not to upset anyone. I like momentum simply because it can be quantified with out giving one sided creedence to any one thing. It is simply how much push, if you will, and object in linear movement has. Nothing more nothing less.
So that being said I am not going to be enticed into the age old argument of energy vs momentum vs bullet construction vs shot placement vs temperment of the animal etc.
I hope you understand my stance and be sure you compare barrels of very similar length when comparing ballistics. Not a 3 inch barrel compare to a 6 inch etc.
Thank you for your time.

You make a good point. It would have been nice to have the momentum numbers included in the charts too. But those heavy 400 or 500 grain bullets are still going to pack a large amount of energy and pentration even at the slower velocities out of the pistol.

[roadie]

That gun ranks really close to the top of my list of most useless, ugly, worthless guns I've ever seen.......nothing more than a gimmick.

[jrayborn]

Looks like it would not be a lot of fun...

[Alferd Packer]

Only to a recoil junkie.