For S&W's Magnum Calibers:. BFR vs. X-Frame

[Quick Draw McGraw]

So I'm curious what is better and why for the .460 S&W Mag anf the .500 S&W Mag. I'd think the BFR would soak up more abuse from tough loadings better, but it lacks a muzzle break and has those super long cylinders. Does the BFR or X-Frame have any real advantage over the other or is it a case of 6-of-one-or-a-half-dozen-of-the-other situation that really comes down to prefetences?

[jimtx]

I have never owned or shot either caliber and the main loading I always see for the 460 at light weight red tipped loads for hi velocity on thin skin game. I see large calibers like than with WFN or LBT I don't go big for little tipped bullets. IMO I would go with the 500 I see a lot more load components available. I have hunted with handguns for over 25yrs "handguns" to me are blackhawks, bisleys, FA's, N frame S&W's, an x-frame to me defeats the purpose of what I want or need in a handgun, just like a contender not my cup of tea. With a 4 5/8 Bisley 45 colt on my hip not pulling my pants down with my handloads allows me to walk around comfortably but be able to take any game animal in North America cleanly.  If I had a choice between a carbine rifle, a contender, or an huge x-frame I would take the carbine rifle at that point.

Probably didn't answer your question but just my 2 cents worth about huge handgun platforms. To each his own brother.

[Quick Draw McGraw]

Any other opinions? Just curious.

[JM]

The S&W X-Frame reminds me of short guys who drive tall trucks.

[Quick Draw McGraw]

LMAO! I can see that. I bought a BFR on .500 JRH for the whole John Linebaugh way of thinking:. Powerful, practical, and packable.

If I got a .460 or .500 S&W, it would be a range/distance toy.

[shorty500]

having owned both i feel personnal preference comes into play etween the SA vs DA part of it. both are great guns but the BFR cylinder is way to long in either S&W chambering

[darthchicken]

I don't post much, but lurk a lot.. and I've had a 500 s&w double on me. Scared the ba-jesus out of me... it DOES happen, even to experience folks (I shoot a 500 linebaugh normally, this was a friends revolver). I'm sticking to single actions.

It was a moment of really concentrating on trigger control and sight alignment, and I admittedly loosened my grip a bit too much in the process.

[sixshot]

I've never owned either one but I have shot them & the BFR, at least to me is much more handy than that massive X frame S&W, I would never, ever own one. Just my opinion but that's what you're asking here.

Dick

[whitworth]

In all fairness, the long cylinder BFR isn't what I would call svelte, but in my hands the X-frame just feels massive no matter the barrel length. I prefer single-actions over DAs, so the BFR wins on that front, and I feel a single-action is a better platform for powerful rounds like the .500 Smith, and should hold up better under the battering. JMHO

[joej]

Here's my take on it and I have the BFR in 500 JRH and the Ross 500 S&W - never owned a 460 S&W but have shot two of them, so no experience worth discussing from me on the 460 S&W.

I initially purchased the 500 S&W in the 4" version. Shooting in the field and on an open range setting, no problems and I loaded up to 600 grain cast bullets going at warp speed and the recoil wasn't real harsh - not pleasant but. Shooting that ported revolver under a range canopy was just brutal for me, as I would double plug and still feel punch-drunk after firing 50 to 80 rounds - single plug and I'd feel punch-drunk in less than 50 rounds fired. I believe it was the concussion from that ported barrel and plus maybe my skull is a little thin behind the ear muff cups?? I use the term punch-drunk for lack of a better term - caused me to feel a little light-headed and uneasy on my feet??

I sold that revolver and purchased the John Ross model, which has a 5" non-ported barrel. I no longer get that "punch-drunk" feeling shooting under a range canopy. The JR model isn't so forgiving relative to recoil, as those top loads are uncomfortable but then again, there's really no reason for those type loads unless you have an armor piercing projectile that you want to shoot through an M60 tank!

For heavy bullets the 500 JRH can't hold a candle to the 500 S&W, if that's your goal but as for the difference between the X-frame and the BFR - to me it's about looks and that BFR just doesn't look right with that long cylinder, so to me it's just personal preference as either platform will give you the same performance.

Which heavy revolver do I shot more often today? 500 JRH, just feels better in my hand and I shoot 400 & 440 grain cast bullets at 1,000fps or less - very easy shooting revolver at those velocities.

[aciera]

Hand gun VS hands gun........