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Post by magnum314 on Jan 8, 2019 17:45:16 GMT -5
Yeah...I am the question guy...
A nephew-in-law who is not new to shooting but doesn't reload and wants to step things up a bit (He really can't reload as he lives on a college campus), wants to get into a bigger bore than his 44's and 45 Colts he will eventually be storing at my house. Now I have let him shoot my .480 Ruger and he LOVES it! My .454...not so much. So he has no desire to move into the .475L, (or any bigger really). So should I guide him towards the Ruger SBH .480 and NOT the BFR? Mind you, he is trying to do this on a fairly limited budget so even used is something he is willing to look at.
*If he has NO desire to shoot .475L...is the logical choice then a Ruger SBH in .480?
*What advantage would the BFR be in that case, and is the BFR worth the extra $$ if only shooting .480?
*Shooting shorter case .480 out of a BFR .475L/.480 have any drawbacks (accuracy, reliability, etc) vs. the the Ruger being .480 ONLY?
I told him I would get the best advice I could pass on to him from you all, as I am still a self-proclaimed, sort-o-kind-of-like-newbie myself! Thanks guys!
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Post by Alaskan454 on Jan 8, 2019 18:10:07 GMT -5
If he's on a budget I'd honestly recommend looking at a used .480 Super Redhawk. They can be had for very reasonable prices if you poke around online. They are generally very accurate and can be set up with crisp SA and smooth DA triggers.
If he's set on a SA the Blackhawk is the most affordable. Though I'd have higher confidence in the fit and finish of a BFR. My .480 Blackhawk is a sweet shooter, but it needed a bit of TLC as delivered from the factory. Another option would be shopping around to try and find a used .475 FA. I've been surprised lately how cheap some have gone at auction.
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rug480
.30 Stingray
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Post by rug480 on Jan 8, 2019 18:25:34 GMT -5
Not looking for 475L recoil and no go on handloading, sounds like 480 would be right up his alley.
Had a 480 SBH 6.5, regret trading it. Handsome gun imo, I had a well fitted one but trigger needed work.
The bfr is a beefier gun from grip to muzzle, my 5.5” clocks in at 51.5oz.
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rug480
.30 Stingray
Posts: 139
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Post by rug480 on Jan 8, 2019 19:17:44 GMT -5
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rug480
.30 Stingray
Posts: 139
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Post by rug480 on Jan 8, 2019 19:20:20 GMT -5
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Post by whiterabbit on Jan 8, 2019 19:21:09 GMT -5
My vote is BFR. It covers the bases, but it gets him exposure to a new manufacturer, as opposed to "getting another Ruger". It gives him a finer firearm than dear Uncle-in-law, which will amuse him, and from a "maintenance" perspective, ruger parts work. And it loads and shoots 480, most important.
Now, there are benefits for the unknown but predictable future, but no need to extol those, they are obvious.
Lastly, the 475 BFR is either the cheapest, or second cheapest BFR to be had (right behind the 45/70). So it's not much more of a stretch.
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Post by magnum314 on Jan 8, 2019 21:44:37 GMT -5
All great info, guys...thanks. And awesome pics, rug480!
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Post by squigz on Jan 9, 2019 8:38:25 GMT -5
I have a SBHB in 480 Ruger and I love it, I would and will recommend it to anyone.
But in the case where I could do it again, I would look into a Bisley BFR in 475L. I have no immediate desire to shoot it as I have the bases covered with my 500JRH, but just the ability to say I can if I wanted too is nice. Plus you can't beat the BFR quality.
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Post by Freedom on Jan 9, 2019 12:07:13 GMT -5
I have the 6 1/2" SBH 480 and I really enjoy it. It's even fun to shoot "after" you change the stock grips to full sized Bisley grip panels.
With my 430gr. LBT LFN bullet, the 480 is a heaping helping of "Enough Gun"!.
My FA83 475L is better made, but the FA cost me just over 4 times as much money! And the razor sharp edges of the FA will cut you like a knife.
I would not choose a BFR over the Ruger...Unless I was shooting precision optics out past 100 yards.
If packing weight is a consideration, the BFR is a Big-F'ng-Revolver. ;-)
Even my giant, oversized 4" S&W 500 X-frame is 1/4 pound LIGHTER than the 5" BFR!
BFR 5"........59.2 oz (according to BFR web sight)
X-Frame 4"....55.6 oz
SRH 7.5"......53 oz
SBH Bis 6.5"..48 oz
It would sure be nice if BFR would build/assemble the Ruger to BFR's quality standards!..LOL
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Post by sixshot on Jan 9, 2019 12:23:00 GMT -5
The SBH Bisley is a great gun with a little bit of action work & sometimes different stocks but they usually shoot better than most of us can shoot them. A used field grade Freedom Arms can sometimes be found at a great price & that can be a good way to go. A BFR, I'm told is a better mouse trap & they look to be a very well built gun. On these last two you can shoot down loaded 475's to equal the 480 loads which is a better idea than shooting 480's in a 475.
The SRH is a great gun, killed my bull moose with one several years ago & it shot terrific after my son did an action job on it. Moose hate them! So, as you can see we've made it easy for you.
Dick
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Post by jfs on Jan 9, 2019 12:25:04 GMT -5
the only thing the 480 can`t do against the 475 is shoot heavy for caliber bullets at high velocity which is most unbearable... the 480 is a useful handgun caliber..
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Post by whitworth on Jan 9, 2019 12:33:33 GMT -5
I have the 6 1/2" SBH 480 and I really enjoy it. It's even fun to shoot "after" you change the stock grips to full sized Bisley grip panels. With my 430gr. LBT LFN bullet, the 480 is a heaping helping of "Enough Gun"!. My FA83 475L is better made, but the FA cost me just over 4 times as much money! And the razor sharp edges of the FA will cut you like a knife. I would not choose a BFR over the Ruger...Unless I was shooting precision optics out past 100 yards. If packing weight is a consideration, the BFR is a Big-F'ng-Revolver. ;-) Even my giant, oversized 4" S&W 500 X-frame is 1/4 pound LIGHTER than the 5" BFR! BFR 5"........59.2 oz (according to BFR web sight) X-Frame 4"....55.6 oz SRH 7.5"......53 oz SBH Bis 6.5"..48 oz It would sure be nice if BFR would build/assemble the Ruger to BFR's quality standards!..LOL The BFR is a much better revolver than a Ruger out of the box. They are typically very accurate and the fit and finish is quite good. A 5 1/2-inch .500 JRH Bisley weighs 52 ounces (it's on the website). They're not bulky by any stretch, the X-frame on the other hand.... |
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Post by Freedom on Jan 9, 2019 14:21:10 GMT -5
The BFR is a much better revolver than a Ruger out of the box. They are typically very accurate and the fit and finish is quite good. A 5 1/2-inch .500 JRH Bisley weighs 52 ounces (it's on the website). They're not bulky by any stretch, the X-frame on the other hand.... Ohhhh, and I knew better than to get involved...It's so expensive to play with you guys. The 500JRH is' only 52oz..mmm.... 'and just when I thought the safe was full!!?!! Guess I need to buy a BFR now. The new Bisley profile sure looks sweet to shoot! |
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rug480
.30 Stingray
Posts: 139
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Post by rug480 on Jan 9, 2019 16:32:17 GMT -5
With factory micarta, 3/4lb heavier than my 7.5" OM Blackhawk 45 but lord I need every oz for those 450gr H110 loads. Mine is a production model and the trigger is very nice (no work needed, clean crisp break), way more accurate than I am, and the heavy duty rear sight and free spin pawl are nice included perks. The plow handle micarta are waay thick. Although the newer bfr bisley are slimmer out the gate, if on a budget you may not find a 475 bisley for a deal. If he has bear paws or doesn't mind rubber stocks, then it's not an issue. Just something to consider if he has a strong preference to one grip style or the other. As others mentioned, the prices are likely going to be close ($200 new from what i can see online) so I wouldn't be too concerned with savings as I would comfort and appeal. Figure your nephew may open to reloading down the line after college (my first big bore was a 480 SRH and started my journey with reloading, real fun hobby) but I have found even the somewhat rare 480 is easier to find off the shelf than 475 (perhaps a moot point depending on how much he'll shoot)    |
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Post by magnum314 on Jan 9, 2019 17:07:24 GMT -5
So much great info guys! As for my .02...I love them both and can certainly make an argument for either...or both! I think based on all this and my own personal opinion, I am slightly leaning towards recommending the BFR for him, because of the "down the road" versatility.
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