BFR 500:

[hoss]

I've had the BFR bug in my ear since about the time I came here and discovered Lees referrence works on the topic... Found one at the show saturday at a "Been on the table too long" kinda price. I managed to sell a couple of back of the safe pieces and bought it... and I am very impressed. Shot my standard Unique and LSWC load today and the accuracy potential is good, but most of all I just can't get over the way its fitted. I also am very happy with how easy it is to shoot compared to my 500 snubby.. I like it. Thanks to Lee for the write up and urging.

[Lee Martin]

Glad you got one. Those 500 BFRs are built to last and are accurate across many bullet weights and load levels.

Just curious...what barrel length did you get?

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[hoss]

Got the 7 and a half inch version. Looks ungainly, but handles well.

[joej]

I totally agree with Lee. BFR makes an excellent quality revolver IMO. If your revolver didn't come with an additional high front sight and you find your revolver shooting high, just give them a call at 218-746-4597 and they will ship one out immediately. I would imagine with that long cylinder you can seat 500 plus grain HC bullets in the 1st or 2nd lube groove to make room for more powder.

[AxeHandle]

A 500 and 460 BFR are on my "must have" list.... Mine will be a 10 inch... The extra weight to dampen recoil, extra barrel for velocity, and extra sight radius for sighting precision are all right in line with what I like.... IMHO the long barrel looks better with the long cylinder too... Local shop actually ordered some 7.5 inch guns... I had no trouble walking around them while making snide remarks about the fool who ordered the 7.5 inch barrels. If they had been 10s they would have been mine!

When I need something smaller my FAs and Rugers fill the bill....

[nobearsyet]

I've been trying to find a 6.5" 454 Cassull but nobody can seem to get me one. The distributors don't have them listed, but Magnum Research has them listed in their catalog for this year.

[hoss]

Unfortunately I'm already contemplating grips, a new frontier style front sight and a longer ejector rod and housing. The 700 grain Ballistic Supply has plenty of room in that long cylinder.... heh heh heh! 1200 feet per...

[rigby]

Hey congratulations, I have grown to admire mine more and more everyday. It did turn out to be everything I wanted in a hunting revolver. Like to hear if you do launch any of those 500 plus grain loads ;D.

[hoss]

Oh, and mine did come with the spare taller front sight (already installed, tyvm!) but thanks to nobears for a good heads up! The taller sight looks better, and since I don't plan to tinker below 375 grains EVER, I think the tall one is the order of the day.... yesterdays range trip had me cranking the rear down quite a bit! (until I make a steel oversized New Frontier version, that is..) The basepin and replaceable front sights ROCK, and I can't get over how well it balances!
Do all the Bowen Ruger sights swap directly or is Millett the best bet?

[Aggie01]

Bowens should work. I ordered the Millets from Magnum research for my BFR's and was so unimpressed I ate the shipping to get my money back. Likewise for their Hi-Viz sights.
(I was able to rub the "bluing" off the cast metal with my fingers...)
My BFR"s are currently at Alan's shop getting barrel chopped and Weigand fronted.

[Lee Martin]

Jul 22, 2009 11:51:49 GMT -5 hoss said:

The 700 grain Ballistic Supply has plenty of room in that long cylinder.... heh heh heh! 1200 feet per...

I've shot 690's at 1,400 fps in my 500 Martin BFR (10" barrel). All I can say is make sure you have a good shooting glove and hold on tight. Recoil is brutal at these levels.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[hoss]

The 700s and 500 grain JSP from ballistic were vicious and painful out of the 4" smith. I'm having to relearn... Now my groups don't start off with 3 shots close together followed by one an inch and half apart and the last one at the edge of the paper.(Come to think of it, the 500 and 700 grainers were painful out of the H&R single shot! Apparently, stupid hurts!)

[hoss]

I know everybody's seen 'em... but here:

[joej]

I ordered the Hi-Viz sights (Xtra high) from BFG and they work for me. No problems encountered and that green sight is a little easier on my ole eyes as well. I haven't tried their Millet yet, as there on a 45/60 day back-order. I haven't seen the 700 grain from Ballistic Supply but I would have to assume the bullet seats deep in the case - I've seen their 600 grain and they are seated deep. I would think with the long BFG cylinder you could seat them out a little more and tap in a little extra powder and give your hand webbing a real ride. I chronographed up a few 535 grain loads this afternoon in a S&W500 with a 5" barrel and once you pass that 1200 fps barrier it starts to get your attention. The BFG is a pound heavier, so maybe 1300 fps will be when you notice the "power". I was going to work up to the 1500 fps mark with the 535's but the closer I get the more I'm thinking "why?". I did find one load that gave me a zero SD today - I've been shooting over a chrono for over 20 years and never had a 0 SD before. Next range visit I'll have to see how it groups at 50 yards. That load was 25.2 grains of N120 using new starline brass and a BR2 primer. The bullet was the 535 grain Keith from Ranger Rick and it flew at 894 fps and was a nice easy recoiling load.

[hoss]

Back out today: with my 400 grain plain base LSWCs over 14 grains of Unique I got 4 rounds into 3/4ths an inch at 20 yards with a fifth round pulled an inch low. Switched up to Ballistic Supply 500 grain Hornady XTPs at 1350 feet per: the extra weight and velocity definitely got my attention. Fired 3 of 'em into an inch, and discovered on the 3rd round that (A) my grip had shifted, and (B) theres a sharp edge on that trigger guard. Thus endeth the the session... I am very happy with it.