475 vs 500 linebaugh

[ohnomrbillk]

I'm thinking of sending my two accusport Bisley's to John Linebaugh for some 5 shot treatment. One to become a 5 shot 45 colt. The other to become a 475 or 500 linebaugh. I have shot neither. I have plenty of 454 casull double action revolver experience, and an Encore in 375-06 JDJ. Big doesn't scare me.

So, the 475 or the 500, and why. Input appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill

[zeus]

I'm a little different I guess as usual. I would opt for one in 475 and one in 500 and not worry about the 5 shot 45 personally. Now on a different note since you bring up recoil...I don't know how much experience you have with large bore single actions but they don't recoil the same as a double action 454 or an encore. Completely different in my opinion. So, hang onto them when you get them back

[taffin]

Big doesn't scare me.

IF "BIG" DOESN'T SCARE YOU YOU ARE SETTING YOURSELF UP TO BE HURT. THESE BIG GUNS ARE NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY AND THE RECOIL OF A SINGLE ACTION .475 OR .500 WILL MAKE YOUR DA .454 FEEL LIKE A .38 SPECIAL. THEY ARE MANAGEABLE WITH PRACTISE BUT BE INFORMED OF WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO. PS A .338-06 IS NOT A "BIG" GUN BY ANY MEANS.

[taffin]

PPS SORRY I MISREAD. .375-06 IS GETTING BIG TIME.

[tomc1020]

i went to john's shoot in cody years back and shot his guns before getting mine i like shooting both but to me the 475 can get nasty with full loads but i think the 475 is the best all around but with that being said i have 1 475 and 3 500 i just like the 500 better also as i get older i do'nt shoot ether with full loads much anymore

[Ken O'Neill]

I recommend the .475 because I've used one a great deal on large animals, and because of the slightly better availability of .475 components in my area. In truth, there's little if any difference in field performance between the .475L, .500L, .500JRH. and .500WE. IF you want to use jacketed bullets, the .475 or the other 3 .500's are going to be better, because of bullet availability, vs the .510. Otherwise, any of them should make you happy.

Listen to John. Full power loads kill anything well. And eventually take their toll on shooters.

[Aggie01]

I have to recommend finding someone with one and shooting it first.
You would hate to spend all that time and money on a gun and find out you can't handle it.
I bought a .475 BFR and shot it before I decided I wanted it "my way".

My personal answer to this question:
I sent my two Acusport Bisleys to Dave Clements for a .475 Linebaugh and a .500 JRH. ( I had my .510 needs covered with my maximum)

[2 Dogs]

I have both and have also shot the 500WE some. Of the 475 and 500 Linebaughs I would consider the 475 to be a bit more versatile. The 475 will have better penetration, flatter trajectory, and more available components. The 500 will have greater frontal area for quite a bit of up close THUMP.

Im a pretty fairly stout guy and with full on loads you damn well better be paying attention to the big bore sixgun because if you let your guard down it will hurt you. On the other hand, there are many loads to make the big bore sixgun perfectly fun and comfortable to shoot.

[bigbores]

It really doesn't matter,...which ever one you choose I would bet 2 things happen.
1) Your going to love your custom and your new cal.
2) at some point, your going to want the other ones.

If I was in your shoes I would get the 500L because there are
factory 475s out there and because it uses less pressure and is the biggest.

Have fun picking, and start saving for more.

[bloodhound]

I WOULD CHOOSE THE 475 FIRST.....GOOD BULLET SELECTION....AND PLENTY OF HORSEPOWER LOADED UP HEAVY....YOU COULD GET A 500 ON YOUR NEXT GO AROUND WITH A CUSTOM SMITH.....IN THE FUTURE....LET US KNOW WHAT YOU DECIDE..... ;D

[ohnomrbillk]

It seems as though I have support from both camps. I'm going to do my best to get up to Cody and fire John's guns. A little trigger time will make all the difference.
Thanks for everyone's thoughts.
Bill

[brionic]

Jan 19, 2010 19:59:38 GMT -5 Aggie01 said:

I have to recommend finding someone with one and shooting it first.
You would hate to spend all that time and money on a gun and find out you can't handle it.
I bought a .475 BFR and shot it before I decided I wanted it "my way".

Sound advice!
--
Brian

[whitworth]

In all fairness, a DA .454 is no cake walk either. I have shot lots of big SA revolvers (hell, I have a revolver in .50 Alaskan) and they handle heavy recoiling rounds a lot better han DA's. I also have two SRHs converted to the two Linebaugh cartridges and they kick harder (they come straight back in the hand) than their SA counterparts all else being equal (load, weight, etc.). If you can handle a DA revolver in .454 -- loaded heavily, you are off to a good start.

But, you have gotten good advice here as these too cartridges loaded hot are a real handful that takes time, patience and a lot of practice to master.

Keep us posted!

[jwp475]

Jan 19, 2010 20:04:29 GMT -5 2 Dogs said:

I have both and have also shot the 500WE some. Of the 475 and 500 Linebaughs I would consider the 475 to be a bit more versatile. The 475 will have better penetration, flatter trajectory, and more available components. The 500 will have greater frontal area for quite a bit of up close THUMP.

Im a pretty fairly stout guy and with full on loads you damn well better be paying attention to the big bore sixgun because if you let your guard down it will hurt you. On the other hand, there are many loads to make the big bore sixgun perfectly fun and comfortable to shoot.

I have all of these 475 & 500 Linebaugh and 500 JRH. To say that the 475 penetrates better is not true The 500 Linebaugh with the 525 grain WLFN will pentrate farther as did the 500 JRH at the Linebaugh Seminar in Jackson, Miss a few years back. I have never shot an animal (Bison & Asian Buffalo) with a 475 and 420 LFN or a 500 Linebaugh with the 525 Grain WLFN or the 500 JRH with the 425 grain wide meplat Truncated cone bullet that did not exit.
As to trajectory both my 475 and 500 Linebaugh have 6" barrels and the hold over (front site above th rear) at 500 yards is the same for both revolvers, because of the added barrel time for the 500

Talking to Mr. Linebaugh this morning I asked him which was more popular and he said " that he hasn't built a 475 in a long time and that most orders are for the 500 Lnebaugh which is his favorite

A double action 454 with top loads is a beast in the recoil department for sure and a Bisley 475 or 500 can be mastered after all the step up from a double action 454 to a 475 or 500 Bisley is not that big of a step IMHO and experience

[Lee Martin]

I've shot both extensively on 5.5" Bisleys. Honestly, I can't tell much of a difference when it comes to recoil (top-end in either wrenches the wrist). If you're going to use the gun for hunting, the animal won't know the difference.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com