Big Horn Armory S&W 500

[Thunderjet]

Last month ordered one with upgraded wood. Was told to expect it in 12-15 months. Will update a mini review one the rifle is finally received.

[Fowler]

I have a buddy who has one that turned into 3 different Bighorn lever rifles. There's probably a message in there somewhere...

[magnumwheelman]

always wanted one...hoping Ruger will come out with a Marlin in 480 Ruger... Thinking I could live with that butt...guns don't always scale up... my custom 50 A.E. Marlin took an over sized magazine tube, custom cartridge lifter & a glass bedded forearm to keep things together during recoil...

[Thunderjet]

I already had 500 S&W dies for my 500 JRH and found roughly 800 various .500 and .501 bullets scattered around the reloading room so at least I can feed the dang thing when it finally arrives

[magnumwheelman]

I do like companion guns… I’d be tempted to buy a 500 S&W revolver…. Either an X frame or BFR… really like the 2 BFRS I ended up with a shorter frame in 500 JRH and a longer frame in 45-70 both are Bisley… but I used to shoot an X frame in 500 S&W every chance I got, for a number of years… if ya can handle the recoil and muzzle blast, I don’t think you can go wrong there … the rifle is likely a handful…my custom Marlin was a Teddy bear when it was a 44 magnum... it got to be a brute in 50 A.E.

[Thunderjet]

When I lived in Alaska carried a 4 inch S&W 500 for many years. But since moving to Tennessee I think the rifle would be enough to protect me from our killer squirrels.

[rjm52]

Have owned a 4" S&W 500 since they came out...mine was "used"...showed it had been fired one round since it had left the factory...guess that was enough for whoever bought it...

Those Bighorns are beautiful rifles... I've bid on three of them and let them all go to people who wanted one more than me... One was a definite mistake as it had some beautiful wood and only sold for $2650... But do have a TC Encore in .500 and it shoots very well...

Bob

[tj3006]

I would love one in.454, I think it would the Equal of standard factory 45/70, and Would not be very tough on a beat up old body, I would shoot a 500, to try it out, but I am afraid I would need chiropractic relief even from one. I think when Ruger gets there Version of the 94 out, a 44 mag, will be about as much as I Can stand with out risking real problems.
I used to love the hot loaded 45/70s But I envy the thought of a 500, in a lever gun ,what fun that would be.
At a place I used to shoot There were a bunch of rotted fence posts still standing, but no wire.
I would stand about 30 yards from one directly in front of me, Shoot it, then the one to my right then the one to my left, and try the 2nd on my right and left. The 1st 3 were easy, but going out to the 4th and 5th post, it was a bunch harder, i guess the were 70 yards away , and my 45/70s were hot, and part of the game was doing it fast, When I went 5 for 5 i was a happy shooter...tj

[bigbore5]

I wouldn't mind having a Big Horn as a companion to my 500 Linebaughs, but they want a stiff premium over the 500 Smith version. Wouldn't save anything by getting the Smith instead cause then I will have to buy the revolver to match.

[greenchile]

I've been curious to hear from an actual owner of a Bighorn custom levergun. They are priced on the upper register for sure. How good are they and what happens when you need their customer service?

[kevshell]

I've got one 500 that I will likely do a mini range report on soon. There's a slim chance of a field report for Montana spring black bear. The rifle came with a tight action but is loosening with use. As for dimensions I 100% love the way the rifle was designed. It firs me like a glove. The comb is straight and it has a decelerator pad. I suspect those two features will do a lot to mitigate recoil. I would prefer the trigger pull be a touch lighter. The rifle is hefty. But I like that. I prefer an old standard pre64 model 70 over the ultra light rifles. Stay tuned. I hope to have the range report out in about 2 weeks.

Oh. And I also have a 454 and 500L on order. I doubt I'll see those before this fall (confirmed via email 2 weeks ago). That will make it about an 18 month wait time.

[kevshell]

I would like to leave one clarification. I may have created the impression that the BHA is shooting loose. That's not what I meant. What I meant was that the BHA action is tight like a Les Baer 1911 when you first get it. Just by working the action I've had it start to wear in (loosen up). I am hoping this action becomes pre64 Winchester smooth over time.

[aciera]

Apr 26, 2022 8:55:57 GMT -5 kevshell said:

I would like to leave one clarification. I may have created the impression that the BHA is shooting loose. That's not what I meant. What I meant was that the BHA action is tight like a Les Baer 1911 when you first get it. Just by working the action I've had it start to wear in (loosen up). I am hoping this action becomes pre64 Winchester smooth over time.

Made the way it should be.