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Post by bigbore5 on Sept 17, 2022 22:28:32 GMT -5
Pretty simple. You need all three:
.475 in a 7-1/2". Longer range big game or loaded with mid-level 480's for deer and fun.
500 Linebaugh in a 9" for Africa or 5.5" anywhere else that doesn't have a stupid barrel length rule. For the animals that you need to STOP now before they stomp, maul, and eat you.
The 500 JRH in a 3.5-4.5" for a handy back up. Also can be loaded for two legged predators with readily available 275hp for decisive one shot stops on a few if they line up to mug you.
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Post by schmitty on Sept 18, 2022 5:33:59 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great insight fellas! As much as I would like to have a custom gun made by one of the greats like John Linebaugh or Jack Huntington, I just can swing it at the moment. The BFR seems like my best choice short of a custom gun. I really like the lore of the Linebaugh cartridges. I may never use any of the three for their intended purpose as a stopper, I would likely be packing them to the range or the whitetail deer woods in case something comes by close, and just because they’re very cool guns and calibers. I don’t currently cast my own, but it’s something I’d like to do someday. I’d also like to keep the barrel around the 5.5” mark. This makes me lean a bit towards the two 50s. It seem like the 475 might benefit from a little longer barrel? And already having a 454 kinda leans me toward the 50s as well. Believe me, eventually I WILL have all three. But I’m looking at this as a jump off point.
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Post by bigbore5 on Sept 18, 2022 6:44:04 GMT -5
As a super fan of Mr. Linebaugh and his cartridges even I will have to recommend the 500 JRH to any non-caster. There's plenty of .510" cast bullets available from the specialty bullet casting companies, but they tend to be expensive and there's much less variety of design.
The JRH version uses the more common .500" bullet like it's parent cartridge, the 500 Smith & Wesson.
Any 350gr bullet at 1000fps makes a mild and fun load that fully penetrates any whitetail. The wider meplat or hollow point design simply hammers them.
The BFR may lack some finish compared to the custom guns, but it is a high quality piece that's seriously strong and as accurate as any normal person can shoot. I love all of mine and have never had a single problem.
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Post by Encore64 on Sept 18, 2022 7:15:17 GMT -5
Bigbore5 is spot on...
500 JRH Advantages include...
1) Factory brass available
2) BFR can use any trimmed 500 S&W brass
3) Huge selection of bullets
4) Can shoot Starline 500 Special Brass
5) Can add auxiliary cylinders in 50 AE & 50 GI (BFR)
The BFR is highly customizable. I own 4 of them and they do not take a back seat to any custom or Freedom Arms.
Jack Huntington can do miracles to a BFR if you want it upgraded in the future.
Who better to upgrade it than the guy who invented the 500 JRH?
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Post by 500fksjr on Sept 18, 2022 7:39:45 GMT -5
If you love tradition and focus on the 500 L then Johns original bullet weights were 435/445/450 range for the 500L...You can load these from mild to wild. I had a lot of conversations with Mike Rintoul a number of years ago and started loading 525 grn wfn's he had...again loaded to a 1000 fps range very fun and effective...And there are several companies that offer prem cast bullets for hunting and for just plain range time. The components are out there you may just need to shop prudently and those bonus checks and vacation checks may need to be redirected for a period of time...My 2 cents Good luck on your adventure!!!
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aciera
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,211
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Post by aciera on Sept 18, 2022 9:13:13 GMT -5
And then there are Johns Maximums with their advantages
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Post by bearskinner on Sept 18, 2022 9:23:53 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great insight fellas! As much as I would like to have a custom gun made by one of the greats like John Linebaugh or Jack Huntington, I just can swing it at the moment. The BFR seems like my best choice short of a custom gun. I really like the lore of the Linebaugh cartridges. I may never use any of the three for their intended purpose as a stopper, I would likely be packing them to the range or the whitetail deer woods in case something comes by close, and just because they’re very cool guns and calibers. I don’t currently cast my own, but it’s something I’d like to do someday. I’d also like to keep the barrel around the 5.5” mark. This makes me lean a bit towards the two 50s. It seem like the 475 might benefit from a little longer barrel? And already having a 454 kinda leans me toward the 50s as well. Believe me, eventually I WILL have all three. But I’m looking at this as a jump off point. If you can find a BFR before you purchase on line, and own it, hold it in hand and see if you like the feel of them . I have owned 2 BFR’s, one old one with the new Bisley banana grip frame. First, these are very well made guns, strong and beefy. I just can’t get to liking the feel of them, and the way they ( to me) don’t balance well. I’ve been a handgun hunter all my life, and balance and feel is much more important than weight. You may LOVE the feel of them, as many do. My point is if you can, hold one with a given barrel length first. A deal isn’t a deal if you turn around and sell it off, cause you don’t like it. |
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aciera
.375 Atomic
Posts: 2,211
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Post by aciera on Sept 18, 2022 9:29:11 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great insight fellas! As much as I would like to have a custom gun made by one of the greats like John Linebaugh or Jack Huntington, I just can swing it at the moment. The BFR seems like my best choice short of a custom gun. I really like the lore of the Linebaugh cartridges. I may never use any of the three for their intended purpose as a stopper, I would likely be packing them to the range or the whitetail deer woods in case something comes by close, and just because they’re very cool guns and calibers. I don’t currently cast my own, but it’s something I’d like to do someday. I’d also like to keep the barrel around the 5.5” mark. This makes me lean a bit towards the two 50s. It seem like the 475 might benefit from a little longer barrel? And already having a 454 kinda leans me toward the 50s as well. Believe me, eventually I WILL have all three. But I’m looking at this as a jump off point. If you can find a BFR before you purchase on line, and own it, hold it in hand and see if you like the feel of them . I have owned 2 BFR’s, one old one with the new Bisley banana grip frame. First, these are very well made guns, strong and beefy. I just can’t get to liking the feel of them, and the way they ( to me) don’t balance well. I’ve been a handgun hunter all my life, and balance and feel is much more important than weight. You may LOVE the feel of them, as many do. My point is if you can, hold one with a given barrel length first. A deal isn’t a deal if you turn around and sell it off, cause you don’t like it. One does get more picky as one learns more. Blessings/Curse……… |
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Post by 45MAN on Sept 18, 2022 10:06:44 GMT -5
.Sitting here watching Washington beat Mich St and thought I'd post some pics. . Paul THE "OVER THE HILL" PAC 12 IS BEGINNING TO SHOW UP AGAIN. |
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Post by bushog on Sept 18, 2022 10:38:49 GMT -5
Thanks for all the great insight fellas! As much as I would like to have a custom gun made by one of the greats like John Linebaugh or Jack Huntington, I just can swing it at the moment. The BFR seems like my best choice short of a custom gun. I really like the lore of the Linebaugh cartridges. I may never use any of the three for their intended purpose as a stopper, I would likely be packing them to the range or the whitetail deer woods in case something comes by close, and just because they’re very cool guns and calibers. I don’t currently cast my own, but it’s something I’d like to do someday. I’d also like to keep the barrel around the 5.5” mark. This makes me lean a bit towards the two 50s. It seem like the 475 might benefit from a little longer barrel? And already having a 454 kinda leans me toward the 50s as well. Believe me, eventually I WILL have all three. But I’m looking at this as a jump off point. All good choices. Simply start somewhere....just buy one....sounds like you already know what you're going to do.... |
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Post by handloadingnotes on Sept 18, 2022 12:43:07 GMT -5
No wrong decisions possible here. You picked 3 objectively great calibers, a fantastic platform, and (just my opinion) the best barrel length.
My journey was from 45 Colt to 500 Linebaugh, because I knew I wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t try the biggest diameter bullet. I think that was the right decision. Practical or not, it scratched the itch.
I also think 500 JRH is by far the most practical of the three calibers for handloaders. The component available is dramatically better. The “performance numbers” are great too. It’s handy to be able to share bullets between chamberings, especially when they’re such big and heavy boxes! At least, that’s what I’ve found loading and shooting 45ACP + 45 Cowboy Spl + 45 Colt +454 Casull. If you’re already loading 50 AE, 500 JRH will be even easier to get along with.
I should have said sooner: I haven’t shot a 500 JRH or a 475 Linebaugh or a 480 Ruger. So take all my opinions on the them for what they’re worth.
Just my opinion, but 480 Ruger is more interesting than 475 Linebaugh, because it gets such close performance in smaller guns. It also has an aura of efficiency about it. I would get a 480, built on a 480-sized gun, before a 475L. A BFR isn’t my first choice there.
I expect my next BFR will be in 500 JRH, to keep me in bullets, since I don’t cast. I have a stash of 0.511-0.512 slugs. Grizzly Cartridge still makes them, as does Montana Bullet Works. But there are so many more options at lower prices for 0.501” bullets. If I shot that gun every week, or suppliers went under, it would make sense to switch.
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Post by lar4570 on Sept 18, 2022 14:43:54 GMT -5
I have all 3 and realistically they are all very close to each other.
The 500 Linebaugh operates at lower pressures and can shoot the 525gn bullets.
The 500 JRH is limited to around a 480gn bullet because of the shape of the case walls. I bought a 500gn mold and it would bulge the sides of the cases when loaded and they wouldn't fit. 400-440gn bullets are great at any speed.
The 480 Ruger with bullets seated to the same length as the 475 Linebaugh will reach the same velocities with the same barrel lengths.
Be sure to post pics of your new gun when you decide.
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Post by paul105 on Sept 18, 2022 15:27:05 GMT -5
.Sitting here watching Washington beat Mich St and thought I'd post some pics. . Paul THE "OVER THE HILL" PAC 12 IS BEGINNING TO SHOW UP AGAIN. Would be nice - we'll see - long way to go. |
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Post by jeffer on Sept 18, 2022 21:02:54 GMT -5
I went with the BFR in 500 JRH. H. No regrets!! Incredibly easy to find components for, and load. In this day and age that is a big deal. It is a tad bulkyer than some of the other choices but in such a big cartridge that has not been an issue for me. Accuracy accuracy from the BFR can be outstanding outstanding when I show up.  |
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Post by pacecars on Sept 19, 2022 5:51:47 GMT -5
500 Linebaugh in a 9" for Africa or 5.5" anywhere else that doesn't have a stupid barrel length rule. For the animals that you need to STOP now before they stomp, maul, and eat you. I have yet to find a country in Africa that requires a long barrel for hunting. South Africa has a restriction that is around 4 inches. I have contacted several outfitters in different countries and they have all said my 5 inch .500 Linebaugh is fine |
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