Odin
.327 Meteor
Posts: 971
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Post by Odin on Mar 21, 2024 14:40:35 GMT -5
Sometimes when you can buy the right used base gun, one can send it back to FA and have back what one wants in 2-3 weeks... Just have to add up the cost of the modifications and add it to the base gun price plus shipping... Found a 83/.41/6.5" that had already been back to the factory to be round butted... Bought the gun for $1850 and had it back in three weeks with a 4.75" barrel...for about $2100+- total. At the time one of the big FA dealers had the exact same gun but with black Micarta grips for $3k... Bob Wise words, and you’re so right, though I haven’t done that yet. I’ve run the numbers and unless I get the base gun for about the same price as yours it ends up being basically the same price as a new one once I get the barrel cut or replaced, sights changed, grips changed, action tuned, etc. BUT, sometimes a screaming deal pops up and I’m sure I’ll end up going that route. If I could find a 83 in .454 or .475 for $1000-$1400 we’d seriously be in business. And I wish I could find 97’s in that range but that seems to be extremely unlikely. Deals do happen. If you're watching for a straight sale, you've got to be fast. If it's an auction, you've got to bid. I tossed a low-ball bid at a Premier Grade 454 a few weeks ago and it stuck. A 10-inch Field Grade went at the same auction for $950. I did well, but seeing that made me feel like I was robbed! |
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,107
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Post by edk on Mar 21, 2024 16:03:36 GMT -5
The most common FA must definitely be a 7.5” field grade in 454. There are probably not a lot of guys that don’t have something close to that for their first so as a second, it may seem unappealing. For someone already having a 454 a 475 is no doubt good but perhaps a 500 JRH better. a $1000 field grade 454 is just about the perfect donor to send to JRH for a 50 cal. I’d much rather have that than a Wyoming express and the gun itself functionally distances itself further from a 454. Looking at it from a different perspective, if one already had a 475, perhaps adding a 44 might be more useful than a 454. Of course, there are those who get 357, 41, 44, 454, 475, 500 and are happy. There is no need to justify owning all six however, one would be hard-pressed to say any one of those would do a job well that the gun one step down would not.
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Post by wyomingnimrod on Mar 21, 2024 18:08:47 GMT -5
Wise words, and you’re so right, though I haven’t done that yet. I’ve run the numbers and unless I get the base gun for about the same price as yours it ends up being basically the same price as a new one once I get the barrel cut or replaced, sights changed, grips changed, action tuned, etc. BUT, sometimes a screaming deal pops up and I’m sure I’ll end up going that route. If I could find a 83 in .454 or .475 for $1000-$1400 we’d seriously be in business. And I wish I could find 97’s in that range but that seems to be extremely unlikely. Deals do happen. If you're watching for a straight sale, you've got to be fast. If it's an auction, you've got to bid. I tossed a low-ball bid at a Premier Grade 454 a few weeks ago and it stuck. A 10-inch Field Grade went at the same auction for $950. I did well, but seeing that made me feel like I was robbed! Well done, Odin. And good point. Besides Gunbroker, Gunsinternational, and Hibid, do you know of other good auction sites and or straight sale sites? Thanks. And what are your plans with your new FA??? |
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Post by wyomingnimrod on Mar 21, 2024 18:10:37 GMT -5
The most common FA must definitely be a 7.5” field grade in 454. There are probably not a lot of guys that don’t have something close to that for their first so as a second, it may seem unappealing. For someone already having a 454 a 475 is no doubt good but perhaps a 500 JRH better. a $1000 field grade 454 is just about the perfect donor to send to JRH for a 50 cal. I’d much rather have that than a Wyoming express and the gun itself functionally distances itself further from a 454. Looking at it from a different perspective, if one already had a 475, perhaps adding a 44 might be more useful than a 454. Of course, there are those who get 357, 41, 44, 454, 475, 500 and are happy. There is no need to justify owning all six however, one would be hard-pressed to say any one of those would do a job well that the gun one step down would not. Does JRH rebore or what happens to the barrel? Also why is the 500 JRH the way to go? I don’t know anything about it so any info is helpful. Thanks |
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Post by Encore64 on Mar 21, 2024 18:18:44 GMT -5
The 500 JRH is an excellent cartridge. IMHO, the best of the big bores due to bullet availability.
However, I only have them chambered in BFRs.
The low chamber to cylinder axis position makes it necessary to have actual 500 JRH Brass.
The BFR and Custom Rugers can both use 500 S&W Brass. That minimizes a repeat of the 500 W.E. Brass Situation...
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Post by rjm52 on Mar 21, 2024 19:07:15 GMT -5
$2k is about minimum for a 97...
Have seen lots of great deals on 83s of all calibers...just gotta be patient...
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Odin
.327 Meteor
Posts: 971
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Post by Odin on Mar 21, 2024 20:18:54 GMT -5
Well done, Odin. And good point. Besides Gunbroker, Gunsinternational, and Hibid, do you know of other good auction sites and or straight sale sites? Thanks. And what are your plans with your new FA??? Proxibid is a good one, although they generally have the highest premiums. Bidsquare and Invaluable used to be a couple of sleeper sites, but they've gotten a lot busier over the last year or so. I really like Hibid the best, although there are a number of scam auctioneers running their racket there now (pro tip - don't ever bid on a firearm or optic that only shows a stock photo). Sometimes it pays to read all the fine print. Some auction houses charge different premiums depending on which bidding site you use. And the auction will run simultaneously on two or three sites. Or they'll charge little to no premium if you bid directly through the auction house's site, or use their app. That's how I came by my FA 475L, via the auction house's app. As for the new gun... The plan now are for it and it's octagon-barreled brother to head back to the Mother Land for a little spa treatment. The 475L is getting cut back to 5.5-inches. The 454 is getting the same, along with action tuning, an overtravel screw, and a second cylinder in .45 ACP. They will to a great degree be a matched pair, and while some would think it foolish, it is entirely intentional. There is a caliber and power factor limit at my indoor range (45 caliber/ power factor of 270-ish). The little gun will shine in this environment. Plus I've got a ton of options for cartridges and power levels as desired - 45 ACP, +P, 45 Super, 460 Rowland, 45 Colt, and 454 Casull. I'm not usually much of an experimenter, but I'm going to stretch a bit with this gun. And I just couldn't let go of the 475. I just love the round to pieces. A little less than a year ago I managed to grab a No. 1 so chambered and it is absolutely amazing. Way more gun than I need for Whitetail, but who likes tracking anyway? My son is planning to shed blood with it this fall. By the time I'm done, I'll have little more into the pair than a single well-appointed Bowen build. I've always dreamt of commissioning a truly fine custom, but have come to realize that I'm at my apex, my stopping point. It's a good place to be... |
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Odin
.327 Meteor
Posts: 971
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Post by Odin on Mar 21, 2024 20:51:35 GMT -5
Does JRH rebore or what happens to the barrel? Also why is the 500 JRH the way to go? I don’t know anything about it so any info is helpful. Thanks The barrels get put in a drawer somewhere. Might be useful sometime down the road... Jack probably has a 5-gallon bucket of them. And I bet he chuckles every time he tosses another one in. The 500JRH is the fattest round one can stuff in a Model 83. You can buy properly headstamped brass, or cut down 500S&W brass. The latter will also need the rims turned down to fit in the FA, which is a hassle, but doable. And as Encore64 mentioned, bullet availability. Both jacketed and cast are FAR more available in .501 diameter than .512, or .475 for that matter. Although for the casters among us, that's not really an issue... |
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Post by wyomingnimrod on Apr 5, 2024 18:51:24 GMT -5
Does JRH rebore or what happens to the barrel? Also why is the 500 JRH the way to go? I don’t know anything about it so any info is helpful. Thanks The barrels get put in a drawer somewhere. Might be useful sometime down the road... Jack probably has a 5-gallon bucket of them. And I bet he chuckles every time he tosses another one in. The 500JRH is the fattest round one can stuff in a Model 83. You can buy properly headstamped brass, or cut down 500S&W brass. The latter will also need the rims turned down to fit in the FA, which is a hassle, but doable. And as Encore64 mentioned, bullet availability. Both jacketed and cast are FAR more available in .501 diameter than .512, or .475 for that matter. Although for the casters among us, that's not really an issue... That is a funny visual, a bucket-full of super accurate barrels. Snyd told me a while back that a fellow’d be wise to start casting sooner rather than later. It would make sense for all the calibers and cartridges mentioned, as an extension of the reloading and shooting pursuits…. Personally, I don’t have an interest or see a big need for me with jacketed bullets unless there is a huge cost savings for practice shooting? But it’d be cast for hunting and shooting for this guy. Something about a huge projectile in a hand cannon just feels like hard lead is the most natural fit. Emailing with Hamilton Bowen lately has me thinking hard about the .500 Linebaugh, but it would be in one of his 5 shot Rugers. Thread drift, sorry guys. I have ADD bad, and guns make it worse. Life=thread drift… Thanks for all the advice, Odin and gang. Have a great weekend |
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Post by bigbrowndog on Apr 6, 2024 11:15:11 GMT -5
When I got my first .5, someone here told me to get into casting. Luckily my hobbies are mainly gun related, no bars, women, boats, or partying. My job at the time was well paying and I knew I was retiring from serious competition. This had consumed my spare pocket change, and would now cover my hunting expenditures. I also knew I didn’t want the expense of casting, and could easily afford to buy. I still feel that way, and have no issues with buying my bullets. Plus I’ve made some good friends on here that cast and I can purchase from them, when I purchase I try and purchase plenty. No plans to start casting here, I’d rather use the space for safes and freezers.
On the .50 or .51 decision, I’ve said before. My sentimental favorite is .51, but the practical one is .50. Happily, I have both.
Trapr
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,107
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Post by edk on Apr 6, 2024 11:36:13 GMT -5
On the .50 or .51 decision, I’ve said before. My sentimental favorite is .51, but the practical one is .50. Happily, I have both. Trapr The JRH was posted as possibly the most practical 50 earlier given the thread being a FA platform choice. Now, with the choices out there in 50 and with the platform options opening up to possibly include a Bowen-built Ruger the Linebaugh could easily be the best choice. That having been said do not make the mistake of securing your place in line and not purchasing at least 500 pieces of Starline brass right now. You could never lose money by purchasing 500 pieces of 500L, 475L, 480R or even maybe 454C/45 Colt brass today if they were available as inflation is running hot. How many owners of revolvers are kicking themselves for not buying enough brass for their revolver while it was plentiful? No doubt a lot! edit: I stand corrected in that 500L brass is not in stock but it is at least orderable. Not so for the 500JRH or 480R. |
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Post by kevshell on Apr 6, 2024 12:47:06 GMT -5
On the .50 or .51 decision, I’ve said before. My sentimental favorite is .51, but the practical one is .50. Happily, I have both. Trapr That x2 |
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Post by Encore64 on Apr 6, 2024 12:49:24 GMT -5
I don't understand that either. For over a year there's been so many posts and threads about 480 Ruger Brass being out of stock.
Now, Midway and Grafs has it. I'm hoping everyone is stocking up.
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