I have the BFR in both .450 Marlin and .500 S&W. The .500 is probably more efficient in a revolver, but when handloaded the .450/.45-70 will duplicate (or exceed) the .500 at lower pressure. Also, 550 grain bullets will work, but I usually don't go higher than a 405 grain soft point in the .458" BFRs(max out of a 10" barrel is between 1,720 and 1,750 fps). The only thing I have against Magnum Research's .500 is the cylinder length.....basically, it's too long for a 1.61" case. As a result, I started converting them to .50 Alaskan/.500 Martin, which will easily do 3,000 fpe @ 40,000 CUP. Regardless, my .500 S&W BFR still shoots circles around my X-frame.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

I just run across the Magnum reasearch web site and noticed the velocities of the .450 Marlin in a ten inch barrel.1814 fps with a 350 grain Hornady factory load.That's hot and the 45-70 in BFR uses #2 reloading manual loads(40,000 CUP).The BFR has interchangeable cylinders for the .450/45-70.With the velocity of the .450 Marlin at 2028 fps out of the Guide Gun,the difference is 214 fps to the 10 inch pistol.

Wow-Now take a 550 grain bullet at 1550 fps(Garretts) and you can reload the Guide Gun to the same velocity,that would make the BFR in .450 Marlin/45-70 at about 1325 fps with a 550 grain bullet.

It seems that the .450/45-70 BFR would be hard to beat as a big game pistol.Velocities greater than the .500 S&W but a smaller diameter.

Anyone have experience with either?

Jayco.

Lee-They had a little warning on there web page for .500 S&W reloaders.Here is a cut and paste of it.
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Important Warning Notice to Reloaders of .500 S&W Ammo

Commercial ammunition by Cor�Bon is now being manufactured with rifle primers. The original ammunition by Cor�Bon used pistol primers. No doubt that both ammunition types are in circulation as well as brass from Starline that has primer pockets for both pistol and rifle primers.

You can identify the primer pocket by examining the head-stamp of both Cor�Bon and Starline brass. Brass manufactured for rifle primers will have the letter "R" following the word Cor�Bon and the Starline symbol on the head-stamp. If it does not, the brass has a pistol primer pocket. DO NOT RELOAD RIFLE PRIMERS IN BRASS DESIGNED FOR USE WITH LARGE PISTOL PRIMERS. The rifle primer pocket in the brass WITH AN "R" HEADSTAMP is deeper than pistol primer pocket. Rifle primers will stand "proud" if loaded in brass designed for large pistol primers. This scenario is unsafe and will significantly increase the possibility of "simultaneous ignition" in a revolver. Such an event could be catastrophic for the firearm and the shooter. Please be aware and take care when reloading this high-pressure revolver cartridge.

Note: Hornady manufactured .500S&W ammunition has and will continue to use large pistol primers in its commercial product. Do Not attempt to use rifle primers with Hornady head-stamped .500S&W brass.
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Jayco.

Jayco.....large rifle primers are definitely the way to go (large pistol tend to come apart/pierce around 48,000 - 49,000 CUP). I only use Starline brass in the .500 anyways. Hornady works, but the brass is a little softer; as a result, extraction is harder on top-end loads (especially with the 440s).

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

I have a BFR in 500 MAG and I love it. Currently I am using Jamison Int. brass with pistol primers. I ordered 300 or 400 and still have all of them. I have loaded some 10 times without any problems. I also ordered 300 Starline brass with pistol primer pockets. I think I will be shooting pistol primers for a long time. When I run out of pistol primer brass I will order new rifle primer brass, and only them. I have had great success with all the different loads I have tried with magnum pistol primers. I to prefer the BFR to the Smith & Wesson 500. I had both but sold my S&W after good side by side comparisons. I am thinking of getting a BFR in 45-70 in the near future.

I have a BFR in 45-70 and find that it is very accurate. I have loaded 405gn cast to 1750fps but it is not fun to shoot anymore at that level. The brass just falls out of the gun when tipped up or might need just the slightest push to get them going. I have shot 500gn cast up to 1500 ish but they were painful to shoot. It could have been from a long day of load testing at the range. At any rate, you probably don't want to shoot a couple hundred at a time. Where in Central Idaho are you? I"m in Pocatello. You could come down and shoot mine to see if you like it before buying if you want. The gun is real heavy. That's about the only down side I would see to it. If your looking for a levergun/ revolver combo, then you might consider the Puma in 480 Ruger and a revolver to match it. The BFR is made in 475 or you could get a Taurus or Ruger in 480 also. It would make for a much lighter combo for packing. Just thoughts.

Lar45-I live in Grangeville now afer 38 years or so in McCall.The snow and -30 degree temps get old after a while.We came here for hunting every year anyway.Wish I was closer and I would.Used to go to Idaho State in my younger years.

I already have a 45-70 and a .454.Would like the combo of the 45-70 Rifle and pistol.I have sunk so much money for all the extra's in the 454 I'll probably never get close to it out of it.I want the 45-70 BFR!!!!!!

What do you think my stuff is worth-Raging Bull 6.5 inch with Burris Speed Dot scope.Two holsters-One leather w/cartridege belt and one Cordova in shoulder/Belt- holster w/10 round cartridge holder.1 Box of Cor Bon 300 JSP and 1 of the 335 HC and 100+ Speer Unicore +50 360 grain HC and 200 + 328 grain HC and Lee Carbide dies w/ 1# + of H-110.

Whats a fair price all in excellent condition.

Just have to have a BFR .45-70......Jayco

Just a rough guess here.

What do you think my stuff is worth-
Raging Bull 6.5 inch-- $550?
with Burris Speed Dot scope.
Two holsters-One leather w/cartridege belt$30-50?
and one Cordova in shoulder/Belt- holster $20-30?
w/10 round cartridge holder.$10?
1 Box of Cor Bon 300 JSP and 1 of the 335 HC and 100+ Speer Unicore +50 360 grain HC and 200 + 328 grain HC and (Loaded ammo or bullets?)
Lee Carbide dies w/$15?
1# + of H-110. $15?

Whats a fair price all in excellent condition.

If you find a friendly shop you could probably get the BFR for $900. I think I gave $950 or $1000 for mine. It was the only one in town at the time.