if you could only have one big bore revolver...what would it be and what cartridge

this should be fun

Either a 4 3/4" FA 83 Premier Grade with cylinders in .454 and .45 Colt, or a 4 1/4" FA 97 in .45 Colt.

Richard

Well, I must say I'm totally content with my 7 1/2" SRH 480. That said, if I could get a Freedom Arms mdl 83 w/ 6" octagon barrel with 475 Linebaugh and 480 cylinders, I just might be able to take it in exchange

I own two S&W 500's. One in 3in and one with the 8 3/8 tube. I have owned Freedom Arms and also own a Ruger SRH in 454. But if I could only own one I would opt for the S&W 460 because of the ammo choices it will digest.

I suppose the logical choice would be a 629 6 1/2" which is a good do-it-all revolver with 8 gr. of Unique for plinkers on up to 320 gr. hardcast full power loads.

BUT.....I like the BFR's in .45/70 and .475 too much to part with and am kind of fond of the .500 so .........NOPE, can't do it! Can't pick just one.

I'd keep my RH in 45 Colt. It's eyepoppingly accurate and appears to be indestructible. My S&W 657 PC in 41 mag would be a close second... equally accurate and an especially nice trigger...

5 shot 41 special on a Ruger single six w 4" bbl.

I would be hard pressed to choose between my SRH in .454 and my SRH in .480, but am leaning more towards the .480. Really happy with the accuracy of both pieces......

I would lean haevily towards my Model 83 in .475 Linebaugh.

BFR in 45-70!!!From 250 grain Barnes XFN's to 550 grain cast not to mention the 300 grain Nosler PP at over 2100 fps.

Jayco

i dont get the 480 people unless it is a specific pistol that does not come in 475 linebaugh... have one that shoots both the 475 will do it at lower preasure but its your question to be answered...its funny no 500 linebaugh yet

I think you'll tend to find that the 480 is more accurate with the mild loads, due to less case capacity and more consistant burns with a less than full case. I've even considered a 48 special for just that reason.

The reason I like the 480 so much is it shoots well over a big spectrum of loads and bullet weights, if you just have one gun, than it needs to be flexible.

that is good info paul...but the 475 shoots BOTH. for a belt gun and versitility it seems the 475 linebaugh and 454 cassul have it wrapped up with the 475 winning un the horsepower knock down race, am i wrong?

I've seen it in print all the time, but, how do you pronounce "Casull?" (as in 454 Casull).

cah-SOOL?
cah-SUL?
KAH-sil? (like "castle")
KAY-sul?

Thanks.

that first option is most like it's more like ka-sool

Ruger 'Alaskan' .480

Boomstick-Can the .475 Linebaugh push a 525 grain bullet over 1400 fps?The BFR in 45-70 can.
All these loads are "Under" 40,000 PSI...You do the math.


Not knocking the great .475 but I think the BFR in 45-70/450 Marlin is way under estimated from the old theory that flows on this forum.In a 26 inch Cowboy 45-70 the old war horse can throw 525 grain bullets at 1900 fps.

Jayco

Gee, I don't know. Is a 44 Magnum still a Big Bore? I like my 5.5" Stainless Super Blackhawk and my 696. So if 44 qualifies and I could have only one I'd take the Ruger. Sean

As I only have 1 revolver it would be the Ruger Bisley in 44mag, fantastic backup for my contenders.

Have a Blackhawk and Redhawk 44 mag. It would be
the Red. Here I could not get a box of 480, 500,
475 etc if I had to. Yes I load but in a bind I can get 44 mag anywhere.An empty handgun is not helpful and I never could pitch that good.

jayco...if i could only have one handgun and no rifles the 45-70 bfr is the winner. i think the 45-70 bfr crosses the line of a beltgun into shoulder holster rifle strap gun. though i still contemplate it

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
that is good info paul...but the 475 shoots BOTH. for a belt gun and versitility it seems the 475 linebaugh and 454 cassul have it wrapped up with the 475 winning un the horsepower knock down race, am i wrong?

Yes, you can load and shoot 480's in a 475, but don't expect to get the same accuracy. When I refer to accuracy, I mean 1" 50 yd groups with best loads, mediocre loads are 3" at 25 yds. The 480 has spoiled me with a level of accuracy that I hadn't previously realized a sixgun could produce.

From what I've heard, the 475 only really shoots when loaded at the top end, and I've fired enough 475's to know I have no desire for a gun that will only be accurate at those levels, recoil levels I can't handle.

A S&W M629 Mtn. Gun in 44 magnum can fight or hunt, go concealed (if the federales don't look too close) or ride day in day out, all but forgotten, in a decent belt holster.

hmmmmmm...paul, you have given me something to think about...

the 475 linebaugh in the marlin lever ought to be pretty accurate though.

my .500 linebaugh 4 inch stainless bisley vaquero that John built. Its easy to pack is very accurate and can be load up or down to take just about any game animal in the world. Though the new moon clipped 454 alaskan is a sweetheart too.

A stainless Super Blackhawk in .450 Bonecrusher.

Lee Martin
http://www.singleactions.com

I would have to go with my 454 Long. Then i can use 454 casull and 45 colt.

Dan

quote:

450 Bonecrusher

dude...that is awesome...where do you get the brass for it?

I form the cases myself...it's basically 500 Linebaugh brass necked down to .458".

Lee Martin
http://www.singleactions.com

what are your loads?

please include bullet weight type of bullet fps ect...i think this is a verrrrrry exciting round since i shoot a 45-70 i could use some of the same bullets. ever consider the 300 gr nosler partition?

My choice would be my Ruger super Red hawk in .480. hve been playing with all kinds of loads so I don't have all my loads sorted out as yet.

My 44 mag super black hawk with a bisley frame.
The 475 built by John Linebaugh may replace it, but not until I load load it down a bit.
John

I've primarily been using 350s, though I have tested some cast 300s. There's a complete article about the .450 Bonecrusher on my website (to include load data).

Lee Martin
http://www.singleactions.com

i read the article...verrrrry cool. i think the 450 bone crusher and the 300 gr nosler partition combo would be a deer and elk slayer!



this is from a the 450 marlin but you get the picture

I love my FA 83 premier grade with a 6 inch bbl & express sights in .454 Casull. It's the perfect size for packing, but has a long enought barrel to keep the velocity up. The quality of FA revolvers is still hard to beat for the money IMO.

FA Premier .454 Casull; 7-1/2"BBL..
They pop-up; you put 'em down...
And it IS pronounced Ka-Sool... That's how Dick pronounces it

Ruger Blackhawk 41 Magnum.

If we are talking a day-to-day "reality" gun that fits ones lifestyle then a S&W M57 or M657 with a standard 4" or Mountain Gun barrel would fill the bill for me.

And since we can only have one it will have to be done right....1964 first year of production vintage, blue and fully factory engraved.

Bob

The one on the left.

http://www.myweb.cableone.net/dSmith-45/trail.jpg

Ruger stainless Bisley 5 1/2" barrel. .45 Colt

I'M STILL THINKIN MY 6" S&W MODEL 27 WITH SOME HOT LOADED 150 GR. HOMECAST SWCS WILL STOP ANYTHING IN NO. AMERICA.............i could be wrong but i know i wouldn't want to be on the recieving end of it...........