This topic rears its head quite frequently on this forum and it is a valid consideration. For the beginner or uninitiated, wanting to buy a big-bore handgun, the biggest limiting factor as I see it, is being able to master the recoil that is generated. I think all agree on this point. I have attached a video clip that bfrshooter shot of me shooting my Huntington custom .475 Linebaugh SRH. The load is a 420 grain WFN over 26.5 grains of 296. We haven't chronographed this load yet, but similar loads we have chrono'd are all going well over 1,300 fps. I shoot a lot of .475 and full-tilt .454 Casull, as well as .44 magnum, so I am fairly hardened to recoil, yet I still bounced the red dot off of my head the first shot because I rushed and wasn't ready. Anyhow, in this clip I am shooting offhand at 100 yards. Note the recoil, and realize that this recoil level is considerably higher than even a heavily loaded .44 magnum.

you guys wouldnt make it hard on a fella...
now im gonna go and think about getting either a BFR or SRH...choices sheesh

Whitworth, you da man....You Da Man

Gosh darn it Marko, show them the lousy 100 yd group you shot with that clunky hunk of iron!

yeah let's see the paper

sorry marko just realized you showed use the tank earlier

Do I have to post the pictures again??

Naw, I found them.
Now show the .480 recoil and how small the difference is.

It doesn't look like it kicks a lot less with .480 loads, but the lighter kick is noticeable.

How do like that 475, would you recommend the smith that bulit it. I am thinking about having a 475 built. Thanks

I love it!! It's way more accurate than I will ever be, but I can regularly squeeze 1-inch groups out of it at 50 yards. In the string in the video clip, I shot at an oxygen bottle at 100 yards. I hit the rail next to it with three shots (it sounded like I was hitting the metal bottle), so I didn't correct until my spotter (bfrshooter) told me to adjust right. I did, and the last two shots in the cylinder were right on the money. I have never been this happy with a firearm. I see no reason for going to another gunsmith than Jack Huntington.

I'll post the pictures of the rail and the bottle here:

Nice shooting, that recoil look ferocious!

Tyler, thanks! It just takes getting used to it. I shoot it as frequently as I can -- you really need to stay on top of it. But, it is a lot of fun!

I did a search for Jack but it seems his website is down. Little help?? Thanks

I think it is www.jrhgunmaker.com, but you would be better served by calling him as he dislikes the internet!! He can be reached at 530/268-6877

Do you like that ultra-dot better than a standard scope?

I have a Leupold 2x on my SRH .454 and really like it, but I'm interested in the idea of a red-dot. Would you ever recommend somebody switching from a standard scope to a red dot? Also, do you think that either the red dot or the standard scope has an advantage over the other?

Thanks Whit, I will call him. That link is OOS as well. Not to ba a Pain in the ass but would/could you post a pic or two of that 475. I would love to see a close up. Thanks

I just looked at your photobucket account and think I saw it in there. BTW love that old school Mopar.

Okay, here are a couple of pictures of the .475 that I shot last week. You can call Jack any time and you will find him willing to answer all of your questions honestly, and you will find his work second to none.

Seargeant Sabre, I prefer the red dot to scopes as I probably won't take a shot at an animal much over 100 yards and at those ranges it is more than adequate and it works GREAT in low-light situations. I've actually used it out to 200 yards and it works well. bfrshooter has them on his .475 Linebaugh and .45/70 BFRs, and they have held up to thousands of full-tilt loads. The Ultradot has a lifetime warranty, and it is priced right at $135.00 shipped -- for the Ultradot 30. I am beyond pleased with it.

7STUBBERU -- glad you like my little Barracuda!! It's a lot of fun and it hauls the mail!

I use the Ultra dots also, I have one of the 1 inch tubes and 2 of the 30 mm Match dot's. They are great and hold up well, 5 years on a 500 Mag and over 4000 rounds fired.


Whitworth, nice looking gun there, was it a 480 before it was converted to the .475

Thanks, Redhawk! Yes indeed it started life as a .480, so it was a rather simple conversion in that I could use the factory barrel.

I would like to get a 475 also, I think the BFR is on my list, if not I will look for a 480 and have it converted. .

I wounder if the new 5 shot Super Redhawk in 480 would be a good start????

marco nice gun jack does nice work.

redhawk yes that 5 shot 480 is a nice place to start

Thanks guys! I have had this conversation with Jack. The 5-shot cylinder can be reamed -- the 6-shot can be also, but I like the idea of the thicker cylinder walls even though there is no strength issue with the 6-shots. Should make for a cheep conversion.

That is one thing that draws me to the BFR in the 475. It is a 5 shot and I don't have to do anything else to the gun. I also already own 2 BFR's and I know how much I like them already.

I would like to try one of those scopes on my 454 casull. Except that they are illegal for hunting in Alaska.


Edited: No electronic sights.

Really? Battery operated is a no no?

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk1:
That is one thing that draws me to the BFR in the 475. It is a 5 shot and I don't have to do anything else to the gun. I also already own 2 BFR's and I know how much I like them already.

I agree that this is a very attractive proposition. The BFR is a great gun and it is priced right.

Why is it illegal in Alaska?? It's a red dot and does not magnify at all.

The 480 I use to have had a Bushnell reddot on it until the rings broke...

mr.pepper, what kind of rings were they?

We can use magnifying scopes just not electronic ones. No artificial lights.

We dont have legal shooting hours up here. We can shoot 24/7 I guess they must think that a lighted dot in the scope would be cheating.

We cant use lighted sights on our bows either.

Except that it's not a scope and it doesn't magnify at all. That doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But, then again, government bureaucracies often don't make sense........

Gents!

I read this thread with great interest and now when I have done all the gold series requirements for an own handgun here in Sweden I start to look into the rules of handgun competition (only way to own a revolver is to compete with it) and I have learnt that it is much easier to get a licence on a 6-shooter than on a 5-shooter due to the competitions here demanding 6 shot series.

Metal silhouette is the only 5-shot competition, while 6-shooters can compete in a dozen different classes, ie, much easier to motivate the licence lady to hand out a licence for a 6-gun.

Are there any strength/safety concerns of having a six shot .480Ruger converted into a .475 Linebaugh?
Will it stand numerous full house loads when I have built up the strength to shoot at that recoil level?
What kind of conversion is needed, Ie, should it be done in the states or can a normal pistolsmith do it in Europe? I have a dealer here that can import for me, he have had BFR in stock earlier, now he has a FA .454.

I am looking into every legal possibility for me to obtain a big bore revolver while it is still legal to own it...
There is talk about cutting down the allowed rifle number from 6 to 4 here, and it is always easier for the government to deny applicants, than to refuse renewal of excisting licences...
As of today, we are allowed to own up to 6 hunting guns and 10 sporting guns, but you have to motivate in writing why you should be given more than 4 hunting guns, and the next step is to deny all applicants more than 4 guns.

This is a long reply/question, but it is intended to show that it is not a stunt, but more like the only way of having a possibility to own a revolver in this class.
Sometimes I wish it was easier to get a licence, and that it did not have to be renewed every 5 years.

Sincerely
Daniel

Hello Daniel. There is a negligible pressure difference between the .480 and the .475 Linebaugh and from what I understand, the six-shot Ruger SRHs in .480 Ruger can be safely converted using the existing cylinder. More importantly, though, is the fact that the .480 isn't really lacking in effectiveness loaded properly. They don't look that powerful on paper, but with a heavy hardcast bullet, they will punch through game with no trouble. You may want to simply get a .480.......JMHO

Withworth
Thanks!
I had considered that option, and it seems more and more like a very good suggestion! If I ever feel the need of more power, then it is just to ream it to .475 linebaugh later on.
Now the problem seems to be that Ruger have stopped manufacturing these, due to sticky extraction and that they might be hard to find?

Can a new gun be fitted with a 6 shot cylinder from the factory? If so, it would probably help a lot to be able to get a licence on it.

I have to start investigating these things now since the transfer, import/export things might take some time, as well as I will only be allowed to buy the gun some time after new year due to waiting times and other bureocratic things...
Will start looking for a 6 shooter now...

Sincerely
Daniel

Daniel, they're out there. I found a really nice .480 SRH with a 7.5-inch barrel on Gunsamerica for $400.00! It was in perfect condition. So, there are many out there. You may want to look on www.gunbroker.com as well.

They are making them now with a five shot cylinder---even better.

Yeah, but it looks like he needs a 6-shot to qualify for a permit.

quote:

Originally posted by Whitworth:
mr.pepper, what kind of rings were they?

actually i should rephrase it was Millets the ring it self is ok the "ears" that are use to mount the scope to the base broke. I think it was mostly incorrect mounting on my part opposing side was what broke.

My rings are mounted directly to the frame of the revolver. They've held up thus far!