im pleased to inform everyone that the money has been compiled and all thats left is time and a decision! when my 18th b-day rolls around, i will have bought myself a world-class revolver. why a big bore revolver? .. the answer is elementary. power, style, and a time tested ruggedness that proves superiority over spring-loading pistols (anyone care to disagree?)

onward with the contenders!

**FIRST**



Have a peep at the BFR. Easily takes the cake with the power of .45/70 gov. as well as .450 marlin. sweet. average weight and decent style IMO, though cumbersome to hunt with at times (this is especially true with the 10 inch barrel on the maxine, wowsa.)

**SECOND**



Ah, the Ruger. This firearm has a lot going for it, and rightfully so! .. 6 rounds over what seems to be the trendy 5. light by comparison and very packable. stylish and powerful.. the super redhawk really stands out simply by being decent at everything.

**THIRD**





the raging bull is unique and stands out in a crowd. big. really big. and heavy. cumbersome. all these things might make for something less functional or unpleasing to the eye. untrue. IMO the raging bull is the most stylish of all, and with the new shiloutte model coming out later this year, its a top contender. another big plus is a particular kit you can get for it. <drools>


Yes, folks. thats a bayonet at the end of it. yes, those are pistolwhipping spikes on the butt of the handle.. the engraving is beautiful..

**FORTH**




A newcomer to the field is the .500 s&w mag. i love it. the most powerful you can get without resorting to old lever action rounds. style is only bested by the taurus and power only by the bfr. its downfall comes in function. large all around no matter which model you get. thing i like about the long barrel though is the carring strap, unique to it.

**LAST, BUT NOT LEAST**



good ol freedom arms! when it comes to function, this one beats them all. lightest of all as well as the option of a 4.75" barrel. thats power you can pack, now.. cant go wrong with the calssic styling, though i prefer the more contemporary raging bull or s&w.. this particular freedom arms has been masterfully engraved.. but this fuctionallity comes at a price above all others. more then 2 stacks for this guy, and thats without the fancy embossments!

-------------------------------------------

So thats it!! which do you people prefer? ultimately the choice will be mine, but i have little experience in the matter (only 17, and my first gun.), and your input is very much appreciated! ready to vote? its as easy as replying with a number..

vote the number to the corresponding handgun.

#1 for the Magnum Research BFR
#2 for the Ruger Super Redhawk
#3 for the Taurus Raging Bull
#4 for the S&W .500 Mag.
#5 for the Freedom Arms Model 83

Thanks! all you need is to put down is the number, but your opions are totally welcome and encouraged as well.

BTW!!!!! Remember this behemoth ?? well... ive used a mechanical CAD program to plot out its *successor*.. ill show you guys once i can get it online. you wont wanna miss this.

-Nagra

because the forums can sometimes be a dick, allow me to repost some of the pics i wasnt allwed to get through

the custom raging bull

stunning, no?

and the freedom arms, thanks tripod....


sorry bout that!

-nagra

The custom Raging Bull looks about worthless for anything except a movie prop.

I have the BFR in 45-70. With handloads I can push a 405gn bullet to 1750fps with any pressure signs. It's not pleasant to shoot anymore. Factory loads with a 300gn around 1300 are very mild to shoot. If you handload, you can do anything inbetween with this monster.

I have a Raging Bull in 454 and it's not overly heavy or large. Mine is proving to be very accurate with groups of 1.4" at 50yds. The port make it comfortable to shoot, but very loud without earplugs.

For the new and biggest factory WOW factor I might go with the S&W 500.
although wait a little and there will be a BFR in 500S&W. I'm thinking it will be stronger then the S&W.


#4 for the S&W .500 Mag.

For not factory options, I'd go with a Custom Linebaugh in 475 long. Portable, packable, powerful.

I'd say either #1 or #4. But what about the Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull? Accurate and hard hitting (on both ends!)...

Personally, I'd wait and get the BFR in .500 S&W, or just grab one in .475 Linebaugh (I'm not one who likes rifle rounds in a handgun). Just my $0.02...

id go with a ruger super redhawk in .480 or .454 the price is right and with what youll save you can start reloading and casting and actually afford to learn to shot it properly!

What about a Dan Wesson

If you have not shot big bores before go with Lloyds suggestion srh 480-454 ,You are taking a chance with the BFR maybe you will get o good gun maybe you wont ,check my post on (opinions on bfr)its not good,but it is true.

Nagrathius -

If you have the scratch, go with the FA 83 in .454 Casull or .475 Linebaugh.

I own both, and in my opinion, there is not a finer revolver made. I have fired the Raging Bull in .454 and like my FA's much better.

Some of the custom revolvers (Gary Reeder) produced from the various Ruger SA's look nice too, I have just not had any personal experience with them.

Hope this helps.....

MIBIGHNTR

I agree with Lloyd. What about the plain Jane 44 magnum. That is another big bore that lots of beginner should try first.

Hcliff

Some people have doubts about their manhood and think they can become a man by getting the biggest and most powerfull. I'm already a man so all I need is a S&W 29 44mag.

They're all excellent revolvers, but if price isn't an object, you can't go wrong with a Freedom Arms. I have 6 of these guns (4 83s and 2 97s) and they're built like no other commercial sixgun. I also like the BFRs, though many question their fit/finish. A few years ago, they weren't any better than a Super Blackhawk. Recent efforts to improve the quality though have made the guns a better buy; all that I've worked with group exceptionally well and are tightly constructed. I do keep hearing S&W say that their .500 is the most powerful production revolver available....I would disagree though in that my .450 Marlin BFR can push a 405 grain flat point at 1,740 fps (over 2,700 fpe). Best of luck with whatever you choose.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

Nagrathius
As this will be your first big bore revolver you will shoot it a lot, and as you improve your skill you will want a revolver that is up to your skill level.
The Freedom Arms is your best choice. They are very strong, and very accurate. They may be the finest revolver ever made. You should probably get the 454 as it can be loaded from mild to wild and 45 cal cast bullets are available every where. You might consider an extra cylinder in 45 Colt or 45 ACP for your plinking loads. If I was going to seriously hand gun hunt I would get the 7.5" bbl, but if I was going to carry this revolver all the time even while rifle hunting you might look at the 6.5". I think for your first big bore the 4.75 would be too short. Nothing wrong with your second revolver being a 4.75". I have never heard of anyone being unhappy with a Freedom Arms revolver.
After having said all that I have never owned a Freedom arms Revolver. My first big bore revolver was a Ruger Super Blackhawk, and I have done most of my hunting with a 44 S&W 6 1/2", or a 4". If I ever get "serious" about handgun hunting I will get a Freedom Arms revolver, probably in 475 [after all I will still have my 44's for general purpose use]. I will have to take a look at the S&W 500 also as I just like S&W's and double actions.
But I know the Freedom Arms has a very fine track record, you can never go wrong with it.

I like #1 in 45-70
or #4: just love big bores
I like the 475 or 500 Linebaugh also.

[ 03-21-2003, 22:32: Message edited by: handcanon ]

If you are looking for a bragging rights gun, then the 500 S&W wins.

If, however, you are looking for the finest hunting and all around big bore, then one gun in your list stands alone, and that is the FA mdl 83. It is constructed to much tighter tollerances and higher standards then any of the other guns by a large margin.

Since it's your first big bore, I'd recomend the 454 casull, and get extra cylinders in 45 acp and 45 colt. The 6" barrel is perfect for an iron sighted gun, packable, and balance is superb. I would recomend having it roundbutted as well, and go with the micarta or laminated grips. Rubber grips do not belong in a SA big bore!

If I was personally choosing, I'd go with the mdl 83 in 475 w/ a 480 cylinder and 6" octagon barrel.

Nagrathius
If your dead set on a BB for your first gun-The SRH is the way to go-for alittle money you can get the best of both worlds!! Forgett that Hollywood Crap!!! I guess by your choices the question needs to be ask -What are you intending to do with this-Hunt-Target shooting or just have so you can say your a BB shooter?

[ 03-21-2003, 23:34: Message edited by: Gunnut45/454 ]

Nagrathius,

Freedom Arms, Taurus and Ruger SRH.

But I can list at same "level" than FA a custom gun made by John Linebaugh, Jim Stroh or David Clements.

great output!!

Gunnut45/454:
the answer to your question is all of the above! .. i look forward to hunting with my BB (moose in maine... mwahahaha) as well as target shooting as much as i possibly can. and of course im going to brag about it... one of the joys of having a BB revolver .

mete:
as you already know, most of these are already chambered for .44mag.. who says i was going to get the .454?? ... but if youre wondering... ill probably get the .454 there seems to be a lot of logic behind it (cheap to reload and compadible with other .45s)

AS FAR AS THE POLLS, you guys seems to like the freedom arms.. money is definately a factor, but not so large that it cannot be overcome with a little bit of time and a couple paychecks.

I INSIST THAT EVERYONE WHO READS THIS THREAD, VOTE! hell, heres my own. #3.. i know im the first to vote for it, but i just love that custom... <drools over self>....

-Nagra (thanks everyone)

Freedom arms are the finest 21st century machine work available on a washed up 19th century platform. They won't even hold up to the light rounds that my RB shoots all day. Just ask Longbob

I would definately take the Super Redhawk over the Raging Bull. I have several Taurus guns, nothing against them, they make a good product. But, my hunting sixgun is a 480 SRH, and no way I'd want the bull. I could be convinced to get that octagon barreled mdl 83 though

#2.Rugers rule.The only other brand I would bye would be a Contender.

I would like to cast a vote for the Super Redhawk in the most sedate bigbore cartridge: the lowly and now obsolete .44 Mag. My reasons are that with the difference in price between it and the high end guns, you will be able to purchase a full progresive reloading rig along with enough components to load 10,000 rounds. By the time you shoot those up, you will either have mastered the .44 all the way through the hot 320/330 grainers, or you will know that you can't handle anything bigger.

Only hits count. Being able to pop the heads off of dandelions on demand at 35 yards with the wimpy .44 is a lot more impresive than loading big cartridges into the cylinder, making a big noise and not being able to keep all of your hits on a 12" x 18" piece of paper at the same range. I personally witnessed two shooters recently with new .454's fall into that latter category. Hitting is exciting, missing is embarassing.

No game animal on the planet is wearing Chobham armor, the last time I checked. Any big game that you have any business tackling in the near future, given your familiarity with hunting class handguns, will easily fall to properly placed .44's. The Super Red will handle Garrett's +P Long Hammerheads, when you are ready for that level of power. They are capable of punching through very big animals, including elk and moose.

The Super Red in .454 would be a good choice provided you remain disciplined enough to not get in over your head. But the point of owning a .454 is to shoot .454's, and you will wind up with a bad case of the heebee jeebee's in a hurry.

The Super Red in .480 is a nice combination, but not for a first big bore. The .480 is not really very versatile. Bullet weights for the .480 start where the .44 ends. Recoil is managable, but it just costs more to shoot. You will learn faster with the .44.

In truth, anything with more power than the cartridges listed above are specialist's tools. It is really easy to be seduced into thinking that if some is good, an absurd amount is better. You will buy more headaches and bad habits with the super magnums than you need at your level. And anything you need to do, you can do with the .44. Paper, tin cans, and two litler pop bottles will never know the difference. If you are hunting, you need enough gun and markmanship. The .44 qualifies for the first. You need to develop the second. That means a lot of trigger time, and the right kind of trigger time.

Nathan

Bigger isn't necessarily better...well said Nathan.

I would like to point out that many people have distinct preferences for either the single-action type grip (and it's associated recoil pattern) or else the newer double action type grip. My preference is for that latter and therefore have shot damned little of the former. I've shot a 44 Mag in a single action style grip and would much prefer to shoot my buddy's 454 Casull Taurus. While the Freedom Arms has a simply wonderful reputation, I'm curious if any other double action fans could comment for having shot a FA? I'm hopeful that with it's reputation that maybe the grip is considerably better than normal.

Lastly, don't underestimate the importance of cheap shooting. These essentially proprietary calibers such as the 500 S&W and Linebaugh will be EXPENSIVE to shoot. You may have the $$ now and you may have it in 15-20 years, but in-between you may be scraping to make ends meet and shooting cast bullets you made over 5-10 grains of Unique will go a LONG ways further. In other words, downloading to 45 Long Colt or even 45 ACP makes a lot of sense no matter your pocketbook as it's cheap and it allows you to practice without the wear and tear (concussion) of the full power loads.

All of that said, my vote:

Taurus then S&W

Pros and cons. Taurus, pros listed above, cons would include questionable resale (you could call it retained) value. S&W, pros include the double action style grip, exceptional power, and more than likely very good retained value. Cons would include not only the extreme cost of ammo but the availability of ammo given it's product timeline.

Now, if I ever get a chance to shoot a FA I may change my vote as I've heard very good things about this pistol.

Good luck.

Reed

I like the option presented about getting a Ruger and a progressive loader at the same time. I have the Dillon RL550B and absolutely love it. When it's all setup, I can load 100rnds of 45acp in about 8min. It's big enough to load 30-378 on also. Buy all the same brand of brass, I like winchester. Get carbide dies. Consider getting into casting your own bullets. If not, a big box of Lazer casts are not too bad. 475 Linebaugh cases can still be made from cut down 45-70's, not for the FA though without turning the rim.

You might also consider a Stainless Bisley in 44mag or 45colt.

If you get a larger chambering, you can always load it down, but a smaller caliber can only go up soo far without getting dangerous.

My first wheelgun was a S&W M29 44mag, I wanted to get a FA454 and had the money, but I talked myself out of it listening to people talk about broken hands and dislocated thumbs. After I got used to the 44, I wanted more.

It is not just enough to have a big bore handgun. You will have to shoot it enough to become proficient. Also as it is a handgun and fits in your hand, maybe you want something small enough to wear in a holster on your belt. If I was you and could afford it I would get a Freedom Arms 454 Casull with a 6 inch barrel. Like some have already said, you can load from mild to wild. It will kill anything on the planet and you can shoot hard cast bullets that you make yourself to become a proficient shooter. If you can't afford a new one they can be had used for a resonable price.

#4 in Performance Center format

iIf I was buying for me.. 5,3,4,2,1.

If your buying one of these as your first handgun... keep me in mind. I'll give you 80% of what you paid for it after you shoot 3 or 4 rounds through it. In other words, BIG MISTAKE.

LAR... ALL guns are too loud.
ALL guns are too loud without ear protection.
ALL are doing perminant damage to your ears.

Unless it's a matter of life and death, there's no reason or excuse to fire any gun without hearing protection. Hunting? I can buy meat in a store. I can't buy my hearing back.

[ 03-23-2003, 09:59: Message edited by: cas ]

I agree, ALL guns are loud. But there are differences in LOUD. I practice with earplugs in all the time, but don't hunt with earplugs in. I don't think that a few shots a year without plugs while hunting is going to make a huge difference in my hearing. I do think there is a difference in your ears ringing for a few minutes from a 44mag or pain for a couple of days from a ported TC in 309JDJ.

Every shot does damage. It's a fact. If your ears are ringing even slightly, the damage was done.
I hunt with hearing protection, all combinations of foam plugs, reactive plugs, electronic muffs and standard muffs. Sometime in/on, sometime at the ready or around my neck. I've never missed a shot at game because I took time to put them in or on. And if I ever do... ya know what, I won't starve to death.

More important for here... he's got no business buying ANY of the guns listed.

Buy a Colt Python, Smith, Ruger BH or Freedom Arms 93 in .357 mag and shoot a few thousand .38 Wadcutters in it until you learn how to shoot. Then consider moving up.

There are always exceptions, and you may be one, but starting your revolver shooting career off with a heavy caliber is a SERIOUS MISTAKE IMO. That said, if you must get either a .44 mag and shoot light .44 special loads in it while learning, or a .454 and shoot light .45 Colt loads in it while learning.

Of your choices, money no object, the Freedom Arms is far and away the best revolver.

[ 03-24-2003, 01:11: Message edited by: RMiller ]

#2 in 480 and start reloading. although I dont know of any place that will let an 18 year old buy a handgun. You may get to save $ for three more years.

re -reading his post... "time tested ruggedness." Non of the guns you mention is really "time tested". the Ruger's been around a while, and the FA is getting on... but the other are down right newbies in the world of handguns.

Kid, you got some real questionable cantidates there, in my opinion.

Congradulations on being 18, and having the dough to buy yourself a FA. I conclude you are stinkin' rich. Good for you.

Don't get me wrong, I have an FA, and it's worth the money. But then, I'm in my middle years, and have been blessed with good fortune. When I was 18, I sometimes couldn't afford ramen noodles.

Buy yourself a SS Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt with adj. sights for $450 or so. Shoot it stock. Out of the box, mine is 92% of the gun the FA is, for 1/4 the price.

Since you are pooping green, have Bowen or Linebaugh customize it. Now you own the best.

Or, just shoot that Ruger. When you wear it out, buy the FA.

Just my opinion,

Pete

PS- what is your best .22 pistol? Mine's a Norinco TT Olympia wiith a nice bit of custom work done on it. Shoots under a dime at 50'

Get what i'm saying?

Pete's got a good point. All the power in the world won't do any good if you can't hit anything with it. You'll need to put in lots of trigger time to become proficient. A good shot should be able to hit empty shotgun shells at 15-20yds with a 22. I've shot countless 1000's of rounds to get where I'm at. Probably over half of that is 22 from my Ruger MKII Stainless Target. I still say you need to get into reloading to be able to afford to shoots lots and often. I got to the range today and went through about 400rnds of 454's testing different bullet designs. I put several into 1 hole, but the best overall group was 1.4" at 50yds.
Get which one feels the best to you and learn to shoot it well.

I have to agree with the folks who say the .44 mag. is all you need. You say this is your first hand gun? My first handgun was a Ruger single six .22 and .22 mag. Got it when I turned 18. Of course Dad put it in his name. I had been shooting from about age 4 and still felt that was all I needed at the wet behind the ears age of 18. Heck I couldn't afford to shoot any thing more. I enjoyed the heck out of that gun. Then came age 21 time to be a man and get a semi and a carry permit. Well I waited till about age 23 as I was always to broke till then. I went out and chunked down a pile of cash on a Colt Delta Elite in 10mm. Ya boy I was BAD!! Gun was to big and heavy for a guy my size to carry conceled well and even though I could buy the gun after working overtime, I could not shoot it and feed the baby the next several years ammo was expensive. Boy a 9mm would have been a better move.
Latter on I got a Contender in 45/70 Had to have big. Well big was great except the Contender and my carpal tunnal did not get along. So now what do I shoot? A .41 mag. all the gun I ever need hunting and a .40 S&W all the gun I need for a carry gun.

But out of your choices I would go with the Raging Bull. I was real hot for one in .480 till I settled down and became very happy with my .41

other than you ahve to be 21 to own a handgun

get a ruger blackhawk bisley in 45lc... load it soft or hot, with a 5.5" barrel.. great starter, good for parts and upgrades, and plenty of power.

the vaquero (which i carry hunting) has non adjustable sights, whichs means i have A load that is perfect, the rest is just fun

jeffe

I love it when new handgun shooters go out and buy the biggest most powerful handgun they can afford. That was how I got my FA .454 for 80% of normal price with only 25 shots put through it. Start sane and work your way up. By no means IMO go bigger (more powerful) than the .454 and even at that, download or shoot some of the milder factory loads in the beginning. Hell, I started out my handgun shooting by going through many steps-22 LR/Mag, .38/.357, .44 Spcl/Mag, .45-70, .454, .50 AK, in that order over many years. The Ruger .480 is a good big bore beginner's gun. More power than the .44 magnum, but the recoil is not so much that you will not be able to master it. You might want to see if you can find some to shoot before you buy. They are all expensive and unless you mind loosing money when you trade it in for something less powerful, start out on the lower end of the power scale and work your way up. That just gives you an excuse to buy more guns in the future. What's the big hurry? JMO

Oh to be 18 again-"Young, Dumb and full of ***"!!! Since he hasn't replied to these well learned posts I wonder if we've scared the the youngster off?? Like I said before a SRH 454 -shoot alot of 45LC through it when you've mastered reg 45 LC move up to hot 45LC then to mild 454's and then some big boy 454 loads! You'll have a very accurate gun and one that can grow with your skills-but sounds like money is no object for you!! So Buy your toy
and learn the hard way.