The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Handgun Hunting 480 Ruger BFRGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| 480 Ruger BFR | Login/Join |
| new member |
Ok, this may get a little long, but here goes. I am looking into buying a BFR in a heavy caliber soon. I really want a 50 caliber, but don't have the desire to trim cases and dies for the 500 JRH, and simply don't like the looks of the long cylinder on the 500 S&W. I had settled on the 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh chambered gun with the 7.5 inch barrel. However I have found one chambered only for the 480 with the 6.5 inch barrel. I really like the 6.5 barrel, but upon doing some research, I have found some opinions that the 480 is dying. My concern is that finding brass will be a problem in the future. Should I be leary of purchasing a 480 only gun? I will be handloading the ammo, so factory availibilty is not that important to me. Mainly looking for a gun to shoot a lot and hunt deer and hogs with. I know I don't really need the 480 or 475 for those, but have done some time with the 44 mag and want to step up in size just for fun. I do have plans to go back to Africa one day for cape buffalo, and would love to use a handgun. Would the 480 be enough with good hard cast loads? I have also considered the 454 Casull 6.5 inch BFR. Just don't think I really want the fast sharp recoil of a 454 versus the big slow shove with the 480/475. Is there really that much difference in the two? I have shot a T/C contender in 45-70 a lot when I had it in the past, so heavy recoil is not that big of an issue. Which gun would you guys recommend? | ||
|
Moderator |
Fullhouse loads out of a .475 kick harder IMO than do heavy .454 loads. Not as sharp, but when you are pushing 420 grains over 1,350 fps, it will get your attention. You don't have to trim brass for the .500 JRH, you can buy. You can also buy factory ammo from Grizzly Cartridge (I have tested all of it and it is all good). I don't think the .480 is going away, but why opt for a .480 when you can have a .475 Linebaugh anyhow? It's not going anywhere. I think that if you want a .50 Cal, you would be well served with the .500 JRH -- I have one and it is the most accurate revolver I own. "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
|
| One of Us |
There are no issues with going the 480 route vs the 475 Linebaugh...there is only about 100-150 fps difference....and that could be made up easily by loading the 480 bullet a bit "long" if your cylinder can handle it and with hard cast bullets. Very much the same as the Reeder 510GNR can be loaded to 500 Linebaugh velocity. If you really don't need the 50 caliber don't sweat it...stay with the 480/475 as it will get the job done just as well. As Whitworth stated, you can purchase the 500 JRH brass if your heart is set on a 50 cal., and in addition to that also look at the 500 Linebaugh as well. A custom revolver may cost a bit more but you are getting A LOT more too. Check out Reeders site for more info. at reedercustomguns.com | |||
|
| One of Us |
Buy the 475 L and have the barrel cut as you desire or keep looking. I wanted a 5 1/2" one so it went to the chopping block.  | |||
|
| One of Us |
you can load the 475 to where it has plenty of heavy sharp recoil. you can also load the 454 to where it's more of a push. i have both. also have a few of the 500's and for whatever reason they kick with an equal load worse than the 475's makes no sense but that's what i've found. if it was my first or could have just one i'd get the 454, though a 480 is a fine round. | |||
|
| One of Us |
250 - 500 JRH cases can be purchased from Jack Huntington for $162 shipped. Brass is made by Starline. Jack must have a lock on selling the brass but more power to him since he invented it. 475 Linebaugh or 500 JRH? Difficult choice for sure. I have a FA 475 on order and just recently purchased a BFR in 500 JRH. The FA was ordered with a 6 inch barrel and the BFR is supposed to be 5.5 but it is really 6. IF I were forced to pick one round over the other my choice would be the 500 JRH. That makes you a member of the 50 Club  . Load it up or down, it will do anything the 475 Linebaugh will do and more.After seeing how nice my BFR is I am regretting ordering my FA 475. Granted they are apples and oranges but the FA is costing me about $2,400 with an octagon barrel while the BFR will end up costing me about $1,100 by the time custom Micarta grips are added to it. Could of had two BFR's for the price of the one decked out Freedom Arms. I really never liked the 454 Casull. Owned a FA in one as well as a Ruger SRH. The round seems to have a sharp hard recoil to it compared to a big boom and push of the 50's. Different shooters have various opinions. Try to shoot each before deciding. My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Cost differences? It's only money and it is soon forgotten. Never let a cost difference hold you back from what you really want. Small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. For a few hunerd more than that BFR you could get a full custom revolver in whatever caliber and configuration you want...including the custom Micarta grips. | |||
|
| new member |
Ok guys. A few questions on the 500 JRH. I know I can order the brass, but what about dies? It is my understanding that I will have to trim the base of the crimp die from a 500 S&W for it to work. Woodrow, not familiar with the world of custom revolvers. Who would I talk to in order to get a custom gun in the price range you are talking about? Thanks for the help. I should have all the money in hand within a month. | |||
|
| One of Us |
I am not Woodrow but I can personally vouch for all the following custom 'smiths who could build just what you want. Hamilton Bowen, John Gallagher, Jim Stroh, Andy Horvath, Alan Harton, Ben Forkin, John Linebaugh and Dustin Linebaugh. Many folks are very pleased with the work by Gary Reeder and Jack Huntington as well. We truly live in the golden age of custom revolver artists. | |||
|
| One of Us |
The "all in" cost for one of those builders to build a proper 475/480 will be more than a few hundred more than the BFR. This I know as I own builds from a number of the 'smith's listed. | |||
|
| Moderator |
Jack Huntington performs a grip extension modification to the BFR grip frame and makes custom grips to fill your hand correctly for $300.00 -- that is the entire cost. An example of the grip extension is cottonstalk's Ruger, seen here. The same mods are performed to the BFR and it is perfect in my opinion. I love Bisleys, but I think I like these a bit more.  Here is a photo of a BFR with the aforementioned mods and grips (in this case Micarta).  "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
|
| One of Us |
I emailed Hornady and asked them if their 500 S&W dies would work on the JRS and they said yes. I was also told as long as the RCBS dies stated 500 S&W or 500 Special they would work as well. Bought an extra set of the RCBS dies to use for the JRS because I HATE fiddling with seating and crimping positions. My biggest fear is when I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her they cost. | |||
|
| One of Us |
If the price is right, buy the .480 and then send it to Magnum Research and get the .475 cylinder that way you can have a dedicated cylinder for each round. | |||
|
| Moderator |
I don't think they have ever produced a dedicated .480 cylinder. No need really when you have the .475 cylinder. "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
|
| One of Us |
I agree on the Huntington extended grip frame on the BFR. I do prefer it to the Ruger Bisley. | |||
|
| One of Us |
there was a short time a dedicated 480 was listed, not sure how many were made. | |||
|
| new member |
Appreciate the help guys. Will be hitting some gunshows in the next month and trying to find a 475 BFR. | |||
|
| Moderator |
I didn't know that. Thanks for informing me! "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
|
One of Us |
FWIW, if it is a new BFR you are looking at, it is a 475. For some reason BFR lists them as 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh and the manufacturers part number is BFR480, and the wholesalers never mention they are 475 Linebaugh | |||
|
| Moderator |
For the same reason I guess that .454 SRHs are marked .45 Colt/.454 Casull -- to let you know you can use both calibers. It's a bit silly. Welcome to AR, tek4260! "Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming. Semper Fidelis "Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time" | |||
|
one of us |
Was just looking at Buds gun shop and they have listed as available BFR's in 480Ruger, BFR mod#4807 http://www.budsgunshop.com/cat...80+Ruger%2C+7.5+Inch they also list a 480/475 as out of stock mod#BFR480/475-7.5 http://www.budsgunshop.com/cat...+480475+SA+REV+7.5SS I never knew they made a dedicated 480 model either....wish I had the extra $$ for one. Mark NRA BENEFACTOR MEMBER | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia