I was thinking for a BFR long cylinder revolver in .550 caliber, .460 W.M. case shortened at 2.3" and 700 to 800 grain bullets at 1300 to 1500f/s from a 6.5" to 7.5" barrel.
Could anyone with a BFR, measure the cylinder diameter and the frame opening height on one of those guns?
Thank you for the answers.

Lefteris
www.europeancartridgeunlimited.com

I have a revolver (a D-Max which is the predecessor of the BFR) in .50 Alaskan (.511 diameter), and it is WAY more gun than is useful. I believe the .50-110 case is 2.3-inches long (the Alaskan is 2.1), so the length is there. It would probably fit, but I must ask why -- I am not trying to be combative, just would like to know what the intended purpose of the revolver will be. Will you hunt with it? If yes, it may be too much cartridge to control in such a light cartridge.

I can't see where anyone would need more power than a 500 S&W, 500 Linebaugh or 500 Maximum in a revolver. Any of these would take down an elephant with a well placed shot so what is left to hunt bigger than that? The cartridges mentioned are about as much as is useable in a handgun regardless the size. Shoot a few cylinder's worth of these in a 6" revolver and then see if you want more. It would be much more of a novelty than useful, and could be downright injurious to the hand/wrist area...permanently.

And a novelty is all that it is.

+1 on what woodrow said
I have 6 500S&W, 1 454 ruger and 4 480Rugers,
thats just in handguns. If you can handle more than 50 fullhouse loads in the 500S&W go for it.
There reaches a point were one is better off refining shot placement instead of calibre increasement don't you think?

I agree whole heartedly with the practical objections.

But, there's a part of me that says more power to the would be creators of the new and different in handgunning.

And this is a project that could be interesting "just because"..

However, you got to draw the line somewhere.

I'll take a pass on any 1.00" Magnums...

Like I said, I have a .50 Alaskan and it is way more than useable from the perspective of power. There is a point where recoil gets in the way of usefulness. JMHO.

Isn't there a prohibition on centerfire pistol cartriges over 50 bore? I don't keep close tabs on pistol regs but I never heard it was lifted.

Gentlemen,
I appreciate your comments, experiences and expertise on the subject of big bore revolvers. I just feel that a .550 bore will handle heavy bullets better than a .500 or .510.
Maybe there is not a need for such calibers, since after all, a 45 cal handgun or rifle is more than enough for any game animal.
The dimensions I am looking for are:
1. BFR long cylinder diameter.
2. Frame cylinder window height.
3. Distance from center of firing pin hole to topstrap.

Lefteris
www.europeancartridgeunlimited.com

Sorry, just noticed your location. Current 55 caliber bullets are .550 bullet diameter, not bore. They current range from 615 grains to 800 but I'm sure you could get any weight mold you want. Jeffeoso made a 550 Nitro Express and the rimmed cases would cut down to a decent length for a BFR.

tiggertate,
You are right, it is caliber not bore. I was using the word "bore" as a generic term meanining "caliber".
The .550 Nitro Express or .550 Flanged or any cartridge with a base diameter of about .580 could also be used but I think it is easier to use Weatherby cases due to the fact thay if any rim trimming (in diameter) is needed for the NE case it is avoided if the Weatherby case is used.
As for bullets, I was thinking for some machined brass of a new bullet design we are working on.
Any dimensions of the BFR long cylinder revolvers?

Lefteris
www.europeancartridgeunlimited.com

Don't know the exact length but it has to be a tad longer than a fired 3" 410 shot shell; so atlease 3.25 inch chamber.

The long cylinder BFRs have a length of 3.060, per MRI.
I need some more dimensions:
1. BFR long cylinder diameter.
2. Frame cylinder window height.
3. Distance from center of firing pin hole to topstrap.

Lefteris
www.europeancartridgeunlimited.com

That's interesting because if they fire a 3" shotshel in a 3.06 cylinder, one would think the opened crimp would bind in the forcing cone.

But then I 'm pretty ignorant about shotshells in general. Is 3" the fired length?

3 inch is generally the fired or un-folded or un-roll crimped length.

The .550 could be done on a rimmed Rigby case. The .580 nominal body diameter is enough to provide case taper for the .550 bullet. A rim diameter of approx .640 would make it appear to be 500 S&W-ish. It would provide enough purchase for headspace and my possibly fit in the cylinder better, being only .030 larger than the 50AK. ( better illustrtation would be the 44 mag and 45 colt.)

I'll say it again. I will give you a couple of cylinders full of ammo to shoot through my .50 Alaskan, and then I will ask you to honestly tell me you "need" more.....

God bless you if you do! You're a bigger glutton for punishment than me......

Geez guys, can't someone who owns a BFR answer his question? Seems simple enough to me. If there is a sound engineering reason why he can't do it, then tell him.
Peter.

Go out and measure one for him, Peter! If I had one, I would do it......

Don't have one! My FA in 475L is plenty enougA for me.
Peter.

Whitworth,

I'd love to grab hold of that 50 AK of yours. Then again most folks who know me think I'm a bit strange.....

quote:

Originally posted by kaytod:
Whitworth,

I'd love to grab hold of that 50 AK of yours. Then again most folks who know me think I'm a bit strange.....

Todd, I have no doubt!

I measured my 45-70 BFR
The window is 1.817" high and 3.113" long.

My guess is that you would have to machine the window open to get that big of a cylinder to fit.
You'll also have to look at center line to bore center to see if you could fit 5 holes in there with enough metal left over to be safe enough to shoot.

I can understand the need for bigger, That's why I have a 70 cal double pistol.

Lar45,
Thank you very much.

Lefteris
www.europeancartridgeunlimited.com

550 express us case length of 2.65 2" could work. What vel would you want? The 550 flanged is 3.25 case using 577/500 cases as basis

Discussed this same idea a couple years ago using wby brass to 550 on BFR. Talked to the guys who do the JRH if I remember correctly. He thought it could be done but barely and would require a lot of work. A forum member here was thinking about making one to have the biggest and baddest revolver that could be done on a BFR.