I finally got a Magnum Research BFR in 475 Linebaugh w/ 7 1/2" barrel. I am very pleased with it so far, but what surprises me the most is the relatively mild recoil in this supposedly wrist-shattering caliber. I only shoot 2 cylinders per range trip so that may be part of it, but my arms do not rise above my head nor do my wrists ache in agony after shooting. I can compare the recoil of the BFR to 3 Super Redhawks w/ 7 1/2" barrels in 44 Magnum, 454 Casull, and 480 Ruger. I shoot Hornady JHP-XTP loads in each gun:
44 Mag: 300 gr 1150 fps
454 Casull: 300 gr 1650 fps
480 Ruger: 325 gr 1350 fps
475 Linebaugh: 400 gr 1300 fps
So, is Hornady's Linebaugh a "mild" one compared to Buffalo Bores 420 and 440 gr loads or am I just either more recoil tolerant as everything I heard seemed to indicate that the 475 would recoil significantly more than the 454? Is, perhaps, the 475 not a significant leap ahead of the 454?
Also, I have thought of having a custom gunsmith rechamber a Ruger Redhawk or Vacquero into a 500 Linebaugh someday. Is the 500 Linebaugh a significant increase over the 475 or is it just an excuse to have a bigger caliber?
44 Mag: 300 gr 1150 fps
454 Casull: 300 gr 1650 fps
480 Ruger: 325 gr 1350 fps
475 Linebaugh: 400 gr 1300 fps
So, is Hornady's Linebaugh a "mild" one compared to Buffalo Bores 420 and 440 gr loads or am I just either more recoil tolerant as everything I heard seemed to indicate that the 475 would recoil significantly more than the 454? Is, perhaps, the 475 not a significant leap ahead of the 454?
Also, I have thought of having a custom gunsmith rechamber a Ruger Redhawk or Vacquero into a 500 Linebaugh someday. Is the 500 Linebaugh a significant increase over the 475 or is it just an excuse to have a bigger caliber?