B.F.R. revolver, How big a charge?

S

swedish champion

New member
I have two b.f.r. Revolvers chambered in 45-70. I have owned them over two years. I don't hardly shoot any of my other "magnum" pistols as they just aren't as interesting to reload for anymore. The 45-70 case has become my favorite. I posted this because I as constantly asked "what will that pistol take?" And "how is the recoil?" I'm not gonna answer the recoil question...its a gun man, use it. However, I hear much misinformation about limitations on the strength of this design. The answer is, ruger number 1 rifle loads. I've done them all. 300 to 500 grain bullets, velocities well over 2,000 f.p.s. From a 7 1/2 inch barrel. My standard plinking load is 405 hard cast in front of 51 grains of 4198 at 1,925 f.p.s. The pistol is pressure-wise, at least as strong as a marlin lever rifle in the same calibre. Yes....the recoil hurts...dont be a -CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED-. I'm posting this in hopes the curious internet search might yield results from a post substantiated by personal experience and practice.
 
I bought a BFR in 44 Mag 5 inch barrel (Two months ago)because no other revolver would hold up to a bunch of shooting . The first day I got it home from the FFL I shot 200 plus rounds of 240gr. lead . At seven days I had a 1000 shot no problems .
The screws stay tight the gun shoots very well and recoil is tame as hell .
Today I have close to 4500 rounds shot and have yet to find a loose screw .
This gun is built for a shooter to be shot a lot .

Yes I have shot a lot of lead but also a lot of hot jacketed 240/300gr. XTP and it shoots great . My only complaint is grips no one makes a nice set of wood grips for the BFR . The BFR is a keeper a shooter and one nice Revolver .

I have shot them all and the BFR is the very best (so far) . The Super Blackhawk is made to shoot 50 or 60 rounds a year the S&W 29 is made for lighter loads and yes I own a Freedom Arms and it has failed once .
 
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I also own a BFR 45-70 with a 10" barrel. I've shot everything from blackpowder and mouse fart loads all the way up to full 500 grain No#1 loads. Even with No#1 loads the pressures are signifcantly lower than a rifle due to the barrel length. IMO, though the gun can take it, there's almost no justification for the higher loads as you can only get so much out of a short barrel and you'll get lots of noise, flash and abusive recoil. My normal load is a 405 hard cast @ 1600 FPS which is actually pleasent to shoot.
As far as quality, you won't find another revolver with as good trigger right out of the box as a BFR, there is NO cylinder gap, the machine fit is absolutly perfect. They will shoot any round that your're man enough to hold on to.
 
Some of you guys have the short cylinder models, I've picked one up and it seemed really well balanced. I'm gonna hafta keep my eyes open at ranges and gravel pits cause id really like an opportunity to fire one, in any caliber really, and see how one feels.
 
Even with No#1 loads the pressures are signifcantly lower than a rifle due to the barrel length.
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Barrel length has nothing to do with the operating pressure. It makes a difference in the velocity obtained, but not the pressure.

And I will assume you meant "virtually" no cylinder gap, there has to be SOME clearance, or the cylinder will not rotate.

I have a Ruger No.3 in .45-70, and a "Ruger only" load with the 350gr that does 2200fps. Personally, I would never consider shooting that load in ANY handgun! But then, I have plans that involve using my hands during the rest of my life.:D:rolleyes:

I have a 14" Contender .45-70, and sticking to 400gr slugs at BP speeds has worked on everything I've used it for, and has more than a "stout" recoil. One friend (after watching me shoot it) tried, and bashed himself in the nose, getting a cut from the Red Dot sight. He did hit the target!

After we got the bleeding stopped (and the laughter) he tried again, with much better results.

The BFR is absolutely a fine, if not the finest made gun commonly found, and if you want to shoot loads that snap at the heels of the .458 Win, that's your business. I don't think you're a wimp if you don't, I think you're being smart...
 
swedish champion

I see a number of calibers for the short cylinder but the 44 Mag is the only interest to me .

At first the weight of the gun felt very different and the short barrel (5 inch) gave the feel of more weight . After shooting the gun for a short time it is very comfortable and feels good in the hand .
 
I'd love to shoot one of these

But I'd prefer the Marlin 1895 GS or a Winchester or something easier to hold onto without a custom made grip, as KEYBEAR is trying to sort through, I don't shoot at anything past 200 yards, so 4570 is fine for me, if a mans got the bench, the logic for reloading 4570 "as the only rifle round has been seconded by none other than Hickock45
 
Funny, first you say.....
And "how is the recoil?" I'm not gonna answer the recoil question.
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and in the same paragraph say.....
Yes....the recoil hurts...dont be a -CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED-.
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Seems what you want us to know is that unless you shoot a handgun that hurts everytime you shoot it, you are a "censored".

Recoil, even with the heavy hitters, in the right platform does not have to hurt everytime. Painful recoil is the number one reason most folks have learned to flinch, even when they shoot low recoil weapons. My X-Frame, while being everybit as effective against game animals as your BFR in .45-70, does not "hurt" even with the stoutest of loads. I wonder if that makes me a "censored" or just smart?
 
I do not think anyone was calling a recoil sensitive person stupid .
Recoil is what it is recoil some think a 38 has a bunch others do not mind a 454 . As for the 45-70 I only have one a TC-Contender 12 inch and it is brutal . (It has ate a lot of scopes ).
I also have a Custom TC- Contender built by JD Jones in 358 JDJ it is a joy to shoot .
 
I suppose I get over combative in preparation for what I know is coming. First off....i didn't write "censored". The forums computer did that. I wrote "don't be a puzzy" that's what I intended to appear on the screen. In regular local firearms circles, and on the internet....its common for me to run into people who are venomous about being clear how cirtain they are that my ballistic practices are somehow improper. "your gonna want to use that hand later" "boy what you need a pistol that hot for?" And my personal favorite "why don't you just use a (enter your favorite carbine or full size hunting rifle or shotgun here)". So...i did get a couple of those even as I tried to shoo them away with a cavalier script. I didn't plan on the other end of the spectrum, I didn't mean to puff up the ballistic (and grammatical) chests of any other firearms enthusiasts who DO appreciate a firm thud when they pull the trigger. Case in point....i knew a guy...good shot b.t.w....who put a compensator on a Beretta claiming the recoil bothered him. I guess all impressions are relative. So in closing ill say. "if your not a "censored" (puzzy) then please disregard.
 
I do like the recoil of my .45-70 B.F.R. but I've only had 300gr jacketed hollow points and 405gr full lead don't know what powder loads they had
 
Keybear

That short cylinder model I picked up out of the glass case was a 44mag model. It felt really well balanced. All the steel in the frame on that firearm gives it a completely different feel than any of my super Blackhawks, which I consider to be the next closest pistol in that class...naturally traced back to the colt...then even further back to the 0-frame Remington design. If I get an opportunity one of these days, I might pick up a short- cylinder...though I believe it might be in .45 colt...simply because all the pistols I own in said caliber are converted cap and ball units. I'd really like a .45colt at 13-1500 f.p.s. I know i could get 454 C. In a short cylinder....but i wonder how long 460s+w cases are? If i got a short cylinder 460....i could shoot all 3 in the same gun. Hmmmm. Where's my o.a.c. Book???
 
The 460 is a long cylinder model. Here's a pic of mine. The long cylinder models get awfully heavy, especially with the long barrel and added scope.


DSCF0388.jpg
 
Aww....yep, 460 is a long cylinder. Well, just a thought. Beautiful rig, b.t.w. Compact scope, nice low profile. I've never fired 460 s n w....though, when the cartridge emerged to the market I purchased a box just to check them out. I really respect the sensibility of it, if I were Dick Casull, that's how I would have done it. I bet those suckers rip!
 
Originally posted by KEYBEAR:

I do not think anyone was calling a recoil sensitive person stupid.
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No....apparently he was calling them "Puzzies".

Originally posted by swedish champion: First off....i didn't write "censored". The forums computer did that. I wrote "don't be a puzzy" that's what I intended to appear on the screen
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...as if that is not as offensive as being called "stupid" or "censored".:rolleyes:

My point was and still is, the OP has no real value or information at all, other than the author likes recoil to hurt and he thinks those of us that don't are, in his own words, "puzzies".

I have no problem with big bore handguns, nor do I have a problem with folks that feel the need for excessive recoil over accuracy and shooting pleasure. I do have a problem when those folks call me and others names because we don't mirror their priorities. The gun world is full of guns and has a multitude of firearm owners with different likes and dislikes. It's all good, no need to call folks names and try to belittle them just because they are different. We as gun owners need to stick together, not alienate each other over petty issues and chest thumping.
 
I'll quote myself a bit. "I'm constantly asked how is the recoil?". "as for the recoil, it hurts, don't be a piazzo"
That being repeated, I see some chest pumping allright. But by persons never addressed as I have never been approached firsthand, nor contacted via forum and asked a stupid question like "how is the recoil on (a pistol chambered in a large bore military rifle round) that" by any of you, so....I'm still tapping my fingers waiting for the guys I actually accused of puzz-ism, to make their presence known. I see you, I know you can handle a gun. Your acknowledged. There's more fun dudes saying all kinds of juicy stuff on here....lets go start some internet nitpick fights with them. I'm boring.
 
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lets start over

I'll tell you what...ill do what very few people on any of these forums ever do...ill apologize. I'm sorry. Lets see, ok. The purpose of this post is to clarify what I found to be a lack of accessible, documented, personal experience about the b.f.r. Pistol, Information I had a difficult time finding before I purchased mine. I'm offering it firsthand to anyone who is considering the purchase of said gun and wishes to know..."how powerfully loaded a cartridge will the frame and cylinder withstand?" My opinion based on two years of extensive testing is. "maximum charge weights". The recoil is substantial, bear this in mind when loading the weapon to maximum energy capacity.

There....are we cool? Are you finished?
 
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Curious what you use max 4570 loads in a revolver for? I shoot 300gr xtp mags at around 2000fps out of my xvr. They are stout to say the least, i also find that i love the recoil, flash, heat, not the noise. 25 rnds is about max for a session from the bench. I also trashed a weaver scope before switching to leupold and warn rings. My use mine for whitetail in pa where bear season overlaps and I wanted to make sure that whichever is unlucky enough to pass the muzzle would go down in a humane manner.
Much heavier bullet at about the same speed with a single action grip must quite a handful.
 
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