Magnum Research BFR

M

madmurdoc

New member
Does anyone own, shoot, or hunt with one of these monsters? It seems like all I hear is that they are chambered in some huge cart. offerings but I haven't heard anyone testify to their reliability, durability, accuracy, or value. I'm looking for some first hand experiences with these beasts. I get the feeling from the lack of opinions that for now they are unproven novelties, let me know if I'm wrong (it won't be the first time :) ).
 
I don't have much first hand experience with it, but my Dad owns one chambered in .475 Linebaugh and loves it. It seems to be a VERY high quality gun and has a Bisley grip frame that's interchangeable with a Super Blackhawk. (I believe I've read that the same company either makes or designed the grip frame for both Ruger and Magnum Research.) The .475 Linebaugh is a real handful though. It gives you a bigger smack to the hand than my RB .454, but I credit much of that to the wood grips vs. the rubber grips on my RB.
 
I think the main thing why you're not hearing much about them, is most shooters these days cringe at cartridges such as a .357 Magnum, they'd never even consider a revolver chambered for the .45-70, .475 Linebaugh, etc.

The frames for the BFR are made by Ruger. They're basically lenghthened Super Blackhawk frames. They're strong, from what I hear, fairly accurate, and about the least expensive way to get a .475 Linebaugh revolver.
 
I don't know why anyone would cringe at the 357 in a large frame wheelie. (In a snubby they aren't much fun but they are effective). I shot a Super Blackhawk in 44 mag that bucks less than my Sig 220. A large frame, long barreled wheelgun is itself a recoil reducer, but I am with you on the thought of a cutting loose a 45-70 in one. I think that's too much for me.

Thanks for the info on the manufacturer. Rugers are great guns but if it is basically the same frame, why would someone pay the extra cash for the BFR name when Ruger offers some of the same calibers? It sounds like folks are sticking with what they know for now with the exception of the more extreme offerings.
 
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Simple, Ruger DOESN'T offer the same calibers.
The internal lockwork, and basically everything but the frames are different from Rugers. The BFR is marketed to a small niche market of people who want to shoot massive cartridges (many of them rifel cartridges) out of a revolver. If one really wants a .45-70, .450 Marlin, .444 Marlin handgun, the BFR is the way to go.
 
Clarification

In my preivious post, when I said "Ruger offers some of the same calibers" was a reference to the BFR offerings in .454, .480, and .45 Colt (though not in the 410 ga). I was refering to the .45-70, .450, and such when I mentioned "the more extreme offerings." My point was why pay the MSRP of $999 for a BFR in .454 when you can get it for an MSRP of $819 from Ruger in a DA?

Interesting point about the internals, though. Sounds like MR is acting like a high output custom shop. Kinda like a limo shop stretching a gun instead of a vehicle and changing the moving parts to handle the new load.

Just wanted to clear up what I meant to say. Have a good one.
 
My only question here

If you want to shoot a rifle cart. out of a revolver, why arent you shooting a rifle? Longer range, better accuracy, faster target aquisition, more velocity, cheaper, scope, and less felt recoil/fractured wrists. :confused:
 
Someone has to enjoy it. There is quite a niche market for it right now with the single shot bolt guns and T/C's as well. You get better manuverability and a lighter carry in the field but, for me, that' not enough reason to cut loose a .444 in a revo.
 
A BFR 45-70 is on my list. It may be a very long time before I have $1000 in that pocket though. I want it just to have it. I'll use it every once in awhile and mostly just dare my friends to shoot it.
 
BFRs vs Rugers

Actually, the internal mechanism of a BFR is the same as a Ruger Blackhawk. The only difference is that they've modified the pawls to accomodate 5-shots cylinders. There's an article on my website that covers the history and features of these guns......I own five BFRs, and in my opinion, they're well worth the money.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com
 
Thanks Lee, I had heard they were substantially different inside (no less strong, however).

I think to me, having a BFR in the rifle cartridges would be more show-off factor than anything (though I dearly love the .45-70 as a cartridge and have several rifles chambered in it. If I ever got a BFR it would either be the .45-70 or the .475 Linebaugh, as that's the least expensive revolver I've found for that cartridge.).
 
Lee Martin, FIVE! :eek:

I have to agree with Magnum88C. The .45-70 & .444 cartridges have too much case capacity to make efficient use of slow burning rifle powders in such a short barrel. The .454, .475, and .500 cartridges will outperform them every time in a revolver. The .475 started out as a .45-70 case cut down to increase load density by using more efficient, faster burning pistol powders.
 
I have 3 BFR's (454 Casull, 475 Linebaugh, 500 S&W Magnum) all in 7 1/2" barrels. They are excellent guns in my opinion. They are very durable and are as accurate. I do not hunt or reload, so I don't shoot many rounds at a time through them, but it makes me savor them more when I do. Like the other posters have said, I think the rifle cartridges are more of a novelty since they will not burn all the powder before exiting the barrel, but I'm still tempted by the 444 Marlin at one of the local shops. I did not want to spend $1300-1550+ for a Freedom Arms even though I'm sure they are great guns.
 
I love em'!

I've got an older BFR in 45 LC +P with a 6.5" barrel made back around 99' when the company was known as DMAX. My gun is clearly built on a Ruger frame and is very tight. The tolerances are so tight that I have to slightly push 45 Colt Blazer ammo into the 5-shot cylinder chambers (the aluminum cases are apparantly a little thicker than brass). When I load the 300 grainers into the chambers and set them off its a wonderful feeling. Its a very accurate gun. I can't justify paying for a Freedom Arms when I can have this brute for half the price.

g_gunter
 
I owned the MRI BFR 45-70 with the 10" barrel. I did my own reloads using the hotter load specs that are made for a T. Contender. The BFR was extremely robust in design and absorbed the recoil quite well. The recoil for the BFR 45-70 was entirely upward with absolutely no twisting torque residual. The gun was also quite accurate making consistent groups of a 0.5" to 1" at 25 yards using its iron sights. In reality the gun was quite tame with much of the recoil being absorbed by the heavy frame.
 
Because in some states (my state being one of them) it's not legal to hunt deer with a rifle.
Click to expand...

Say WHAT??? I know in some flat places, slug shotguns are preferred over rifles. But a state with a complete ban on rifle deer hunting? How can that be? (what state?)
 
Say WHAT??? I know in some flat places, slug shotguns are preferred over rifles. But a state with a complete ban on rifle deer hunting? How can that be? (what state?)
Click to expand...

I guess I shouldn't make posts at o'late o'clock anymore. Anyway, in the state of Iowa (my state of residence) your choices for deer are bow, handgun (.357 Magnum & over, straight walled cartridges only), shotgun or muzzleloading rifle. The only thing you can hunt with centerfire rifle is coyotes, they are absolutely not allowed for deer.
 
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