BFR 45-70 inquiry

[theNoid]

Ok, I was planning on getting a 44mag for hunting big game with this year (and of course the occasional pDog and jack rabbit..hehehe). Now after doing some reading and holding the BFR 45-70 the other day, I am leaning in that direction. Sure I know it costs more than a Ruger SBH, but less or equal to a S&W 629 long barrel which is what I was preferring at first.

After reading this article: http://www.singleactions.com/MagnumResearchBFRs.pdf , I am wondering how accurate the read is as far as recoil and such when it comes to the 45-70.

So my questions are as follows:
1. Who shoots one here at THR and what are your overall thoughts?
2. Is recoil any worse than shooting full factory loads 44mag from a 4.5" Vaquero?
3. It is true that Magnum Research gets the grip frames from Ruger so I am guessing that SBH grips should fit just fine....correct?
4. What kind of accuracy can I expect from this wheelie?
5. Anything else you would like to add?

And of course...any pics from the BFR 45-70 owners out there please?

Thanks so much,
Noidster

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

We own a BFR 500 S&W.
I just learned the grips are no longer Ruger compatible.
The handgun is wicked accurate.
The recoil of the 45-70 is quite comparable to the recoil of the 44 MAG full load in my book. If I remember well, you can check the recoil factor calculated by magnum research and you'll see it is quite similar. (Here it is written with caution).
The gun comes with the scope mount, the rear sight is adjustable and the 10" barrel makes every head turn...

OH! I forgot to mention the trigger is wicked light. When you cock the hammer, be very wary of your finger on the trigger.

Thank you

 

[Redhawk1]

So my questions are as follows:
1. Who shoots one here at THR and what are your overall thoughts?
2. Is recoil any worse than shooting full factory loads 44mag from a 4.5" Vaquero?
3. It is true that Magnum Research gets the grip frames from Ruger so I am guessing that SBH grips should fit just fine....correct?
4. What kind of accuracy can I expect from this wheelie?
5. Anything else you would like to add?

I have 2 BFR's. The 500 Mag and the 45-70. I love them both, the 500 Mag has taken deer, hogs and black bear.

Now for the 45-70 and your questions.
My overall thought is, the gun is a tack driver, and you can go from mild to wild with the loads. Factory Remington loads are very mild as far as recoil in the BFR. If you reload, trapdoor to Marlin loads can be used, but not the Ruger #1 loads.

I would say, the trapdoor loads are on par with the 44 Mag in my S&W light hunter.

BFR's grip frame no longer fits the SBH grips. Now you can order the Walnut grips or Black Micarta grips from Magnum Research, but the Super Blackhawk Hogue rubber grips will fit the new BFR's, as I have a set on my BFR 500 Mag.

As far as accuracy, I am getting less than 1 inch groups at 50 yards off a rest using a EOTech red-dot sight. At 100 yards the groups open up due to the red-dot does not have any magnification, and I feel the gun would get better groups with a scope. The gun is capable of very good accuracy.

I found a load using 405 gr. hard cast bullets with gas checks. I am thinking of using this load and gun on my up coming black bear hunt. We will see one the time gets here.

I am very happy with the BFR revolvers. My BFR in 45-70 has a set of Black Micarta grips on it, and it looks great.

 

[Stainz]

The BFRs are the finest made SAs south of a Freedom Arms. They list for a kilobuck - some sources sell them ~ $800 new. They are a great value in a large revolver - but, that Big Max frame is large - the .45-70 weighs a ton. They are tiring to hold at arm's length - my forearm hurts from shooting a cylinderful, not my hand/wrist from the recoil (~66 oz empty). That ache happened whether shooting wimpy or Govt loads; 300 or 405gr. They really are nicely made.

I'd get a 6" partially lugged 629 .44 Magnum (SKU# 163606.) at 45 oz. You can find ammo for it anywhere. If you need more oomph, go to the .500 Magnum... or an RPG. The .44 Magnum is sufficient for most of North America. You can always scope it, too - and the S&W .460/.500 Magnum grips help with the recoil, which otherwise is really worse with the 629/.44 Magnums than the BFR .45-70/Govt loads! I admit a bias for DA-capable revolvers - YMMV.

Stainz

 

[PattonTime]

BFR 45 Colt Plus

I have a BFR in 45 Colt Plus Power
They do not list it anymore, I really like it a lot.
I have the newest catalog from CDNN and they are showing 500 Mag and
480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh BFR Revolvers for only $499.00
That is a great price if you like those calibers in a SA
I want my next one to be 45/70 though

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

As of last week, all the 500S&W were gone and they just had a few of the other caliber left. I think everything is sold out now.

Thank you

 

[Redhawk1]

I would of loved to only payed $499 for my 500 Mag.

I paid $800 for the 500 Mag as well as the BFR 45-70.