Obturation
Member
Hey all,
Back in November I created a thread asking you all if I should buy a new BFR in 500 JRH or wait on a possible (probable) deal on a Freedom Arms 83 in 454 casull from a guy I knew would need winter money (carpenter, happens every year). I was dead set on a big bore single action. At the end of that thread I mentioned that I had gotten the FA, posted a couple pictures and said that after I beat it up a little bit and got some rounds down range I would post a review. Here it is...
10" barrel, born July 21, 1988 in Freedom, Wyoming. Wow, what a revolver. Tight, smooth and beautiful (to me). Everything I expected. I've wanted a FA since first learning of their existence about a decade ago. Sadly, the price was more than this man could negotiate out of his better 7/8ths for every used one that came up. Until this one, I won't mention the price but I couldn't get a new super blackhawk for the same money. Came with original manual and 50+ rounds of winchester factory ammo (250 grain hollow points and 300 grain semi jacketed flat nose) . the ammo was basically garbage because of the tight tolerances of the chambers and inconsistant rim thickness of the cases. Even with clean chambers several rims would protrude slightly too far for the cylinder to be turned, rim was just too thick on about 5 or so of them. They fired fine from my toklat. Starline and federal brass had no such issues.
First time at the range the front sight was flung off, the screw either loosened and fell out or it wasn't there at all. Either way, easy fix. After that I decided I should give this gun a little better check over. Removed the ejector housing, grips, sights and cylinder. Wiped off years of congealed rock hard oil from those hard to reach spots and gave her the clean up she needed. The obvious spots (barrel, frame and cylinder were all very clean when I got it). I suspect this revolver wasn't fired much at all, having no detectable wear on any parts. Grips are the old pacmyr rubbers that are not only horrible looking and out of shape while being unpleasant to feel as well, they require replacements. A company called Rowen was recommended to me by THE big bore experts on this forum(in my opinion , @MaxP & @CraigC ) and I think I'll pop for them when I can get the cost cleared here with the Department of war. No easy solution for FA grips...
"But how's it shoot?!"
Shoots well, better than this suffering meat bag can take advantage of. Put as many of those factory rounds through the FA as she would take, the rim issue left the rest for my other 454 casull. My normal load, a 360 grain true shot (Oregon trail) bullet over 26 grains of h110 with a Remington 7 1/2 primer. Accurate in my 5" super redhawk, accurate in the FA. great. Tried my lighter load using a 300 grain xtp mag , it also was very accurate. Waiting for my order of swift A frame bullets because I plan to get a general use load worked up using it (not plinking), I'm told it's superior to the xtp and I believe it.
Here is a 5 shot group @ 25' unsupported , I know others can do better and I pulled one but for me, not bad. I'm sure I can do better though.
Here's an 8 shot group from 20 yards unsupported . same thing, decent group for me and will be working on getting it tighter.
Overall very happy with this revolver, the barrel length isn't as big of an issue as I thought it would be. I would prefer a 6.5" barrel but it isn't too heavy and I doubt it would see much carry time at any length. If I get the chance to handgun hunt however, it'll be my first choice.
I'm sure this will be a keeper.
Back in November I created a thread asking you all if I should buy a new BFR in 500 JRH or wait on a possible (probable) deal on a Freedom Arms 83 in 454 casull from a guy I knew would need winter money (carpenter, happens every year). I was dead set on a big bore single action. At the end of that thread I mentioned that I had gotten the FA, posted a couple pictures and said that after I beat it up a little bit and got some rounds down range I would post a review. Here it is...
10" barrel, born July 21, 1988 in Freedom, Wyoming. Wow, what a revolver. Tight, smooth and beautiful (to me). Everything I expected. I've wanted a FA since first learning of their existence about a decade ago. Sadly, the price was more than this man could negotiate out of his better 7/8ths for every used one that came up. Until this one, I won't mention the price but I couldn't get a new super blackhawk for the same money. Came with original manual and 50+ rounds of winchester factory ammo (250 grain hollow points and 300 grain semi jacketed flat nose) . the ammo was basically garbage because of the tight tolerances of the chambers and inconsistant rim thickness of the cases. Even with clean chambers several rims would protrude slightly too far for the cylinder to be turned, rim was just too thick on about 5 or so of them. They fired fine from my toklat. Starline and federal brass had no such issues.
First time at the range the front sight was flung off, the screw either loosened and fell out or it wasn't there at all. Either way, easy fix. After that I decided I should give this gun a little better check over. Removed the ejector housing, grips, sights and cylinder. Wiped off years of congealed rock hard oil from those hard to reach spots and gave her the clean up she needed. The obvious spots (barrel, frame and cylinder were all very clean when I got it). I suspect this revolver wasn't fired much at all, having no detectable wear on any parts. Grips are the old pacmyr rubbers that are not only horrible looking and out of shape while being unpleasant to feel as well, they require replacements. A company called Rowen was recommended to me by THE big bore experts on this forum(in my opinion , @MaxP & @CraigC ) and I think I'll pop for them when I can get the cost cleared here with the Department of war. No easy solution for FA grips...
"But how's it shoot?!"
Shoots well, better than this suffering meat bag can take advantage of. Put as many of those factory rounds through the FA as she would take, the rim issue left the rest for my other 454 casull. My normal load, a 360 grain true shot (Oregon trail) bullet over 26 grains of h110 with a Remington 7 1/2 primer. Accurate in my 5" super redhawk, accurate in the FA. great. Tried my lighter load using a 300 grain xtp mag , it also was very accurate. Waiting for my order of swift A frame bullets because I plan to get a general use load worked up using it (not plinking), I'm told it's superior to the xtp and I believe it.
Here is a 5 shot group @ 25' unsupported , I know others can do better and I pulled one but for me, not bad. I'm sure I can do better though.
Here's an 8 shot group from 20 yards unsupported . same thing, decent group for me and will be working on getting it tighter.
Overall very happy with this revolver, the barrel length isn't as big of an issue as I thought it would be. I would prefer a 6.5" barrel but it isn't too heavy and I doubt it would see much carry time at any length. If I get the chance to handgun hunt however, it'll be my first choice.
I'm sure this will be a keeper.