Finally!

[greenrivers]

Monday a Freedom Arms model 83 Field Grade, with adustable sights, 7 1/2" barrell,wood grips, trigger stop screw and Magna porting came to live with me. I believe that the Magna port sticker on the box may have been the source of the action/trigger job as well. It is the nicest trigger I have ever used. I got it to the range yesterday and did some informal shooting as an introduction. With both full house and medium loads, it performed flawlessly. Though there were a couple of 300gr. that would not quite seat in the chambers. Off hand accuracy was outstanding and the revolver a pleasure to shoot. It actually felt as though recoil was less than that of the SRH that it replaced. The porting redirecting the recoil works for me. My only complaints are the sights washing out and the trigger guard releaving my right midle knuckle of a bit of flesh. Gets messy when the red stuff flows. Hopefully a new set of grips that fit my hand better will take care of that poblem. Now what to do with the front sight dissapearing.

[paul105]

Here is a post I made back in 2008.

I have an early field grade .454 that I bought about 20 years ago.  I struggled with it off and on over the years due to what I thought was tight throats.  FA Factory 300gr ammo had to be forced the last bit into the chambers with heavy finger pressure.  A year ago (yeah, I have a high tolerance for pain -- actually just lazy) I needed some work done to my M97 and mentioned the tight throats on the .454 to John at FA.  He had me send the .454 cyl in along with the 97.  When it came back the tight throat problem was fixed.  The original throats were extremely abrupt (no chamfer/taper at the rear of the throat).  From what I remember, FA chamfered/tapered the lead into the throats, but didn't open them up.  The throats will let a .452 bullet pass but not a .453, so call them .4525.  We slugged the bore, and it is right at .453.

So, my first suggestion is to see if a .452 jacketed bullet will pass thru the cyl throats from the rear of the cylinder.  If not, see if they will pass thru from the face of the cylinder – if they do, you may have the same problem that I had.  If not, you’ll probably have to use .451" bullets just so they will chamber.

In my experience with the FA 475 LB (and the fixed .454), any of the Keith SWCs with the wide front drive band above cyl throat diameter are virtually impossible to seat in tight throated cyls.  The LBT WFN with the longer (relative to a shorter nose in same caliber) nose to crimp measurement can also be difficult to seat.  The WFNs from Cast Performance, as well as some of Leadhead’s bullets seem to be dual diameter – the base will be larger than the portion of the bullet in front of the crimp grove – so no seating problems.  LFNs, and RFNs seem to be less prone to sizing/chambering problems.  Unfortunately, about the only way you are going to figure it out is to actually try different nose profiles, manufacturers and diameters.

My gun has a six inch barrel and is the most accurate handgun I have ever owned or shot.

Paul

[HGunner]

I have an older 6" FA 454 and it won't accept all bullets due to the abrupt throats. However, it chambers Hornady XTPs with no problem and shoots them very well. It loves Cast Performance 335 grain WLN and RCBS 300 grain SWCGC sized .452 from Montana Bullet Works.  My experience is the same as paul105 - the most accurate revolver I have ever shot.


Regarding your washed out front sight. I missed a nice buck with that disappearing ramp front sight before I learned my lesson. FA sells a replacement green fiber optic front sight that is the best hunting sight I have ever used. I've taken 3 deer with it since I switched last fall.

[greenrivers]

The seating problem was with one of my own cast bullets. And being aware of the short chambers, I believed it to be an issue that is now something to deal with. The Ruger SRH had larger tolerances. It will be a new search for the right cast bullet. The jacketed loads were XTP's and as you mentioned, shot well.
The fiber optic sight did come to mind after reading through back issues of this forum. The issue that bothers me is the breakage mentioned. They do look to be exposed and vulnerable to breakage. Am I over thinking them? If you have shot three deer with one, it has lasted for some time.

[HGunner]

The FA fiber optics are made for regular use on an FA 454 so they are quite durable.  I've had no problems with mine and shoot them regularly.  No doubt an all steel front sight is more durable.   The best all steel sight picture I've gotten is with Ken O'neil's undercut post.  He's a member here and you can PM him.  His sights are excellent and fit the sight base perfectly.

[greenrivers]

I reblacked my front sight and intend to give it another try, but I really do not expect much. In reading through the forums, I had read about Ken's sights and their high acceptance. That may be the way for me to go, but I believe that the fiber optic will be first try. The S/W tritium sights work well for me as they glow and give older eyes a bit more to focus on. The fiber optic should be similiar.

[greenrivers]

Looks like the weather has now changed to the winter phase an is not going to let up for a bit. So rather than waste time, I measured my revolver and made a call to Freedom arms to order the green fiber optic sight and discuss throat and barrel specs.. I don't want to be in the same situation you found yourself in Hgunner. I miss enough. You can not beat perfection! The measurements are .453 and .453. Once I can see the sights, I should be able to hit where I point.
Paul105, you do not mention what you ended up using for boolit diameter. I am guessing it is .452 in both cast and j word?

[HGunner]

I'm not Paul105 but my 454 likes .452 bullets in cast or jacketed.  How do you like the green fiber optic front sight?

[greenrivers]

After checking the throats and bore diameter in my revolver with pin gauges and slugging, it seemed that the .452 bullets should be fine in my revolver. (Both measure .453) A quick run through a Lee Factory Crimp die did the trick. I am in hopes that I can find a bullet with a drive band far back enough to allow a sizing of .453, but this may not be needed.
The fiber optic sight arrived yesterday and has not yet been installed. I hope to this morning if for no more than a look. A set of larger grips have been started and will take a while to complete. I also want one of Ken's sights, but have a question as to why my 7 1/2 came through with sights belonging on a six inch. Any others with the same issue?

[greenrivers]

After having spent some time with this revolver and shooting it a bit, I have come to the conclusion that quality always shows through. This is a fine piece, both to reload for and shoot. The new fiber optic sight fills all my needs as when the sun is wrong it appears black, but gives me some daylight either side to get a good picture and glows nicely in low light. A set of home grown burl maple grips have kept most of the skin on my knuckle with full 300 grain loads and make the little XTP's feel like shooting a .22. It is going to be hard to carry a rifle when this handgun will do just about all of what needs to be done. Seems it will take the load off some of the others in the safe too! Thank you Freedom Arms.

[HGunner]

Glad you like your FA.  I feel the same.  My rifles get so little play these days.  I really only bust out a rifle when I really need some venison - only once every year or two.  I get most of my venison with a revolver for several years now.  The FA fiber optic is hard to beat for the reason you mentioned - it works in almost any lighting condition.


HGunner