Author Topic: 480 Ruger, BFR or SRH (Read 1363 times)

Pinkerton · « **on:** January 26, 2005, 04:56:10 PM »

Gotta have me a 480, these are the two options I'm down to.

I know I'll hear "get the FA" but it's more cash than I'm willing to go.

SRH 7.5" with rings, $525, typical of a ruger, ok fit/finish, will have to have the trigger worked, but a good solid hunting handgun for the money that fits good in my hand.

BFR, 7" for $775, and despite what I've heard, this particular one has an excellent fit and finish, tight solid lockup, exellent smooth crisp trigger, nice sights, the ugly grips that also fit good in my hand.

whatever I get, it'll end up with a 2x scope, used for deer and elk out to 125yrds.

What say you? (just watched O'Rielly) :wink:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2005, 05:30:01 PM »

I have a BFR in 500 MAG, I know it is not the 480 but, I just love the gun. I think it is a much stronger frame then the SRH. I would recommend the BFR over the SRH. JMHO

sawfish · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2005, 09:53:14 AM »

I have an SRH in .480 (beast for recoil), and am in the process of acquiring a BFR in .480. I have used a friend's .480 BFR, and IMHO, there is much more felt recoil in the Ruger. The BFR will also accept .475 Linebaugh if you need more power, which indicates it is a stronger gun (5 shot cyl. v. 6 shot cyl.). If you do not like the grips, any SBH grip will fit the BFR.

Pinkerton · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2005, 04:01:15 PM »

Thanks for the input, I really appreciate your good info. As for the grips I can't say they're pretty but they do feel really good in my hand, and look like they would absorb the recoil well.

Thanks again.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2005, 01:29:11 AM »

I took the original grips off and put the wooden Hogue grips on my BFR in 500 MAG. I do not notice any difference in recoil, but then again I use past shooting gloves also. When I set down to shoot my 500 MAG I usually shoot 50 to 100 rounds.

redawg · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2005, 12:30:43 PM »

Redhawk1, any chance you'd post a picture of your BFR? I'd really like to see it. What other mods have you had done to it? Wouldn't mind seeing that 4" Smith either. I handled one of them at a local gunshop a while back and it surprised me how well it balanced.

I'm in the same boat as Pinkerton. I'd actually found a NIB SRH .480 for $430 on Gunbroker. I started to do the Buy It Now, but didn't have enough feedback to purchase it through Buy It Now and lost it (somebody else bought it, before I could place a bid). I just about cried

. I've really been aching for a .475 Linebaugh, and a BFR wouldn't cost an arm and a leg to at least try the caliber. Probably end up shooting alot more .480 level loads in it than anything, but I like the option of moving up to the Linebaugh if I can handle it.

BTW, sorry Pinkerton. I didn't mean to hijack your post.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 28, 2005, 03:15:47 PM »

redawg, I sent you pic's of my BFR. I sent it to Mag-na-port and had them cut the barrel to 6 inches, invert the muzzle crown. and had 4 port mag-na-porting done to it. It was also redrilled for the front sight when I want to install the iron sight back on.

Pinkerton · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2005, 04:06:00 PM »

Redawg
Good luck with your search I know what you mean about finding a deal and it slips away. Had the chance to buy a SRH for $458 at the same shop that has the BFR (they are getting out of retail and just selling parts and gunsmithing) the SRH was gone the day I stopped back when the 480 itch hit me. So now I'm down to the BFR at that shop or a SRH at another shop I do buisness with.

I'm leaning pretty heavy towards the BFR, I'm really impressed by the one I've been looking at. I've looked at the S&W 500 with the 8 3/8" and it also balanced well for the weight. 74oz is more weight than I want in a handgun personally, the people I've talked to that have em, love em. The price on this one was $850, It seems like when they first came out they where at a higher price, but I could be wrong. That's a whole lotta gun.

Thanks again everybody for your good advice

redawg · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2005, 07:22:32 PM »

Redhawk1, thanks again for those pics. That is one good looking gun!

Pinkerton, I hope you find what your looking for as well. Right now I'm leaning pretty heavily towards a BFR in .475 Linebaugh. A good friend of mine that has an FFL can get me one for a pretty good price. I might just have to give one a try. Haven't ever had the chance to pick one up and handle it though. So I'm a little hesitant to drop that much cash on one without really knowing what to expect.

Alot of people complain about them being so heavy. I think this would help quite a bit with recoil. Especially when shooting a .475 Linebaugh or a .500 S&W. I'd probably have a bandito holster made from Pistol Packaging, since I don't really see myself carrying it on a daily basis.

Hcliff · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2005, 03:02:19 AM »

I think the SRH is great. The BFR have had quite a quality control issue. Lloyd Smalle had a real bad experience with one. As for recoil it depends on your hand shape, and holding position. For example, I pinch my middle finger knuckle a a Ruger Bisley that alot of people like. On my SRH I would rather have recoil back in my palm. I have tried grips that reduce that but the shape gives more muzzle flip. The only thing that a SRH needs is a bit of trigger work. Wolff springs changed that easy. Just for info, the 400 grains have shot the bet in my guns. Have Fun

Hcliff

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2005, 04:16:00 AM »

Quote from: Hcliff

I think the SRH is great. The BFR have had quite a quality control issue. Lloyd Smalle had a real bad experience with one. As for recoil it depends on your hand shape, and holding position. For example, I pinch my middle finger knuckle a a Ruger Bisley that alot of people like. On my SRH I would rather have recoil back in my palm. I have tried grips that reduce that but the shape gives more muzzle flip. The only thing that a SRH needs is a bit of trigger work. Wolff springs changed that easy. Just for info, the 400 grains have shot the bet in my guns. Have Fun

Hcliff

Hcliff, have you had a bad experience with a BFR? I mean personally? One gun that you heard of does not make the BFR a quality control issue oe a bad gun. I have one and it is extremely reliable and a great shooting gun. I know several other's that have nothing but good to say about the BFR. They actually own one. I have heard issues with all guns, but that does not make them all bad, things happen.

sawfish · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2005, 10:14:21 AM »

This has been posted elsewhere a number of times, but in the interest of clarity-once more. The BFR was changed at the beginning of 2000 (approximate date). The post 2000 guns are better in fit, finish, quality and accuracy. If you are comparing BFRs to something else, be sure that you are comparing current production models.

I have both models of BFR plus an SRH, and IMHO there is no comparison to the two different BFR models, nor is there any comparison between the current production BFR and the SRH. The current BFR is of higher quality. Lee Martin has a good article re: the different BFRs on his web site, and John Taffin has covered this is a recent article in American Handgunner (Nov. 04 I think) on the .480 BFR

sawfish · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2005, 08:08:54 AM »

Chris, Too bad the guy would not accept your $550, as it was a more than fair deal. I bought mine in a gunshop with the remaining 14 cartridges out of a box of 20. It was still in the original box, warranty card never sent in, and rings untouched for $425. Unfortunately, since we have the California state "surcharges" ($35) for transfer fees, most used gun sellers have to take those into account.

Since .480s are not the hottest movers, I tnink you will eventually find your deal. Maybe for less that the $550 you offered. I have done a trigger job on mine via Wolff Springs and some minor stoning. I will be sending it off to Mag-Na-Port for the dual traps treatment this week. When you get yours, be sure and ream the Ruger rings. Otherwise the scope will probably slip, and/or be marred by the sharp edges. Regards.

Hcliff · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2005, 11:55:42 AM »

Redhawk1, I don't have first hand owner's knowledge of a BFR. Never bought one. I like the concept of powerful calibers. I looked at them when they came out as I knew the local BRF rep. They also have the nice grips that fill the trigger guard gap. No pinching like my Ruger Bisley. I didn't get one as the frame fit, it wasn't a nice fit. I could see the price the locals were asking. I didn't know that they have improved the quailty standards. It might be worth looking at again.

I do love the SRH. We are comparing apples to oranges. There is a $250 difference. The main thing is to pick up both revolver and feel which one fits better in the hand. That is the one to buy. That is why I didn't buy a Raging Bull. Didn't like the balance. That why they build all different models.

Hcliff

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2005, 02:35:43 PM »

Quote from: Hcliff

Redhawk1, I don't have first hand owner's knowledge of a BFR. Never bought one. I like the concept of powerful calibers. I looked at them when they came out as I knew the local BRF rep. They also have the nice grips that fill the trigger guard gap. No pinching like my Ruger Bisley. I didn't get one as the frame fit, it wasn't a nice fit. I could see the price the locals were asking. I didn't know that they have improved the quailty standards. It might be worth looking at again.

I do love the SRH. We are comparing apples to oranges. There is a $250 difference. The main thing is to pick up both revolver and feel which one fits better in the hand. That is the one to buy. That is why I didn't buy a Raging Bull. Didn't like the balance. That why they build all different models.

Hcliff

Hcliff, You may want to consider looking at them again. Mine is made very well and fit and finish are great. I like the BFR with the Hogue wooden grips. My hands are big and the SRH grips are small. I also like the amount of metal on the BFR compared to the SRH.

Hcliff · « **Reply #15 on:** February 07, 2005, 06:25:25 AM »

Thanks man. :grin:

Hcliff

Rmouleart · « **Reply #16 on:** February 07, 2005, 07:31:23 AM »

I like both of them MFG's, but the Magnum Research's are single action as well, for hunting purpose, Id go with the SRH, due to it is double action abilities. I'm very intrigued with the magnum researches 450 Marlin model, you can also swap out the cylinder with a 45/70, a little fitting needed, neat concept, the only other thing I noticed about the researches grip, it seems to be at a weird angle and thin on the top, looks like it would be murder on recoil, maybe not just the way it looks. I have a big hand and like a little bigger grip, maybe a after market grip would fix the problem, a Hogue mono grip would fit the bill, if they make them for Magnum Research, would suit me fine.The researches I have handled seemed to be finished well, and the single action was tight as well, Nice and solid, triggers are not bad for hunting purposes either. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 07, 2005, 07:35:43 AM »

Rmouleart, the grips for the Super Blackhawk also fit the BFR. So any grip made for the Super Blackhawk will work.

Rmouleart · « **Reply #18 on:** February 07, 2005, 07:37:42 AM »

Thanks for the info, good to go. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

IowaBuckHunter · « **Reply #19 on:** February 08, 2005, 07:08:01 PM »

BFR all the way. I have the 500 BFR also and love it. The BFR has a more comfortable feel to me, not to mention the sturdier frame. I just think you will like it more. Although it is more $. You will love the smooth single action!