Author Topic: BFR 45-70? (Read 1203 times)

osceola · « **on:** June 17, 2003, 03:40:48 AM »

Has anyone had experience with this round and manufacturer? I've been looking at their website and it sounds interesting. Your insights are appreciated. Be Safe.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2003, 11:52:15 AM »

had a 480 that I bought new and kept for about a month I was dissapointed in the fit and finish and feel of this gun for the money. Id recoment you look into a Freedom Arms 454 just as much power in a lot nicer package.

myronman3 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2003, 03:47:13 PM »

as far as i am concerned it is a gimmick gun. the day i actually see someone carrying on hunting is the day i will win the lotto. everything i have read on them (written by folks with no incentive to gain $$) has been bad. if you plan on spending that much, do like llyod said and get a freedom arms revolver.

osceola · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2003, 04:32:46 AM »

Thanks for the input. Has anyone actually shot the BFR 45-70 over a period of time and done any reloading. I was intrigued by the extremely lower pressures that the 45-70 developed bullet weights/fps vs the .454 which I think would reduce recoil. Now I need to find some reports from shooters that have 1st hand experience. Be Safe.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2003, 06:02:16 AM »

I know someone who owns one and he is a life long revolver hunter. He loves his BFR in 45-70 and believes its one of the finest made revolvers you can buy for under $800. This same guy has both a 480 Ruger and an FA in 454 and numerious other revolvers. The BFR is his favorite.

I personnlay have handled a number of these guns over the past 2 years and I was totally impressed with the fit & finsh. Its possible that some of the other posts here saw earlier versions of this revolver.

These BFR's in 45-70 & 444 marlin are not going away. In fact they are becoming more and more previlant at the gun shpos in my local area. I also see these at the local gun shows more and more. There must be a reason.

When properlly loaded for a revolver, the 45-70 can be a serious big game killer.

I don't think its a joke in any way, shape or form. When one can put a 45cal 400 or 500 grain bullet from a revolver on an animal, that is no joke.

Cabin4

Cabin4 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2003, 12:39:02 PM »

Some more info on the BFR's.

Today son and I went over to one of the local outfitters to have our bows tuned up. Once again I took a look and handled the BFR's he had in stock. He has one in 45-70, 454 and 45LC/410.

Just to restate what my thoughts are on these guns. Again, I have never shot one but I certainly would like to. They really appear to be made extremlly well in every single respect.

The 45lc/410 is a very interesting set-up. It has a full lenth ventilated top rib just like a shot gun ! I can see using this for up land bird and small game with the 410 shot shells.

The 45-70 is one big gun but it handles, balances and feels terrific.

They have sold a few so far and have not had any complaints. In fact I have been told that those that purchased them are extremlly satisfied.

They are selling for $769 at this shop. Not bad at all.

I'm booked for a bear over bait hunt this fall in Maine. MMMMMmmm boy would one of those BFR's in 45-70 be great for that !!

I also talked to a guy I know yesterday who owns one in 45-70 and told him what I was seeing on these posts. All he said was its his favorite revolver for a number of reasons. The 45-70 hand loads he uses are extremlly recoil managable. He say's the recoil in the BFR is less then his 480 Ruger and the 454.

myronman3 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 22, 2003, 01:52:10 AM »

hello cabin4! bluegill festival is coming up! in all fairness, i (like you) have never fired a bfr. from those who have owned them have said they were unsatisfied with the gun. concerning the 45-70, 444, and 45/410; i just cant see how those guns would be viable hunting pistol options. when you look at the size and weight of one of those, you might as well be carrying a rifle. i would love to see how many options a fella would have for holsters (which i have learned before i buy a gun, try to find accessories for it first to see how availible they are). just guessing that a guy wouldnt have very many options. and i guess IF the gun lives up to quality standards, for me it would still come back to packing it. and my raging bull is about as heavy a gun as i want on my side; i think for my purposes, the bfr is about as impractical as it could get. and i think folks would be alot better served with a more viable option.
now as a novelty gun... i would love to fire one. if i had the $ to blow i would buy one just to play. but i dont, and from what i have heard actual owners say about them, i couldnt suggest them.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 22, 2003, 11:50:22 AM »

hello myronman3,

Hope things are goin well in the great north woods. It does not look like I will get to the blue gill fest this year. For that matter, I won't be goin to the north woods till late september for hopefully some good walleye & crappie fishing at my place in Mercer. This is the first year I will have not been in the north woods around the July 4th time frame in years ! Maybe next year.

Anyway back to this BFR thing. I admit its kinda a novelty gun. But like I said and what I have been told, they are nice shooting guns. And while there are other options like the 480 or the 454 or just a plain ol 44mag or 45lc, the ability to put such a big heavy bullet 400 to 500 grains out of a revolver, seems to have some real merit. I don't know for sure what real advantage it would be, if any over say the 480. In my opinion, I like the 480 as likly the best big game revolver killer.

I still think about it though !

Nuff said, gotta go tend to the grill.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2003, 01:05:06 AM »

mine was a newer model I would have to say that for $800 it wasnt any better fit then a standard blackhawk the frame didnt fit up smoothly the grip frame attachment wasnt as good as a ruger. It doesnt have the ears on the grip frame just the two screws holding it on the grips fit terribly the trigger pull that they brag on had lots of creap. The base pin is only held on by a locking screw not cross pin. The front sight was a cheesy stainless blade that completely washed out in the sun. They advertised the gun as a 6 1/2 and when it came it was a 7 1/2 I contacted them to complain that the sights were differnent then the brocure and they told me they had a right to change materials at any time what are they doing piece mealing these things. I also asked why I got the wrong barrel lenght they told me they measure from the end of the frame not the forcing cone as every one else in the industry does. I thought there attitude was very rude on the phone too. Anyone here who knows me knows im an easy going polite person. So this is just not ranting. I traded the gun at a gun shop and it sat there for almost a year before some sucker bought it. If your going to spend that kind of money on a gun do yourself a favor and buy a FA field grade. There twice the gun for a little more money. Or get a stock ruger and spend the rest at Dave Clements place getting the little things that are wrong with rugers fixed. You will end up with a much nicer gun.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2003, 05:36:33 PM »

I don't have a BFR in 45-70 but I do have one in the S&W500MAG, and I love the gun. The fit and finish is very good. I was considering the 45-70 then they came out with the 500MAG, and I just had to have it. But I have no regrets at all. I will still get the 45-70 down the road. :-D

Rich Jimbo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2003, 08:45:48 PM »

Osceola, I highly recomend the BFR in 45/70. I have one, I love it! I also have one in 444 Marlin, my favorite! I like my FA 454 and my Ruger 480 too. But my next purchase will be the BFR in 500 S&W. These are excellent hunting tools. This is based on my experience not other peoples opinions based on what they heard somebody say.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2003, 03:46:19 AM »

Rich Jimbo, I agree with you 100%. So many guys put there input, but have not owned or shot the BFR. I myself will not give someone feedback if I have not shot it for myself. As you stated above, I also have a BFR and it is a fine gun and will be buying another. :grin:

BER007 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2003, 07:41:23 AM »

Have a FA you'll see how a perfect gun can put other guns at a very low level. :wink:

I own 2 FA (.50 AE and .454 Casull), have ordered a BFR in .444 Marlin 2.5 years ago when the gun came at my local gun's dealer in Belgium. I have handled the gun, check this gun, my gunsmith and I have decided to send this gun back to Magnum research (no great finition, problem of cylinder to rotate very well,...) I was excited to get this gun, after that don't even talk to me about the BFR. I don't know if I was unlucky with BFR because the gun has crossed the Atlantic???

I know that BFR revolvers build now are better than before.

Of course I'm not an axpert in guns, but i own a factory Ruger SA New Model Blackhawk better fitted thna the BFR I have handled :eek:

Bill T · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2004, 06:29:31 AM »

Here is mine. I bought it a few weeks ago, and like it plenty! http://groups.msn.com/wtill

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2004, 07:06:25 AM »

Bill T, I hope it brings you a long time of enjoyment. I know mine will.