Author Topic: Magnum Research BFR .45-70 Revolver (Read 2077 times)

Bill T · « **on:** January 16, 2004, 09:50:28 PM »

Does anyone own or shoot one of these? They have a couple in stock at the local shop by me and they do look tempting, especially the 10" barrel model. I think it would really make a neat companion piece to my Guide Gun in the same caliber. I just would like to hear from anyone who owns, or has shot one. Bill T.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** January 16, 2004, 11:49:58 PM »

had one in 480 and sold it i wasnt to impressed with the fit and finish of it for the money and it was just to big. I aslo had a runin with there customer service dept and got real fed up.

Bill T · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2004, 02:16:14 AM »

Lloyd,

What was physically wrong with the gun? Bill T.

reallybigfoot · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2004, 11:38:59 AM »

I think mine is great. I took a nice buck with it this year. 300 gr JHP at 1800 ft/sec. The recoil is less than my 454 and it is more accurate. I have a Bushnell Holo sight on it and it makes a great hunting gun. Im 65 and 230 lbs so I think the fit is perfect. For practice I shoot caste bullets with 6 gr of Titegroup.

Jerry

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2004, 11:55:47 AM »

fit and finish wernt up to a $800 gun no better then a ruger. The trigger needed work something that a gun for that much shouldnt need. I didnt like the way the grip frame attactched to the frame all there were were the two screws no dogears like a ruger. Same with the basepin all that held it was the screw no pressure type setup like a ruger. When i ordered the gun i ordered a 6 1/2 gun when it came it was a 7 1/2 when i contacted them about it they told me they measure barrel length different then everyone else in the industry. Gun aslo came with different sights then was pictured. (by the way i ordered it right from them and not a distributor) they told me they had the right to change specs anytime. It would have been bad but the front sight was a stainless blade about useless in any light. I am a pretty good guy as most here will attest. But they treated me like **** when i tried to address these problems. I promply sold it and will never buy one of there products again.Buy one if youd like there a good solid gun but dont expect any more gun then a supper blackhawk.

Quote from: Bill T

Lloyd,

What was physically wrong with the gun? Bill T.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 28, 2004, 03:24:58 PM »

I don't have a 45-70 in the BFR, but I have a S&W500MAG in a BFR, and I just love the gun. Everything functioned flawlessly. I would recommend Magnum Research BFR's.

sawfish · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2004, 11:23:02 AM »

I have a three year old BFR in 45/70, which has been given the MagNaPort Stalker Custom treatment (i.e. vibra hone finish, action job, Linebaugh style porting, cut to 8 3/8" etc.). The gun is very accurate, and not overly painful on the operator side even with heavy 405 gr. loads. (Why else would you want to shoot a big handgun?)

Since my gun was manufactured, Magnum Research (MRI) has changed contractors, which has improved the out of the box gun 100 percent plus. I used one in .480 Ruger on a whitetail hunt in Texas last year, and I am ready to ditch my boat anchor SRH in .480 in favor of the "new improved" BFR in this caliber. However, I will not part with my 45/70. The MRI website has some links to magazine articles on the 45/70 BFR.

daddywpb · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2004, 12:29:14 AM »

What does 'BFR' stand for? :grin: :grin: :grin:

sawfish · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2004, 06:15:59 AM »

"Biggest, Finest, Revolver"

daddywpb · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2004, 02:57:05 PM »

I got everything right except for the "F". :grin:

Bill T · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2004, 03:40:48 AM »

Well, I bought it ! Actually, when I went in to look at it in detail, I was thinking kind of "iffy" about it. Then after looking it over, I couldn't get my money down fast enough. This thing is beautiful ! Very well constructed. The grip frame is installed using Stainless hex head cap screws, a nice feature. Also, when you open the loading gate the cylinder spins in either direction freely. Not the "clickity-clackity" one direction only like Ruger and the rest. Even the box it came in was nice. Black, red, and gold foil, with the gun itself incased in cut foam rubber with a layer of foam on top and on the bottom. I got the 10" barrel. I really can't wait to get this thing out and fire it up. I've already got the Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70, so ammo isn't a problem. I have several rounds loaded with the 405 Gr. Remington soft point with 43.0 Gr. of IMR 3031 which gives about 1,500 FPS in the Marlin. It will be intresting to see just how much the shorter barrel costs in velocity. I took a set of shims with me to the store and the flash gap was tight at .004. With the 405 Gr. loads, there is still a lot of room left in the cylinder. I think I'll load up some Lyman #462560 Gas Check cast bullets. These cast from Linotype at around 552 Gr. I think the cylinder will easily take the overall length. My 45th Edition Lyman manual, (copyright 1970) has loads for this bullet with Unique, as well as 2400 powder which should work out good for this heavy of a bullet in a 10" barrel. This thing looks like a blast to play with. Something I just couldn't live without ! Bill T.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2004, 03:14:48 AM »

Bill T, I hope you have as much fun with your BFR as I do. Great guns

Bill T · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2004, 03:28:30 AM »

Here is a link to some pictures of it that I took.
http://groups.msn.com/wtill Bill T.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2004, 08:19:09 AM »

BillT, I had my BFR cut down to 5 1/4 inches, inverted muzzlecrown and 4 port Mag-na-porting. I also installed Hogue wooden grips from Magnum Research and had it drilled & tapped for a scope. I have it scopeless right now, but have the option to use it. The gun is a blast to shoot. Have you gone out shooting yet? :grin:

sawfish · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2004, 11:02:32 AM »

Bill T., Suggest you try something a little slower than 2400 or Unique, and perhaps some more recent data. See Hodgdon's web site. I have had my best light bullet (300 gr) results in the BFR with H-4198. Heavier bullets (400+) work better for me with powders that have similar burning rates to H-4895 (RL-15, AA-2495, Varget, AA-2520 etc.).

One of the older Sierra manuals recommended magnum primers in all HG loads for this caliber. With the influx of new powders since that manual was published, some testing might be in order before completely relying on that dated advice. However, I do use magnum primers with powders in the H-4895 range.

I have also had some excellent results with the new AA-2200. IMHO, I suggest you avoid any loads that require a filler when using a revolver. I know many who claim to have used them successfully, but it only takes one ringed chamber ! Good luck.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2004, 12:48:19 AM »

Bill T, I have been using IMR4198 in my 45-70 loads and have great success. I can load mild to hot and keep good accuracy. Just a suggestion of powder choice that works for me.

Bill T · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2004, 10:19:56 PM »

Redhawk,

I haven't shot it yet and I can tell you it's not from a lack of desire! If it's not work, the weather here has been bad the last couple of weeks. I work 3rd shift so my weekend starts at 6:30 AM Friday morning, which is a good time for me to go shooting because the range, (public), that I go to isn't very crowded. I'm hoping to get out next Friday and crank it up! After that, I can concentrate on load development. Bill T.