Magnum Research BFR?

Robinson · May 5, 2013, 03:54 PM

Looking for opinions of the bfr and how they feel it stacks up against the quality of smith and wesson and rugers. I've handled two lately and I'm impressed. I'm looking for a dedicated hunting handgun for deer and moose.

jimaw2 · May 5, 2013, 03:56 PM

I've had one in 45-70 and one in .454. great guns, wouldn't hesitate on one.

BoogieMan · May 5, 2013, 04:49 PM

I bought the 460xvr after looking at the BFR. For me the driving factor was the grip angle and balance of the DA S&W -vs- SA BFR. I have shot 44m in SA and I prefered the DA grip. Also if your looking at the big mags or 45/70 I would consider sending it to magnaport. Add in that expense and your close to the cost of the XVR

22-rimfire · May 5, 2013, 06:21 PM

I think they are higher quality than your standard Ruger single action and as good as the X-frame Smiths. I think you will find them easier to shoot/handle than a Ruger SRH.

I have a 475/480 and so far have been pleased with it. I just got it in the latter part of the of last year. My choice would be one in 475/480 or 500 JRH. The 45/70 should not be too bad to shoot and it was the very first BFR offering.

Gdawgs · May 5, 2013, 10:46 PM

I have one in 460 with the 10" barrel. They are very well built, with fit and finish a bit better than Rugers. Not like a Freedom Arms, but they are almost 1/3 the price.

No need to magnaport. Plenty of mass there to help tame recoil. Especially if you mount a scope on it.

BoogieMan · May 6, 2013, 05:50 AM

So what caliber are you considering? What barrel length?

kutz · May 6, 2013, 07:21 AM

Mines in .450, zeroed @ 100 yards, great for deer, elk & bear. Great fit & finish. Beautiful gun!

Robinson · May 10, 2013, 07:20 AM

I'm considering the 45-70 with the 10" barrel. I compared the lockup of the bfr with the smith and wesson .500 and noticed the bfr is rock solid while the smith has a little play in it. I kinda wish they put a nice rollmark on the cylinder.

chewie146 · May 10, 2013, 09:38 AM

Keep in mind that the .45-70 will have cheaper brass, while the .452 calibers will have cheaper bullets. I'd go with a .452 vs the .458, as the variety is much greater. .458 bullets all tend to be heavy and made for thumping big game. You can load some bunny farts with 200 grain .452 bullets.

Deja vu · May 11, 2013, 08:03 AM

Mine is a 10 inch barrel. I have both a 45/70 and a 450 marlin cylinder for it. I love the gun. I have loaded it with bullets as light as 250 grain all the way up to cast loads that weigh 540 grains.

It is a very fun gun!

PetahW · May 11, 2013, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robinson

how it stacks up against the quality of smith and wesson and rugers.

IIRC, their frames were actually made the same as their Super Blackhawk frames, by Ruger, at Ruger's Pine Tree Castings plant in NH.

I know Ruger has made/currently subcontracts/makes gun parts (mostly frames & gripframes) for other gun makers, there.

.

May 5, 2013, 03:54 PM	#1
Robinson Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 77	Magnum Research BFR? Looking for opinions of the bfr and how they feel it stacks up against the quality of smith and wesson and rugers. I've handled two lately and I'm impressed. I'm looking for a dedicated hunting handgun for deer and moose.

May 5, 2013, 04:49 PM	#3
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	I bought the 460xvr after looking at the BFR. For me the driving factor was the grip angle and balance of the DA S&W -vs- SA BFR. I have shot 44m in SA and I prefered the DA grip. Also if your looking at the big mags or 45/70 I would consider sending it to magnaport. Add in that expense and your close to the cost of the XVR __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

May 6, 2013, 05:50 AM	#6
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	So what caliber are you considering? What barrel length? __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

May 11, 2013, 08:03 AM	#10
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	Mine is a 10 inch barrel. I have both a 45/70 and a 450 marlin cylinder for it. I love the gun. I have loaded it with bullets as light as 250 grain all the way up to cast loads that weigh 540 grains. It is a very fun gun! __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

May 5, 2013, 03:56 PM	#2
jimaw2 Member Join Date: October 2, 2008 Location: n california Posts: 83	I've had one in 45-70 and one in .454. great guns, wouldn't hesitate on one.

May 5, 2013, 06:21 PM	#4
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 5,323	I think they are higher quality than your standard Ruger single action and as good as the X-frame Smiths. I think you will find them easier to shoot/handle than a Ruger SRH. I have a 475/480 and so far have been pleased with it. I just got it in the latter part of the of last year. My choice would be one in 475/480 or 500 JRH. The 45/70 should not be too bad to shoot and it was the very first BFR offering.

May 5, 2013, 10:46 PM	#5
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 656	I have one in 460 with the 10" barrel. They are very well built, with fit and finish a bit better than Rugers. Not like a Freedom Arms, but they are almost 1/3 the price. No need to magnaport. Plenty of mass there to help tame recoil. Especially if you mount a scope on it.

May 6, 2013, 07:21 AM	#7
kutz Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 393	Mines in .450, zeroed @ 100 yards, great for deer, elk & bear. Great fit & finish. Beautiful gun!

May 10, 2013, 07:20 AM	#8
Robinson Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 77	I'm considering the 45-70 with the 10" barrel. I compared the lockup of the bfr with the smith and wesson .500 and noticed the bfr is rock solid while the smith has a little play in it. I kinda wish they put a nice rollmark on the cylinder.

May 10, 2013, 09:38 AM	#9
chewie146 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 853	Keep in mind that the .45-70 will have cheaper brass, while the .452 calibers will have cheaper bullets. I'd go with a .452 vs the .458, as the variety is much greater. .458 bullets all tend to be heavy and made for thumping big game. You can load some bunny farts with 200 grain .452 bullets.