Big bore recommendation

TX_454 · June 25, 2020, 11:28 AM

Not really a new user here, but couldn’t figure out what email/username I used last time I was on here.

I’m fairly set on placing an order on a Freedom Arms model 83 later this year as a graduation gift for myself. So far I’ve decided on a field grade in 6 inch and leaning towards octagonal barrel. I plan to hunt everything from hogs, whitetail on up to black bear and elk at some point. Not sold on putting a scope on it and will probably stick to open sights. I’m currently left deciding between 454 and 475. I know either caliber will be plenty for the purposes I need.

I currently have a Ruger Alaskan in 454 and reload for it so im not worried about the recoil for myself. My plan is to load it to whatever is comfortable to shoot and am leaning towards the 475 just to have another caliber in the stable. My only concern is the versatility of loadings. With my 454 I can load anything from 250g 45 cowboy loads on up to 360+ grain and uncomfortable to shoot. I can load light enough that anyone can shoot it comfortably.. From my research it doesn’t seem like the 475 has the same versatility? Can anyone speak to this? Also any suggestions on either caliber one way or another would be great.

Thanks,
Tx

Erno86 · June 25, 2020, 12:03 PM

I own a 454/45 Colt Ruger Super Redhawk. If I had enough wampum at the time I bought the Ruger...I would have instead preferred buying the SA Freedom Arms, in 454/45 Colt.

May I suggest sticking with the 454/45 Colt...mainly because of the versatility of loads.

ligonierbill · June 25, 2020, 12:03 PM

If you're talking about the 475 Linebaugh, you know you can fire "475 Special" aka 480 Ruger from the same gun. No, not as many bullets available as a 45 bore, but how many do you really need?

rock185 · June 25, 2020, 01:06 PM

I decided on the .454 because I wanted to see what all the hubbub about the Super Duper powerful .454 was all about

I was also shooting and loading a lot of .45 ACP at the time, and an aux. cylinder in .45 ACP made sense for me. Had mine for 20+ years now and don't regret my choice. After shooting the .454, can't say I ever wanted for anything bigger and more powerful.....ymmv

jimku · June 25, 2020, 02:30 PM

.41 magnum is as far as my rubber meets the road, meets ALL of my needs, strongly prefer it to .44 magnum. So when it comes to 454 and 475 I am iggorent as a box o' rocks.

grimlock361 · July 12, 2020, 11:29 PM

The most versatile gun for big bore is going to be 460 mag. You can shoot 45 schofield, 45 colt, 454, and of course 460 S&W mag. Barrels range from 3 all the way up to 14 inches in revolvers. The single shot TC rifle with 24 inche barrel will output around 3700 ft/lbs and 2800-2900 fps when using the 200gr hornady xtp loads. Thats better than 30-06 and on par with 300 win mag. Not bad for a handgun cartridge!

**44 AMP** · July 13, 2020, 01:03 AM

Quote:

My only concern is the versatility of loadings.

Shooting from a revolver, the versatility of loading is from the maximum of the cartridge and gun all the way down to the lightest load where the bullet reliably clears the barrel.

Now, if you're talking about the range of selection of ammo you can buy, THEN the .45 caliber guns have distinct advantage.

There are a couple ways to look at it, one you mentioned was "having another caliber is the stable, and I get that.

But there is also the other way to see it, which is "having to tool up for another caliber" having little in common with what I already have. That's the reason I never bothered with guns above .45. A personal thing, but when you've got a dozen or more .44s and .45s the appeal of something bigger wanes for some of us.

If you stick with the .454 you can use what you already have, right away. Choose a .475, .480, or something like that, its new brass & dies and bullets time, at a minimum.

For me, and already having a few things that well fill the "something different" class, getting something else "different" isn't worth it, but then, I"m getting old and lots of things don't thrill me the way they did 40+ years ago.

If its a graduation gift, then you're on the other end of the line than I am, and getting something for the experience of leaning and using it is still attractive, it was for me, back then.

I don't own any but I've examined Freedom arms guns, quality built no question.

I'd go with the .45, as I have a lot of .45 stuff I could use, but that's just me.

Paul105 · July 13, 2020, 10:10 PM

I have both .454 and .475 Linebaugh - 6" FA83s.

I'd go with the .454 - it will do everything you want and components are quite a bit less expensive. I have an auxiliary 45 Colt cylinder for mine because I'm terrible when it comes to cleaning guns and I shoot a lot of .45 Colt thru various guns.

FWIW,

Paul

ms6852 · July 14, 2020, 03:00 AM

I will be different because like any good story there is always the antagonist. In this case I would consider the .460 S&W magnum. it will shoot the 454 Casull, the 45 LC and the .45 Schoefield, but check with the manufacturer first.

silvermane_1 · July 14, 2020, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ligonierbill

If you're talking about the 475 Linebaugh, you know you can fire "475 Special" aka 480 Ruger from the same gun. No, not as many bullets available as a 45 bore, but how many do you really need?

The "475 Special" is a misnomer, 480 Ruger is a regular Magnum as the 475 Linebaugh is a Super Magnum, like 454 Casull or 327 Federal Magnum.

Cosmodragoon · July 14, 2020, 11:09 AM

It looks like you've entered the world of "go big or go home". So get yourself an XVR in .460 S&W. That's all the power you will ever need in a handgun. You can also use it to shoot the shorter .45-caliber cartridges such as .454 Casull and .45 Colt if you want.

It isn't just a matter of performance or versatility. The weight, porting, and cushy tamer grip make the XVR surprisingly comfortable to shoot. In fact, the XVR is more comfortable to shoot in .460 than any revolver I'd previously shot in the lesser .454 Casull. (Plus, you get the rare opportunity to call .454 Casull "lesser". The .460 is a super-magnum version of the .454 Casull.)

TX Nimrod · July 14, 2020, 11:19 AM

Guys, the poster was very clear, he wants a FA and he is asking for reasons to choose between the .454 and the .475. I suppose if he wanted a lower-quality oversized DA revolver he’d have asked about it....

.

silvermane_1 · July 15, 2020, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX Nimrod

Guys, the poster was very clear, he wants a FA and he is asking for reasons to choose between the .454 and the .475. I suppose if he wanted a lower-quality oversized DA revolver he’d have asked about it....

.

Well I will try to nudge TX_454 in the 475 Linebaugh direction there TX Nimrod, however the 475 has a higher TKO number and is softer shooting than a 454.

jimku · July 15, 2020, 07:05 AM

This has been an interesting read. I learned a few things.
If I ever am going where I might be attacked by a sabre-tooth elephant I now have some ideas for what to carry.

ms6852 · July 15, 2020, 08:10 AM

I know the op want a FA but what if he did not know about the 460. As an American it is my duty to inform him of other options available in case he did not know.

TX_454 · July 16, 2020, 08:52 PM

Thanks for the replies so far. I still think I’m leaning towards the 475 right now. Even with fewer bullet weights I think reloading will give me the versatility I’m looking for. I’m not interested in the 460, the only thing I might consider otherwise is a 500 linebaugh but that would put the FA out of the running.

Paul105 · July 16, 2020, 09:59 PM

You could always go with the 500 Wyoming Express or 500 JRH (Huntington conversion) both on FA83

Here's my 500 JRH Huntington converted FA83

TX_454 · July 17, 2020, 07:59 AM

Paul, what all is involved in the conversion? If I ordered an FA in WE is it just a new cylinder to convert? Have you run into any issues with OAL using heavier bullets for your JRH?

Paul105 · July 17, 2020, 08:46 AM

The 500 JRH is just a rimmed version of the 500 Wyoming Express.

The JRH is a shortened 500 S&W with the rims turned to fit the FA 83.

The Wyoming Express is Freedom Arms propriatary belted cartridge (case capacity of WE and JRH is the same). No need for the JRH if you order the Wyoming Express unless you are worried about continued availability of WE brass. A JRH converted cylinder would be all you need to convert FA83 in 500 WE to 500 JRH (you'd need a new cylinder because of the WEs belt).

I have used bullets bullets up to 440gr WFN with no OAL problems. My current load is the 325gr Swift A Frame and is about all the recoil I want as I get older and is enough to handle anything I might run into here in Montana.

Lee Martin ( singleactions.com and leactions.proboards.com/ ) has loaded bullets up to 500 to 525gr in the 500 JRH but had to ream the case because it tapers towards the bottom (not necessary with the WE).

I bought my gun used and it had been converted using a .454 FA83 as base gun with a new barrel.

UPDATE - LOOKS LIKE 500 WE BRASS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

FWIW,

Paul

stinkeypete · July 17, 2020, 03:02 PM

I had the FA .454 Premier Grade 7" barrel and I loved it. Built like a Swiss Watch.

It was a bit heavy (which is good for those loads but not for carrying) and so pretty I never was comfortable carrying it in the field for fear of scratching it. I am sure I would have used the field grade more.

Why did I sell it? My dad gave me his Bowen .44 Magnum when he got of an age it kicked too hard for him even with .44 specials, as will happen to all of us, if we are lucky. That's a plus for .454... loading from Cowboy to Cape Buffalo is super easy to find components for. Given small pluses and minuses, I could not say either one was better- just one had a lot more sentimental value.

You have the toughest decision to make because either way you just can't go wrong.

TX_454 · July 17, 2020, 09:04 PM

Paul, I also should have mentioned those are gorgeous guns and exactly what I’m wanting.

I have looked into the WE express some and brass availability in the future has been my only real concern. Realistically though 500 rounds of brass would last my lifetime I’m sure. If it ever became an issue my kids/grandkids could always have it rechambered. Too many options is a good thing to have I suppose.

Paul105 · July 17, 2020, 09:22 PM

LOOKS LIKE 500 WE BRASS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE - member on single action forum ref above contacted FA and was so informed.

Paul

SHR970 · July 17, 2020, 09:52 PM

Unless you feel the need to hunt the Big 5 with a hand gun (even then) the 454 will do what you want it to. You have MANY more options with that caliber and are already set to load it.

badge851 · July 18, 2020, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimku

.41 magnum is as far as my rubber meets the road, meets ALL of my needs, strongly prefer it to .44 magnum. So when it comes to 454 and 475 I am iggorent as a box o' rocks.

I'm in that same camp as you in that the 41 Remington® Magnum meets ALL of my big bore needs. It is an AMAZING CARTRIDGE!

buck460XVR · July 18, 2020, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX Nimrod

Guys, the poster was very clear, he wants a FA and he is asking for reasons to choose between the .454 and the .475. I suppose if he wanted a lower-quality oversized DA revolver he’d have asked about it....

.

It pretty apparent you have never shot a .460. The difference of quality between the two brands compared to price is moot, especially in a hunting revolver. A P.C. .460 is every bit as accurate and reliable as any FA. I've shot both. The weight and size of a S&W X-Frame is there to make the shooting of it much more pleasant than similar calibers from smaller and light platforms. Shoot .454 out of a Ruger platform and then shoot the more [powerful .460 out of a simlar barrel length X-Frame. Then compare where the holes are on the target.

For a hunting revolver, one needs to practice and practice often. Having a firearm pleasant to shoot offers much more proficiency, regardless of how macho folks want to make of themselves. I am not here to make suggestions of what the OP should get, but I also am not going to try and belittle any one else's choices or suggestions. Grew outta that a long time ago. What I am going to suggest to the OP is to forget about this idea of a dedicated hunting revolver having to be "versatile". You don't need to be able to shoot 6 different calibers from any platform for it to be efficient on deer and hogs. You need it to be able to shoot one appropriate caliber very well. Does no good to practice with .45ACP when you are planning to hunt with .454. POI from POA is so radically different that you will just waste time and ammo adjusting sights. In order to become proficient enough to hunt with a big bore revolver you need to shoot your legitimate hunting ammo, every time you shoot it. Period. If you cannot afford to do it, or your wrist/hand can't handle it, you need to forget the whole idea. If you reload(which you almost have to do with the really big bores) you can download ammo if need be, but the cost difference is generally so minimal it won't make sense.

My suggestion to the OP, get what you want. If you can shoot it first, all the better. If you get something and are not happy with it, sell it and try something else. If you want folks to respect your choice, you need to respect the choices of others....or stay the 'ell off social media. There is way too much negative input on social media by the anti's, we don't need it from our fellow gun owners.

June 25, 2020, 11:28 AM	#1
TX_454 Junior Member Join Date: June 25, 2020 Posts: 4	Big bore recommendation Not really a new user here, but couldn’t figure out what email/username I used last time I was on here. I’m fairly set on placing an order on a Freedom Arms model 83 later this year as a graduation gift for myself. So far I’ve decided on a field grade in 6 inch and leaning towards octagonal barrel. I plan to hunt everything from hogs, whitetail on up to black bear and elk at some point. Not sold on putting a scope on it and will probably stick to open sights. I’m currently left deciding between 454 and 475. I know either caliber will be plenty for the purposes I need. I currently have a Ruger Alaskan in 454 and reload for it so im not worried about the recoil for myself. My plan is to load it to whatever is comfortable to shoot and am leaning towards the 475 just to have another caliber in the stable. My only concern is the versatility of loadings. With my 454 I can load anything from 250g 45 cowboy loads on up to 360+ grain and uncomfortable to shoot. I can load light enough that anyone can shoot it comfortably.. From my research it doesn’t seem like the 475 has the same versatility? Can anyone speak to this? Also any suggestions on either caliber one way or another would be great. Thanks, Tx

June 25, 2020, 12:03 PM	#2
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	I own a 454/45 Colt Ruger Super Redhawk. If I had enough wampum at the time I bought the Ruger...I would have instead preferred buying the SA Freedom Arms, in 454/45 Colt. May I suggest sticking with the 454/45 Colt...mainly because of the versatility of loads. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

July 12, 2020, 11:29 PM	#6
grimlock361 Junior Member Join Date: March 14, 2019 Posts: 4	The most versatile gun for big bore is going to be 460 mag. You can shoot 45 schofield, 45 colt, 454, and of course 460 S&W mag. Barrels range from 3 all the way up to 14 inches in revolvers. The single shot TC rifle with 24 inche barrel will output around 3700 ft/lbs and 2800-2900 fps when using the 200gr hornady xtp loads. Thats better than 30-06 and on par with 300 win mag. Not bad for a handgun cartridge! Last edited by grimlock361; July 12, 2020 at 11:35 PM.

July 14, 2020, 03:00 AM	#9
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	I will be different because like any good story there is always the antagonist. In this case I would consider the .460 S&W magnum. it will shoot the 454 Casull, the 45 LC and the .45 Schoefield, but check with the manufacturer first. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

July 14, 2020, 11:19 AM	#12
TX Nimrod Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2009 Location: Zona Posts: 423	Guys, the poster was very clear, he wants a FA and he is asking for reasons to choose between the .454 and the .475. I suppose if he wanted a lower-quality oversized DA revolver he’d have asked about it.... . __________________ .22LR - .223 - .22-250 - .243 - 6mm REM - .25-20 - .25-35 - .25 BB - .250/3000 - .257 WBY - .260 - .30 M1 - .300 BO - .30 Herrett - .300 Savage - .32 H&R - .303 - .338-06 - .338 WM - .35 REM - .38-55 - .45 LC - .45-70 - .50-70

June 25, 2020, 12:03 PM	#3
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,456	If you're talking about the 475 Linebaugh, you know you can fire "475 Special" aka 480 Ruger from the same gun. No, not as many bullets available as a 45 bore, but how many do you really need?

June 25, 2020, 02:30 PM	#5
jimku Junior member Join Date: January 2, 2017 Posts: 291	.41 magnum is as far as my rubber meets the road, meets ALL of my needs, strongly prefer it to .44 magnum. So when it comes to 454 and 475 I am iggorent as a box o' rocks.

July 13, 2020, 10:10 PM	#8
Paul105 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 343	I have both .454 and .475 Linebaugh - 6" FA83s. I'd go with the .454 - it will do everything you want and components are quite a bit less expensive. I have an auxiliary 45 Colt cylinder for mine because I'm terrible when it comes to cleaning guns and I shoot a lot of .45 Colt thru various guns. FWIW, Paul

July 14, 2020, 11:09 AM	#11
Cosmodragoon Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 1,869	It looks like you've entered the world of "go big or go home". So get yourself an XVR in .460 S&W. That's all the power you will ever need in a handgun. You can also use it to shoot the shorter .45-caliber cartridges such as .454 Casull and .45 Colt if you want. It isn't just a matter of performance or versatility. The weight, porting, and cushy tamer grip make the XVR surprisingly comfortable to shoot. In fact, the XVR is more comfortable to shoot in .460 than any revolver I'd previously shot in the lesser .454 Casull. (Plus, you get the rare opportunity to call .454 Casull "lesser". The .460 is a super-magnum version of the .454 Casull.)

July 15, 2020, 07:05 AM	#14
jimku Junior member Join Date: January 2, 2017 Posts: 291	This has been an interesting read. I learned a few things. If I ever am going where I might be attacked by a sabre-tooth elephant I now have some ideas for what to carry.

July 15, 2020, 08:10 AM	#15
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	I know the op want a FA but what if he did not know about the 460. As an American it is my duty to inform him of other options available in case he did not know. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

July 16, 2020, 08:52 PM	#16
TX_454 Junior Member Join Date: June 25, 2020 Posts: 4	Thanks for the replies so far. I still think I’m leaning towards the 475 right now. Even with fewer bullet weights I think reloading will give me the versatility I’m looking for. I’m not interested in the 460, the only thing I might consider otherwise is a 500 linebaugh but that would put the FA out of the running.

July 16, 2020, 09:59 PM	#17
Paul105 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 343	You could always go with the 500 Wyoming Express or 500 JRH (Huntington conversion) both on FA83 Here's my 500 JRH Huntington converted FA83

July 17, 2020, 07:59 AM	#18
TX_454 Junior Member Join Date: June 25, 2020 Posts: 4	Paul, what all is involved in the conversion? If I ordered an FA in WE is it just a new cylinder to convert? Have you run into any issues with OAL using heavier bullets for your JRH?

July 17, 2020, 08:46 AM	#19
Paul105 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 343	The 500 JRH is just a rimmed version of the 500 Wyoming Express. The JRH is a shortened 500 S&W with the rims turned to fit the FA 83. The Wyoming Express is Freedom Arms propriatary belted cartridge (case capacity of WE and JRH is the same). No need for the JRH if you order the Wyoming Express unless you are worried about continued availability of WE brass. A JRH converted cylinder would be all you need to convert FA83 in 500 WE to 500 JRH (you'd need a new cylinder because of the WEs belt). I have used bullets bullets up to 440gr WFN with no OAL problems. My current load is the 325gr Swift A Frame and is about all the recoil I want as I get older and is enough to handle anything I might run into here in Montana. Lee Martin ( singleactions.com and leactions.proboards.com/ ) has loaded bullets up to 500 to 525gr in the 500 JRH but had to ream the case because it tapers towards the bottom (not necessary with the WE). I bought my gun used and it had been converted using a .454 FA83 as base gun with a new barrel. UPDATE - LOOKS LIKE 500 WE BRASS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. FWIW, Paul Last edited by Paul105; July 17, 2020 at 05:29 PM. Reason: Update - FA doesn't have 500 WE brass

July 17, 2020, 03:02 PM	#20
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,293	I had the FA .454 Premier Grade 7" barrel and I loved it. Built like a Swiss Watch. It was a bit heavy (which is good for those loads but not for carrying) and so pretty I never was comfortable carrying it in the field for fear of scratching it. I am sure I would have used the field grade more. Why did I sell it? My dad gave me his Bowen .44 Magnum when he got of an age it kicked too hard for him even with .44 specials, as will happen to all of us, if we are lucky. That's a plus for .454... loading from Cowboy to Cape Buffalo is super easy to find components for. Given small pluses and minuses, I could not say either one was better- just one had a lot more sentimental value. You have the toughest decision to make because either way you just can't go wrong. __________________ My book "The Pheasant Hunter's Action Adventure Cookbook" is now on Amazon. Tall tales, hunting tips, butchering from bird to the freezer, and recipes.

July 17, 2020, 09:04 PM	#21
TX_454 Junior Member Join Date: June 25, 2020 Posts: 4	Paul, I also should have mentioned those are gorgeous guns and exactly what I’m wanting. I have looked into the WE express some and brass availability in the future has been my only real concern. Realistically though 500 rounds of brass would last my lifetime I’m sure. If it ever became an issue my kids/grandkids could always have it rechambered. Too many options is a good thing to have I suppose.

July 17, 2020, 09:22 PM	#22
Paul105 Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 343	LOOKS LIKE 500 WE BRASS IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE - member on single action forum ref above contacted FA and was so informed. Paul

July 17, 2020, 09:52 PM	#23
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	Unless you feel the need to hunt the Big 5 with a hand gun (even then) the 454 will do what you want it to. You have MANY more options with that caliber and are already set to load it.