I am not familiar with Magnum Research. I am thinking about a .475 Linebaugh and would like to hear from someone who has experience with the BFR's. [bad or good]

Excellent. There are some areas that need addressing as far as I am concerned (cheap aluminum front sight and the grip frame), but there is no better bang-for-the-buck in my opinion. They tend to shoot VERY well and are the cheapest way to get into a real big-bore revolver.

You can also shoot 480 ruger through the 475 bfr so you have a factory load option as well so you can get some in a pinch if you need it.

I do like bisley style grips, what are my options? How would your rate the trigger pull?

Jack Huntington can fix the grip. He modifies the existing grip by reshaping and lengthening it and then makes a custom set of grips -- a real custom set of grips that are made to the dimensions of your hand -- for it. It vastly improves the way the revolver handles recoil and it looks great. It will run you $300.00 in total (wood or Micarta grips).

Here is a stock BFR Micarta grip:



Here is the Huntington grip (also Micarta):

When I purchased my BFR a year-and-a-half ago, I was looking primarily at three things.

One - I wanted a cartridge that could handle anything I might choose to hunt, including Elk. The 475L is certainly up for the task.

Two - I wanted a gun that was "right" straight from the factory. The BFR is dimensionally very close to perfect. It shoots like it too. The accuracy is simply stunning and can most likely shoot as tight as you can hold. Seriously.

Three- I wanted a gun that I could actually afford. The BFR falls somewhere between a Ruger Super Blackhawk and an FA83 both in price and in fit-and-finish. That being said, from an accuracy standpoint the BFR is very close or equal to a similarly chambered FA (for quiet a lot less money- even a used FA).

I couldn't agree more with Whit concerning the grips and the front sight though, yet both are serviceable. In fact, despite their uncanny ugliness, the stock rubbers actually work quite well.

Full disclosure: I'm currently saving my pennies to have Jack work his grip frame magic on mine, as well as lopping off a bit of barrel. Eight-plus inches is just too long for my tastes. This will probably be my one-and-only big bore. So I might as well get it personalized.

As for the trigger. Mine was a bit heavy straight from the factory, but a quick poor-man's trigger job and now it's just fine.

My only other gripe would be the weight. It is heavier than a Super Blackhawk by a half-pound or so and the FA83 by a good quarter-pound. Not exactly the best belt gun in other words.

From a cartridge standpoint, the 475L has been a dream to work with on the loading bench. I'm pretty much a handloading novice, and yet I've had great success with everything from super-light Trailboss loads to the mid-range loads I'm shooting now. I'm (slowly) working my way up to heavier loadings, but am in no hurry. I'm very content to just shoot the heck out of it as is.

It really is a great gun.

I gather the magnum research is a strong revolver and accurate.With a few ergonomic changes and a limited budget that I possess, buying it would be a good idea. Since I asked this question my hot water tank quit.{another small set back] I believe it will have to wait till sometime after Christmas. It seems we are getting more grandkids regularly. [2 more this last few months] So, if I buy one in Feb or March I should have it up and running before next hunting season. Thanks for your input and all others are welcome.

I really like it. The grip needs help as mentioned by these other gents. A buddy of mine shoots his with smaller hands than mine and doesn't have issues. I have huge very hard thumb muscles from working out and the rear of the grip lands right on the muscle. Not real pleasant. reflex264

I bought mine used for what I consider a steal on Gunbrokers last year. It came with about 100 rounds of ammo, express iron sights and not one, but two scopes (including a Leupold 2x handgun scope) for under $1k. All in all, this is one serious handgun. I probably shouldn't comment on accuracy as I'm still learning the grip. If you are moving from the 44 mag to the 475, plan on spending some time with reduced loads. I learned very quickly that 480 loads aren't 'light' loads, the 480 is extremely close to 475 in performance and recoil. My 2 cents.

Oh, almost forgot; have fun with the your big boomer!!!!

Keep in mind. Most of us like a modified grip frame better. Jack certainly does a great job with it and his work is incredible. However while i prefer it modified mine does fine with me shooting full bore 454 loads and my son really prefers his bfr frame to bisleys or the fa grip frame so it may be an improvement ya dont have to budget in

Btw. Both his 454 and his 500 jrh are very very accurate

Gary Smith, if you are there: as only a Moderator I can not quarantine just this reply; therefore I am asking you to step forward and do it. This is obvious spam camoflauged to seem like a legitimate post. Read and look at it CAREFULLY.