Hi all,

I am thinking about purchasing a freedom arms revolver. I think that I might need a push one way or another as far as caliber. I always get some good insight on here and even though I am far from a handgun novice or a beginning hunter it is always good to have some outside thoughts.
The question is this; I am going to Alaska next year to get married, hunt a bit a fish while I am there and also I hunt a bit. I know that a double action revolver is better than a single for bear defense but this pistol would double for hunting as well. I am debating between the model 83 in either 454 or 475 on the heavy side or 44 on the lighter side.
The other thought is the model 97 in 45 colt and I know that they are strong guns but have a short cylinder that precludes the use of long heavy bullets. The 97 is a beautiful revolver from what I can see and is very packable. There are no gun stores in my area that carry them and the only way to see one in person is to order one!!!
What do you guys think? Maybe you own one or know people that do and can tell me how they feel in hand etc. Thank you all in advance. I would hate to spend 2k and not like it.

I'm wanting for a 50 something, but of your choices I'd go with the 475. You can get a second cylinder if you don't like shooting short brass, but with the ability to also shoot 480R you have the better of both worlds. I will take a 45 Colt over a 429 Mag any day. Couldn't you get a 45 Colt cylinder fit to a 454 frame as well? There again, you can shoot 45 Colt in the 454 gun. If you wanna shoot heavier bullets I think it always best to go with a larger bore rather than a longer case.

I love my .475 FA. Even used it to take a rhino, but my .454 FA is far more versitile using it on groundhogs, deer, and turkeys. The .475 is just overpowered on these animals and performance is not as good as the .454. Want to use the .454 on bear? Just get 320-360 gr. bullets. You'll use it far more on animals other than bear.

I agree with Larry (wvhitman) but I don't think you can go wrong with either the 454 or 475. I personally feel like the 475 is a little easier on the shooter. Bullet selection is better with the 454. I will tell you this, FA is currently running about 7 months or a bit more on new guns so keep that in mind for your order. I guess if I had to pick one I would have a terrible time of it too.

I've had a couple three 50's and I don't like em. They kick like a Georgia mule and don't do anything better than the others.

those two are my absolute favorite big bore pistols. the reason i'd say 454 is that getting a 475 precludes my use of my pet loads in either the 240 gr xtp mag by hornady and my factory barnes loads that run fast, fly flat, hit hard and are just perfect for 90% of the game i hunt. there's still a choice in 454 that'll kill the big stuff just as well. nuthing a 335-360 gr hardcast won't kill and the corbon penetrators and punch bullets handle anthing north of 2000lbs animals. 475 has this as well obviously and is just an awesome round but for 90% of my hunting the 454 is clearly better. if i want easy 44 mag loads those are readily available in factory loads for the 454 as well. last time i was in alaska the local sporting goods shops had 44 mag, 45 colt, 454 casull, hornady 480 ruger and 500 smith rounds. no 475 to be found. if i was you i'd go 454 in a 7.5" gun or even a 10" then get a 475 in a shorter gun and have fun with both!

Gary and I seem to travel similar trails on the big bore single actions...I am just a bit behind him though......meaning he gave me a bunch of his .500 WE brass when I had mine but I since sold it. But I believe I had my .475 before he had his...I could be mistaken.

At any rate: buy both. LOL!

But in all seriousness, when you order your Freedom Arms in either caliber, take a real good look at the option of the octagonal barrel. It looks AWESOME and adds a bit of weight which can be a blessing on these big boy calibers. (That lil' reference was for you Whit! LOL!!!

I have all the calibers you mentioned and both the models you mentioned (because I couldn't settle on just one).

For packing and hunting, in none dangerous game areas, I really love my FA 97 45 colt; but I wouldn't want to shoot heavy loads in the M97. It's a small, lightweight, packing revolver that would be brutal on the shooter with heavy loads.
In the M83, I'd say the 454 would prolly be most versatile and easier to come by. You can easily find excellent used 454's for sale at very reasonable prices. If you find a 475 used, it's still pretty high on the price list. Price will not vary much if you go new. All that said, all the above mention calibers and model will put a smile on you face.

Lucien - good advice all around...what will be your primary game pursued? In my opinion, you can't go wrong with either the 454 or 475 in the M83. But I'm a confirmed FA junky. I have 2 of the Casulls (7.5" unscoped and 10" scoped) and a 6" Linebaugh. Shop the used markets as KRal suggested - lots of $$$ to be saved and you really can't hurt em!

The M97 is a great packin' pistol as Mr Taffin would say - lots of punch in a small package. But it gets "sporty" with the heavier loads.

I've bought all my FA's secondhand - but be careful, they tend to multiply.

Thanks guys for the info and the thoughts. Maybe the 454 is the right choice after all. I had an alaskan 454 but I found it just too ugly for my taste. It was exhilarating with heavy loads. I wish I hadn't sold it... but I want a freedom more.
SChunter, main game pursued will be black bear, whitetails, hogs, and defense against big bears in Alaska and also, small game if that is what I am carrying that day and not my minty smith 24-3 44 special. And yeah, the smith has no lock... it is an older one in 99% condition with a 4" barrel.
Does anyone know if the 454 will stabilize the really heavy bullets or not so much? No more than 400 grains but I would like to know that it is there if I need it. Thanks guys... this sight is really fantastic as are all of you!

Of the two, I prefer the .475 for my own use, but it is true that the .454 can be a bit more versatile, and components can be a bit more readily available. It will stabilize 360 gr. bullets just fine, if necessary. I have no experience with 400 gr. bullets in the .454.
I actually prefer the .500WE to each of the others, and have used it on animals as small as groundhogs and rockchucks, and as large as bull bison. Then again, the others can be used just as well. I've shot even larger buffalo with the .475, and critters up through african lion with the .454. It's truly a matter of preference.
Although the Mdl. 97 is lighter, has a transfer bar and can more safely be carried with all chambers loaded, I recommend the Mdl. 83 for the uses you suggest, because of its ability to handle these 3 heavy cartridges.
If all one wants is a .44 Mag., FA does make a superb one ... but Rugers can also be superb for a lot less money and waiting time.
With your indecision, it sounds to me like you might be best served with a .454.

The 454 will shoot 400 gr bullets fine. Mine do but they need to be run fast. That said i cannot see a scenario you would need them.

I appreciate the info guys. I have another question though... I am eying a (gulp) Taurus raging bull 454 with a 6" barrel. I really want a freedom arms but I have a double rifle on layaway and this might be too much of an expense and I really liked the look of it. I am going to make another post asking what people think of them but since you all have been gracious enough to go this far... what do you think of them? Are they any good? I have heard that people like the way that they shoot and they are better than the usual Taurus revolver. I can get it for a song and it is in great shape.

My experiences with Taurus have been hit or miss. If you have a chance to try the gun beforehand, I would recommend it.

Whitworth, even with the raging bull type? That was not what I wanted to hear. Hmm... It is not local so I have chance to try before I buy.

I think there are better choices. You may get one that is really good -- I have known some to be, but in the same price range, I would imagine you can find a used Ruger SRH in .454 -- if you want a double action revolver.

True Whitworth but I never liked the way that the super redhawks look. I know... vanity. Maybe if I got one and had the barrel cut down some. ? Just a thought. I am not a fan of 7.5" barrels. I like 4-6" personally. I find that for me, if they are longer they become unwieldy.
What are the usual pitfalls with them? Are there things that I can see that I could identify right away that would be a problem with the raging bull? If you get a good one, do they tend to stay that way?

nope ya can't see the probs with the raging bulls at all. trust me, the SRH will grow on ya and the 7.5" gun balances absolutely beautifully!! keep your eyes open on the used market for a FA if ya want or get the BFR, helluva gun for really not hardly anymore than the taurus.

If you aren't going to get the FA, get the Ruger. Forget the Raging Bull .454.

Wow. OK, well you guys are tough customers. Taurus gets its teeth kicked in. No one here has ever given me any bad advise in these matters...so...uncle. No Taurus for me. The BFR. Interesting idea.. Don't know much about them really. I think that they are plow handle style though, not bisley grip shape? Can they be converted? Or customized? You guys started this so you have to finish it. Yup, I have a lot of questions...

Ya can get a customization of the grip by jack huntington but id just shoot it first. My son loves the grips on that and his jrh. What hurts me to shoot doesnt hurt him. The bfr is a really good gun. Then again so is the srh but id give the edge to the bfr in fit n finish. Chambers just drop the cases out. A really great gun for the money. Bfr also has a faster twist rate than the others and a lpnger cylinder so the 400 gr bullets do even better out of it than the other 454s if ya just run them moderately and theyre not redlined.

So it occurred to me that we've been talking about some pretty hard kicking guns and no one has asked if you have ever shot any of these calibers or even a .44 magnum. If you're new to BB revolvers then you may not want to start with the big stuff or if you do, plan on shooting some much reduced loads. A poorly placed shot with a cannon is far worse than a well-placed shot with a smaller one.

Plow handle and the best solution that I have seen and used is the frame extension mod that Jack Huntington performs along with his custom grips. I posted photos yesterday in one of these other threads. You can graft a Bisley to a BFR but it's difficult and it never quite looks right as it doesn't really match the lines of the gun.

I agree. Is it even necessary. The 480R will do 90% of what the 475L is capable of, and with a third less punishment to the shooter. Same with the 45 Colt, a 300 @ 1,200 fps will go clean through a deer, lengthways, so how often will one need the Casull. The trajectory difference is insignificant out to 100 yards, which I dare say is about as far as most of us feel comfortable shooting at game with a wheelgun. A white knuckled hold on the handle doesn't always yield consistant accuracy, especially if you are afraid of it. If you can't hit it, it doesn't matter what you are trying to hit it with.

You are all very right in your thoughts. Too much power can be a bad thing. I use a 44 spl for most of my work. Gary, you are right about the heavy kickers but I can say that I am not new to the hand cannons including a custom 14" TC pistol in 458 winchester magnum. Don't ask. It was a weak moment and all my brain cells were not firing. THAT will give you a flinch. I have had casulls before but nothing larger in a wheel gun. Most of my wheel guns are 44 mag, 44 spl, 357 but I have fired 500 SW and 500 linebaugh. They are... fun? LOL.

I have a Freedom .475 Linebaugh with the 6 inch octagon barrel and love it! They are THE single action. I like the Linebaugh rounds better than the .454 as far as shooting goes, [I also own a .500 in a Ruger Bisley]the recoil doesn't seem to be as bad to me. You just can't replace bullet weight and caliber for hunting or emergency bear charges!

Sean, I have 44's, 454's and 475's and 50's and I've taken some fairly large stuff with all of them but the 50's (I'm not a fan). My impression is that they will all handle more than 90% of the situations NA hunters find themselves in. If I was going to be in grizzly country I would probably defer to the 475 over all others. It's pleasant to shoot relatively speaking and definitely hits with authority. If you're going to use it for protection in bear country my best suggestion is to get the one you won't mind carrying at all times. I've killed medium game out to 100 yards with my 4 3/4" guns when the need arose and for an up close gun I don't think you'd ever notice the difference between that and a 6". It will also fit in a kit bag from Hill People gear which is a great way to carry a pistol in AK.

Here is a pretty good look at the Hill People Kit Bag. In that I had my 4 3/4" FA, my GPS, knife, wind powder, a couple survival items, reloads and a couple other odds & ends. It works great in areas where you'll don hip waders and rain gear.

I would love to see that part of the country one day!I live in Oklahoma and the meanest thing we hunt is hogs!

A black bear hunt in AK can be had for a very reasonable price in my opinion.