I wanted to share my latest Freedom Arms acquisition with you guys:



It is a 7.5" Premier Grade Model 555 in .50 AE with an extra .500 JRH cylinder from Jack Huntington's shop. Jack also installed a set of his black micarta grips. I topped it with a 30MM Ultradot in 3 rings on an SSK TSOB base. I got it on paper with 440 grain cast and it shows great potential.

.Very nice !! How do you like the ultra dot ? Maybe in the future I'll give one of the freedom arms a shot..yes pun intended.. They look similar to my Magnum Research. Good luck, Gary

All I can say is SWEEEET

valleysniper, I love Ultradots! They are my favorite sighting system for revolvers. They are compact, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive (less than $200). Most importantly, they stay sighted in! I've got them mounted on some hard kickers and I've never had one move on me. Good luck with your BFR!

Thanks Rod!

Seriously Darrell. That is about as close to the perfect big bore setup as it gets.

Good to hear ya like the red dot, I'm leaning that way. Do you feel it is as easy as a refex sight like the deltapoint would seem to be when following a moving target ? What kind of rings you using ? Gary

Gary, I have experience with the JPoint, Burris Fastfire II, Leupold Deltapoint, and Trijicon RMR reflex sights. I have had successes and failures (POI shifts) with each brand. I have never had an Ultradot shift POI on anything. IMHO, it is easier to pick up the dot in a "tube style" red dot than the reflex models. Once you acquire the dot, I think that both types are equal as far as "tracking" the target in the sight.

I am using Ultradot rings. I had some leftover rings since I've got a few Ultradots mounted on Ruger revolves in Ruger rings. Three rings probably aren't required, but since I had them I thought that I would use them. Plus I like the "look".

Hope this helps...

I was wondering when she was gonna make her debut...she musta got jealous from all the attention that one of her little sisters (454) was getting!

Great looking rig!

Mucho niceo! Darrel, I bet you can't wait till you turn 50!

How's the fit, finish and lock-up on the Hunington cylinder vs. a FA?

Thanks KRal! The finish of the JRH cylinder matches the gun perfectly and it locks up tight too. Jack did a great job, it looks and feels "factory". I'm very pleased with the gun so far.

Thanks again guys for all of your comments.

that is sweet!-john

Beautiful set up. What hunting trip do you have planned for its christening?

That's a great looking gun and not to stray, but would someone please explain to me the ballistic niche of 500 JRH? What would be the reason to go with 500 JRH over 500 WE, or 500 Linebaugh?

Same niche. 1.4-inch case. It was designed to fit the smallish confines of the FA83 before the .500WE came to being. The .500 Linebaugh has too much rim for the FA83.

cfish, No hunting trips in the immediate future planned for this one but it should prove to be a hammer on bear, bison/buffalo, moose, etc

Thanks RJ! In addition to the information provided by Whitworth, I will add that a Freedom Arms .50 AE can be converted to .500 JRH or .500 WE by simply manufacturing a new cylinder since these cartridges are true .500 calibers and not .510 caliber as is the case with the .500 Linebaugh. A .500 Linebaugh conversion would require a new barrel.

The same loading data can be used for both the .500 WE and .500 JRH; they are ballistic twins.

Thanks again guys!

Darrell,
I have a moose hunt booked for next September, I'd gladly do some field testing for you...

... I mean, what are friends for ...

Indeed!

LOL!

500 JRH is Jack Huntington's round? I wonder how they got the ok to chamber that since they didn't want Rod to do any in 500 WE.?

Rlb, the 500 JRH is indeed Jack Huntington's creation and this gun is a Jack Huntington conversion from a Freedom Arms .50 AE base gun.

Kral, you are welcome to take the gun but a better plan is for me and the gun to accompany you on the moose hunt!

I haven't heard about this hunt, that's exciting! Best of luck!

JRH = Jack R. Huntington.

Another excellent big bore hunter added to your extensive collection of hunting handguns...

Darrell,
would love to have you along, but all tags are claimed. But if interested and you can manage drawing a tag, I've got connections up in Maine; just let me know.

I'll be going up on a combo bear/moose hunt; feel pretty confident in scoring on my first of both. The anticipation is killing me!

Darrell

What part of Georgia are you from?

Hi Toby,

I'm from North Georgia...Ellijay. How about you?

I live in Madison Ga. Originally from Stone Mountain. Wish you were closer. I'd like to try out that 500!

You're welcome to try it if you're ever up this way!

Sadly, it has been neglected.

Prior to my trip to Africa, I burned up several hundred rounds of 454 and 475 ammo while the 500 JRH stayed in the safe. I hope to change that next weekend!

The 500 JRH would have been an excellent choice for cape buffalo but since I had already gotten my permits approved for the 454 and 475, I wanted to become intimately familiar with them before the hunt.

Darrell,
That looks like a winning combo!

nice forum..:)

Nice piece of pure death for some critter there big D. But you ain't 50 yet! Looks like Jack done some more fine work. I am sure you will enjoy it.

That is a shame! I'd love to shoot a 500 sometime before I buy one. I have a 500 WE Freedom Arms in my dreams!

Is there any magnification with that Ultra dot ? I have a S&W XVR in 460. Could I aim at tin cans at 100yds and hit them ? Or is the red dot to big ?

No magnification. The different Ultradots have differing dot sizes. I have used the 4 moa Ultradot 30 out to and past 100 yards with success.

Like Whitworth said, there is no magnification with the ultra dot. I personally would have a hard time hitting tin cans at 100 yards with a red dot and would need a scope for this application. I can hit milk jug sized targets at 125 with my red dots so a deer sized animal shouldn't be an issue.

I personally have a 4X Leupold on my 460 XVR in order to take advantage of the flatter ballistics of the cartridge.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

I sight in "dot sights" using the top of the dot as my aiming point (12 o'clock). It provides an additional measure of precision. I also prefer smaller dots 4 MOA or less.

Super nice rig!