I'm enjoying my 460 XVR and am now considering a BFR, FA, or custom Ruger conversion based on my .45 Colt Blackhawk. All in 454 Casull. I'd be interested in a 5.5-6.5" barrel.


Would you expect a difference in velocity between the BFR and FA?

Is the FA's fit and finish worth the extra money? Looks like BFRs are $1,000 and FAs are about $2,500.

Lastly, what about having my .45 Colt Blackhawk converted to a .454? I think I'd want the grip frame changed to a Bisley unit and would want the existing 4 5/8" barrel replaced. Who are the best people converting Rugers? What do you think it may cost to have the grip frame swapped out, barrel replaced, cylinder switched out for 454, and any other work that is suggested but I don't know about?


You guys are a great resource and I appreciate every second you're able to spend on giving new guys advice.

Leaning towards the Performance Shop (thanks for pointing out the existence of this option Seminole Wind, probably cost me $500) BFR 6.5" Bisley in 454 Casull. Maybe even with my initials on the frame.

This response is going to be controversial. And I should note, the following is purely based on the 460 caliber. Take it for what it?s worth.

I?ve owned or own a 8.4 standard Smith 460, a 10.5 Smith PC 460, and. 7.5 BFR 460. I have zero experience with FA.

If you want performance and nothing else, the BFR is the way to go. My 7.5? was 200 FPS faster than my standard Smith 8.4? with identical loads. However, if you want accuracy, the BFR is not your best bet. I truly believe the BFR has a design flaw with its long cylinder. I could never match the accuracy with the BFR that my smith has. Be it from the gain twist rifling and/or a cylinder that was built to match a specific caliber, the smith kicked its azz in group size. Simply put, when you create a cylinder that?s too long for a specific caliber, the jump a bullet has to make from brass to barrel greatly affects accuracy.

The high velocity of a BFR vs Smith is due to a SA vs a swing out DA cylinder. Both of my smiths have a .004 cylinder gap. The BFR had a .002. That .002 was significant in terms of performance.

My PC 10.5? gives me the same velocities as the 7.5? BFR and disturbingly good accuracy.

The BFR long cylinder appears to have been built for the 45-70 and then merely adapted for shorter calibers. Certainly a cost efficiency for MR and is probably one of the reasons their revolvers are half the price of FA. But it affects accuracy, plain and simple.

A short cylinder BFR in .454 casull could possibly be a completely different story.

This response is going to be controversial. And I should note, the following is purely based on the 460 caliber. Take it for what it?s worth.

I?ve owned or own a 8.4 standard Smith 460, a 10.5 Smith PC 460, and. 7.5 BFR 460. I have zero experience with FA.

If you want performance and nothing else, the BFR is the way to go. My 7.5? was 200 FPS faster than my standard Smith 8.4? with identical loads. However, if you want accuracy, the BFR is not your best bet. I truly believe the BFR has a design flaw with its long cylinder. I could never match the accuracy with the BFR that my smith has. Be it from the gain twist rifling and/or a cylinder that was built to match a specific caliber, the smith kicked its azz in group size. Simply put, when you create a cylinder that?s too long for a specific caliber, the jump a bullet has to make from brass to barrel greatly affects accuracy.

The high velocity of a BFR vs Smith is due to a SA vs a swing out DA cylinder. Both of my smiths have a .004 cylinder gap. The BFR had a .002. That .002 was significant in terms of performance.

My PC 10.5? gives me the same velocities as the 7.5? BFR and disturbingly good accuracy.

The BFR long cylinder appears to have been built for the 45-70 and then merely adapted for shorter calibers. Certainly a cost efficiency for MR and is probably one of the reasons their revolvers are half the price of FA. But it affects accuracy, plain and simple.

A short cylinder BFR in .454 casull could possibly be a completely different story.

I'm enjoying my 460 XVR and am now considering a BFR, FA, or custom Ruger conversion based on my .45 Colt Blackhawk. All in 454 Casull. I'd be interested in a 5.5-6.5" barrel.


Would you expect a difference in velocity between the BFR and FA?

Is the FA's fit and finish worth the extra money? Looks like BFRs are $1,000 and FAs are about $2,500.

Lastly, what about having my .45 Colt Blackhawk converted to a .454? I think I'd want the grip frame changed to a Bisley unit and would want the existing 4 5/8" barrel replaced. Who are the best people converting Rugers? What do you think it may cost to have the grip frame swapped out, barrel replaced, cylinder switched out for 454, and any other work that is suggested but I don't know about?


You guys are a great resource and I appreciate every second you're able to spend on giving new guys advice.

RANDY: WAY BACK WHEN YOU WERE GOING TO BUY A XVR I THINK I RECOMMENDED THE PC GUN OVER THE STANDARD 8 3/8ths, BUT YOU WENT WITH THE STANDARD, THEN WENT WITH A BFR, AND NOW TO A 10.5 INCH PC XVR, WHERE YOU FINALLY SEEM TO HAVE FOUND WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR, YOU SHUDA LISTENED TO UNCLE REY AND SAVED A LOT OF MONEY.

WAS WONDERING WHY YOU HAD GONE FROM THE BFR BACK TO A XVR, NOW "I KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY".

Whit, it?s definitely possible I had a lemon. I really wanted to like that gun.

Also, all my accuracy tests were done at 100 yards. For me, 50 yards with an optic topped revolver isn?t far enough to show what the true accuracy is.

I'm glad you and many others have had better experiences. If I ever buy another SA, however, I will probably search for a used FA.

I had a Super Redhawk in .454, and it is one of the few handguns I was happy to sell. It should have never been made a six shot in my not so humble opinion. It would choke on loads the Raging Bull had no problem handling.

If you look around, used FA revolvers can be found for not much more than the cost of a Performance Center BFR.

Each firearm is a law unto itself and your mileage obviously varies from mine.

Yep you did.

Yes I should have.

I have a slight stubborn side to me...

Rob and I were hunting groundhogs in WV with his new .454 SuperRedhawk. Had cylinder rotation problem, so-so accuracy, cylinder rotating backwards. Nice looking gun, but poor performer.
I still wanted one. Bought it. Sent it to Ken Kelly before I ever fired it. Told him to make it right. He did all his fancy/practical upgrades. Now it shoots greats. Handles all the full power loads my FA .454 and Raging Bull do. I feel this gun has to be tweaked by a pro to perform the way it should. Ruger wasn't up to that on the originals.
As far as the .454/.475 question. I have each in 7 1/2" FAs. They perform great. Both will do 1 1/2- 2" at 100 when I do my part. I feel the .454 is a pretty much SOFT do everything gun. It'll kill the great big boys, but not much margin for error.
The .475 is a step above the .454 in power. I've done water buff, Cape buff, lioness,and rhino with mine. Did great on all. I carry it as a backup on WV bear hunts, plus killed one with it. Also had a wounded bear come at me growling. He melted at 6 feet with a center chest shot. I consider it and my .500s my big boy guns.
A note on Raging Bulls. I have them in .41, .454,.500. Zero problems. Close to FA accuracy. Greatest revolver grip made.

Srabbit, with all the posts, have you decided which handgun you will get????

Now I'm thinking of the 6.5" BRF in 454 or a similar length FA 83 in .454. It sounds like the 454 has all the power I'll need with commercial ammo that is more widely available than 460, 475, 480, etc. I'm not going to reload because I don't want to add that hobby to my life.

Here it is - 6 1/2-inch Bisley in .454 Casull.