500 Linebaugh built by its namesake.

Whit, that is a fine looking weapon. I've spoken to jack before in the past but I forgot about him!!! Good point to call him. I'd like mine to look as elegant as the one he made for you. I boot gripped mine though and I have to say, I like the grip angle, for me, as it doesn't rap my knuckle. It mirrors the gunfighter grip by Gary reeder.

What load do you use for the 525 grainers?

And wait three years.......

JL is a great guy, who builds great guns, but he is waaaaayyyy backed up.

Ok folks,

Here's the dilemma, I have a colt bisley, custom cut barrel to 5" and such. It is currently six shot 45 colt. I'm wondering if I should leave it alone, have it converted to five shot or scrap the 45 and have a 500 built. Not recoil shy and have shot the heaviest hitters in rifles and revolvers and target shoot with my .458 win mag. The brain cell that was afraid of recoil died years ago so that's not a factor. I like the 475 also so that's an option, but I kinda like the thought of the 500 plus less pressure so it will help with the longevity of the revolver.

I will use it for shooting fun, deer hunting, black bear here in Maine, grizzly protection in Alaska next year and a bison hunt next October and maybe in a few years if the Ebola crisis fades, a trip to Africa. I know the colt is capable of most everything with 360 grainers in my six shot at 1100 fps but I like the thought of a 525 grain bullet and more whack.

Last question is who to have build it. Gary reeder I know quite well and seems to do nice work but never shot a gun he's built. Linebaugh is quite good as well as Bowen but both have long waits. Also, they are more expensive. Does anyone here have a reeder gun and if so, what do you think of it?

Is this a COLT Bisley as stated? If so, I don't think what we are discussing is even an option. If a ruger then that's a different story. I'd go for the 475 personally just because it's one of my favorites.

Not sure why you seem combative........

The "shop" consists of two people, and there are only two people that lay their hands upon revolvers, one is Jack and the other is Jason Menefee. Both are imminently qualified to build a no-holds-barred custom, but they will typically build them together.

God bless John Linebaugh and his contributions to what we do, but if money is no option and you can afford to wait, might as well get them both to build you a revolver. That way you have something to shoot and hunt with while the other is being built.

Do you own any Linebaugh guns? Huntingtons? Just curious as to what you are basing your opinion on. I have both and if you think you are shortchanging yourself by going with Huntington, you are sadly mistaken. You really can't go wrong with any of the top builders -- as I stated earlier -- but I don't have the patience to wait years. Life is too dang short. JMHO.

Here's my .475 -- by JL.

Whit,
Not combative. Just gave my opinion just like yourself and several others. I gave a general statement that a few shops may have other people working on the guns other than the men that put their names on the guns. Just my lowly opinion but I think many people buy these guns because they are not mass produced and you generally wont see one at the range. Also in my opinion I believe every additional person working in the shop; that it moves towards the assembly line production. I know 2 people are not an assembly line.
Answer to your question on how many customs I own and the answer currently is '0' in the revolver category. I have one on order with John and have handled and shot a few revolver from most of the big names. They all make fine guns and anyone would be lucky to own just one. You are very lucky to have the collection that you have, Whit. I'm looking to order a SS Nimrod from Bowen after the first of the year and actually may receive that one before the Linebaugh is ready.
Again I said nothing of Huntington and you need not defend him or his shop.

Remaining question, 500 linebaugh, 500 JRH (I'm leaning that way) or 475. And no, I cannot afford all three at the moment and remain married. And yes, I loooove the wife.

500 JRH (I'm leaning that way)

Yup. For dangerous stuff when backpacking ya may wanna start looking at some tough expandables like barnes and a frames. The video of the mountain lion and our bears illustrate this well.

If I was to choose between the three, I'd go with the 500 JRH. First reason: it's a friggen 50 cal! Second: since it fires a .500 diameter bullet, you would have a decent bullet selection in both jacketed and cast.