New Revolver

[Jeff Higgins]

O.k., so most of you guys are aware of my affinity for single action revolvers. I have an equal love for .45-70 rifles, either single shots or lever guns. So, it seemed only natural to combine the two interests... That's right, a single action revolver in .45-70 caliber.

As it turns out, Magnum Research makes what they call the "BFR" (Big, Fine, Revolver). They use Ruger Blackhawk frames and action parts, so they have a pretty fine base from which to begin. The longer chamberings get their own proprietary frames, but I believe the revolver caliber guns just use the Ruger frame and add their own five shot cylinder.

Anyway, I saw one at the local Cabela's, so I figured "why not?". No sooner than having hit the range with it last weekend, however, I discovered why they probably don't sell many of these.

Recoil was beyond brutal with my standard 410 grain / 1900 fps "Marlin loads". Something had to be done. I've seen Magna Porting and the like, but most of that stuff just doesn't like cast bullets. What to do?

Fortunately, one of our members who was watching my tribulations happened to be a gunsmith as well. You may have heard of him, his name is Cleetus Goldberg. Cleetus offered to help, saying he had his own tried and proven method of porting big bore revolvers, so I left the revolver with him. At the time, I didn't notice the chin strap he had sewn onto his Skoal ball cap...

It turns out, unlike most gunsmiths, Cleetus works pretty darn fast. He called me yesterday and had me meet him at the the range - "bring ammo". I was amazed - recoil was all but gone. It kept blowing my ball cap off of my head, but at least it didn't kick anymore.

[KFC911]

Cool! ....but I don't think that's what BFR really stands for

[flipper35]

Looks effective but it isn't (no way to put it delicately) very pretty. I know the ones built into the big S&W X frames are pretty effective though. How much does it change the velocity?

[cstreit]

Kinda looks like he just went at it with a dremel... You sure that's safe?

[Scott Douglas]

As an ex-machinist who doesn't know diddly about spoons, all I can wonder is how the bullet gets thru that barrel with all the burrs he created on the inside.
Is he going to clean it up now that it's been shown to work?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

ROFL!!!!

I think "you" should mount an Eotech on there. Everyone knows Sightmark is hillbilly junk masquerading as a real red dot.

[island911]

looks like a way around offending anti-gun people ... now that you can claim it's just a rape whistle.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

ROFL!!!!

I think "you" should mount an Eotech on there. Everyone knows Sightmark is hillbilly junk masquerading as a real red dot.

Red dot? I'm not sure I know what you are talking about. I just center up whatever it is I'm shootin' at in that big old TV screen and give the trigger a yank. I must still be flinching, though - I just can't seem to hit a damn thing with this gun.

[BeyGon]

You might have hit a rabbit, you just couldn't find it.

[Nostril Cheese]

This is a joke, right?

[RANDY P]

driil bit skip marks everywhere....

Yikes.

rjp

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

driil bit skip marks everywhere....

Yikes.

rjp

Yeah, his workmanship isn't all I would have hoped for. The turnaround time was astounding, however, especially in light of the fact that his work is in such high demand around here. I don't know how he cranks it out so fast.

Cleetus is somewhat of an innovater, as you can see from his work. You won't see porting like that from any other gunsmith, regardless of skill or reputation. We kind of attribute at least a bit of this to his father, Rube, who forged quite a name for himself in the world of machinery design. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree; while Cleetus chose a different vocation, he is certainly demonstrating all of his famous father's aptitude for creativity. That, and he's even offered to fit my shooting cap with a chin strap, just like his.

[John Rogers]

I hope you checked the bore carefully? In looking at it closely there seems to be some burrs inside the cutout areas? We have a local gunsmith named Doug Knoell and I watched him bore the cylinder on a plain BFR and also do the ports on top similar to yours. He uses a milling machine to do the cutouts and look to be about the same size although the barrel on the gun he had was using a longer barrel by about 2 inches? I loaded several 530 grain Goex FFG loads for it and test fired it and actually lived through it although I did have a range officer behind me just in case!!!!

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

What?

[matt f]

Cletus's dad, Rube Goldberg.

[JTO]

Knowing what we know about Jeff, I think his tongue is in his cheek.
Yikes man...
Troy

[rfuerst911sc]

Did they use a chainsaw to make those cuts ? Man that is ugly but I'd watch the video of the first shot............hey hold my beer comes to mind

[on2wheels52]

A guy has one in hock but fortunately it is still in original condition.
But still a pretty useless piece of metal. I'll take another look at it tomorrow.
Jim

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

But still a pretty useless piece of metal.

Are you kidding? I used to win Cowboy Action fast draw competitions with one of these all the time in my youth!

Here I am warming up before a match:

[nostatic]

two words: monkey roll