500 JRH Range Report

[Lee Martin]

My first session with the JRH went well. The load was 29.0 of H110 with Leahead's 440 gr WFN.

I initially tested the gun at 25 yards, did some offhand work on steel pigs, then moved to 50 yards. The first 5 yard group from the bench yielded:

Moved the rear sight down a few clicks and got this:

I can't say enough about the Huntington grip reshape. After 100 rounds of the aforementioned my hands and wrists felt fine. More importantly my knuckle never touched the trigger guard.

 

[bigboredad]

that is some good shooting for a big boomer. The jrh .500 is one of the big fifties that make the most sense to me. But remember I have hit my a head a lot :shock:

 

[Joe S.]

Beautiful! And good shooter to boot!

 

[gunman42782]

Well, indeed!

 

[JWhitmore44]

Dang that's a big bullet !!

Nice looking gun and looks like it shoots quite well.

 

[gasbag]

That is a very beautiful revolver.

However, I would have to wear Depends before I could shoot a gun like that.
Those are biiiiiiig boolits. :shock:
You are a better man than I am.

 

[dougader]

That's gotta be the prettiest BFR around, Lee, and it shoots well too! Love those grips and the JH reshape on the grip frame.

 

[Lee Martin]

However, I would have to wear Depends before I could shoot a gun like that.
Those are biiiiiiig boolits. :shock:
You are a better man than I am.

Thanks guys. You'd be surprised though. With practice anyone can learn to manage this level of performance. Good gloves are recommended though and go a long way in buffering felt recoil.

I should add mine is topped with a 2Dogs stainless post front sight. It's a nice upgrade over the factory blade.

 

[MaxP]

Nice work, Lee! But of course, I wouldn't expect anything less!

 

[bigboredad]

Hey Max glad to see ya still around you must have been out being the meat slayer. I have a question for both you and Lee since you both have and advocate the Huntington grip reshape. I have rather well not rather I have short fingers( now keep the snickers down )and the bisley grip really poses no problem for me but the regular blackhawk grip frame at times could use a little extra to hang on to. So my question is with short fingers is the grip extension a good idea or would I be stretching for the trigger.

P.S. Did you ever get my response to your pm?

 

[Lee Martin]

You'll be fine. He moves the gripframe back a tad but not enough to impact your reach for the trigger.

 

[Lee Martin]

I had another 100 round session with the JRH today. Same load as last week (29.0 of H110 with the 440 gr Leadheads). One of my last 5-shot groups of the day at 50 yards:

I don't want anyone to think I can cut holes like that at will. The stars must've been aligned for those five (most were still 2 - 4" at that range). This target illustrates what BFRs are capable of though.

One side-note. I'm convinced the Huntington reshape improves my shooting. I definitely can achieve a firmer and more consistent hold with the extended gripframe.

 

[bigboredad]

2-4 inches is what you consider bad groups at fifty yards :shock: wow I really need to practice more :wink: seriously that is some might fine shooting and I love those grips that look right purdy on that gun

 

[Lee Martin]

Thanks. BFRs are extremely accurate out of the box. If you do your part I've never had one that wouldn't routinely cut 4" or less @ 50 yards (bench rested). Of course that assumes the right load and quality components.

 

[dougader]

Hey Lee,

What kind of velocity do you get with that load? Oh, and what's the barrel length?

 

[Lee Martin]

I haven't chronographed them yet but according to Huntington's data they should be going 1,300+. Originally the barrel shipped as 8.5" but we cut it back to 6.0".

 

[dougader]

Thanks, Lee. That's really moving for such a big slug. Is the pressure up around 45,000?

 

[MaxP]

I haven't chronographed them yet but according to Huntington's data they should be going 1,300+. Originally the barrel shipped as 8.5" but we cut it back to 6.0".

From my 6 1/2-inch BFR with 29.5 grains of 296 behind a 440 grain bullet, the average velocity was 1,350 fps. The cases basically fall right out.

 

[Lee Martin]

Thanks, Lee. That's really moving for such a big slug. Is the pressure up around 45,000?

Pressure is between 40,000 and 45,000 PSI. And as Max mentioned the cases extract with ease.

 

[dougader]

Geeze... I was thinking of getting a 480 Ruger Super Redhawk and having it cut down like that 500 Linebaugh that Max sold to you, Lee.

Now I am liking this even more... a 50 caliber in a stock revolver that you don't need a sling to carry. Super nice. Although I think I would have to get JH to do that grip treatment/extension also. 8)

 

[Lee Martin]

I highly recommend the BFR in 500 JRH Doug. For the money they're hard to beat. Just have Jack reshape the grip and add a 2Dogs post front sight and you're set. It's all the handgun you'd ever need....and then some.

 

[bigboredad]

Geeze... I was thinking of getting a 480 Ruger Super Redhawk and having it cut down like that 500 Linebaugh that Max sold to you, Lee.

Now I am liking this even more... a 50 caliber in a stock revolver that you don't need a sling to carry. Super nice. Although I think I would have to get JH to do that grip treatment/extension also. 8)

In my opinion either one would give you a top notch gun caliber combo. I bought the .480 and will probably leave it that way but if I had my choice Lee's advice would be what I would pick. But I'm just a poor boy so i'll be happy with what I have

 

[dougader]

I was happy with my 454 until I started hanging out with the guy's on Lee's Single Actions website!

Thanks for the info and advice, Lee.

 

[bigboredad]

I was happy with my 454 until I started hanging out with the guy's on Lee's Single Actions website!

Thanks for the info and advice, Lee.

I feel your pain :lol:

 

[MaxP]

Yeah, that Lee is a trouble maker! :mrgreen:

 

[Lee Martin]

Yeah, that Lee is a trouble maker! :mrgreen:

It's call guilt by association. :wink:

 

[MaxP]

Yeah, that Lee is a trouble maker! :mrgreen:

It's call guilt by association. :wink:

Touche! :mrgreen:

 

[bigboredad]

I guess by reading your book and Lee's site and videos i'm getting corrupted thru osmosis :?

 

[Hammerdown77]

Thanks, Lee. That's really moving for such a big slug. Is the pressure up around 45,000?

Pressure is between 40,000 and 45,000 PSI. And as Max mentioned the cases extract with ease.

Boy, mine don't fall out or even extract with ease. Thinking I may need to do some honin'

 

[bigboredad]

Yeah, that Lee is a trouble maker! :mrgreen:

Don't try to play mr. innocent here