Model 83 big bore comparisons (strength, punch, versatility, lifespan)

[Lloyd Smale]

Mark has put probably more rounds through 454s then anyone in the country so listen to his advice on the 454s. Im sure if anything the round counts he says he did are underrated. He is one of the only guys ive ever heard of that has actually wore out a part on a FA gun. he has forgot more about FA guns then i know.

In total ....... 100-300 rounds/week.  Great way to learn a gun.  No - they were not all heavy loads.  I had three ... I started out with a 300 gr cast Unique load; moved up to a midrange cast load with 4227, which is still a quite useful load around here; and worked up to 30.5-31 gr H110 and a 300 gr cast gaschecked or jacketed.

It's always nice to get confirmation that these things last. I received my .454 a year ago and have shot 2000 rounds through it; most of them pretty powerful loads (all of them were by the book). I'm planning on shooting at the same pace or even more frequently in the future, so I'm happy to hear that you guys haven't experienced any issues early on.

Mark, did you shoot 10K through each of those three .454s or 10K in total? What I've been reading about your shooting, the loads you used were probably in the real casull territory.

[SM]

Mark has put probably more rounds through 454s then anyone in the country so listen to his advice on the 454s. I'm sure if anything the round counts he says he did are underrated. 

This is exactly why I'm asking my questions here; I've learned a great deal of FA guns in this forum.

For instance one thing that has encouraged me to think about the round butt option is Mark's comments about his 4" RB .454. The shape of the lower portion of the grip would definitely help with a short barreled .454, like the 4,75" I've lusting for. My 6" flips quite a bit and one with a shorter tube will offer more of the same. I haven't got big hands and I've experienced some tenderness in my paws after firing a 50 or so heavy rounds, by the relatively sharp lower edges of the grip.

I like the looks of the original FA 83 grip, but the RB actually looks awesome also when it's combined with a barrel length of 4,75" or less. However, I do believe that the normal grip shape will be better for supporting the weight up front of the longer, heavier barrels from 6" and up. Somebody wrote about it on single actions forum or here, I think.

[SM]

Being an expert at these things that I am, I messed up my last post and I put everything in quotes

Well, let's try again..


Lloyd,

This is exactly why I'm asking my questions here; I've learned a great deal of FA guns in this forum.

For instance one thing that has encouraged me to think about the round butt option is Mark's comments about his 4" RB .454. The shape of the lower portion of the grip would definitely help with a short barreled .454, like the 4,75" I've lusting for. My 6" flips quite a bit and one with a shorter tube will offer more of the same. I haven't got big hands and I've experienced some tenderness in my paws after firing a 50 or so heavy rounds, by the relatively sharp lower edges of the grip.

I like the looks of the original FA 83 grip, but the RB actually looks awesome also when it's combined with a barrel length of 4,75" or less. However, I do believe that the normal grip shape will be better for supporting the weight up front of the longer, heavier barrels from 6" and up. Somebody wrote about it on single actions forum or here, I think.