New BFR in 30-30, need opinions

[meathead]

Hi, I just picked up a BFR, in 30-30. I plans on shooting the new Hornady Leverevolution ammo in it for deer and hogs. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the BFR as far as accuracy and hunting with it.  I will probably install a Burris 2x7 posi-lock scope.  I am looking for ideas for aftermarket grips and a hunting holster. Any thoughts would be welcome....Thanks

[revo]

Hey meat. Only question I can answer is about the grips.

I have a 475/480 BFR and really hated the Uncle Mikes grips. I only checked out 2 options:

1) Eagle grips said they'd make me a set of grips. They were pricey on the quote, but I'm sure they'd be good as gold. They do very nice work.

2) Send it over to Jim Tertin at the Magnum Research Precision Center to have micartas fit to it.

I went with option #2. He fit those grips as perfect as Freedom Arms does. Beautiful work, and a really nice guy as well.

[Redhawk1]

I don't have a BFR in 30-30, but I do have one in 500 MAG. The accuracy is outstanding. I installed Houge grips on mine, they are a lot better than the factory grips. I put a Ultra-dot Match-dot on my BFR 500 mag. I took a black bear with it and a few deer. I use an Uncle Mikes shoulder holster.

[meathead]

Thanks for the thoughts but I may have answered my own question when I pulled the Uncle Mike grips off. They are marked as being for a Super Blackhawk. I suppose that any SBH grip will fit. That opens up the field way wide.

Still thinking about a holster for a scoped BFR.....

Thanks again, Meathead

[Redhawk1]

meathead, I should of given you that information. Yes any grips made for the Super Blackhawk will work. Good luck with your new BFR.

[revo]

Be sure you are able to return the SBH grips (or bring the BFR to the shop to size-up before you buy) in case they don't fit. I haven't tried fitting SBH grips to the BFR frame, but I have heard reports that SBH grips are too short for the BFR frame.

I think the post was on the Ruger Forum under the Revolvers topic. I'll poke around to see if I can get you a link. One person posted a pic of their BFR with SBH grips, and they weren't long enough -- actually left quite a bit of metal exposed.

[Redhawk1]

Be sure you are able to return the SBH grips (or bring the BFR to the shop to size-up before you buy) in case they don't fit. I haven't tried fitting SBH grips to the BFR frame, but I have heard reports that SBH grips are too short for the BFR frame.

I think the post was on the Ruger Forum under the Revolvers topic. I'll poke around to see if I can get you a link. One person posted a pic of their BFR with SBH grips, and they weren't long enough -- actually left quite a bit of metal exposed.

If you call Magnum research they will tell you, Super Blackhawk grips will fit. I have a set on my BFR and they are not to short. The grip frame is exactly the same. If I recall correctly, Magnum Research gets it's grip frame from Ruger.

[Ken ONeill]

It will be interesting to hear about the accuracy of your BFR .30-30. Please post your results after you've had a chance to do a fair amount of shooting with it. It will also be good to know if you experience any case set-back problems, and whether forcing cone and barrel throat erosion problems begin to appear after say 1000-1500 rounds. What is the barrel length of yours ? Thanks for any info.

[reallybigfoot]

I personally do not like shoulder holsters.  I’ve tried carrying my 10 inch barreled BFR 45/70 in one a few times and I don’t like the way it rides against my neck.  I prefer a belt holster but when you try and draw a 10 inch barrel the butt ends up in your arm pit.  I also wear a fanny pack with side pockets while hunting and that also interferes with a belt holster.  This year I’m going to try a tactical looking holster.  At the last gun show I attended, a booth was selling paint ball gun holsters.  It loops on a belt and the holster hangs on a strap 8 inches below the belt.  The holster also straps to my thigh.  It looks a little Star Wars but the butt is right at my palm when my arm is straight and I can draw and clear the holster effortlessly.  I have a scope on my BFR and a Holosight on my 460 S&W.  Both guns fit (not at the same time).  It feels OK walking around the gun range but I may change my mind in the field.  I hope it works out.

[meathead]

Thanks for the ideas about grips and holsters. The barrel is 10" that is the only length available, I wish it was a little shorter, maybe 7.5" but it is what it is. I will post info about performance of the gun when I shoot it.

I have two Uncle Mikes bandoleer holsters for two other hunting handguns but they are too noisy and scratchy. That idea of using a paintball holster is something I am going to look into...Thanks

I found a set of Pachmyer gripper decelerator grip in the ten dollar bargain bin at Southside Gun. They fit fairly well (slight gap where the grip meets the receiver) but I can live with it. They feel far superior to the Uncle Mikes that came from the factory.

I am hoping that the new Hornady LeveRevolution ammo will be the ticket for long range accuracy. This new ammo has higher velocity and ballistic coefficient due to a special powder blend and a pointed bullet. I also thought I may try the Remington accelerator sabot round with a 55 grain bullet and see how it works for medium range varmint hunting.

Again thanks so much for the input...Meathead

[sawfish]

My understanding as that the Leverloution ammunition uses a slower burning powder, which is what keeps the pressures below the acceptable level in lever action rifles.  That might not work so well in a 10" barrel.  I seem to remember reading a recent article that discussed the difference in velocity between a rifle and a Contender handgun with this ammunition, but I cannot recall where I saw the article.  Bottom line is that if you think the velocities in your BFR are going to be the same, or similar, to the published Leverloution ballistics, you may be disappointed.  The only way to really tell is to chronograph those loads in your gun.  I was a lot happier with my ammunition before I met Dr. Oehler.  I guess ignorance really is bliss. 

[meathead]

Hi Sawfish,

I know what you are saying, the ammo is meant for a 20" plus barrel and I have only a 10" which means that I may just create a huge muzzle blast.  I am pinning my hopes to the fact (so says Hornady Inc) that the LR ammo has a better ballistic coefficient due the pointed bullet. Either way I probably do not shoot as well as the revolver will.

 I should have my scope this week and have it ready for the range soon. I will post results and maybe a picture.

Thanks, Meathead

PS: Does anyone know of a 30-30 round made for handgun?

[doncisler]

if you are looking for loads for the 30-30 handgun the "complete reloading manual for the thompson/center contender" has several hundred.  many, actually most of them use pointed bullets so you would have to watch overall length for a revolver but with that many to choose from you would have to find something. 
most of them are tested in barrels from 10" to 15".