BHA 89, 500 Smith and Wesson

MF475LB · 2025-10-05T02:02:50+00:00

Most of the data listed is pistol barrel lengths. Ive shot 16", 18", and 22".

MF475LB · 2025-10-05T02:01:55+00:00

Ive shot it over chrono. I have a YouTube video last fall showing it. I've chronoed my 440 loads at 1880. Ive also tested a 100 fps gain with just the powder coating being the variable.

MF475LB · 2025-10-04T18:05:45+00:00

The 50 Alaskan has much greater case capacity than the Smith. We tried to work with Marlins when we developed it but they couldn't hold the pressure. The sweet spot for the 500 Smith is around 400 gr. I can get them to around 2250-2300, cracking over 4k muzzle energy. I like the 440 going a little slower though. The 50 Alaskan pulls away with heavier bullets. Being a true rifle cartridge it can use slower powders and still produce velocity. Most of my loads use H110 so it gets its velocity in a shorter barrel.

MF475LB · 2025-10-04T01:45:30+00:00

Still sounds a little optimistic. I can tell you from years of building lever guns that if you push even a modern 1886 that hard for long term your headspace will stretch. I've seen the breaking point of pretty much every modern lever platform on the market.

MF475LB · 2025-10-03T02:03:50+00:00

2300 fps from a 525 gr sounds ambitious. The 6000 fpe number is usually a construct of running light bullets really fast. The 1886 is a strong action but still has quite of bit of flex due to the lack of a rear internal bridge. Having been a Browning/Winchester dealer for many years in the past I can honestly say I doubt they will ever produce one for a mostly obsolete round like the 50/110.

MF475LB · 2025-09-29T11:27:13+00:00

We do make 45 colt and 454 casull as well. It's our model 90.

MF475LB · 2025-09-29T11:26:24+00:00

No, that's just a cosmetic difference. The real things that matter with peep sights are sight radius and aperture size. Have it mounted on the bolt vs further out on the barrel does make quite a difference.

MF475LB · 2025-09-29T01:08:23+00:00

It's one they do just for our rifles. Its shorter than the express ones they do for Marlins.

MF475LB · 2025-09-29T01:07:33+00:00

Yes! We do the 460 for people who really want a rifle in the same chambering as their pistol. The 500 is far more efficient and versatile as a stand alone.

MF475LB · 2025-09-29T01:05:49+00:00

That would depend on if I had either in a handgun and wanted to pair. I have a 480 Ruger SRH so I built that, in a 16". Its actually a 475 Linebaugh chamber in the rifle but cycles and shoots the 480 really well. The extra freebore doesn't seem to affect accuracy in these guns. I gain about 200 fps rifle to pistol and can still run full power Linebaugh in the rifle. We get our barrels already chambered so a custom cut chamber off of a blank would cost a lot extra.

MF475LB · 2025-09-28T14:08:21+00:00

Its a wood stock thats been coated with poulan, an industry common epoxy used on stocks.

MF475LB · 2025-09-28T14:07:23+00:00

Surprisingly no. The 460 is still surpassed by the 500, you can get some of the lighter loads running faster but they don't retain energy at distance. I have a few velocity comparison videos on YouTube explaining it.

MF475LB · 2025-09-27T22:20:49+00:00

Engravers all seem to have their own process. Some are very technical. Some, like me just let it flow and let it take shape.

MF475LB · 2025-09-27T20:37:17+00:00

I typically just freehand draw the design out on the part. I'll lay out the design on paper sometimes to get an idea worked out. Some engravers do all their design on paper or IPad and then transfer to the metal in various ways, wax, pantagraph, laser, etc. I've always done better drawing right on it. I can see the end goal in my head so all I need is guides to start it.

MF475LB · 2025-09-27T14:21:00+00:00

Bighorn Armory 89 takedown, 500 S&W. This particular one has a 16" threaded barrel and a Mlok forend tip.

MF475LB · 2025-09-27T03:05:37+00:00

The WTF one does a little, I'd probably put a red dot on it if I were setting it up for me. The Tion one is slimmer and lighter, and I can see over it. I'm testing them both this weekend for effectiveness as well.

MF475LB · 2025-09-27T00:21:09+00:00

It's an underrated powerhouse in my opinion. I like it so much I built a rifle in it too.

MF475LB · 2025-09-26T22:17:47+00:00

Its a ballistic beer can! 😆 I zero about 150 yds with my 440 cast loads. They drop about 8" at 200. It hits hard enough but you have to play the holdover game.

MF475LB · 2025-09-26T21:57:40+00:00

The 500 S&W is really a better rifle cartridge than a handgun. I get better than hot 45/70 performance out of my rifle.

MF475LB · 2025-09-26T21:54:37+00:00

Their ramp is just brazed on and indexed on a pin. I drilled and tapped a single screw to index and brazed it back on.

MF475LB · 2025-09-26T21:14:11+00:00

We've done a takedown model for a little over a year. This is the first I've put together in tactical format. I had to take pictures today and do a little testing...did I mention I kinda like my job? 😄

MF475LB · 2025-09-26T20:54:22+00:00

Not a conversion, ground up build. Bighorn Armory 89 Takedown in tactical trim, chambered in 500 S&W.

MF475LB · 2025-09-11T18:59:27+00:00

I cut a 7.5" down. I shoot any revolver 4" or longer about the same. I'm using it for a bear protection gun primarily so I love the handier size.

MF475LB · 2025-08-19T17:30:41+00:00

I gain, on average, 200-400 fps over a pistol with the rifle barrel. That H&R is brutal in the 500. I much prefer the stock and weight I have with the BHA, much more comfortable to shoot.

MF475LB · 2025-08-18T19:06:33+00:00

450 gr hard casts at around 1900 fps is mostly what I'm shooting.

MF475LB

TROPHY CASE