This has been a much debated item since the claim by S&W. Is the 500 S&W Magnum the true reigning champion of the most powerful mass produced handgun or is that just to include cartridges designed for handguns? What about revolvers that shoot rifle cartridges? Kahr Arms Group has done some testing.
The BFR line of handguns has, in almost every discussion I’ve seen, been the champion of the nay sayers. S&W is only talking about “of the handgun calibers”. The rifle calibers such as the 45/70 and 450 Marlin are much more powerful. But what does the owner of the BFR line have to say about that? Well, they have spoken, using real chronographed data that they have compiled, using their own guns... Even the mighty .450 Marlin fell short using the same gun to test.
BFR VELOCITY WITH SELECTED AMMO
(All tested with PACT Chronograph)
.45/70, 7.5-Inch Barrel
The reference article is a very good read: BFR Factoids
The BFR line of handguns has, in almost every discussion I’ve seen, been the champion of the nay sayers. S&W is only talking about “of the handgun calibers”. The rifle calibers such as the 45/70 and 450 Marlin are much more powerful. But what does the owner of the BFR line have to say about that? Well, they have spoken, using real chronographed data that they have compiled, using their own guns... Even the mighty .450 Marlin fell short using the same gun to test.
BFR VELOCITY WITH SELECTED AMMO
(All tested with PACT Chronograph)
.45/70, 7.5-Inch Barrel
- 300 grain Federal Sierra Classic, average 1472 FPS and muzzle energy 1444 FT/LBS
- 300 grain Winchester Super X, average 1272 FPS and muzzle energy 1078 FT/LBS
- 405 grain PMC, average 980 FPS and muzzle energy 864 FT/LBS
- 300 grain Federal Sierra Classic, average 1507 FPS and muzzle energy 1513 FT/LBS
- 300 grain Winchester Super X, average 1405 FPS and muzzle energy 1315 FT/LBS
- 405 grain PMC, average 1056 FPS and muzzle energy 1003 FT/LBS
- 240 grain Remington Soft Point, average 1831 FPS and muzzle energy 1787 FT/LBS
- 350 grain Hornady, average 1814 FPS and muzzle energy 2558 FT/LBS
- 325 grain Hornady XTP, average 1409 FPS and muzzle energy 1433 FT/LBS
- 400 grain Hornady, average 1424 FPS and muzzle energy 1802 FT/LBS
- 275 grain Barnes X CorBon, average 1770 FPS and muzzle energy 1914 FT/LBS
- 400 grain Hawk SP CorBon, average 1679 FPS and muzzle energy 2504 FT/LBS
- 440 grain Hard Cast CorBon, average 1671 FPS and muzzle energy 2729 FT/LBS
- 275 grain Barnes X CorBon, average 1856 FPS and muzzle energy 2104 FT/LBS
- 400 grain Hawk SP CorBon, average 1752 FPS and muzzle energy 2727 FT/LBS
- 440 grain Hard Cast CorBon, average 1718 FPS and muzzle energy 2884 FT/LBS
- 150 grain Federal Hi-Shok, average 1910 FPS and muzzle energy 1215 FT/LBS
- 200 grain Hornady SST, average 2250 FPS and muzzle energy 2248 FT/LBS
The reference article is a very good read: BFR Factoids
