Magnum Research BFR in .45-70 Tested: Brutal Power, Real Hunting Promise
The Magnum Research BFR in .45-70 Government is built for shooters who want rifle-class power in a revolver frame, and a recent video from Iraqveteran8888 puts that power on full display against watermelons, soda bottles, steel gongs and cans of hominy.
Snapshot
The host runs Hornady FTX handloads and Speer 300-grain soft points through the BFR, walking through the gun's build quality and recoil impulse while destroying soft targets. He says this was his first time shooting a .45-70 revolver and comes away calling it a strong hunting pistol option, while being upfront that it is genuinely tough to shoot accurately offhand.
Key points
- Fit and finish: He says the BFR has what may be the tightest, most well-fit cylinder gap he's seen on a production revolver, short of a Korth.
- Load flexibility: According to the host, the frame is strong enough to handle just about any .45-70 load a shooter can tolerate, and his FTX handloads were leftovers from a Smith and Wesson 1854 video.
- Brutal recoil: He describes the gun as kicking "like a mule," noting it heats up fast and makes it easy to develop a flinch.
- Terminal effects: Watermelons and cans of hominy come apart dramatically on impact, which he likens to the Death Star in slow motion.
- Hunting potential: He argues the BFR could deliver a humane shot on large game out to 100 yards with proper shot placement, and suggests a scope and shooting sticks would turn it into a more formidable hunting setup.
Quick take
This is less a precision review and more a demonstration of raw power, with the host making clear the BFR rewards respect and preparation over casual offhand shooting. For handgun hunters in states that restrict rifles, he frames it as a serious option worth a closer look.
Watch the full video: Iraqveteran8888