Anyone ever heard of these guns? www.bighornarmory.com

I was at the Cody gunshow this past weekend and had the owner stop by and talked guns. I found out he made a lever action rifle called a Model 89 as it was between a Model 1892 and an 1886 in size, with the looks of the Browning action.

It is beefed up and shoots a 500 S&W cartridge with a 455 grain bullet at 2200 FPS. This is a stout load in a short cartridge and he claimed a pressure of 65,000 pounds.

A very interesting fellow and a nice shop putting out a nice product, all American made...

I'm familiar with them, though never handled one. They sure do look like nice rifles, and as a Loony, I would love to have one.

DF

Been drooling over them for awhile. I don't care for the rear sight base they're using now, I believe the first ones were XS. Probably works better but looks clunky. Looks like an M71 and a M65 got together and had a kid!

Same here Mitch!!

I may sell my 358 Norma to finance,

Sure looks like a small gun to be pushing a 450 gr. bullet at 2,200 fps. And, 65,000 psi sounds a bit extreme, although that design by JMB is the strongest in class by a good margin. Bet it kicks like a mule...

As a comparison, a .470 NE pushes a 500 gr. slug at 2,150 for 5,000+ ft. #'s of KE. And, those guns usually weigh 9-10 #'s.

DF

Was just thinking how a SS carbine with synthetic furniture would be a great little rifle to have slung over one's shoulder for you guys up in AK, never knowing what may be around the next bend...

DF

The stainless half mag rifle with a figured walnut stock really floats my boat. Or maybe they'd do a stainless action with blued barrel and hardware build........kinda like a French grey action look. Might have to order it when I sell one of my Sharps.
Or just keep drooling.

They're almost semi custom. I'd think they'd put one together to suit your desires...

DF

enabler...

You got the money, they got the time...

DF

Just checking out their website, I see they will be making a .460 S&W chambered model that will also use .45 Colt & .454 Casull. Kinda like an oversize short, long & long rifle .22! Think I'd still go for the .500 though.

Man, I gotta stop lookin' at porn like this, my bank account is shuddering.
http://www.bighornarmory.com/catalog/1/big-horn-armory-products/

From what I remember, the reason they were slow to build a .460 was COAL. People would be wanting to shoot .454 Casull and .45 Colt ammo in that gun.

That design, the '92, '86, etc. can be COAL sensitive. And they were worried about how the gun would cycle with various lengths of ctgs.

Maybe they figured it out.

DF

Make mine a blued w/fancy wood model 90. What's $3K for a great gun? Sell off a buncha Winchesters and there you go.

If anyone has asked about this type action cycling multi length rounds, I'd like to know what they say.

DF

Got this reply from Big Horn Armory.


Robert:

Lever guns are always finicky about OAL and bullet shapes. We have adjusted the ramps and cartridge guides to make more of them feed well, both fast and slow speed. In general, most cartridges will feed well when cycling the action slowly.

Bullet shapes that work best are the large meplat types.

Regards,
Greg Buchel
President
Big Horn Armory
[email protected]
307-586-3700

So that's a definite maybe? I'm sure it would be dependent on individual rifle/load combinations. Myself, I'd get the .500. Go big or go home!

The .460 is in their web catalog, so I guess it's a go.

DF

Shrapnel,

I just received my BHA carbine a over a months ago. Been playing with loads and cast bullets lately. Absolute blast to shoot, extremely accurate, functions perfectly, and rings the gongs at the Logan range with authority. I've only shot loads with cast bullets (435 grains) and 1300 fps +/- velocity. I have nothing but praise for BHA rifles and the people who work there. Very friendly and professional.

Hiwallman

I've been looking at these rifles for a couple of years now. I'd love to be able to justify one. They're a site to behold. Glad you're enjoying yours Hiwallman.

When it comes down to it I think I'll just settle on a 1894 Marlin in .44 mag. That'd make me happy.

Been drooling over one of these for a while, think it would be the perfect compliment to my pair of 500 wheel guns!

They have some very nice rifles. Good Stuff!

i just wish that they'd base a gun or two on the 336/1895 platform.

Yeah, if they could get close to a grand or so, I'd be a buyer.

You don't get an American made semi-custom gun for cheap and the 336/1895 platform won't handle .460/.500 S&W pressures. Marlin & Henry already make those.... 336/1895 platform and under a grand, but no S&W magnums.