My difficulty in breaking out the front sight from the background was my only complaint with the .30-30 BFR. As my frigged-up shoulder progressed to the point where I could reliably shoot the sample gun in .30-30 Win., I found that there was little difference between the .45 long Colt and the .30-30 Win. models in terms of perceived recoil, so I just went ahead and fired the .30-30 model for accuracy and reliability on its own terms. I attribute that phenomenon to the excellent geometry of the Bisley grip frame, the BFR’s 17.5-inch overall length and its 5-1/2 pound loaded weight. Needless to say, the .30-30 Win. is not a high-pressure cartridge, and it felt very tame in the 10-inch BFR. It was easy for me to shoot accurately from the bench despite my marginal right shoulder, which should make it a piece of cake for anyone with full range of motion.
During testing we encountered no failures of any kind. Instead of our typical 25-yard bench-testing for handguns, we decided to stretch the legs of this long-cylinder BFR to a longer, 50-yard distance due to our absolute confidence in the BFR to perform. Without the help of an optic, and using stricly open sights, our test gun yielded 5-shot groups that averaged below two-inches, with .30-30 factory ammo which included Federal Fusion 150-gr. soft point, Federal 150-gr. Power-Shok jacketed soft point, Hornady’s American Whitetail 150-gr. round-nose Interlock and Winchester 170-gr. Super-X Power Point. Our best group of the day, however, came in at a very impressive 1.40 inches on the dot, fired with the Hornady load. We never tested the gun at 25-yards, but—based on its 50-yard performance—logic would dictate that this gun is capable of at least three-quarter-inch, five-shot precision at that distance. Not that one could ask for more, but we’re confident that with the right shooter, this gun would be capable of even better performance.
Everything about the Magnum Research BFR .30-30 Win. Bisley revolver says “hunt me”, and while I have to send the long cylinder .30-30 back to Magnum Research, I plan to deer hunt in both New Hampshire and South Dakota this fall with my .454 Casull 6.5-inch model BFR Bisley. These revolvers will not let you down for big game hunting at appropriate ranges, and are arguably some of the best bargains going in the wheel-gun industry today. For more information, contact Magnum Research, Dept OT; Tel.: (508) 795-3919; Web: www.magnumresearch.com
