I'm saving up for a BFR, probably in 45-70 to match my 1895GS, but I like the looks of the short cylinder better, like the 475/480. I really like the 45-70, as it is a very versatile round, and economical to reload, but I keep going back to the shorter cylinder. Those of you that have shot both, whats your opinion?

Welcome to the forum woodwright.

The recoil from a 45-70 revolver is just way to much. Add to that about the only way you can carry one is with a shoulder holster or one of the across the chest pistol sacks. I've handgun hunted for years and after shooting one of the 45-70 revolvers thought that it was just plain lunacy. I thought the same after shooting Smiths new 500 also. I just don't see how anyone could enjoy that kind of recoil.

I've watched folks drop my friends 500 smith on the first shot. He thinks it's funny and frankly that's all I can see in those kind of guns, a funny joke to play on folks that haven't experienced that kind of recoil. They don't kill any better than a good 44 mag at revolver distances and are extremely hard for most folks to shoot. See what you get for asking.

The gun IS hard to carry so I use a sling on the butt. I haven't found a shoulder holster yet. I have shot many deer with it, I have the 10" barrel.
But as far as recoil, forget it, it is mild. First realize it's best accuracy is with 300 to 330 gr boolits, not the huge boolits used in rifles. I have gone to 1800 fps with a 300 gr while testing loads. Nowhere near as bad as the .475. The gun is heavy. Then the only powder that gives a clean burn, accuracy (Down to 5 shot 7/16" groups at 50 yd's.) and velocity is SR 4759. Forget everything else, nothing works as good. Of course the same load can be shot from the rifle too.
The gun requires LP magnum primers, (Mainspring is 23#.) not rifle primers but the loads can also be shot from the rifle with these primers.
I also have the 7-1/2" .475 and it is my favorite hunting gun, taking deer offhand to 100 yd's. I shoot it the most and the recoil can be managed. It just takes a firm hold. I have many 5 shot groups to 5/8" at 50 yd's and both it and the 45-70 has shot many groups under 1" at 100 yd's. That is with cast boolits too.
I can't tell you what to buy because I love both. The .475 is handier to hunt with though.
Here is a picture of 2 groups with the 45-70 at 50 yd's while testing and the can was shot twice at 100 yd's with the .475.

I've got one of the little ones with a 454. I will shoot 45 Colt (hot loaded) and 454 for hunting, and consider this gun to be very versitile. It does not kick appreciably and honestly is much more accurate than I am. I just took my first handgun deer at 120 yards, and can accurately shoot the gun to 200 yards. Its more like a carbine than a handgun. I've considered the two bfrshooter mentions, but wonder why I need another. I don't believe I've made a bad load for it yet. The throats, grooves etc. are right on, and its easily my most accurate revolver. I have a 2-7X Burris mounted, and the deer fear me!:p:eek: