Bob Baker of Freedom Arms provided me with a specimen of the FA83 Premiere revolver in caliber .454
Casull for product testing. He also provided me with 600 each of his FA300JFP and FA240FJP bullets
for use in this test and the testing of the Taurus Raging Bull also in .454 Casull. Testing consisted of
firing three five shot groups of various ammo types (both factory and reloads) at distances of both 50
and 100 yards. All test results are over sand bag rests and unless otherwise stated were fired with a B&L
Elite 2x6 scope set at 6X mounted in a TSOB base and three rings. After completion of the scoped
portion of the test I tested with factory supplied iron sights. Results of this testing will follow at the end
of test report.
Initial Impression:
I got the new FA Model 83 Premier out April 15, 2000 for a photo session before taking it out to fire.
I then went out to my range which was so muddy that travel between the 75 and 100 yard lines was
really a job but the mud was deep enough everywhere. Grass still hasn't come back after the dozer work
last year as it was too dry last summer.
I first shot it at 25 yards to see if perhaps Bob Baker had sighted it in prior to shipment, nope no such
luck. The first shot was right by a couple inches and about 7" high using my reloads with the Sierra JSP
over W296. I made an adjustment down and left and fired again. On paper this time but still needed more
adjustment. Made the adjustment and fired a third round. Close enough to try a group.
Since this was just a "get acquainted" session and not a real test session we'll skip the groups sizes here.
It wasn't a bad group but I think both me and it can do better together once I get used to it. As most
know I've shot double actions almost exclusively for the last 30+ years and a single action in this power
level is going to take a bit of getting acquainted. I moved out to 100 yards for one last group and the first
three looked really good but then the fourth went way low and right and the fifth even more low and
more right. Why? Danged if I know but I'll figure it out.
I was pleasantly surprised by the recoil, or maybe I should say by the way it delivered the recoil to me.
Never having fired a FA revolver before I was falling back on my experience with Ruger BHs, SBHs and
Bisley's shooting both heavy loaded .45s and .44 Magnums. To me the Rugers were brutal and not a fun
experience which is why I've shot the double actions all these years. The Freedom Arms grip is well
designed indeed. The muzzle rise was maybe 6" or so with my relatively loose grip but that's not bad. It
didn't hurt by right hand where I have a calcium deposit or bone spur that usually hurts me pretty badly
with wooden grips. The broad width of the FA is well designed to distribute the recoil forces. I was
wearing a pair of padded shooting gloves and glad of it but I suspect most without the problem I have
with my right hand might not even need them for the 300 grain loads in the 1600+ fps range.
I didn't chronograph the loads that day as it was late and the sun was at a bad angle for doing so on my
range and it wasn't a full blown test session anyway.
So after the first short range session I was favorably impressed. At least that day I convinced me that the
recoil wasnt going to be a problem for the bone spur on my right hand in the long shooting sessions to
follow.
The Test Results:
The following is the empirical data derived from shooting a great many groups with the FA83 Premiere
revolver at both 50 and 100 yards. Lots more shooting was done at ranges from 25 to 400 yards but
these are the for record targets fired. All hand loads were put up using Starline Brass provided by
Starline for this project. I called Starline and requested 500 .454 Casull cases and they quickly provided
them for this test series. Thanks Starline.
FA83 Premiere 50 Yard Test Results:
Factory Ammo:
Hornady 240 XTP Factory Load: Best: 1.05 Average: 1.25 @1826 fps SD=8
Hornady 300 XTP Factory Load: Best: 1.85 Average: 2.15 @1636 fps SD=12
Buffalo Bore 300 JSP: Best: 2.4 Average: 2.6 @1510 fps SD=22
Buffalo Bore 325 LBT LFN Best: 2.3 Average: 2.5 @1530 fps SD=25
Winchester 250 JHP Best: 2.2 Average: 2.6 @1340 fps SD=26
Winchester 300 JFP Best: 2.2 Average: 2.6 @1659 fps SD=19
Reloads:
FA300JFP 29.5-W296 Best: 1.7 Average: 1.9 @1440fps SD=18
FA300JFP 31.0-Lil Gun Best: 1.5 Average: 1.6 @1525fps SD=21
FA300JFP 29.0-H110 Best: 1.9 Average: 2.3 @1387fps SD=23
FA260JFP 35.5-W296 Best: 1.1 Average: 1.8 @1653fps SD=28
FA260JFP 35.5-Lil Gun Best: 1.4 Average: 1.5 @1666fps SD=24
FA260JFP 30.0-AA9 Best: 1.2 Average:1.85 @1621fps SD=12
Nosler260HGPT 31.5-Lil Gun Best: 1.45 Average: 1.7 @1616fps SD=22
Nosler260HGPT 30.0-W296 Best: 1.75 Average: 2.0 @1605fps SD=19
Nosler260HGPT 31.0-H110 Best: 1.9 Average: 2.1 @1581fps SD=24
Sierra300JSP 31.0-Lil Gun Best: 2.05 Average: 2.15 @1491fps SD=21
Sierra300JSP 29.0-H110 Best: 2.0 Average: 2.3 @1391fps SD=25
Sierra300JSP 29.0-AA9 Best: 1.5 Average: 2.5 @1450fps SD=19
Hornady240XTP 28.0-AA9 Best: 1.5 Average: 2.0 @1544fps SD=16
Hornady240XTP 32.0-Lil Gun Best: 1.5 Average: 2.1 @1640fps SD=21
Hornady240XTP 31.0-H110 Best: 1.6 Average: 2.25 @1550fps SD=23
Barnes260XPB 26.0-AA9 Best: 2.2 Average: 2.5 @1627fps SD=10
Bullets jumped crimp and had to be fired individually. No further testing at this time.
JL LBT280WFN 31.0-H110 Best: 2.15 Average: 2.2 @1519fps SD=14
JL LBT342WFN 28.0-H110 Best: 2.5 Average: 2.7 @1408fps SD=18
DM LBT342XWFN 28.0-H110 Best: 2.6 Average: 2.9 @1371fps SD=25
Lyman452651 29.0-H110 Best: 1.8 Average: 2.25 @1387fps SD=23
Lyman452651 29.2-W296 Best: 1.9 Average: 2.15 @1544fps SD=19
Lyman452651 31.0-Lil Gun Best: 1.5 Average: 2.0 @1514fps SD=18
FA83 Premiere 100 Yard Test Results:
Factory Ammo:
Hornady 240 XTP Factory Load: Best: 3.1 Average: 4.25
Hornady 300 XTP Factory Load: Best: 4.3 Average: 4.5
Buffalo Bore 300 JSP: Best: 3.4 Average: 3.9
Buffalo Bore 325 LBT LFN Best: 3.3 Average: 3.75
Winchester 250 JHP Best: 4.2 Average: 4.6
Winchester 300 JFP Best: 4.2 Average: 4.6
Reloads:
FA300JFP 29.5-W296 Best: 2.7 Average: 2.9
FA300JFP 31.0-Lil Gun Best: 2.5 Average: 2.6
FA300JFP 29.0-H110 Best: 2.4 Average: 2.7
FA260JFP 35.5-W296 Best: 2.1 Average: 2.8
FA260JFP 35.5-Lil Gun Best: 2.4 Average: 2.6
FA260JFP 30.0-AA9 Best: 2.2 Average:2.8
Nosler260HGPT 31.5-Lil Gun Best: 2.8 Average: 3.3
Nosler260HGPT 30.0-W296 Best: 2.75 Average: 3.0
Nosler260HGPT 31.0-H110 Best: 2.9 Average: 3.1
Sierra300JSP 31.0-Lil Gun Best: 3. 5 Average: 3.9
Sierra300JSP 29.0-H110 Best: 4.1 Average: 4.6
Sierra300JSP 29.0-AA9 Best: 3.1 Average: 3.5
Hornady240XTP 28.0-AA9 Best: 2.25 Average: 2.8
Hornady240XTP 32.0-Lil Gun Best: 2.5 Average: 3.1
Hornady240XTP 31.0-H110 Best: 2.6 Average: 3.25
Barnes260XPB 26.0-AA9 Best: 4.2 Average: 4.5
Bullets jumped crimp and had to be fired individually. No further testing at this time.
JL LBT280WFN 31.0-H110 Best: 4.1 Average: 4.7
JL LBT342WFN 28.0-H110 Best: 4.5 Average: 4.9
DM LBT342XWFN 28.0-H110 Best: 4.6 Average: 4.9
Lyman452651 29.0-H110 Best: 3.1 Average: 3.5
Lyman452651 29.2-W296 Best: 2.9 Average: 3. 5
Lyman452651 31.0-Lil Gun Best: 2.5 Average: 3.2
I have fired still more different loads and lots more groups since the firing of the above but I don't see
that it would add anything to this report to list still more. Suffice to say the gun is more accurate than this
shooter was with it. As I stated early on I've really never been a single action revolver shooter and even
tho the FA83 is the easiest single action I've tried to shoot I still don't feel quite as comfortable or
confident shooting single actions as I do double actions.
After finishing the scoped portion of the testing I removed the base/rings and scope and installed the iron
sights and fired a few hundred more rounds of ammo. Recoil is noticeably more sharp without the
weight of the scope in place. To an old double action shooter like myself the recoil was rather painful
with a few of the really hotter loads and heavier bullets. I won't list all the groups and loads or group
sizes here but I amazed even myself at how small many of the groups were especially at 25 yards where
I was able to see a bit better but even at 50 yards some groups rivaled those with the scope on it.
Freedom Arms revolvers are really well made pieces of machinery and shoot like it. My thanks to Bob
Baker for allowing me the opportunity to test this sample of his craftmanship.
I've hunted with the revolver for deer in Alabama this season on several occasions but this hasn't been a
very good year for me. As I write this I still have another month of season left but so far I've seen only 5
deer total and none have been taken.
The FA 83 gets a big thumbs up
from me and the Graybeard Seal of Approval for excellence in both
craftsmanship and accuracy. If you pockets are deep enough to afford to shoot the best then this truly
must be it.
Visit the Freedom Arms Website by clicking on the name.
Freedom Arms, Inc.
PO Box 150
Freedom Wyoming USA 83120
307-883-2468
E-mail: freedom@freedomarms.com