At my best times I had 3 of them... The last one is just awaiting transfer approval. My experience with the BFR 45/70 is:
Trigger is excellent. The thing is well made with tiny tolerances...if you want to put up a smoke show and shoot BP loaded 45/70s,it takes about 10 rounds and the cylinder won't turn anymore without cleaning.
It's a heavy Revolver, so the regular 45/70 loads you can buy for trap door rifles are actually pleasant to shoot, even with a 405 gr bullet...recoils like a, lets say, S&W 29 in .44 mag. If you use ( reload ) for what the gun is capable of - they built in in .450 Marlin, so I'm talking about 45/70 405gr @ 1950/2000 fps( from a rifle)- 5 round is good, after 10 My wrists need a 1 day rest before doing that again... but then, I'm a light frame guy, that's 50, so might be different for you.
The later load always was a show...at the range, you pull the trigger and the neighbor has an accidental discharge because he wasn't ready for your pressure wave. That load lifts the dust off the ground in front of you! Usually they stop shooting 'till you're done, "what the F@ck was that, buddy?" is a common question, and if you offer, only 3 of 10 will try it. Don't overdo it, as it can lead to flinch! Keep both elbows locked, so the BFR goes over your head instead in your face, and with the stout loads, never use a rest...as that seems to magnify the recoil.
So, to answer your first question:
No, not a stupid idea, the thing is not near any means of being practical and is expensive to feed...But it is a hell of a lot of fun, I guarantee you that.And therefore worth the 1600. ( wouldn't have sold my last one if it wasn't for income issues )
BTW, I only used Remington 405 gr jacketed soft points in that
CG