1911 404 Jeffery Take down by WJ Jeffery

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Hi guys

I just arrived!

An original 1911 404 Jeffery take down. This deal is almost 1 year in the making!

It was built on a commercial Mauser Oberndorf Standard length action with some modifications

The tangent sight is graduated up to a 1000 yards, a bit of wishful thinking maybe

The seller included EAW pivot mounts, unfortunately the rear mount is for a K 98 action without the bulb so it doesn't fit

The rings is for a 25mm scope tube diameter

After a bit of research I was fortunate enough to get a picture of the ledger as well!

So here she is in all her glory

I would appreciate any load recommendations - I will most likely be pretty conservative with the loads due to the age of this rifle

Secondly, any recommedations in regards to dangerous game scopes with a 25 mm tube diameter

I have a Leupold Vx 3 1.5-5 X20 on hand but I am looking for other options as well

Kind regards

F

 

[Wheels]

I would appreciate any load recommendations - I will most likely be pretty conservative with the loads due to the age of this rifle

[/ATTACH]

Great looking rifle. A lot of character there.

Glad you were able to get a copy of the ledger.

Can you give very much history of the rifle?

I have a Jeffery this age. I don't reload, so can't help you with load recommendations. I use factory Norma to hunt with. If plinking around I use Hornady.

 

[thi9elsp]

Congratulations. I can't imagine the number of stories over the years where that rifle played an important role.

 

[Wheels]

Just out of curiosity, is it a Krupp barrel?

 

[Red Leg]

Great old rifle. If you are Stateside, JJ Perodeau can custom make or fit a rear base for that rifle and set you up with 30 mm rings for a quality scope.

 

[Shootist43]

That rifle looks to be in pretty good shape regardless of it's age. Original Jeffery ballistics should be no problem at all. My Swedish Mausers, Springfield 03s and Lee Enfields are all of that same vintage and have no trouble shooting modern factory ammunition. I'd really like to hear the story behind that acquisition.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Thanks Guys

Just out of curiosity, is it a Krupp barrel?

Yes it is a Krupp barrel according to the ledger

Great old rifle. If you are Stateside, JJ Perodeau can custom make or fit a rear base for that rifle and set you up with 30 mm rings for a quality scope.

I wish I has access to JJ Perodeau, but I live in Canada.

I think I just need to order the relevant parts from one of the EAW dealers in Canada.

The EAW catalog can be frustrating to say the least

That rifle looks to be in pretty good shape regardless of it's age. Original Jeffery ballistics should be no problem at all. My Swedish Mausers, Springfield 03s and Lee Enfields are all of that same vintage and have no trouble shooting modern factory ammunition. I'd really like to hear the story behind that acquisition.

Well let say it took a lot of horse-trading. We settled on cash + a Ruger No 1 in 450 NE "The Elephant" in the Craig Boddington special editions series. Originally I traded it for cash and a 1952 Pre64 Model 70 in 375 H&H but the gentleman felt he would prefer the Ruger in the end

I think all parties are happy in the end

Interestingly I got a spare barrel in 360 Imperial Canadian Magnum with dies and cases, Dies for both calibres and formed cases for the 360

 

[CAustin]

Congrats on the find!

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Congrats on the find!

Thanks !
Hoping to take her out today to the range and see how she shoots

 

[Ridgewalker]

Thanks !
Hoping to take her out today to the range and see how she shoots

Please let us know! One handsome find for sure!

 

[Shootist43]

Frederik, I have two rifles in 404 Jeffery. One of our fellow AH members gave me his accuracy load. I in turn have given it to others. The basic ingredients are 84 Grs. of H-4350 powder and a 400 Gr. bullet. He uses Woodleighs and I used Swift A Frames. I was told to expect 2300 FPS. My three chronographed shots were 2300, 2309 & 2306. BTW that load is sub MOA out of both of my rifles. I took a large Eland last summer, one shot offhand at 80 yds. The animal dropped in its' tracks.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Frederik, I have two rifles in 404 Jeffery. One of our fellow AH members gave me his accuracy load. I in turn have given it to others. The basic ingredients are 84 Grs. of H-4350 powder and a 400 Gr. bullet. He uses Woodleighs and I used Swift A Frames. I was told to expect 2300 FPS. My three chronographed shots were 2300, 2309 & 2306. BTW that load is sub MOA out of both of my rifles. I took a large Eland last summer, one shot offhand at 80 yds. The animal dropped in its' tracks.

Thanks so much for the load. I was definitely leaning toward the H4350 for the 404 J....I think I will definitely start at a lower gr amount and work my way up to 84grs

 

[spike.t]

Nice

 

[Shootist43]

Frederik, I have QuikLoad on my computer and can easily generate "theoretical" data i.e. expected pressures and velocities for almost any given load. The Woodleigh bullets I compared to the A Frames I eventually used developed less pressure for the same velocity. If you'd like me to "run" some projections for you, just ask.

 

[Shootist43]

Frederik I just worked up a load that theoretically matches the original 404 ballistics. It is as follows: Using a 400 Gr. Woodleigh Weld Core bullet (out of a 24" barrel) pushed by 78 Gr. of H-4350, you will get an expected velocity of 2160 FPF. The PMax (maximum average pressure) for the 404 Jeffery is 52,939 psi., this load develops 39,998 psi which is well under that. Other load comparisons are available upon request.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Frederik I just worked up a load that theoretically matches the original 404 ballistics. It is as follows: Using a 400 Gr. Woodleigh Weld Core bullet (out of a 24" barrel) pushed by 78 Gr. of H-4350, you will get an expected velocity of 2160 FPF. The PMax (maximum average pressure) for the 404 Jeffery is 52,939 psi., this load develops 39,998 psi which is well under that. Other load comparisons are available upon request.

Thank you so much for all your help

I have the Quick Load program as well, what a wonderful tool to use ! Just have not had the time to run the data yet

I use RWS cases and I still have a box of A Square Dead Tough 423 bullets on hand that I will start off the load workup process with

I have a few bullets loaded up with exactly the load you recommended

78 grs of H4350 - I will go and do some velocity testing today

I think the real challenge is going to be to find a load that the sights are regulated for

Cheers

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

There is few things in life that is better than when you take a rifle that is new to you to the range, with all the trepidation and doubt
That nagging feeling that you might have just bought a very expensive 108 year old lemon

Then you touch the first round off at 50 meters with open sights and you can see the Xring was just replaced by a 423 calibre hole

I am ecstatic! The hand loads worked well. I started with 78 grs of H4350 and went up at 1 gr increments to 82 grs

To achieve the original factory ballistics of 2160fps it seems that 81.5 gr is going to be the ticket

I did shoot 3 shots with factory RWS ammo going at 2330fps and they shoot to the same point of impact at 50 meters

The hand loads shot about 4 inches to the left of the target at 100 meters with the open sights

I will get some pivot mounts fitted and see what she can do with a scope

I think I will stick to a velocity of about 2200 fps

The steel but plate makes things quite interesting on the recoil front

 

[CTDolan]

Gorgeous rifle! This is what a rifle should be, walnut and blued steel.

If you bring it to a smith for the sake of a scope ask them if they think you should have the crown recessed slightly (the end of the bore is rather exposed...one unfortunate bump and it'll be sending bullets in a less predictable direction).

 

[Shootist43]

Frederik, that is great but not unexpected news, but please don't give up on the 84 Gr. load of H - 4350. Remember I told you my chronographed velocity was 2300 FPS which is a little less than the RWS loads you've already fired. This load has proven itself in many rifles not just mine. I put Warne QR rings on mine. When I bought the rifle, a CZ 550, it already had NECG front and rear sights on it. I can take my scope off and install the rear sight in a couple of minutes. Not a bad way to go. Pheroze has had some pretty good luck with his gunsmith, perhaps you should contact him (Pheroze) for contact information. That is unless your Gunsmith is familiar with the type of work necessary on your rifle.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Fantastic old classic rifle. I envy you. Congrats.
Witold