1917 Barrel in 404 Jeffery?

[Rez Exelon]

Okay, so harkening back to my long thread last year where I got a 416/404Jeffery wildcat, and attempted to get it working ... well, I haven't got it working. I've honestly not had a lot of time to pour into the endeavor, but at the same time, I'm really not looking forward to trying much.

That said, I'm wondering about just rebarreling the thing to 404 Jeffery. The gun is basically already setup for it --- you know, except that the current barrel is .416 rather than .423. Bolt face is good, carts go in fine, etc etc. So if I was able to find a new barrel I imagine it wouldn't be that much of a project to get it replaced and just use the ammo I already have.

Problem: I don't have a clue who might even possibly make a 1917 barrel in 404. So far Google results have been unkind to me. So back here I am wondering if anyone has any hot tips on such a specific request!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Lija can make the barrel. Then find a gunsmith who can cut, crown, thread, and ream it. I had Dennis Olsen, also of Plains, MT, do it. Then any gunsmith can spin off the 416 barrel, put new barrel on your action, and set the headspace.

You can change barrels alright but I think you'll have some feeding issues. 416 is almost a quarter inch longer than 404 and, more significantly, it's ten thousandths of an inch wider at the shoulder. If it was narrower than 404, there would be metal remaining on the rails to modify. I think you will find 404 cartridges will jump the rails way too early. If that happens the bullet tip will get jammed into the side of the receiver ahead of the chamber.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I see you've got a wildcat, not 416 Rigby. Not sure what the OAL and shoulder diameter are for that cartridge. My mistake.

 

[Rez Exelon]

The current rifle is using a 404 Jeffrey case necked down to .416 so it's good to go from a case length and dimensional aspect. But unless there's some real crazy stuff in the world, I doubt the barrel itself can be opened up. The problem that stymied me last year is that this came with dies --- they just don't work. So I've started entertaining whether I should just switch the barrel wholesale rather than bubba some rounds so that I can get a dieset made.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Call McGowan Barrels in Kalispell, MT. This shouldn't be that tough. I know Lija in Plains, MT can make you a 404 barrel. You'll just need to find someone to cut, crown, thread, and ream it. Any gunsmith should have Enfield threading dies and 404 reamer can be rented from multiple vendors online. Enfield military barrels are a bitch to remove but your rifle has obviously already passed that obstacle because it's been rebarreled.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Personally, I would ditch that wildcat. Finding headstamped brass will be nigh onto impossible and very expensive. Sounds like you'd need new custom dies too = $$$!!! Remember, hunting in Africa requires proper headstamped ammo that matches the rifle. Don't know what you've got in this rifle already, but I think it would not be easy to resell as a wildcat for the above reasons. On the other hand, 404J is the current darling caliber for African hunting. I think it's popularity will only grow, especially when bullet options for less than 400 gr become more available. It's an interesting idea for a wildcat, for sure. But I just don't see it ever beating out either 404 or 416 Rigby. Those calibers have the nostalgia factor going for them. And we all know nostalgia is Africa's chief drawing card.

 

[PanhandlinPat]

I’ve got a 1917 eddystone sitting on the bench I’ve opened up and stretched the magazine for a 404. Working through other projects before I get back to it, but if memory serves me I decided on a preferred barrels blank. If google is fighting you search for a .423 caliber rather than 404.

1917s have an old flat thread, like an 03 Springfield. It’s different, but most any smith who chambers barrels can cut it. Just need a flat thread cutter. Prefits are gunna be tough, will either need a lathe to cut shoulder to align extractor groove or a mill to cut the extractor groove.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I’ve got a 1917 eddystone sitting on the bench I’ve opened up and stretched the magazine for a 404. Working through other projects before I get back to it, but if memory serves me I decided on a preferred barrels blank. If google is fighting you search for a .423 caliber rather than 404.

1917s have an old flat thread, like an 03 Springfield. It’s different, but most any smith who chambers barrels can cut it. Just need a flat thread cutter. Prefits are gunna be tough, will either need a lathe to cut shoulder to align extractor groove or a mill to cut the extractor groove.

How much work was involved in stretching the magazine? I have a P14 I'm about to turn into a 375 (maybe). Even longer. 404 would be easier but I already have one in 98 Mauser.

 

[PanhandlinPat]

How much work was involved in stretching the magazine? I have a P14 I'm about to turn into a 375 (maybe). Even longer. 404 would be easier but I already have one in 98 Mauser.

I wish I’d taken pictures. Not much at all. My box was riveted together, I knocked the rivets out, did some grinding on the end pieces to put them on the ends of the box instead of inside, and welded it up. I’d buy another riveted box and do it again if I had to