.404 Jeffery loads for 300, 350, and 450 grain bullets

[Nevada Mike]

I have searched and made inquiries with a couple bullet manufacturers but have found no data for these bullet weights in the .404 Jeffery.

Does anyone have some data or a source for the same?

Thanks for any help.

Mike

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

No exactly load data per se, but this is what Hendershots lists for their bullet options and velocities;

 

[tarbe]

Not my data......use with caution. Work up from below!

300 Hawk RN Hodgdon H-4895 89.0 2,729
Remarks: OAL: 3.46 inches; maximum

300 Hawk RN Alliant RL-15 91.0 2,766
Remarks: OAL: 3.46 inches; near maximum

300 Hawk RN Accurate AAC-2520 89.0 2,789
Remarks: OAL: 3.46 inches

350 Barnes spitzer Alliant RL-12 88.0 2,564
Remarks: OAL: 3.52 inches; maximum

350 Barnes spitzer Winchester W-748 91.0 2,568
Remarks: OAL: 3.52 inches; mediocre accuracy

350 Barnes spitzer Alliant RL-15 89.0 2,631
Remarks: OAL: 3.52 inches; good load

350 Hawk RN IMR IMR-3031 79.0 2,399
Remarks: OAL: 3.50 inches

350 Hawk RN Hodgdon H-4895 87.0 2,591
Remarks: OAL: 3.50 inches; compressed

350 Hawk RN IMR IMR-4064 88.0 2,595
Remarks: OAL: 3.50 inches; good load

350 Hawk RN Accurate AAC-2520 89.0 2,602

 

[Nevada Mike]

Tarbe - awesome! A place to stat. Thanks,

Mike

 

[ve7poi]

Check with woodleigh they sent me a list of loads for another cal I was using heavy bullets for took a day or two for them to answer but they did and one of the loads was super accurate

 

[Nevada Mike]

Check with woodleigh they sent me a list of loads for another cal I was using heavy bullets for took a day or two for them to answer but they did and one of the loads was super accurate

I contacted Woodleigh and Geoff was kind enough to send some loads for the various bullet weights. I am assembling a spreadsheet with .404J loads from various sources as I find them.

Here is Geoff's response:

Hi Mike ,

Here is data from our manual for 350 gr sn;

H4895 75 to 83 gr 2280 to 2590 fps
Varget 77 to 86 gr 2240 to 2575 fps
Reloder 15 78 to 89 gr 2270 to 2585 fps


For 450 gr SN;

Varget 73 to 75 gr 2100 to 2160 fps
H4350 80 to 82 gr 2110 to 2175 fps
H4831SC 83 to 87 gr 2045 to 2160 fps

This data is for sn, but is safe to use with fmj, but as always, approach max loads with caution.

Good hunting.

Regards,

Geoff McDonald
Woodleigh Bullets

 

[Dirtdart]

The Woodleigh manual is a nice reference to have and highly recommend picking up a copy. I know that Midway USA has them. The attached photo is of my attempt to duplicate the Norma PH 450gr load. This particular load is not in their manual but is showing promise in my rifle but may not be safe in yours

. I use a standing rest when shooting at 50 yards.

 

[Nevada Mike]

DD

Thanks! That looks promising. I'll add it to my collection and annotate.

Mike

 

[Ray B]

Plugging data into a Powley Sliderule gets: H2O 102 gr; 88 gr 4320 w/350 gr bullet. Powder/Bullet ,25; SD .279; w/23" bbl Expansion ratio 8.3; expected velocity 2470
with 450 gr bullet:88 gr 4350 P/B .196; SD .359 expected velocity 2230. The sliderule is a few generations old and there are a lot of newer powders, but it still gives a good starting place and reasonable results.

 

[ChrisG]

I think @Gert Odendaal has done a bunch of load development and messing with .404 Jeff. He may have some more information for you.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

This is the best thing you can do, buy this book, it is a great reference source for any dangerous game rifle you will ever use...it has loads and loads of reloading data ..even has a whole chapter on the re-loading of the Martini Henry .577/450..

 

[HWL]

Gert, please navigate the straight way from Joburg Airport to the bookstore, were to buy this....

Will not leave town without this.....

HWL

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Georg, this is a great book to have...we will pick up a book for you when driving back from the airport...there is another one as well, about the medium calibers, I will upload a photo

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Georg, we will pick up a copy along the way from the airport, it really is a great book to have in your collection, here is the other book also available and great reference source..

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Gert, please navigate the straight way from Joburg Airport to the bookstore, were to buy this....

Will not leave town without this.....

HWL

Georg, I contacted Pierre van der Walt in this regards, he will sign your book for you as well. I want to buy the Medium Caliber book from him.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I do not know how possible it will be members , but if someone wants to receive this book and is willing to pay for shipping I will send a book to you if you buy it...just let me know if there are a need to get hold of these books, I will ask Pierre to sign these books as well,...there are collectors books as well..

 

[HWL]

Please order the medium for me also....

My wife will go ballistic, when I fill her flight luggage with reloading books...



HWL

 

[cagkt3]

Gert, I'd be interested in copies of the books for sure!

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Good, I will contact Pierre van der Walt and see what arrangements can be made, maybe they are available in the USA already and it will be easier to get hold of the books..Georg, I will order your books so we can pick it up when driving from the airport..

 

[Ray B]

I see Pierre's book listed on Amazon, so would be available in USA, however these wouldn't be autographed by the author.