404 Jeffery

[K95]

I have been thinking of building a custom rifle chambered in 404 Jeffery. I have a local gunsmith here in Australia who does excellent work with both metal and woodwork. I can source all components to build a lovely rifle. My problem is and I don't like saying this but I don't really need another rifle. The alternative is having a barrel in this caliber made for my Blaser R8. Has anyone done this in the 404 and how does it function and perform.

 

[KJE81]

I have been thinking of building a custom rifle chambered in 404 Jeffery. I have a local gunsmith here in Australia who does excellent work with both metal and woodwork. I can source all components to build a lovely rifle. My problem is and I don't like saying this but I don't really need another rifle. The alternative is having a barrel in this caliber made for my Blaser R8. Has anyone done this in the 404 and how does it function and perform.

It probably makes much more sense to simply buy a new barrel for your R8. But for myself anyway I would much rather have a custom rifle built for a classic calibre instead of a barrel for a machine made rifle like the R8 so I would go for the custom instead.

 

[spike.t]

It probably makes much more sense to simply buy a new barrel for your R8. But for myselft anyway I would much rather have a custom rifle built for a classic calibre instead of a barrel for a machine made rifle like the R8 so I would go for the custom instead.

You put it more subtlety than I was going to say.......

 

[sgt_zim]

It's good you don't have anything specific in mind to hunt with it and have the time to do a proper build. That'll also give you the time to chase down brass. It's hard to find here in the US.

 

[Flipper Dude]

but I don't really need another rifle.

Blasphemy.

Like she needed another pair of shoes.

 

[Beck]

I have been thinking of building a custom rifle chambered in 404 Jeffery. I have a local gunsmith here in Australia who does excellent work with both metal and woodwork. I can source all components to build a lovely rifle. My problem is and I don't like saying this but I don't really need another rifle. The alternative is having a barrel in this caliber made for my Blaser R8. Has anyone done this in the 404 and how does it function and perform.

Don't blaspheme, you always need more rifles!

 

[Odinsraven]

Sir sit down reflect over a couple of beers and start building that dream rifle !

 

[KIH]

If you look at page 2 at Blaser R8 calibers, you are invited to spesify your own barrel. Gun smiths in norway can make barrels for R8.

 

[Jack Stevens]

I have been thinking of building a custom rifle chambered in 404 Jeffery. I have a local gunsmith here in Australia who does excellent work with both metal and woodwork. I can source all components to build a lovely rifle. My problem is and I don't like saying this but I don't really need another rifle. The alternative is having a barrel in this caliber made for my Blaser R8. Has anyone done this in the 404 and how does it function and perform.

Inspiration for your build ....

AHR Custom .404

 

[Shootist43]

I could be mistaken but I seem to recall that Phil Glass had a 404 Jeffery barrel built for his R8 by someone other than Blazer.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Ammo and components availability has improved significantly the past year. I built my own during the summer of 2023. It was a fun project. Built it on a standard military Czech 98 Mauser. Very doable and affordable. Standard action has shorter bolt throw than magnum. Only holds four cartridges which should be plenty for any experienced hunter. I ordered new bottom metal for 416 Remington and it worked fine without any modification. Also ordered a magnum follower for it but I understand many simply use the standard follower for this build (it was a cosmetic issue for me). A good gunsmith may be able to modify the walls of the standard action magazine but I suspect it might be cheaper to order new bottom metal. The only concern would be is the gunsmith capable of modifying the rails and feeding ramp? Tricky but I did it and I'm no gunsmith. We have read on this forum of more than one of these attempted builds messed up and ruined by shade tree "gunsmiths" (I will put myself below that category) screwing up the rails. Opening up the bolt face should be no problem (a local machinist who'd never done any gun work opened mine). Modifying the extractor is also a bit tricky but less worrisome. If first attempt gets messed up, a replacement extractor can be picked up easily to start over.

Building on a magnum CRF action would be pricey. Used donors aren't cheap and new magnum actions are hard to get and very expensive.

I don't care for R8 so this is kind of a moot question for me. I wouldn't own one. However, I think in the end you would find it much more rewarding to have a classic custom gun built for you vs just ordering another factory made barrel for a space age rifle. But that's just me.

Here's the 404 I built. Still need to replace the recoil pad. That old White Line trap pad came on the used stock that I refurbished. I need a bit more LOP so am ordering a thicker red one from NECG.

 

[gizmo]

It probably makes much more sense to simply buy a new barrel for your R8. But for myself anyway I would much rather have a custom rifle built for a classic calibre instead of a barrel for a machine made rifle like the R8 so I would go for the custom instead.

+1 a classic safari rifle is hard to beat.

 

[dogcat1]

I have/had the same issue. I opted for a classic rifle on the Dakota 76 action made by Parkwest. I like the Blaser's as well, but don't have access to getting a .404 barrel set up.

 

[WesRic404Jeff]

As mentioned earlier in the thread. Here in Norway, we get barrels for both R8 and R93 according to your own wishes.
I recently received my R8 barrel in 404 Jeffery. Not much info on precision so far, but barrel was sighted in (shot) with open sights at 50 meters.
The appearance and quality of the barrel was impeccable.
Can provide a little more information when I have tested more.