What is it about 404 Jeffery?

[nztimb]

 

[nztimb]

 

[nztimb]

 

[Shawn.54]

Keep it going guys I love to read and learn every bit of information I can find on the 404.
My own 404 is assembled stock finished all feeding issues seem to be worked out. I was just starting to do the final work on my diy sights when a medical problem hit me that stopped all work on the rifle. What started as me thinking I may have a detached retina ended up being a blocked artery in the right side of my neck that required surgery. Doc said he didn’t want me to shoot that heavy of recoil for a while so I’m here reading about it.
Keep up the 404 talk.
Shawn

 

[nztimb]

From the 12th Edition ,
Boone and Crockett Club's
RECORDS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIG GAME,
the all time most outstanding North American trophy,
here is the best summary on the Chadwick Ram, though it shows Mr. Chadwick was a bad shot, and out of shape for the followup,
and does not mention he was using a 404 Jeffery.
His guide had to finish it.
Mr. Chadwick was using the 300-grain loading of the 404 Jeffery, which was a 2600 fps load.

 

[nztimb]

This account hardly gives the sheep kill to the 404 in my book. If an animal is only superficially hit and is followed up and killed by another then I think it stretches things a bit to credit the 404 with the kill. The rifle wasn't carried on a specific sheep hunt as the sheep was a target of oportunity at best, even if it was a spectacular target of oportunity.
That does not detract from a 404 being a viable sheep rifle though. The 320gn GS Customs at 2700fps in a light rifle would certainly fill the bill for a go to rifle.

 

[nztimb]

 

[IvW]

Thank you for that very informative reply. It is always good to have the actual facts.

 

[Jaws]

My wife doesn't know much about calibers, rifle makes & ballistics, but she does support my passion & involve herself in the discussions with interest.

Coincidently when I was after a .404, numerous gun shop visits to hopefully find a lead, we encountered many salesclerks offering the more popular .416 alternative with the usual talk of ammunition availability. The blonde obviously a little frustrated with the quest, eventually asked me why I wouldn't rather then just consider the .416 since it is easily available, popular & although not my first choice, close to what I'm after.

I think my response to the blonde basically summed it up for me. "I could view things that way you know, but I married you didn't I?"

I got my .404 eventually, a little poor attempt at a "custom built" but fed good, is a straight shooter & she triggered something I like.
It is currently with the gunsmith for ghost ring sight fitment & some minor improvements. I would have loved to have found a rifle with more history, but it is a .404 Jeffery & she has character.

 

[ZG47]

Keep it going guys I love to read and learn every bit of information I can find on the 404.
My own 404 is assembled stock finished all feeding issues seem to be worked out. I was just starting to do the final work on my diy sights when a medical problem hit me that stopped all work on the rifle. What started as me thinking I may have a detached retina ended up being a blocked artery in the right side of my neck that required surgery. Doc said he didn’t want me to shoot that heavy of recoil for a while so I’m here reading about it.
Keep up the 404 talk.
Shawn

Look after yourself, mate. I like reading your posts.

 

[WAB]

Outstanding posts on the .404. Like many here, I like calibers with history that were used by the average man carving a living out of the bush. The .404J, 9.3x62, 7x57, .303 were all such cartridges. They've been there and done that.

 

[jacques smith]

You guys are killing me. Wonderful post but it’s rekindled my search for one

 

[Ridgewalker]

What started as me thinking I may have a detached retina ended up being a blocked artery in the right side of my neck that required surgery. Doc said he didn’t want me to shoot that heavy of recoil for a while so I’m here reading about it.

Best of luck Shawn! Not a condition to ignore for sure! We all want to hear how that 404J shoots!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Best of luck Shawn! Not a condition to ignore for sure! We all want to hear how that 404J shoots!

+1

 

[HWL]

The words have changed enough, let me finally see (your) gun....



HWL

 

[BeeMaa]

Doc said he didn’t want me to shoot that heavy of recoil for a while so I’m here reading about it.
Shawn

Stick with the easy kicking 375 for a while and you'll be fine...
Get better soon, best wishes.

 

[Shawn.54]

Stick with the easy kicking 375 for a while and you'll be fine...
Get better soon, best wishes.

That was my exact thoughts I’ll just drop to my light rifle.
I’m also watching a large field this year so the 375 is a better choice.
Shawn

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

A 404 for sale on gun broker: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/786942980

Not sure what an "ultra light" 404 weighs, but I'd find out before bidding on this.

 

[BeeMaa]

A 404 for sale on gun broker: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/786942980

Not sure what an "ultra light" 404 weighs, but I'd find out before bidding on this.

I saw this a few weeks ago and looked up NULA.
The model 32 is listed at 7.25# and from the looks of the barrel taper, this one isn't far off that.
Which may be why it's for sale.

 

[sierraone]

You guys are killing me. Wonderful post but it’s rekindled my search for one

Whine, whine, whine! We both know you turned down that Dakota .404 at Duke's!!! You should have bargained harder!