.404 Jeffrey

[Highlander]

Does anyone have firsthand experience of a .404 Jeffrey. How does it compare to the usual suspects, eg .375, .416 and 458Win when used for DG.
Thanks

HL

 

[50/50]

.404 Jeffery

Does anyone have firsthand experience of a .404 Jeffrey. How does it compare to the usual suspects, eg .375, .416 and 458Win when used for DG.
Thanks

HL

Hi HL

Whats DG? ...dead game!! ...and what are you intending to use it for?

last time I saw a .404 Jeffrey in action this is the sort of damage it was doing!!



cheers
50/50

 

[Kalahari]

Sort of fiercer than a 375 not as fierce as a 416. Pretty popular round for buffalo and stuff though.

David.

 

[Highlander]

Thanks for the reply David. Answer on the recoil is as I expected, was not sure about its popularity in recent times - although once the main stay of many game wardens.

50/50 - DG = Dangerous Game

 

[Kalahari]

Actually many of the classic calibres in a well fitting rifle didn't really bite too hard, more a sort of strong shove than a smart smack.

David.

 

[AndrewS]

Actually many of the classic calibres in a well fitting rifle didn't really bite too hard, more a sort of strong shove than a smart smack.

David.

+1 to that - the hype/anticipation before pulling the trigger is worse!

Andrew

 

[finnbear270]

Just a quick snapshot here,.404 Jeffery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[JabaliHunter]

I used to have a .375 and a .404. The recoil on the .404 was not so different from the .375 when loaded to original specs of 400gr @about 2100fps and 4,000ft/lbs but at those specs the .423 bullet hit a great deal harder than a .375 on buffalo. Those specs are considered ideal for buffalo and more than adequate for elephant (at one time standard issue for game departments). The only thing that it was found to be less optimal for is tuskless cow hunting in thick bush. For this and the biggest bulls, the 5,000 ft/lbs of the .416 Rigby and .458 (with handloads) is more effective, but these days you can duplicate .416 Rigby ballistics with low pressure .404 handloads. The new 400gr woodleigh hydrostatics and 450gr solids would make it an even more effective choice. Unless you want a .30-06 length action (.458), it would be my pick... otherwise it is .500 territory to get any significant increase in power.

 

[Snagman]

Out of intrest what would you put on your ticket for a 404 jeffery would you put .404 or the actual caliber of .423. Sorry for hijacking the thread but I've been thinking about it for a while.

Cheeres

Snag

 

[Kalahari]

I would think you put down the "official" calibre. After all a .303 is actually .311 a 500 jeffery is bigger bore than a 505 gibbs I think. The funniness of calibre descriptions seems to defy logic.

David.

 

[scrumbag]

If my memory serves me correctly, PJ Pretorious was quite a fan of the .404. You'd have to check his book 'Jungle Man' to be sure though.

ATB,

Scrummy

 

[Kalahari]

Just looking at my earlier posts, if you are thinking of getting a 404 or are going to inherit one (lucky ******) get it gauged because the early 404s had smaller barrels than the modern ones so modern ammunition migh not be a wise choice. Reloading job for you in this case.

ATB,

David.

 

[Highlander]

Just looking at my earlier posts, if you are thinking of getting a 404 or are going to inherit one (lucky ******) get it gauged because the early 404s had smaller barrels than the modern ones so modern ammunition migh not be a wise choice. Reloading job for you in this case.

ATB,

David.

Unfortunately not that lucky!! This would be a new purchase.

 

[6mmHOT]

Hi I am new to this forum and have never hunted in Africa but have dreamt about it since I was a boy

I read you are all very knowledgable about the 404 Jeffrey

I recall an uncle of mine using one when he was posted in Africa for the foreign office

Can you share your previous hunting experiences using this caliber ?

 

[John Gryphon]

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[TheHuntingAgency]

Does anyone have firsthand experience of a .404 Jeffrey. How does it compare to the usual suspects, eg .375, .416 and 458Win when used for DG.
Thanks

HL

It's about time I posted something here again and since I have a selection maybe I can share a few thoughts?

I'm much more a fan of 9.3x62 over .375H&H Mag asI'm increasingly intollerant of recoil plus the need for a magnum action makes the 375 heavier while generally a 9.3x62 rifle will be lighter to carry and less weight, less recoil and cheaper ammunition in a rifle which delivers similar performance out to maybe 150m works well for me on all levels.

The same is true of 404 Jeffrey vrs 416 Rigby. I currently have 2 x 416s, one Heym Express Rifle (bolt action) and a CZ 550 Safari. The Heym is significanty heavier and the recoil much less as a result but I also have a 550 Safari Classic in 404 which I've been shooting for about a month. That would be a fairer comparrison.

It's true that 404 has less recoil than 416 rigby because as Sir Issac told us, for every action there is an equal and oposite reaction, therefore 400Gr of bullet travelling out at over 2500fps will shove harder than the same at the original performance which seems to have ranged from 1950 - 2100fps depending on who's books you read.

A word of warning though, While I'm a huge fan of Hornady ammunition, for some reason they have loaded their 404 Jeffrey DG series up to 2300+fps (mine chrono'd at a very constant 2330fps recently) so the original concept of delivering a heavy and relatively slow moving bullet in order to save recoil seems to have been undone for no apparent reason.

It's a killing round and thats for sure. At the Express Rifle Association there are several guys with 404 including a lightweight Heym which shoots like a 9.3 and a very lovely Mauser which with hand-loads is a delight to shoot. Mine is amazing and I can't wait to get it out to Swedish Lapland in Sept when I'm hunting Moose and Bear with the Sami - I'll use Mr Jeffrey for both and in all probability it'll become my all-round 'job gun' from now on.

Everything is relative though and as some here will already know, I had a 458 Double (MR007) which was fun but as it was chambered in Win-Mag I always had a concern regarding extraction, some calibres just aren't suitable for a double and I'd much prefer a 458 Lott as a bolt-gun. I also have a 475 No.2 which certainly rattles the fillings but if I could leave you all with one thought, it's not so much the calibre or the load which makes the difference so much as gun fit. I've had my 375 shortened and re-stocked, something CZ 550's are superb for and as a result I have a rifle which is fast to the shoulder and which fits like a glove. If you get a rifle that really fits, and for the sake of a few quid with a decent 'Smith you can achieve this fairly easily, then the issue of recoil become largely irrelevant......

It's just my opinion folks!

Best regards, Roo

 

[TheHuntingAgency]

View attachment 18280
View attachment 18281

 

[moose]

You need to try again with the pics Roo, cause if it's the same as the pic you sent me then its' worth a look.

Moose

 

[VhSaf]

I would think you put down the "official" calibre. After all a .303 is actually .311 a 500 jeffery is bigger bore than a 505 gibbs I think. The funniness of calibre descriptions seems to defy logic.

David.

Yes, describing calibers could have been made easier.....

Highlander,
.404 Jef is a great caliber without doubt! It does leave a notable impression on a Buffalo. But as have been mentioned above, if you want the hammer effect, the .500 Jef is the boy for the job!

 

[filzee]

I thought these guns were things of myth and legend i didn't know anyone in this country even owned one let a lone used one. I'v always had a fascination with the old high powered double rifle the sought the grate white hunters of old would carry.