404 Jeffery

7mag

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Kelowna
Hello all... Been thinking of a 404 Jeffery for a while now. Don't nesessarly need one, just want one. I have a mint doner rifle... A Winchester M70 in 416rem. Has anyone done this convertion before? What mods will be required to rebarrel it and make it feed properly? I hear that the perfect doner would be a 300rum but dont have one of them kicking around. Thanks for any input!
 
Depending on what model of Winchester and how expensive your tastes are you could most likely sell the Win and it would pay for most or all of your 404 project.
 
I read an article some time ago about a chap that had a 404 done on a rifle similar to yours and if I recall he was very happy with it.
I remember this gentleman emphasizing that the rifle should not be made too light because the 404 if loaded up a bit can be quite a thumper, that I can vouch for.
My 404 built by my late Brother for my 60th b/day is done on a BSA P14 action and is not a light rifle, nor would I want it to be.
The 404 is an excellent cartridge to work with and I would not be without mine...
 
One of our local gunsmiths has built the 404 Jeff. from Rem 700's. Mine started as a XCR 2 300 R.U.M. action trued,new barrel,open sights,removable mussel brake,thread protector,Sightron Big Sky 3X9X42. Hornady DGX softpoint 400 gr. @2400 f.p.s.. I will probably remove the brake when i download to the original of 2150-2200. It is the same length as a SKS. (short) and really easy to carry.
 
One of our local gunsmiths has built the 404 Jeff. from Rem 700's. Mine started as a XCR 2 300 R.U.M. action trued,new barrel,open sights,removable mussel brake,thread protector,Sightron Big Sky 3X9X42. Hornady DGX softpoint 400 gr. @2400 f.p.s.. I will probably remove the brake when i download to the original of 2150-2200. It is the same length as a SKS. (short) and really easy to carry.

I know of whom you speak..... my Brother spoke highly of his work....
 
One of our local gunsmiths has built the 404 Jeff. from Rem 700's. Mine started as a XCR 2 300 R.U.M. action trued,new barrel,open sights,removable mussel brake,thread protector,Sightron Big Sky 3X9X42. Hornady DGX softpoint 400 gr. @2400 f.p.s.. I will probably remove the brake when i download to the original of 2150-2200. It is the same length as a SKS. (short) and really easy to carry.

I did think about just getting a rem700 in 300rum... Might be a better choice than tearing apart a mint winchester. What other work was involved in making a remmy work? I also do not want sights and was thinkin 22" barrel??? What barrel contour did you go with?
 
Just curious - how does your shoulder feel when you pull the trigger on something like that?

I just can't imagine grouping a caliber like this in with the "fun day at the range" rifles :)

Is this just a "I want one because" or do you have a specific use - just curious...
 
Just curious - how does your shoulder feel when you pull the trigger on something like that?

I just can't imagine grouping a caliber like this in with the "fun day at the range" rifles :)

Is this just a "I want one because" or do you have a specific use - just curious...

I have a 416 Rigby which is the next step up from the 404. You don't want to sit down at the bench and burn through 40 rounds doing load tests in one session (at least, I don't) but 20 is doable. Now, move off the bench and shoot standing or even kneeling and you're not going to get pummeled. The recoil hard, but not fast. The speed of the recoil is what really kicks your ass.
 
Is this just a "I want one because" or do you have a specific use - just curious...
The fact is that 95% of us could very well get along with a 30/06 for 95% of the hunting here in Canada. Most larger bore owners own them for no other reason than "I want one because".

I've owned a 375 on and off for years. Anything I've shot with it would have died just the same with a 30/06. It would be no different for a 404 except components for a 375 are a lot less expensive.
 
I have two 375s, an H&H and one of the others, seriously I haven't found any significant price difference between 404 components and the " others ".
As a matter of fact I have found it easier to find stuff like 404 brass than 375 ruger brass and .423 bullets are available from several sources at reasonable prices.
I do concur that an '06 will suffice for most hunting, however when it involves a large animal like a Bison the 404 will get the nod hands down for me...
 
I have others as well, 375's and the 416 rem mag which I am now going to leave alone! Will find a doner 300rum for the project. Its more of a want factor for me than a need factor.
 
My .404J is built on a Rem M721, an ex-.300H&H that had a worn barrel. Beven King supplied the barrel, I intended for it to be used mostly for shooting cast, however I have not got around to having a mold made. Recoil with 350gr. Woodleigh's is reasonable, somewhat heavier with 400gr. Woodleigh's but less than my custom Mauser .416 Taylor. Mag box has been extensively modified, gunsmith was only able to give me two down and one in the chamber, which I'm fine with for B.C. hunting. I would much prefer to have one built on a Mauser action in the British style but this one was an easier and much less expensive build.
 
I did think about just getting a rem700 in 300rum... Might be a better choice than tearing apart a mint winchester. What other work was involved in making a remmy work? I also do not want sights and was thinkin 22" barrel??? What barrel contour did you go with?

neat project ! So what brand of barrel would you use ? have you checked around for chambering reamers yet ? RJ
 
Hey RJ. The fellow that will be doing the build for me has a couple stainless King barrels in stock, so it will be a King! He has also built 4 404's and has the reamers and other required bits! Going to order a new stainless 300rum tomorow for the doner. I have a B&C Alaskan stock for it for now, but may order a McMillan. Should be fun when its done!
 
I have a 416 Rigby which is the next step up from the 404. You don't want to sit down at the bench and burn through 40 rounds doing load tests in one session (at least, I don't) but 20 is doable. Now, move off the bench and shoot standing or even kneeling and you're not going to get pummeled. The recoil is hard, but not fast. The speed of the recoil is what really kicks your ass.

I own a Ruger # 1 chambered in .416 Rigby-believe me I know about what you speak!
 
I think the 404 is one of the great classic mid-bores!
One conversions I seen was a French Gunsmith took a BRNO 600 series in 358NM and bored the barrel and worked the feed rails, and reworked the original hogs back stock into one of the nicest I've seen other than a true Mauser in African style.
I just contacted Granite Mountain Action( make true Mauser action) the price is $3600 US, made for the 404 Jefferies, there "Standard Magnum" really nice but a high end build for sure!!
I see that Cooper Firearms now lists the 404 Jefferies as one of there new chambering's. Shows that it's picking up Speed this nice old Midbore��
Dale Z
 
Hey RJ. The fellow that will be doing the build for me has a couple stainless King barrels in stock, so it will be a King! He has also built 4 404's and has the reamers and other required bits! Going to order a new stainless 300rum tomorow for the doner. I have a B&C Alaskan stock for it for now, but may order a McMillan. Should be fun when its done!

KOOL ! That should be a REAL shooter there Scot ! :d Cheers RJ
 
One of our local gunsmiths has built the 404 Jeff. from Rem 700's. Mine started as a XCR 2 300 R.U.M. action trued,new barrel,open sights,removable mussel brake,thread protector,Sightron Big Sky 3X9X42. Hornady DGX softpoint 400 gr. @2400 f.p.s.. I will probably remove the brake when i download to the original of 2150-2200. It is the same length as a SKS. (short) and really easy to carry.

except the rem heresy that seems a great project ... i ve seen one with a laminated stock a while ago is it yours? i ve seen that guy doing great job in the past ....
 
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