404 jeffery

m1978

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anyone use one of these? just curious how much stiffer it would be than a 405 winchester? cz makes them im told, just don't know how much they cost
 
I settled on a 404 Jeffrey in a Heym Express Rifle. Took 23 animals with it in Africa in 2013 including lioness, cape buffalo and an elephant with a bad attitude. Pure magic.
Velocity was 2,350 with a 400 grain Swift A-Frame. Absolutely deadly and stupid-accurate.

I would suggest trying a CZ if you are on a budget. (FWIW, other rifles I've tried over the years include: .375 H&H, .416 Rigby and 450/400 3" NE. They have all been fabulous in their own way, but the 404 is special.

Regarding recoil, in my experience it's a matter of stock design and also getting used to it. It's not severe. I'd call it very managable and very similar to the .375 H&H in my Ruger RSM. Probably better, in fact.
 
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The 404 just adds 100 grns of bullet weight and about 400 fps to the 405............not even in the same ballpark. The 404 is a true medium bore capable of taking large and dangerous game, such as elephant, rhino, hippo and cape buffalo..........
 
I settled on a 404 Jeffrey in a Heym Express Rifle. Took 23 animals with it in Africa in 2013. Pure magic.
Velocity was 2,350 with a 400 grain Swift A-Frame. Absolutely deadly and stupid-accurate.

I would suggest trying a CZ if you are on a budget. (FWIW, other rifles I've tried over the years include: .375 H&H, .416 Rigby and 450/400 3" NE. They have all been fabulous in their own way, but the 404 is special.

Regarding recoil, in my experience it's a matter of stock design and also getting used to it. It's not severe. I'd call it very managable and very similar to the .375 H&H in my Ruger RSM. Probably better, in fact.

A-zone. Did you ever post a thread showing this rifle off? I've always liked seeing those Heym Express rifles. Did you buy the Martini designed version?

That rifle would be my ultimate working Africa rifle, if I could afford such a thing.
 
The 404 just adds 100 grns of bullet weight and about 400 fps to the 405............not even in the same ballpark. The 404 is a true medium bore capable of taking large and dangerous game, such as elephant, rhino, hippo and cape buffalo..........

These guys that think that just because it has a "4" in the front it's much of a muchness...
 
Interesting recoil table. I always thought my little 45-70 thumped pretty good, but I didn't think it was as bad as a 375 and worse than the 300 RUM. No wonder it ain't a lot of fun in a t-shirt. :)
 
Interesting recoil table. I always thought my little 45-70 thumped pretty good, but I didn't think it was as bad as a 375 and worse than the 300 RUM. No wonder it ain't a lot of fun in a t-shirt. :)

The stock design of a M-95 Guide Gun adds to the charm of the recoil from a hot loaded .45-70. I think the .404, chambered in a beefy bolt gun like the CZ, would be pleasant by comparison.
 
The stock design of a M-95 Guide Gun adds to the charm of the recoil from a hot loaded .45-70. I think the .404, chambered in a beefy bolt gun like the CZ, would be pleasant by comparison.


Your are correct Sir ! my 45-70 Gov 95g or my 450 Marlin blr are NASTY with the 525-540 gr-ers in the 1500-1600 fps range ! Not a lot of CHARM ! lol RJ
 
Your are correct Sir ! my 45-70 Gov 95g or my 450 Marlin blr are NASTY with the 525-540 gr-ers in the 1500-1600 fps range ! Not a lot of CHARM ! lol RJ

Just remember, always fire an even number of shots. The first one knocks stuff loose, the second puts it back into place.
 
Yes, I got it from Ralf Martini. His suggestion as to the chambering (that's a bit of a story in itself). A seriously comfortable rifle to shoot and a natural-pointing rifle. It proved to be a very hard-hitting and consistent rifle. Pretty impressive. It became clear, early on, why the .404 Jeffrey developed such a well-earned reputation as a versatile and reliable all-around cartridge for Africa.

As for Ralf, the man is a real talent and has a true gift for stock and rifle design.

I never did post anything showing it off, but I do have a bit of a documentary-type video (done by Dark Continent Video Productions) where you can see the Heym Express Rifle doing what it was meant to do, over and over and over again.

If you're ever in the Edmonton area, you are welcome to come and see it. (It takes a good hour and a half to see all the hunting bits. It was a pretty incredible safari).

A-zone. Did you ever post a thread showing this rifle off? I've always liked seeing those Heym Express rifles. Did you buy the Martini designed version?

That rifle would be my ultimate working Africa rifle, if I could afford such a thing.
 
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