.404 JEFFERY - A PH's point of view.

Originally Posted by miroflex

Thanks for the information. I am unable to say whether it is a military action or a sporting one as I am unable to distinguish between the two. Could you tell me about the points of difference between them?

I have a feeling that it may not need restocking and with a clean up and rebluing may come up very well.

I wll keep your price guides in mind.

the military had a hole in the floor plate with a button at the bottom.

Often, the English makers replaced the floorplate. Surest way to tell is if there is a half round cut out on the left side of action.

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Originally Posted by DOCMAN

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yup we seem to have got sidetracked , but at least it involved a .404....... and you did contribute slightly to the hijack i think its because we are all so friendly and were trying to assist someone ......

Originally Posted by Red Leg

Often, the English makers replaced the floorplate. Surest way to tell is if there is a half round cut out on the left side of action.

sorry docman just one more from me red leg according to my source they all had the thumb cut out.

On the 'bridge' at the back of the action that stops the bolt coming out, there is a cut away which allows the insertion of a 'clip' to reload the magazine for the military actions too!

Hi Docman,

I am sorry if you feel that the thread got derailed because of my innocuous and rather unostentatious query. Apologies for doing so.

In fact it was your opening post that inspired me to go ahead with the .404 Jeffery purchase process. I have never hunted in Africa but have visited most of the game sanctuaries and wildlife areas and have pursued the Big Five with a camera. It was with Africa in mind that I was attracted to the .404.

Regards.

Originally Posted by miroflex

Hi Docman,

I am sorry if you feel that the thread got derailed because of my innocuous and rather unostentatious query. Apologies for doing so.

In fact it was your opening post that inspired me to go ahead with the .404 Jeffery purchase process. I have never hunted in Africa but have visited most of the game sanctuaries and wildlife areas and have pursued the Big Five with a camera. It was with Africa in mind that I was attracted to the .404.

Regards.

Docman there you go it was your fault all along , and you got an addition to your .404 devotees

Originally Posted by miroflex

Hi Docman,

I am sorry if you feel that the thread got derailed because of my innocuous and rather unostentatious query. Apologies for doing so.

In fact it was your opening post that inspired me to go ahead with the .404 Jeffery purchase process. I have never hunted in Africa but have visited most of the game sanctuaries and wildlife areas and have pursued the Big Five with a camera. It was with Africa in mind that I was attracted to the .404.

Regards.

..relax, Bud, I was just rattling the SPIKEMAN'S cage..!

Originally Posted by DOCMAN

..relax, Bud, I was just rattling the SPIKEMAN'S cage..!

AHH ! victimisation i will need to consult with the department of health and social security due to the mental stress and trauma caused , the race relations board as this is a country to country racist issue and my lawyer due to the aforementioned issues i am sure there are other depts but due to the mental stress i cant remember.....

Originally Posted by spike.t

AHH ! victimisation i will need to consult with the department of health and social security due to the mental stress and trauma caused...yabba yabba yabba...

..Spikes, my friend, you must STOP smoking that shit..!

Originally Posted by DOCMAN

..Spikes, my friend, you must STOP smoking that shit..!

nah dont do that, but as its friday afternoon i def do this

Are there definite signs of a revival of the .404 in Africa? Are new rifles coming on the market and old ones being restored or refurbished?

I saw two old Indian catalogues today, both from the 1920s. The .404 is listed at Indian Rupees (Rs.) 300 under the Mauser name, Rs. 350 under the Manton's name and Rs. 625 under the Vickers' name. In those days the Indian Rupee was exchanged with the United States Dollar at 2.5 to 1, I believe.

I wonder at reasons for the difference in prices between the Mauser, Manton and Vickers brand names. Could it be due to better sights, stock or barrel? Does anyone have an idea?

Regards.

I think it's a darn shame but the new gun market, really doesn't include the .404 Jeffrey. CZ makes a new gun that's available. But the market has really shifted to the 416 Ruger, 416 Rem, 416 Rigby, 375 Ruger, and 375 H&H. I realize there are more possibilities like the 450/400 and others but no one seems to be pushing the issue to the masses.

Originally Posted by Ole Bally

Hmmmm broad statement there Terry!! I certainly respect your personal preference, but may I venture to add that the 404 is also the smallest of the .40 cal's in common bolt action use and the ease of shooting it is only due low velocity / bullet weight combination which can (does) count against it! You gotta compare apples with apples! The 404 is really more in the 375's class rather than the 'bigger' .40's better termed .450+'s!
When we talk of DG weapons usually in the PH scene, the bar is set at .450> as opposed to .40>! Using 500 grain bullets makes all the difference in 'knockdown' power! The very fast 400gr out of the 416 Rem makes for excellent penetration and thus 'killing power' to give it a name! But for pure stopping power or knockdown value, a 500gr bullet doing between 2150 and 2300 fps is hard to beat!
If anyone'd like, I can attach a copy of 'Le Grange's 'Ballistics in perspective' so you can see what knockdown powers based on and how they arrived at the conclusions!
Kind regards
E

With respect to foot pounds of energy, then, yes I suppose it is the "smallest" of the forties, though from bullet size and demensions it is fairly common to the forty tribe. The .416 Rigby and Remington run 100 to 200 fps faster with a .416 diameter .400 gr bullet than the .423 diameter .404. That smaller diameter gives the Rigby a slight BC advantage, but the old Jeffery starts out with a slightly bigger hole. I tend to lump all the forties in same band - I doubt if many buffalo would testify to any real difference between being punched with a Rigby or a Jeffery. And I think of the .375 is truly unique as a "heavy" general purpose rifle which straddles the line between dangerous and small game. True stopping rifles are, to my mind, a very different proposition and I would whole heartedly agree that the extra 100 grains and frontal area of a .500 is a big discriminator. But so is the extra 100 grains and frontal area of the .404 over the .375.

Lets not forget that the .404 can be handloaded to match .416 Rigby (factory) ballistics, making the real world difference nill.

Been perving over this beast for a few months now, the boss hasn't caved into the pressure yet though!

404 Jeffery custom rifle | Trade Me

100% Red Leg. If you can use it to good effect it's better than one you can't!

Originally Posted by Spudattack

Been perving over this beast for a few months now, the boss hasn't caved into the pressure yet though!

STOP being a perv and just buy the g'dang rifle while you can ! She'll get over it...but, you, might not !

Hmmmmmm, can get a brand spanking CZ550 .416 Rigby for $2k, but this has more appeal and heritage, decisions.....