Finally My 404 Jeffery Has Arrived!

[8x68]

Well after almost a year of waiting I have my first "custom" rifle. Nothing fancy but hey it's a 404!
Built on a 375H&H Model 70 Win action. 25" PacNor Match grade barrel with a 1/14 twist, and target crown. Barrel wrap front sight, barrel band for the sling. Used the rear sight off the donor rifle as I didn't want anything fancy, plus I have crappy eyesight hence the Nikon Monarch 3 1-4x20 w/#4 German reticle on Talley QD mounts. Trigger breaks at about 2lbs. Really crisp! Looking forward to taking it to the range this weekend and "breaking it in"!
When I bought the donor rifle I had not seen it. Didn't know it was stainless until I received some pictures. Rifle had fired maybe 20 rounds. Mag rails don't even have scratches on them....yet. I plan to remedy that LOL

 

[bassasdaindia]

congrats , what aftermarket synthetic stock is that ?

 

[bassasdaindia]

forgot to add :

• great caliber
• great platform the Winchester M70

good luck.

 

[Hank2211]

Great caliber. I think you'll find it kicks less than a .416, and you can do virtually the same amount of damage. Two pound trigger - you'll have fun!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Legendary rifle in legendary calibres. Congrats.
Thanks for sharing.
Witold

 

[Gert Odendaal]

8x68 as pointed out by numerous members, this is surely the greatest old classic caliber, like the 8x68 Shuler, this caliber was designed by the best German rifle builder, all .404 Jeffery calibers stated as a 10.75x73 Shuler...designed as the first German Magnum caliber..for dangerous game hunting in Africa...the rounds was loaded by RWS an European company.

The British Jeffery company took a like in the design and change the caliber to 404 Jeffery . It is probably the caliber that was used the most in Africa by the Game departments of African countries to cull and shoot problem animals..game scouts used the 404 Vickers extensively...the 404 Jeffery was the expensive rifle more used by hunters ect. The 404 Jeffery will kill any dangerous game animal with ease..if the shot placement is correct and on the spot...it does it with mild recoil ...it is one caliber all hunters wanted, even if he already owned a .458 Lott, .500 Jeffery ..or a double rifle..... To prove my point..search the rifle forums and see how many tread are about the 404 Jeffery...

Congratulations with your 404 Jeffery, you will really enjoy this rifle..

 

[Wheels]

Congratulations. It looks great.

Glad you have some brass.

 

[8x68]

congrats , what aftermarket synthetic stock is that ?

A Black One! LOL

 

[8x68]

Actually it was original to the production rifle if I'm not mistaken. The following link is for the rifle on Winchester's website:
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/historic-detail.asp?mid=535012

 

[8x68]

Congratulations. It looks great.

Glad you have some brass.

Thanks Wheels.

 

[8x68]

Now if I can get my kids to leave home I can plan my African adventure!

 

[Redruff]

Congrats on a beauty 404! Kind of having a first date with a real good looking lady!

R.

 

[8x68]

Congrats on a beauty 404! Kind of having a first date with a real good looking lady!

R.

Yeah but less expensive!

 

[Redruff]

Yeah but less expensive!

And she won't cost much to feed

 

[8x68]

After a few "teething" issues here are the two min & max loads that shoot the best at the moment. There are two fouling shots as I had cleaned the barrel as per the breaking in regime.
The left group is minimum load 77.8gr of IMR 4350 with Hornady 400gr DGX at 100yds. Avg velocity is 2127fps
Right group is a max load of 82.2 of IMR 4350 with Hornady 400gr DGX at 100yds. Avg velocity is 2252fps
Haven't tried the Woodleighs I have as powder is a bit scarce around here at the moment.
I tried a couple of offhand shots at a 8" wide by 16" long piece of card board and hit it both times. Recoil was brisk as it is a lighter rifle than one would like in a DG rifle.
I did post a YouTube video of me shooting one of the rounds offhand (pardon the guys in the background. They are arguing over the scope adjustment. It was quite comical). I'm trying to figure out what hit the left side of my forehead. I'm guessing my glasses frame.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Cool video 8 x 68.
You will pleased, it is a excellent caliber.
I wish you many wonderful trophy.
Good luck and all the best.
Witold

 

[Pheroze]

With just about 120 fps difference between min and max, can you spare yourself some of the recoil and use the minimum?

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Excellent, it is good to see hunters are shooting this classical caliber more frequently...you will enjoy this rifle, start loading cast bullets and shoot it more..that is all that will help you to handle more recoil...you need to learn to shoot it faster, four rounds as fast as possible...enjoy your rifle..shortly you will realize you do not need another rifle..you can use this caliber from a small antelope to an elephant...I noticed the scope is a bit far back..will it be possible to move it forward to give you a longer eye relief? This way I am sure you will not be hit by the scope...

Gert

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Very good comments Gert.
Witold

 

[8x68]

Excellent, it is good to see hunters are shooting this classical caliber more frequently...you will enjoy this rifle, start loading cast bullets and shoot it more..that is all that will help you to handle more recoil...you need to learn to shoot it faster, four rounds as fast as possible...enjoy your rifle..shortly you will realize you do not need another rifle..you can use this caliber from a small antelope to an elephant...I noticed the scope is a bit far back..will it be possible to move it forward to give you a longer eye relief? This way I am sure you will not be hit by the scope...

Gert

Thanks for the info Gert.
Problem is my eyesight. Also if I move the scope forward much more I get that "tunnel effect" of not getting a full f.o.v. I usually don't shoot with glasses (yes I know bad me) but one of the board members of the club was present so you know "I have to follow the rules". I'll try a few rounds rapid fire next time I'm at the range and see what happens. I had also considered an EOTECH type sight for it. I'll also have to try shooting off a set of sticks.
The old fuddy duddy's who run the range also have a bit of an issue when people take their rifles down to the 100yd targets, and start shooting at them whilst back up or running around frantically trying to mimic hunting close in or "oh shit run" situations.
Don't need another rifle...what kinda comment is that???? LOL I'm a gun collector and yes I will proudly admit it...I have a big bore addiction! What am I going to do with my 9.3x62, 375H&H, 416 Rigby, and especially my 450 Rigby? I'll have to appease Matt and get myself a Howitzer sized rifle next!