404J Options/recommendations

[TucsonFX4]

This isn’t likely something I will be biting on soon, but I have an interest in eventually adding a 404 Jeffery to my collection. It seems, in my novice experience, that about the only options are converting a rifle or buying/building a custom or premium rifle in the caliber.

For an average fellow like me that can’t justify $10k+ on a rifle, what options should I like at to become a 404J owner? Preferably, rifle budget of about $3k to likely max of $4k. Possible?

I am a fan of the Win Model 70’s, and consider them to be guns I will pass down to my son one day. I would like a 404J rifle of similar usefulness, dependability, and quality.

Thanks!

 

[K E Johnson]

Really, really depends on what you want.

I am having a Winchester 70 that was chambered in .300 RUM built To 404 Jeffery. I am having a custom stock to my dimensions, drop bottom metal for additional magazine capacity, my choice of sights, and quarter rib. Several months into the project. Other than visiting to pick out a stock blank back In March, no idea when it will be done. Don’t know what cost will end up for sure. It will most likely exceed your upper budget. It won’t be a $10 K rifle, but will hopefully be what I want.

If you use the factory stock, I can see it done in your budget.

There is a CZ 550 404 on Gunbroker. It was over $3,000 last I looked with time to go. It is stock.

Do some research on what you want. Look hard at who you want to build it.
That is part of the fun!

On edit, with everything hard to get, assuming you hand load, I would recommend starting to pick up reloading components if you can find them.
I am still looking for brass.

Best of luck with your build.

 

[cknwax]

I used a brand new CZ 550 375 H&H as a donor rifle. Sent it to Randy Selby for the conversion. I have a little under $2K in the rifle all in. Shot an elephant with it a month ago and it performed flawlessly.,

 

[Rob404]

I just finished having a Jeff built on a Winchester M70 donor 375HH cal

 

[cmk]

I had mine built on a Sako AV (thats a mid-80's model) in 6.5x55 (about $700). Found a used Lothar Walther barrel which already had nice stuff like a rear sight, banded sling swivel and front sight, with very nice blueing (another $700?). A smith switched the barrel and did little bit of metalwork on the magazine box and the feeding (another $800-ish). Had a new stock done (which is of course totally optional). About $1800 for that.

So it can be done rather cheaply - if you're lucky to find the parts you need..

 

[Shako Badhan]

I would also recommend the CZ 550. You can still find them from time to time at the under 2k mark, but they don't last long at the price. The CZ also makes for a great base to build from down the line if you want to customize it and make it our own. I have an AHR CZ 550 and could not be happier with it.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Find a Winchester Model 70 in a RUM caliber, order a 404J barrel and send it to Dennis Olson in Montana.

I joined the 404 Jeffery Club today

For the last couple of years, anyone that's a regular on this site knows there has been a lot of positive comments and chatter on the 404 Jeffery. To be fair, that same statement can be made for..........pick a caliber. However, the 404 seemed to have a special place in African history and...

www.africahunting.com

 

[TucsonFX4]

Thanks for all the suggestions. If starting with a donor rifle (whether it be cz550 or M70), is there a better starting cartridge such as 375h&h, 300RUM, etc?

It seems I’ve read of some concerns about sufficient metal on bolt face/extractor, magazine box and rails, etc.

 

[Flipper Dude]

To Dennis Olson

From Dennis Olson

 

[White32]

I recommend CZ 550 .

 

[Tucketed]

Dennis Olson converted my Win Model 70 375 to 404. Unless you want a new stock of fine wood it is very reasonable. A new barrel, metal work etc.

 

[Shootist43]

I have two 404 Jeffery caliber rifles. One a CZ 550 the other a converted Model 70. The Model 70 has the smoother action (work was done by Randy Selby) both shoot under an inch with Von Gruff's Accuracy Load.

 

[TucsonFX4]

Dennis Olson converted my Win Model 70 375 to 404. Unless you want a new stock of fine wood it is very reasonable. A new barrel, metal work etc.

Thanks for the info. There seem to be a good number of folks that have used him to convert a M70 to 404J. He will likely be on my short list.

 

[Sideshow]

This thread is worthless with out pics

 

[Inline6]

Or...get on in a 416 and use the funds to put an animal in the salt. They won't know if they were shot with a 416 or 404.

If it is a bucket list thing I get it, ammo is something else to take into consideration.

 

[HWL]

Or...get on in a 416 and use the funds to put an animal in the salt. They won't know if they were shot with a 416 or 404.

That's a lie...

Your .416 Remington-Magnum will bounce of the belly of a donkey----

----and the .404 Jeffrey is a dragon slayer!!!

HWL

 

[Inline6]

That's a lie...

Your .416 Remington-Magnum will bounce of the belly of a donkey----

----and the .404 Jeffrey is a dragon slayer!!!

HWL

That's what I did wrong.

 

[meigsbucks]

Sauer 404 is available with a .404 J barrel. As it has interchangeable barrels, you could fill a few needs / wants with one rifle.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Get your hands on a second hand Cogswell & Harrison .404 Jeffery. They stopped being made in 1952. But last time I checked, they can be found floating around the secondhand market for not a lot of money (on account of those cheap aluminum alloy magazines).

 

[TucsonFX4]

Get your hands on a second hand Cogswell & Harrison .404 Jeffery. They stopped being made in 1952. But last time I checked, they can be found floating around the secondhand market for not a lot of money (on account of those cheap aluminum alloy magazines).
View attachment 476206

Interesting, thanks for the info