.404J - who would make your custom all-weather rifle?

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Hornedfrogbbq

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Well you stingy son-of-a-guns (pun intended) refuse to sell me the Heym Martini in 404J at anything in my budget SO, I am considering having Hill Country build me one of their customs. They use the Dakota 76 action and have a cool DG RDS red dot back-up config that with my eyes approaching 60 years, looks damn handy.

I have spoken with Matt there as well as Wars at Parkwest. Both rifles seem like they would fit the bill. For this project it is all about a rifle that can live in rain and mud. Synthetic stock a must but needs to weigh enough and be built strong enough to handle the .404J (not known for massive recoil anyway). $10k or less is the budget.

Any and all suggestions for different makers, stocks you would really want, other desirable features you would want would be most welcome.
 
Well, you might consider Matrix. He built a pair of 416 Remington, B&C stocks, Douglas barrels Parkwest 76. Then you could add their quarter rib kit, etc. I would think the south side of your budget.
I Just got a PW action, about 3-4 months.
 
Matt has built me the most accurate rifle I've ever owned, a true 1/4 inch .300 Win Mag I use primarily for Africa, a .300 WSM with CRF action that is my scabbard rifle for horseback hunts in griz country, a .280 AI that is my second most accurate rifle ever, and converted a .375 H&H to a .416 Rem Mag that JJ subsequently sold for me after I acquired my .404J. Being a Texas guy with roots in the Hill Country, I'm no doubt biased. But Matt will do you right.
 
I ordered a Parkwest Bushveld in 404J and with several adds, it was just over $10K. However, before they started I upgraded to a highly optioned Savanna in 404J. Now I wait..
 
I built my own 404. Czech military vs.24 Mauser action, Lija barrel, Swift-Blackburn bottom metal (416 Remington 3+1 worked without modification), Parkwest 3-position Model 70 safety, Winchester Safari Express iron sights (used eBay), Winchester engraved crossbolts, Warne QD rings (closeout sale muzzle loader supplies $65!), used stock (Gunbroker), black Pachmayer recoil pad (in the mail). Personally, I prefer standard length action for 404. Shorter bolt throw, lighter gun, and 404 fits standard action without modifying the locking ring or ejector. The good news is the project was finished in less than four months at less than $3K. Saving $7K = 3/4 bull buffalo. Yay!
PXL_20260314_032300305.jpg
 
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I talked to Hill Country about a similar 35 Whelen project and really liked what they offer. Ended up getting a RSM 375 which I had converted to 404J and Ruger African in 35W. Wanted traditional wood stock for my first safari. 35 Whelen with a synthetic stock and match grade barrel is definitely on my wish list! Have fun with the project!
 
wvfred said:
Find a Winchester M70 in 300 Ultra mag and build from there would probably be the least expensive way to go. Gene Simillion builds great rifles on these.
Click to expand...
The problem is finding a Winchester .300rum!
 
I have a 300RUM here that I was going to build a 404 on but I have a 416 Remington I use all the time so I came to my senses and decided to just keep using my 416. I'm try to decide what I may build on it or sell it.
 
LimbNoMo said:
The problem is finding a Winchester .300rum!
Click to expand...
If you're planning on having a smith build your 404, the bolt face of donor rifle is pretty much immaterial. I had a local machinist with no gunsmithing experience open up my 8mm Czech Mauser donor rifle's bolt face to accept 404 rim. Then I did the modifications to extractor and I'm no gunsmith. You don't need to find a 300 RUM donor. Convenient yes, essential no.
 
Here is the one I had Tip build. . .

These are the best pictures I have readily available.

Mark Bansner and D’ Arcy Echols are the other two I would consider depending on budget. Someone did tell me that Matt Roberts acquired Wayne’s/AHRs synthetic stocks, but I can’t remember who told me that. His synthetics were great.
 

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Hornedfrogbbq said:
Well you stingy son-of-a-guns (pun intended) refuse to sell me the Heym Martini in 404J at anything in my budget SO, I am considering having Hill Country build me one of their customs. They use the Dakota 76 action and have a cool DG RDS red dot back-up config that with my eyes approaching 60 years, looks damn handy.

I have spoken with Matt there as well as Wars at Parkwest. Both rifles seem like they would fit the bill. For this project it is all about a rifle that can live in rain and mud. Synthetic stock a must but needs to weigh enough and be built strong enough to handle the .404J (not known for massive recoil anyway). $10k or less is the budget.

Any and all suggestions for different makers, stocks you would really want, other desirable features you would want would be most welcome.
Click to expand...
If you can find an MRC Alaskan, they're all-weather OEM. I have one of those in LH. Only OEM LH 404J I've ever seen. I'm sure for the right price, you could get one converted from 300 RUM or something like that.

For my budget range, the old MRC model 99 have the sweetest trigger of anything I've ever shot - very little take-up and a nice, crisp break. Very hard to anticipate the recoil. I managed to get off 15 shots at my last trip to the range, off sticks, without developing the yips. Added a 1" recoil pad and a kydex cheek riser to mine to make it fit, that has made all the difference.
 
I had Hill Country build that exact rifle for me. Winchester M70 action, PacNor barrel, McMillan mag-fill Model 70 stock, NECG sights and barrel band swivel. Very accurate and I used to carry it a lot! It's taken several buffalo and elephant as well as plains game. You won't be disappointed with it...
 
Parkwest or Matt Roberts are the ones I would call.
 
For true all-weather living, nothing beats a well-bedded synthetic on a strong action with good coatings. Hill Country’s reputation for accuracy and function out of the box sealed it for me, sub-MOA with factory loads, reliable feeding even when dirty.
 
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