What bullet for my 404 Jeffery

Shootist43

Shootist43

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Ok, I have the rifle, the dies and brass are on their way. But what bullet should I get? The only DG that I would ever consider is a Cape Buffalo. When I asked a similar question for my 416 Rigby the most common answer was the Swift A Frame. I am currently considering three options, a 400 Gr. Woodleigh Weldcore, a 400 Gr. Barnes TSX and the 400 Gr. Swift A Frame. Is there really a need to consider both a solid and a soft point? Which would you choose and why?
 
Shootist43 said:
Ok, I have the rifle, the dies and brass are on their way. But what bullet should I get? The only DG that I would ever consider is a Cape Buffalo. When I asked a similar question for my 416 Rigby the most common answer was the Swift A Frame. I am currently considering three options, a 400 Gr. Woodleigh Weldcore, a 400 Gr. Barnes TSX and the 400 Gr. Swift A Frame. Is there really a need to consider both a solid and a soft point? Which would you choose and why?
Click to expand...

Have you taken a look at the North Fork bullets? I should be working on a .404J load in about a month or so, when the Phoenix heat finally gives in.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with any of the bullets you're considering, or North Fork. They are all high quality premium bullets. So whatever shoots best....

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/one-and-only-one-bullet-manufacturer-for-dangerous-game.39399/

When I recently went through the same soft/solid exercise with my Lott I started with North Fork, because I wanted a soft/solid combo (and cause Phil said they were awesome). They both shoot at exactly same POI and are extremely accurate from my rifle, so I was done. If I could get the Barnes Banded Solid in .458 I likely would have started there, but alas ATF prevented that!

Honestly, the next time I hunt a buffalo I think I'll have a magazine full of soft points and I don't see any reason to use a soft/solid combo anymore on buffalo, if you use a true premium bullet. I'll run this by my PH at the time and do as asked though (first buff I had two softs and three solids in the magazine).
 
I use in my 404Jeffery cartrides from RWS with bullet softpoint ( 400gr).
I also use cartridges from Hornady with bullet DGX ( 400gr ).
 
Swift A frame and or Woodleigh are my 2 bullets of choice .
 
Dr. Kevin Robertson at Africa Wildlife College , South Africa use only Dzombo bullets, 400-450 gn solids. North Fork bullets as softs...they use it on elephant and buffalo every other dangerous game animal, it is their work..so they need to have bullets that really work...(y)(y) Most of the Game Rangers use the Dzombo solids as well..
 
My absolute preference would be to find some .423" BBCs, but they haven't been made for several years and when they were, they were in short supply at that time. The nearest bullet to them in design is the Woodleigh, which is the one I would choose. For a solid, again, the Woodleigh but I'd give their mono=metal one a try.
 
for buffalo id recommend the 400gr A-frame.

for everything else, id look into Hawk bullets for something in the 300-350gr range.

-matt
 
Art you already know what I use!
 
.404J - I'd start with the 430gr Northfork.
 
We are blessed to be living in an age where we have such choices. You have mentioned several premium bullets and I am not sure you could go wrong with any of them. I have used Swift A-frame, Barnes going back to the plain old x-bullet, and the Woodleigh soft and solids. I have no experience with North Fork bullets but I am sure they make a wonderful bullet.

I use Woodleigh bullets in most of my rifles. This is not because I feel they are better but I do prefer them. Part of the reason is because I shoot a few old English calibers in uncommon diameters, which limits my options. I have also found loading their softs and solids in a cartridge does not alter the point of impact enough that I need to tweak the load. Please note; most of the rifles I shoot Woodleigh bullets through are open sighted rifles so my shooting is not as precise as a scoped rifles.

Woodleigh bullets can be hard to come by at times and may even have to be special ordered. Because Swift and Barnes bullets are manufactured in the States, availability should be better.

You may want to pick up a box of each and work up loads with the different bullets. I have found some rifles do not like the Barnes TSX. Some bullets will shoot better in certain rifles, so if you have the time and the money give it go. I wish you the best in your venture to find the right bullet.
 
Many excellent choices mentioned. I would recommend the 400gr. A-Frame...because they just work.
 
Well maybe this helps you make a choice :)

L to R: Northfork, A-Frame, Barnes, Rhino

IMG_3056.JPG
IMG_3060.JPG
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Of the 3 you have mentioned Swift A frame 400gr or if you use the Woodleigh I would go with the 450gr one loaded to about 2150-2200 fps.

If you have access to Rhino bullets that would be the best option(weight forward, bonded solid rear core design).

In my opinion, solids are over rated for buffalo and in most cases are more dangerous to use than softs.

As a client, there will be no need for solid bullets if your main target animal as mentioned is buffalo. I have seen more clients get into trouble using solids while hunting buffalo than withsofts. Using solids in any herd situation or even when hunting groups of bulls is just looking for trouble.

Make your first shot count then you don't need the second shot.

If using good quality softs, you can take most shots without having to wait for the buff to clear others behind.

I have stopped buffalo on many occasions, charging or going away using only soft nosed bullets. I do use a 500 Jeff loaded with 570 gr Rhino bullets @ 2350 fps and this combination is devastating on buffalo even under the most difficult situations. Ranges at which I have used this combination on have been from 7 to 40 yards. Placed correctly this combination has sorted it all out every time with one shot.

You have in the 404 Jeff, the most appropriate and best caliber for hunting buffalo. Loaded correctly it will be just as devastating with good shot placement as it's bigger brother. I would not bother with solids for buffalo hunting with the 404 Jeff.

Good luck and good hunting.
 
All those will work. Swift A frame and woodleigh are excellent. So is Barnes. Stay with softs.
 
why I like the Swifts more than the Woodleighs is because you can now get the Swift Solid as well , although some comments have been to only use softs I would load a solid down below in the 2nd and 3rd position.

I prefer using a soft and solid made by the same company , namely here Swift Aframe and then the Swift BreakAway solid .

However in conclusion , stay with the well constructed premium brands and you will be on the right path.
 
Shootist43 said:
Ok, I have the rifle, the dies and brass are on their way. But what bullet should I get? The only DG that I would ever consider is a Cape Buffalo. When I asked a similar question for my 416 Rigby the most common answer was the Swift A Frame. I am currently considering three options, a 400 Gr. Woodleigh Weldcore, a 400 Gr. Barnes TSX and the 400 Gr. Swift A Frame. Is there really a need to consider both a solid and a soft point? Which would you choose and why?[/


I suggest you try both the solids and the Woodleigh bullets to see what groups you get.
Click to expand...
 
My 2 cents. I took my last buffalo with 400 gr tsx in my 404 J. They shoot well in my rifle and my PH recommends them because solids are not necessary. Maybe they aren't anyway with the other premium bullets. The tsx performed perfectly. Didn't try any of the others you mentioned
 
I was very pleased with the performance of 400 gr TSX on buffalo. I think you can't go wrong with any of the bullets on your short list.
 
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