.404 is here

[Jaegger]

After many months being gone she has made it back. My Winchester 7mm STW has been converted into a magnificent .404 Jeffery. I handed my rifle off to Dennis Olsen last June and I got it back last week and it is a work of art to say the least.

He rebarreled and chambered added sights and a barrel band then blued.
Bedded the action. He then added a cross bolt. He removed the front sling mount and filled it with a blued screw. Put some Talley qd mounts with the larger screws. Worked on the action for perfect feeding and locking up like a tank. He put on a new recoil pad. Then to finish it off , done a little work on the trigger.

Thx for the post, very interesting start caliber & even more interesting finished caliber + a great classic looking finished rifle many would be proud to carry!

I know ‘notta’ about gunsmith, starting w/ 7MM STW & finishing w/ a .404 Jefferys just blows my mind! Projects/posts like yours opens a new hobby aspiration … any suggests on reference materials or a website I can visit to get some basic gunsmithing roots?

My short background: American, live/work in Germany for the US DoD & secured my German hunting license/weapon permit (2004) + reloading license (2007) & mostly to own/transport my rifles for African PG hunting.

I have no European make/calibers in the gun barn & wish to add afew & I’ve been reading “anything” European makes/models on AH, opinions & projects. I’ve learned enough over the past few months on AH to realize: 1) I’ve seen & passed on quality ‘gem’s in the rough’ on used rifle racks or online auction sites that would superb refinish or possibly a caliber swap project rifle. 2) Kick myself in the ass for waiting so long w/ this hobby! Honestly: few Europeans who are big bore fans & some gems are collecting shop dust or reappearing on auction sites.

I‘m confident it starts w/ a quality gunsmith in your corner who can truly make or break a project - break like in budget buster!

Greatly appreciate any additional advice on how to get smarter on the topic or a starting direction & from any members … happy trails!

 

[Lhleggtowner]

Sorry I don’t know a lot of gunsmithing books. Over my 52 years of life all I have ever done is something to do with guns or hunting. I have read as a boy up until now and probably tomorrow , haha is something about guns. I have zero smithing experience, but I am knowledgeable as to point myself in the right direction. See, I wanted a 416 Rigby but the bolt face was to small. There are 3 common bolt faces.
.223 , .308 and a magnum style. Which think of it as small, medium , large. The rigby is extra large.

basically the Jeffery has the same size case at the base as the stw. When you screwed that barrel off you could make about any normal magnum out of the rifle.
if you run across any of those 9.3x62 on the cheap , that is a grand old round and about the same power as the 375 h&h. It is a great round and not to rough on the shoulder. These 2 rounds are minimum by law in most countries to hunt dangerous game.

if you ever got any questions feel free to give me a shout. Good luck

 

[shark_za]

The bolt is on the right side for a change!

It does look a little light for a 404J , how does it shoot?

 

[Daga Boy]

Very Nice!

 

[Jaegger]

Sorry I don’t know a lot of gunsmithing books. Over my 52 years of life all I have ever done is something to do with guns or hunting. I have read as a boy up until now and probably tomorrow , haha is something about guns. I have zero smithing experience, but I am knowledgeable as to point myself in the right direction. See, I wanted a 416 Rigby but the bolt face was to small. There are 3 common bolt faces.
.223 , .308 and a magnum style. Which think of it as small, medium , large. The rigby is extra large.

basically the Jeffery has the same size case at the base as the stw. When you screwed that barrel off you could make about any normal magnum out of the rifle.
if you run across any of those 9.3x62 on the cheap , that is a grand old round and about the same power as the 375 h&h. It is a great round and not to rough on the shoulder. These 2 rounds are minimum by law in most countries to hunt dangerous game.

if you ever got any questions feel free to give me a shout. Good luck

Got it - thx for the response, Lesson 1: 3/common bolt face sizes & as example: STW vs Jeffery have the same case base diameter makes total sense on your converse.

I‘m totally onboard 9.3x62 train also … I’m following a Mauser 98 in that caliber, FN Custom in 7x57 (1985), M98 Custom in 8x64S (2002) & the sleeper steal may be a mint Ruger #1 .300 Win Mag (2002) @ $640.

I appreciate the PM shout-out offer … happy trails w/ new .404!

 

[Ridgewalker]

Very handsome piece!