.404 JEFFERY - A Professional Hunter point of view

[Ole Bally]

How can you be intamatly familer with a rental.

As long as it's a make you already know and have one of, I don't see what the problem is! One Rugers the same as the next unless you have stocked your own differently...but the actions still the same!
You just have to get it shooting straight for you and you're done!

Sounds like you're building a case for excuses for :elch:not shooting straight!

 

[messmate]

This thread??....a well thrown hand grenade!

 

[lwaters]

I think that for most hunters going to Africa from other countries show more common sense just bringing a 375h&h or even the 375 ruger unless you are planning on shooting a heck of alot of thick skinned dangerous stuff. I would use my 338 winchester if it was legal for cape buffalo. What on earth would I use a 404 for here in north america? It would just be a safe queen. I think most Alaskan brown bears are shot with 338's. For me I would stick with one of the 375,s at least they aren't completely ridiculous for say elk or moose when I get home. Lenny

 

[sestoppelman]

Lenny you are right of course from the hunting perspective only. For some of us, just having one to play with and shoot for a while even if it never makes it to Africa is reason enough to own one. Need rarely enters into the equation. I have a .404 that I hope to shoot a buff with someday. It may never happen but its a neat rifle.

 

[lwaters]

Lenny you are right of course from the hunting perspective only. For some of us, just having one to play with and shoot for a while even if it never makes it to Africa is reason enough to own one. Need rarely enters into the equation. I have a .404 that I hope to shoot a buff with someday. It may never happen but its a neat rifle.

I have to admit I thought about getting a 416 ruger. I figured heck I have the 338 for moose, eland or any thin skinned dangerous game. It would be fun to play with and I may someday hunt cape buffalo. But then I think heck trade off the old tang safety 338 and get a nice 375 ruger or h&h. It will work on buff to and be better for the larger plains game or even grizzley or brown bear. I am going to Namibia next month for plains game so wish me luck with the old 338. Lenny

 

[sestoppelman]

I used the same model of .338 in RSA in '09 and it worked great especially when I pointed it the right direction! Great rifle. Good luck on your hunt, I think you will like Namibia, its great hunting.

 

[daggaboyblog]

That is a Bob Boatman article. Hmmm...

Guns are an important measure of a man in any safari camp, so on my last hunt in Zim I made sure I pulled the ZKK602 chambered in .450 Ackley out of the case first. An ugly beast that's done a bit of work since I picked it up from an old mate in 1996. When I dropped an old dagga boy with a single going-away shot I cemented my credibility in camp.

When I brought out my .300 Weatherby I wasn't sure what the boys in that Matetsi camp would think... but when the game fell to single shots at all manner of range, angle or speed, no one was really in a position to mock the bloke with the plastic-stocked rifle!

In his piece about the .404, Boatman went on to say:

"There are all kinds of ways to bring home the buffaloburger these days, including the latest short-fat-ugly cartridges that, on the rare occasions when they decide to feed from the magazine into the chamber, spit bullets at ungodly velocities out of lackluster stainless steel barrels cradled in the same kind of hardened chemical concoction you might use to wrap the handle of your hammer or float your boat. I wonder why nobody has any romantic stories to tell about those kinds of guns?"

I like a nice long case, so I'm with old Bob on that one. But regardless of what my Weatherby looks like, I have some wonderful stories to share when that rifle has been central to some inspiring days in the bush.

Just picked up my .450/400 3 /14" NE the other day, predecessor to the .404 Jeffery. So I guess I'm part of the "in crowd" now, even if a I do have a couple of plastic stocks in the safe.

 

[Ole Bally]

That is a Bob Boatman article. Hmmm...

Guns are an important measure of a man in any safari camp, so on my last hunt in Zim I made sure I pulled the ZKK602 chambered in .450 Ackley out of the case first. An ugly beast that's done a bit of work since I picked it up from an old mate in 1996. When I dropped an old dagga boy with a single going-away shot I cemented my credibility in camp.

When I brought out my .300 Weatherby I wasn't sure what the boys in that Matetsi camp would think... but when the game fell to single shots at all manner of range, angle or speed, no one was really in a position to mock the bloke with the plastic-stocked rifle!

The PH (in general) couldn't care less what make (or how it's stocked) you pull out the bag! (but that 450 Ackleys' a beaut!!) How you shoot it is soo much more important! 99% of us'd love a plastic stocked stainless steel 416 Rem as a plain work gun and a walnut stocked 500 double to just own for braggin' rights and dust the odd wounded buff or Ele with too!! Just can't get them nor afford them! Of course some PH's are spoiled! We hunt also because we love guns and seeing a client bring something special out is always a pleasure as we anticipate hours of pleasant discussion around the camp fire.

 

[TerryR]

First impressions last as long as your first shot. The 404j is easier to shoot well than any of the other 40 caliber and over choices. For that reason it is my choice for dangerous game.

 

[Ole Bally]

First impressions last as long as your first shot. The 404j is easier to shoot well than any of the other 40 caliber and over choices. For that reason it is my choice for dangerous game.

Hmmmm broad statement there Terry!! I certainly respect your personal preference, but may I venture to add that the 404 is also the smallest of the .40 cal's in common bolt action use and the ease of shooting it is only due low velocity / bullet weight combination which can (does) count against it! You gotta compare apples with apples! The 404 is really more in the 375's class rather than the 'bigger' .40's better termed .450+'s!
When we talk of DG weapons usually in the PH scene, the bar is set at .450> as opposed to .40>! Using 500 grain bullets makes all the difference in 'knockdown' power! The very fast 400gr out of the 416 Rem makes for excellent penetration and thus 'killing power' to give it a name! But for pure stopping power or knockdown value, a 500gr bullet doing between 2150 and 2300 fps is hard to beat!
If anyone'd like, I can attach a copy of 'Le Grange's 'Ballistics in perspective' so you can see what knockdown powers based on and how they arrived at the conclusions!
Kind regards
E

 

[Ole Bally]

My SA buddy has just bought a 404. question is where can one get 404 ammo in SA? Are 300 Gr factory loads available for it? What other loads are available commercially?

 

[peras]

Zimbi books in Pretoria stock .404 ammo

 

[miroflex]

What would be a reasonable price range for a .404 Jeffery by Jeffery in a Mauser 98 action in a well worn but serviceable condition?

Regards.

 

[spike.t]

welcome to AH. you need to be a bit more specific about the rifle, do you have the serial no?

 

[sestoppelman]

There is a like new Jeffery built .404J on Gunbroker.com right now asking 28K! If its Jeff built its gonna cost if servicable,not that much if well used but still could run upwards of 5-8K.

 

[miroflex]

There is a like new Jeffery built .404J on Gunbroker.com right now asking 28K! If its Jeff built its gonna cost if servicable,not that much if well used but still could run upwards of 5-8K.

Hello,

Thank you for your helpful post. I am based in India and am being offered a well worn .404 Jeffery for the equivalent of $ 2,000. What is your advice?

Regards

 

[miroflex]

welcome to AH. you need to be a bit more specific about the rifle, do you have the serial no?

Hello,

Thanks for your query, I don't have the serial number right now but will try to get and post it here.

Regards.

 

[DOC-404]

I am based in India and am being offered a well worn .404 Jeffery for the equivalent of $ 2,000. What is your advice?

..what is your definition of 'well worn' ? ..try and post some photo's. Also, get a good 'smithy to check it out properly. You could be seriously fortunate but, you could also end up with crap..

 

[spike.t]

Hello,

Thanks for your query, I don't have the serial number right now but will try to get and post it here.

Regards.

also how worn is the blueing, and what state is the wood in. well worn and looked after, is a lot different to well worn thrown in the corner not looked after.

 

[miroflex]

..what is your definition of 'well worn' ? ..try and post some photo's. Also, get a good 'smithy to check it out properly. You could be seriously fortunate but, you could also end up with crap..

I mean that the bluing has worn off, especially from the barrel, just ahead of the action. The folding leaves of the rear sights are rather stiff and seem to have been knocked about a bit. The stock is dull looking and has signs of chipping and one or two cracks. The dealer says that the wear and tear is mostly external and the action and barrel have very little wear. I am not sure about how to go ahead.

Regards.