404 Jeffery Handloads

[Aussie_Hunter]

What's your go to 404 Jeffery load?

I have plenty of loading data in the Woodleigh manual, going to try the Woodleigh 450 grain RNSN loads with 82 grains of AR2209 but I'm keen to hear what everyone else is using in their 404 Jeffery.

 

[deewayne2003]

Good luck sir I think you’ll be pleased

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I settled on 80 gr Accurate 4350 for 400 gr Barnes X and TSX.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

400 Grain Swift A-Frame
84 grains of H4350
400 Grain North Fork FTS
83.7 grains of H4350
2300 FPS
This is the load I got from Von Gruff and it works flawlessly

HH

 

[Dirtdart]

Woodleigh 450 RNSN
76 gr. Norma 203B
Federal 215 primer
Average velocity 2151 FPS 22" barrel

 

[cmk]

400gn bullets (A-Frame, NorthFork, TSX, Woodleigh).
LRM primers
72gn Norma 203B (~Re-15)
or
87gn Norma MRP (~Re-22)
Approx 2225 f/s

 

[Ontario Hunter]

400 Grain Swift A-Frame
84 grains of H4350
400 Grain North Fork FTS
83.7 grains of H4350
2300 FPS
This is the load I got from Von Gruff and it works flawlessly

HH

I also tried Von Gruff's 84 gr 4350 with Accurate powder (no Hodgon available at end of pandemic). I found the recoil was more than desirable. Not surprising as 2300 fps is scooting right along for that caliber.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Woodleigh 450 RNSN
76 gr. Norma 203B
Federal 215 primer
Average velocity 2151 FPS 22" barrel

With my 24" barrel I'm hoping to get around 2180fps wit the 450 grain Woodleighs. Should be fairly easy to achieve I think, looking at this data 2151 fps with a 22" barrel.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I am loading 404J with:

RWS or Norma brass
Swift AFrame 400 grain bullet
Rem 9-1/2M primers
VV N-150 76 grains
Velocity is 2280 -2295 fps

I have loaded up to 2400+ fps, but there is no need for that speed. I try to stay at about 2300 fps. Kills buff like a hammer and recoil is no problem.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

400 Grain Swift A-Frame
84 grains of H4350
400 Grain North Fork FTS
83.7 grains of H4350
2300 FPS
This is the load I got from Von Gruff and it works flawlessly

HH

+1

400 gr Swift A Frame over 84.0 gr H4350 and Federal 215 large rifle magnum primer is the magic load.

 

[x84958]

Hi all,

I was planning to reload several 404 Jeffery cartridges with 84 grains of H4350 (the “magic” load), using Barnes TSX 400 grain, and Hornady brass (once fired). It appears the bullet will compress the powder pretty deeply at 3.52” COAL.

In your experience, did this specific load create any overpressure signs using 84gr of H4350? I’ll be shooting from a Mauser 98 action and barrel.

Appreciate any thoughts on the topic.

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

Hi all,

I was planning to reload several 404 Jeffery cartridges with 84 grains of H4350 (the “magic” load), using Barnes TSX 400 grain, and Hornady brass (once fired). It appears the bullet will compress the powder pretty deeply at 3.52” COAL.

In your experience, did this specific load create any overpressure signs using 84gr of H4350? I’ll be shooting from a Mauser 98 action and barrel.

Appreciate any thoughts on the topic.

that's a hot load, 80-81 is over 100% case capacity, if you want bump up some speed, try varget

 

[Nevada Mike]

The 404J was designed to operate at relatively low pressure and is very effective at velocities between 2150 and 2300 FPS. I love mine.

My load is 75.5 grains of VV N150 with a 400 grain Swift AFrame. Produces 2280 (ave) FPS with manageable recoil. I have loaded the 404J to a bit over 2400 FPS and got nothing additional beyond a lot more recoil.

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

The 404J was designed to operate at relatively low pressure and is very effective at velocities between 2150 and 2300 FPS. I love mine.

My load is 75.5 grains of VV N150 with a 400 grain Swift AFrame. Produces 2280 (ave) FPS with manageable recoil. I have loaded the 404J to a bit over 2400 FPS and got nothing additional beyond a lot more recoil.

Agreed,
The only way I would push it a little closer to max is if I were using monolithic projectiles like a Barnes TSX.

 

[Atticus]

I’ve been loading CZ 404 to 2225+- with 400grn TSX and 78.5 gr H4350. Seems sufficient and is very accurate. Absolutely love the cartridge and rifle. I spoke to the folks at Barnes and they gave me a minimum expansion velocity of 1600 fps so no problem there.

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

I’ve been loading CZ 404 to 2225+- with 400grn TSX and 78.5 gr H4350. Seems sufficient and is very accurate. Absolutely love the cartridge and rifle. I spoke to the folks at Barnes and they gave me a minimum expansion velocity of 1600 fps so no problem there.

View attachment 758536

Yes, they gave me that exact same minimum velocity as well, but I am not super confident, have you used yours on Game as yet?

 

[Atticus]

Yes, they gave me that exact same minimum velocity as well, but I am not super confident, have you used yours on Game as yet?

I have not. I went with the TSX when I couldn't find Aframes (still can't) and, as they shot well and had a good reputation, figured I'd call it good. That said, I'm thinking of trying out some of Northfork's Semi Spitzers. They seem to be getting good reviews from the field and are available. The rifle is in the shop for some final upgrades--looking forward to getting it back to the range.

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

I have not. I went with the TSX when I couldn't find Aframes (still can't) and, as they shot well and had a good reputation, figured I'd call it good. That said, I'm thinking of trying out some of Northfork's Semi Spitzers. They seem to be getting good reviews from the field and are available. The rifle is in the shop for some final upgrades--looking forward to getting it back to the range.

So long as they are bonded you should be good to go,
I was advised to use the TSX and push them quickly so I would only be taking one bullet with me instead of softs and solids,
I will do lots of testing here soon when I get my other 404, sold one recently so I’m - a 404 at the moment