Best Barrel length for 404 Jeffery?

[AZDAVE]

Well I have wanted a 404 for a few years. I thought about selling my Ruger RSM 375 and buying a CZ 550 but my Ruger has such a nice Circassian stock. Since there are two 375's in the safe. I am going to re-barrel the ruger. For those that have a 404 what would you recommend for barrel length?

 

[enysse]

I think 24 inch is a nice compromise, no more than 26.

 

[sestoppelman]

Depends on ones preference. An inch or two either way wont affect velocity enough to matter. Some say shorter barrels being stiffer shoot better, possible. I like 24 but I wouldn't pass on one that was 23, maybe even 22. What I don't like is a long forearm and a short barrel. Just doesn't look right.

 

[Hank2211]

I have a .404, and while I didn't try a bunch of barrels before I had it made, 24 looked right, felt right, and shoots great.

 

[Cable68]

I guess I'm the oddball here mine is 25 inches. Saw that length mentioned in an article as the common length in the originals.

 

[Jack Stevens]

23" is the new standard for a .404 Jeff "carbine."

 

[VonJager]

23" is the new standard for a .404 Jeff "carbine."

View attachment 407825

Pretty

 

[IdaRam]

23" is the new standard for a .404 Jeff "carbine."

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Beautiful! And exactly the right barrel length

 

[Just Gina]

My .404 Jeffery has a 24" barrel.

 

[HWL]

25,6",.... all the power and pleasant to shot.

HWL

 

[Probono]

between 24" and 26", whichever balanced the best.

 

[bowjijohn]

Mine is a 26" barrel

 

[Ray B]

Of the 404s that I've had a chance to hold, a total of three; A Churchill Mauser had , I think, a 25"; a PO Ackley M 70 24" and a Tipton Burns M 70 23". All three seemed very well balanced so I suspect it's a matter of where the weight is placed and how it balances.

 

[Spearhead]

23" is the new standard for a .404 Jeff "carbine."

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Gorgeous rifle!

 

[Nevada Mike]

I asked Reto to barrel my .404 with a 23" PacNor barrel. I don't like excessively long barrels on most rifles, though my Ruger No. 1 (.25-'06) has a 25" barrel.

The .404 is a close range firearm, shorter barrels to not create any ballistic handicap at close range.

 

[Ray B]

Using a Powley Computer (slide rule), with case capacity of 102 gr water, 88 gr powder the expansion ratios run from 9.4 with 20" barrel to 11.6 with a 25" barrel. the velocity change for the 5 inches of barrel is 80 fps for a 400 gr bullet and 65 fps for a 450 grain bullet. With muzzle velocities 2250 to 2450 the change due to these barrel lengths in this cartridge are quite negligible.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Owning four .404Js. in barrels lengths 22" to 26", including one original I would go with 24" although I would feel just as comfortable with a 22" barrel.

No matter what, I believe you will love the caliber. I love seeing BIG holes in the kill zone!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Well I have wanted a 404 for a few years. I thought about selling my Ruger RSM 375 and buying a CZ 550 but my Ruger has such a nice Circassian stock. Since there are two 375's in the safe. I am going to re-barrel the ruger. For those that have a 404 what would you recommend for barrel length?

Just a thought. Most of the Ruger 77 Safari Rifles I have seen seemed a little heavy barreled for caliber. Would it be wise to keep the same barrel length and contour, but in a .404J bore which would make it just slightly lighter. Since the dimensions of the .375 H&H is a bit longer I guess it would not be possible or practical to rebore. I'm sure you are aware this conversion will require action/bolt/magazine mods.