Disappointed In My New 404 Jeffery

The Germans loaded the 404 at 2300 fps to mimic the .416 Rigby , but one could load it much higher also with 400 grains of one wished for . And it’s a very versatile cartridge to load for . And the 2300ish make it quite a hammer with the 200 fps above the old British data .
Recoil tolerance is very personal. I loaded for my 404 shooting 400 swifts and Barnes from 2150 fps up the ladder to 2400 + fps. I settled on 2250 for my buff hunt. IMy rifle weighs 10lbs., 3 oz. loaded to hunt and I find the recoil quite tolerable, though a bit violent shooting from a bench with max loads. I am not a large or heavy person, but I shoot more than most hunters. The 404J recoil is s bit more than a 375 H&H, which I find comfortable. YMMV.
 
Recoil tolerance is very personal. I loaded for my 404 shooting 400 swifts and Barnes from 2150 fps up the ladder to 2400 + fps. I settled on 2250 for my buff hunt. IMy rifle weighs 10lbs., 3 oz. loaded to hunt and I find the recoil quite tolerable, though a bit violent shooting from a bench with max loads. I am not a large or heavy person, but I shoot more than most hunters. The 404J recoil is s bit more than a 375 H&H, which I find comfortable. YMMV.
Loaded it with 300 grain mono copper HP . The firm is closed down years ago , but I think NF could be asked to make one , or Rhino . That was into 165 .30-06 ballistics .

350 Woodleigh / 10,75 Mauser bullets were Exellent also.
 
Just for the record I didn’t get a muzzle break on my 416WSM even though the smith did recommend it. Don’t regret it.
I hate muzzle brakes. Not condemning those that like them, I just won't have them on my rifles. I'm too old school to be cool.
 
I hate muzzle brakes. Not condemning those that like them, I just won't have them on my rifles. I'm too old school to be cool.
I am in complete agreement on this. Making a big caliber rifle even more uncomfortably loud to the shooter and those in close proximity is I think not necessary, and maybe even a bit rude. I have been known to even make them unwelcome on my home range.
Suppressors are quite welcome and encouraged. I do most of my hunting these days with suppressed rifles and the outfitters I work with love them.
 
I am in complete agreement on this. Making a big caliber rifle even more uncomfortably loud to the shooter and those in close proximity is I think not necessary, and maybe even a bit rude. I have been known to even make them unwelcome on my home range.
Suppressors are quite welcome and encouraged. I do most of my hunting these days with suppressed rifles and the outfitters I work with love them.
Yes they are otc here in Europe..so have them on my hunting rifles
 
Recoil tolerance is very personal. I loaded for my 404 shooting 400 swifts and Barnes from 2150 fps up the ladder to 2400 + fps. I settled on 2250 for my buff hunt. IMy rifle weighs 10lbs., 3 oz. loaded to hunt and I find the recoil quite tolerable, though a bit violent shooting from a bench with max loads. I am not a large or heavy person, but I shoot more than most hunters. The 404J recoil is s bit more than a 375 H&H, which I find comfortable. YMMV.

Agree i just ran some number through the online recoil calculator. In my 12 lb (with scope) unloaded CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery shooting a 570g TSX at 2300 fps with 103g of powder recoil is 88 ft lbs

To equal that in a 404 Jeffery shooting a 400g bullet at 2150 fps with 80g of powder the rifle would have to weigh 6 lbs.
 
Agree i just ran some number through the online recoil calculator. In my 12 lb (with scope) unloaded CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery shooting a 570g TSX at 2300 fps with 103g of powder recoil is 88 ft lbs

To equal that in a 404 Jeffery shooting a 400g bullet at 2150 fps with 80g of powder the rifle would have to weigh 6 lbs.
I presume you're shooting 4350 powder? That is an excellent comparison. Now I know if someone tries to hand me a 500 Jeffery of any ilk, I'll take off running in the other direction. :D
 
Agree i just ran some number through the online recoil calculator. In my 12 lb (with scope) unloaded CZ 550 in 500 Jeffery shooting a 570g TSX at 2300 fps with 103g of powder recoil is 88 ft lbs

To equal that in a 404 Jeffery shooting a 400g bullet at 2150 fps with 80g of powder the rifle would have to weigh 6 lbs.
As I said, I've pushed 400 gr SAFs from my 10lb., 3oz. 404J up to a little over 2400 fps. The recoild starts to add up and at top levels is tough. It is also not needed. 2200 to 2300 works just fine on buff.
 
I agree while recoil in my 500 Jeffery with 570g at 2300 fps is "sporty" at 2510 fps it's flat out punishing
 

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