rookhawk
AH ambassador
Gents,
I'm not a handloader (by choice...time=money equation issues) so question will be in the context of factory ammo. I just dusted off a custom built 404J that I've not played with much at all and started staring at it. I was thinking about sending it to G&H for a sidemount and to slap a 1-6 straight tube swarovski on it I had lingering for such a project. Before I do that and tie up almost $4000 in scope and mounts to this gun, I wanted some input from the peanut gallery.
Last trip to Africa I had a gun issue (loose forend on my 7x57 and no turn screw!) so I used my .375 for about everything the latter half of the trip. The culmination of this was a 340 yard shot on a bushbuck which surprising to all, hit its mark. I know my Cogswell & Harrison 375 is a laser beam for long range work but it is also not the world's best choice for dangerous game. (e.g. perfect shot on Buffalo does not give me the DRT experience)
For my upcoming hunt this May / June I was contemplating bringing the .404 IF it can provide accuracy out to 350 yards for just such emergency situations that befell my last hunt. I'd primarily use the .404J for Eland and Leopard, perhaps a tuskless if I get a license, but ultimately would want to be able to throw a solid in and take a Klippy at 280 yards too.
So, that was the setup to the question. Will the 404J generally speaking, with factory ammo, give me that same reach out and touch someone accuracy that a 375HH will or is this 404J better suited for iron sight work inside 120 yards? All this matters as I try to plan my gun battery.
I'm not a handloader (by choice...time=money equation issues) so question will be in the context of factory ammo. I just dusted off a custom built 404J that I've not played with much at all and started staring at it. I was thinking about sending it to G&H for a sidemount and to slap a 1-6 straight tube swarovski on it I had lingering for such a project. Before I do that and tie up almost $4000 in scope and mounts to this gun, I wanted some input from the peanut gallery.
Last trip to Africa I had a gun issue (loose forend on my 7x57 and no turn screw!) so I used my .375 for about everything the latter half of the trip. The culmination of this was a 340 yard shot on a bushbuck which surprising to all, hit its mark. I know my Cogswell & Harrison 375 is a laser beam for long range work but it is also not the world's best choice for dangerous game. (e.g. perfect shot on Buffalo does not give me the DRT experience)
For my upcoming hunt this May / June I was contemplating bringing the .404 IF it can provide accuracy out to 350 yards for just such emergency situations that befell my last hunt. I'd primarily use the .404J for Eland and Leopard, perhaps a tuskless if I get a license, but ultimately would want to be able to throw a solid in and take a Klippy at 280 yards too.
So, that was the setup to the question. Will the 404J generally speaking, with factory ammo, give me that same reach out and touch someone accuracy that a 375HH will or is this 404J better suited for iron sight work inside 120 yards? All this matters as I try to plan my gun battery.