My .404J Load Development

[Nevada Mike]

I've been doing initial load development for my 404 Jeffery. Rifle is a Granite Mountain Mauser 98 with 23" PacNor barrel and Leupold VX6HD 1-6X scope.

I tested the following powders:

IMR4350
VV N-150
H4831
Superformance
Hybrid 100V
Norma N204

Frankly, they all provided adequate performance for DG in my rifle, but I explored N-150 more than the others. I have 4 lbs. of N-150, so I wanted to use it if suitable.

Here are a couple of results...

Powder - 76 Grains N-150
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2302 fps
(This load grouped very well and met my velocity goals. Recoil is moderate in my rifle)

Powder - 78 Grains N-150
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2340 fps

Powder - 80 Grains N-150
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2411 fps

Powder - 83.5 Grains IMR4350
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2401 fps
This load performed well, but I have only 1 lb. of this powder.

Powder - 90 Grains Superformance
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2364 fps

I will test the first load further and try to develop a load for Barnes 400 grain banded solids that will shoot to the same point of impact. I must add that shooting some of these strings off the bench did get my attention.

 

[cmk]

I've been doing initial load development for my 404 Jeffery. Rifle is a Granite Mountain Mauser 98 with 23" PacNor barrel and Leupold VX6HD 1-6X scope.

I tested the following powders:

IMR4350
VV N-150
H4831
Superformance
Hybrid 100V
Norma N204

Frankly, they all provided adequate performance for DG in my rifle, but I explored N-150 more than the others. I have 4 lbs. of N-150, so I wanted to use it if suitable.

Here are a couple of results...

Powder - 76 Grains N-150
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2302 fps
(This load grouped very well and met my velocity goals. Recoil is moderate in my rifle)

Powder - 78 Grains N-150
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2340 fps

Powder - 80 Grains N-150
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2411 fps

Powder - 83.5 Grains IMR4350
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2401 fps
This load performed well, but I have only 1 lb. of this powder.

Powder - 90 Grains Superformance
Bullet - 400 Grain Swift A Frame (crimped)
Case - Norma
Primer - WLRM
Ave of three shots - 2364 fps

I will test the first load further and try to develop a load for Barnes 400 grain banded solids that will shoot to the same point of impact. I must add that shooting some of these strings off the bench did get my attention.

In my somewhat limited experience, the 404 can handle quite a few types of powder for the ordinary 400gr weight of bullet. Where I live, Norma is the local stuff, so that is what I use, so far I've tested N202, N203-B (very similar to RL-15), N204, MRP (very similar to RL-22) and MRP-2. The latter is too , slow-burning and leaves unburnt powder in the barrel. And I think it is no longer produced, but it was previously the only powder in Norma's own load data for the 404. Go figure.

Anyway, I think that you're doing the right thing with leaning towards the 2300 fps load. Not really any need to go much faster than that, in my opinion - it just puts more stress on your brass/ears/rifle/shoulder.

My own current load is 400gr AF, with 87gr Norma MRP - which gives about 2275 in my rifle, IIRC. Only tested on very non-dangerous game so far, with success.

 

[Scrumbag]

Sounds good Mike. I now have a press for the crimp die so get that installed this weekend.

Scrummy

 

[Spartan5]

@Nuggie338Winmag

 

[Nevada Mike]

In my somewhat limited experience, the 404 can handle quite a few types of powder for the ordinary 400gr weight of bullet. Where I live, Norma is the local stuff, so that is what I use, so far I've tested N202, N203-B (very similar to RL-15), N204, MRP (very similar to RL-22) and MRP-2. The latter is too , slow-burning and leaves unburnt powder in the barrel. And I think it is no longer produced, but it was previously the only powder in Norma's own load data for the 404. Go figure.

Anyway, I think that you're doing the right thing with leaning towards the 2300 fps load. Not really any need to go much faster than that, in my opinion - it just puts more stress on your brass/ears/rifle/shoulder.

My own current load is 400gr AF, with 87gr Norma MRP - which gives about 2275 in my rifle, IIRC. Only tested on very non-dangerous game so far, with success.

I think you are right - the MRP-2 and similar slow burning 'magnum' powders are not suited to the .404 Jeffery. I have focused mainly on powders with burn rates between RL-15/ N203B and H4831. VV N-150 falls right in that burn rate area and seems to provide good results with smaller amounts of powder and decent velocity. After working and shooting, I revised by target velocity from 2350 fps down to 2300 fps and may go a bit lower depending on the results I get with the Barnes Banded solids.

In my rifle, at least, most of the loads that I tried produced somewhat more velocity than the manuals stated. I don't know why that should be, but the chamber seems very snug - no problems, but very little expansion of the brass upon firing. I need to shoot a few hundred more rounds through it before heading to TZ.

 

[AZDAVE]

Those loads look good. I would find the most accurate load in the 2300-2350fps range ane see if you can get your barnes solids to hit the same POI. Load up a couple boxes for your safari and go have a great time.

In my 404 I have been using 84gr or H4350, and going to try AA4350 as I have a more of the AA.

 

[deewayne2003]

Thanks for sharing Mike, as discussed I’ve got powder on the way to play with both reduced/ cast lead and full power jacketed loads.

 

[Nevada Mike]

CAUTION

The load with 80 grains of N-150 and 400 grain Swift A Frame showed signs of pressure. I do not recommend it. I backed off to 76 grains, which still had good velocity, accuracy and noticeably less recoil.

I have begun testing Barnes 400 grain Banded Solids and posted some of them in another thread on this forum.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Thanks for sharing Mike, as discussed I’ve got powder on the way to play with both reduced/ cast lead and full power jacketed loads.

did you find some jacketed 404J bullets?

 

[deewayne2003]

did you find some jacketed 404J bullets?

Still no 450gr of any kind

 

[Deleted member 46122]

Still no 450gr of any kind

I’m sorry. I don’t have any more bullets. I have the 49 brass left. Another member wants some too

 

[Nevada Mike]

john

Received the Barnes bullets. Many thanks again.

 

[deewayne2003]

John I’ll take the brass…. Need some for load development

 

[Proneshooter]

Mike,
Thanks for posting this info, going to give the N150 a go tomorrow.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Mike,
Thanks for posting this info, going to give the N150 a go tomorrow.

Happy to help, John. I am adding data daily - a ittle at a time as I load and shoot.

 

[DmacD]

If you don't mind me asking, what is the weight of your rifle, both with and without scope?

 

[Nevada Mike]

If you don't mind me asking, what is the weight of your rifle, both with and without scope?

Without scope, sling or ammo, it weighs 8 lb., 15 oz. I have two scopes with QD rings. With the Leupold VX6 1-6X and rings it weighs 10 lb.. 1 oz. With the VX3 1.5 - 5X and rings it weighs a couple oz. less. Just heavy enough to help with recoil. I am learning to shoot a 40+ bore rifle.

 

[Scrumbag]

@Nevada Mike , this is very helpful as a resource and thank you for doing it

I have some N150 I can try in 404 Jeff (Will try with Peregrine Bullets and the MME bullets I have mentioned) and also have some Hornday 400gr DGS.

I'll also see if I can get some N140 to try. It's a touch quicker than N150 and very similar to Varget which I understand is well thought of for these larger cases.

I will try and post my results. Really must pick up a chrono.

Scrummy

 

[Scrumbag]

Still no 450gr of any kind

The only regular source of 450gr bullets I know of is Woodleigh and although I understand they are working to get back into production, I doubt bullets for 404 will be at the top of the list.

(Probably 30 cal, 375, 416 and 458 would be my guess).

 

[deewayne2003]

The only regular source of 450gr bullets I know of is Woodleigh and although I understand they are working to get back into production, I doubt bullets for 404 will be at the top of the list.

(Probably 30 cal, 375, 416 and 458 would be my guess).

Correct….

I made some solid connections while back packing around Australia is 2019; got several people looking around that big island for .404 bullets.

You never know about availability- I’ve been told that .30cal are available now.