Need help buying a donor rifle for 404 Jeffery later today!

Justbryan

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Need help buying a donor rifle for 404 Jeffery later today!

I want to buy locally (Dallas area) but I cannot make up my mind. Here are my choices? These are the prices on the guns but will probably get the rifles for a few hundred dollars less than marked. I prefer wood.

New CZ 550 375 H&H with Standard Walnut Stock, Blued $1,200.00
Used CZ 550 375 H&H Safari Magnum with Beautiful Custom Walnut Stock, Blued $3,000.00
Used Custom Bansner's Model 70 SM 375 with Custom Synthetic Stock and Stainless Steel $1,699.99
New Sako 85 Classic 375 H&H Nice Walnut with Rosewood Forend, Blued $2,200.00
Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 300 H&H Wood and blueing shows usage but good for the age $2,000.00
Possible New Blaser R8 Professional 6.5 Creedmoor with Green Stock $3,600.00. Is this worth the money?

I take one oversees hunting trip per years. Last few years have been to Africa 2x, New Zealand, Europe, etc. Already booked to go back to New Zealand 2021, Bear 2021, Africa 2022. I have a custom 375 H&H but want a 404 Jeffery.

What would you do?
 
I am in the process of building a .404 Jeffery rifle, starting with a Remington 1917 Enfield action, taken from a .30-06 I purchased for$400.00. The rifle also included an older model Redfield 2-7X scope which now serves on one of my .22 l.r. rifles.

Back to the Enfield action... Pac Nor is making and will be fitting a .404 barrel to the action, in addition to chambering it, opening up the bolt face and the feed rails.
 
I would buy the "New CZ 550 375 H&H with Standard Walnut Stock" or "Used Custom Bansner's Model 70 SM 375" and not look back either will convert easily by a competent gunsmith and you can stock it how you want it.

I know of no one using a sako to do the build.

It would be a crime to use the"Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 300 H&H"
 
Alternatively you could purchase the R8 then have a 404 Jeffery bbl made to put on it. This option will give you a two bbl set up and a compact system for traveling. At a later time if you want to put on a wood stock then you can easily find a wood stock for it.
 
Alternatively you could purchase the R8 then have a 404 Jeffery bbl made to put on it. This option will give you a two bbl set up and a compact system for traveling. At a later time if you want to put on a wood stock then you can easily find a wood stock for it.
I really don't want to spend $5000.00 + for a nice walnut stocked R8. That is why I am considering the green stocked R8 professional. But the R8 Luxus Wood Grade 3+ is really what I want! Can I add a Luxus type stock to a R8 Professional later? I guess I could buy a Luxus receiver with no bolt and no barrel and have a 404 Jeffery barrel made?
 
If you get the blaser... If I'm not mistaken you can change the barrels out for 404 Jeffrey or other big bore calibers
 
The Jeffrey deserves a classic stock and action. Are you going to put a custom stock on the project? A new barrel or rechambering and reboring the original barrel? Please don't alter the pre64. I would go with choice 2, the custom CZ if it fits and you really love the wood.
 
The Jeffrey deserves a classic stock and action. Are you going to put a custom stock on the project? A new barrel or rechambering and reboring the original barrel? Please don't alter the pre64. I would go with choice 2, the custom CZ if it fits and you really love the wood.
Lop of pull on the CZ is .75" short. I would have to add a spacer to be perfect but it is grade 4 or better.
 
Alternatively you could purchase the R8 then have a 404 Jeffery bbl made to put on it. This option will give you a two bbl set up and a compact system for traveling. At a later time if you want to put on a wood stock then you can easily find a wood stock for it.
Or just stick to your original idea and save the Blaser money and pay for a Safari.
 
The Jeffrey deserves a classic stock and action. Are you going to put a custom stock on the project? A new barrel or rechambering and reboring the original barrel? Please don't alter the pre64. I would go with choice 2, the custom CZ if it fits and you really love the wood.
Going to examine rifles now at local gun shop. I am going to skip on the Blaser and as Neil suggest look for a more classic stock and action. If I don't get a warm feeling I will order an action for the build. Thanks for everyone's input. And I promise not to buy the 300 H&H as a donor.
 

Here's a good deal on a Luxus. Then you can sell the barrel and have a 404 barrel made for it. Looks like it has a heavier contour barrel on it now.
 

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Bought a new Winchester Model 70 Super Grade as a donor with exceptional wood. Now going to order a Lilja 404 Jeffery barrel. Talked to gunsmith already to get in line. Will get reamers and gages from Pacific Tool next week.
 

Here's a good deal on a Luxus. Then you can sell the barrel and have a 404 barrel made for it. Looks like it has a heavier contour barrel on it now.
Semi-weight (19mm) fluted 375H&H barrel with hi-viz iron sights.
However I do believe there are better options for a Blaser out there.
IMO - $5.5K is a bit optimistic for a used rifle.
GB has R8 Luxus new for $300 just more.
Although it is the 17mm barrel and no iron sights.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/887381341
There are also some good deals on GI.
 

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I agree but I may buy to keep!
Do that! As special to own as a 404 Jeffrey. Maybe more;)

And if you are not buying it, PM me the details please:)

In any case, good luck with the build and enjoy it and hunting elephant and buffalo with it;)
 
Psychological help...all of the donor rifles seem like a big investment. That said, the blaser seems like the least waste of time and energy providing you can get a bolt head for it as it has dual use.
 
Bought a new Winchester Model 70 Super Grade as a donor with exceptional wood. Now going to order a Lilja 404 Jeffery barrel. Talked to gunsmith already to get in line. Will get reamers and gages from Pacific Tool next week.
Mainly out of curiosity, but also for anyone else (myself included) who may want to build a 404J in the future, what was the M70 caliber?
 

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