Recoil: 404 Jeffery vs. 375 H&H and 416 Rigby

[TexasBlueDevil]

Assuming same rifle models, how does the recoil on the 404 Jeffery compare with the 375 H&H and 416 Rigby.

I already have a 404 Jeffery, and really like it. A friend of mine is looking to buy his first big bore rifle, either a 375 or 416. He has shot my 404 Jeffery, and handles it well.

Thanks!!

 

[ESHKESH SAFARI]

I read somwhere in a forum about the recoil issue on .416 vs 404 jeff and most people agreed that the recoil of the .416 is more of a violent kick than a push while that of the 404 jeff is a gentle push on the shoulder.

I own none of these calibres (talking of others' experiences) though i'm thinking of buying a 404 jeff exclusively for lion hunting!IMO, i suggest the .375 H&H.

 

[ESHKESH SAFARI]

.404 Jeffery on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[TerryR]

I have all three. I have a pre 64 model 70 in 375 H&h, a CZ 550 in 404 Jeff, and a Rugar in 416 Rigby. Based on shooting all three the 404 fits in between the 375 and the 416. It is a little closer to the 416 than it is to the 375. anyone who can comfortably shoot a 30-06 should be able to comfortably shoot a 375. The 404 is a step up and the 416 a small step up from there. The 404 was loaded to it's traditional 400 gr bullet traveling at 2150 fps.

 

[buckcurtin]

I have a Winchester Safari Express with a scope in 375H&H, recoil is very manageable, enjoy shooting. Bought a Montana Rifle Company 404 Jeffries, haven't put a scope on it yet[was hoping to use open sights but old eyes cant see well enough] but recoil is significantly greater. Still breaking in 404 but no one else at range wants to help after watching me shoot it.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

My wife just got her first .404 Jefferies, CZ. She has been shooting her .450/400 double for years and shooting it very well. Interested in seeing how the .404 does for her had Superior load both 400grn. hydros for back up and 300grn hawks for plinking.

 

[Von Gruff]

I found the 404 Jeffery to be an easy rifle to handle with the 400gn bullet at 2300fps and while the 375 is lighter recoil impulse I though it feels sharper. Both fall a long way short of the 458 Lott though.

 

[PeteG]

Based on same models and same weight, the 375 is a little less than the 404.
Hardly any difference between the 404 & 416.

 

[norfolk shooter]

I found when I moved up from 375 H&H to 416 Rigby there was a big increase in felt recoil. I’m now ok with it through practice

 

[sierraone]

I have to disagree with @PeteG. I have all three in Ruger RSMs. The Rigby is significantly more than a Jeffery. 37 pounds on the .375 HH 270 grain, 41 pounds on the Jefferey 400 grain and 58 pounds on the Rigby 400 grain bullet. These numbers coincide with what I feel. On the .375 I am good on the bench for about 15 or 16 rounds without a Past pad. On the Jeffery I need the Past pad from the bench or can only get about two rounds off. On the Rigby, I won't shoot it from the bench, Past pad or not. Even the Rigby is bearable using stix without a pad as long as I limit it to 5 or 6 rounds. I had a .458 Win Mag once upon a time, but the recoil with 500 grain bullets was too much for me even standing.

After my recent successful hunt with my Jeffery, it is highly unlikely that I will ever actually hunt with the Rigby.

 

[PeteG]

I have to disagree with @PeteG. I have all three in Ruger RSMs. The Rigby is significantly more than a Jeffery. 37 pounds on the .375 HH 270 grain, 41 pounds on the Jefferey 400 grain and 58 pounds on the Rigby 400 grain bullet. These numbers coincide with what I feel. On the .375 I am good on the bench for about 15 or 16 rounds without a Past pad. On the Jeffery I need the Past pad from the bench or can only get about two rounds off. On the Rigby, I won't shoot it from the bench, Past pad or not. Even the Rigby is bearable using stix without a pad as long as I limit it to 5 or 6 rounds. I had a .458 Win Mag once upon a time, but the recoil with 500 grain bullets was too much for me even standing.

After my recent successful hunt with my Jeffery, it is highly unlikely that I will ever actually hunt with the Rigby.

Fair enough, we’re all different in how we feel recoil.
At the end though, there’s the perfect comparison for the OP. 3 identical models owned and shot by the same guy.

For comparison, I noticed no difference between @spike.t’s scoped 404 and my unscoped 416rigby.
These were both cz’s but his has had some work done to it.

I’d also rather shoot the 458wm cogswell & harrison than my 416 though... the recoil comes to me harder but slower. Easier to manage personally.

 

[Eventually_Africa_Again]

I own a .375 H&H and a 404 J. I have to say the .375 H&H is a pleasure to shoot, no problem going through 20 rounds. The 404 J is still fun to shoot, but after 10 rounds I'm done with all my shooting for the day.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

I have all three. I have a pre 64 model 70 in 375 H&h, a CZ 550 in 404 Jeff, and a Rugar in 416 Rigby. Based on shooting all three the 404 fits in between the 375 and the 416. It is a little closer to the 416 than it is to the 375. anyone who can comfortably shoot a 30-06 should be able to comfortably shoot a 375. The 404 is a step up and the 416 a small step up from there. The 404 was loaded to it's traditional 400 gr bullet traveling at 2150 fps.

I agree with you.
Witold

 

[Ray B]

I find recoil to be analogous to taking a trip on a road that you are unfamiliar with. It seems each mile drags on as you see new things and hope to see your destination. After you have traveled the road several dozen times, the trip seems very short. Shooting a new rifle one focuses on the recoil so it is much more noticeable. After several times of shooting it, you are aware of what it does and there are no surprises. As an adjustment to this learning curve I have found that handloading, starting with reduced loads then gradually increasing until full loads are used also reduces the unknown factor and the expectation of increased recoil.

 

[Gsxrmike]

I have rifles in .375 H&H, .404 Jeffery and .416 Remington. The recoil of the.404 is a bit stronger than the .375 and the .416 is only a little bit more than the .404. None are too uncomfortable to shoot. You only notice recoil at the range anyway. I’ve never noticed the recoil of any rifle in the field.

 

[sgt_zim]

I have to disagree with @PeteG. I have all three in Ruger RSMs. The Rigby is significantly more than a Jeffery. 37 pounds on the .375 HH 270 grain, 41 pounds on the Jefferey 400 grain and 58 pounds on the Rigby 400 grain bullet. These numbers coincide with what I feel. On the .375 I am good on the bench for about 15 or 16 rounds without a Past pad. On the Jeffery I need the Past pad from the bench or can only get about two rounds off. On the Rigby, I won't shoot it from the bench, Past pad or not. Even the Rigby is bearable using stix without a pad as long as I limit it to 5 or 6 rounds. I had a .458 Win Mag once upon a time, but the recoil with 500 grain bullets was too much for me even standing.

After my recent successful hunt with my Jeffery, it is highly unlikely that I will ever actually hunt with the Rigby.

This lines up almost precisely with some research I was doing for my 9.3x62 and my 45-70 with heavy loads. Recoil for those two, plus .375 H&H and 338 WM shooting 250s all seems to be in the 35 ft-lb neighborhood.

I can take about 25 or 26 from my 9.3 with 286gr @2400 fps, then start flinching. Same with my 45-70 shooting 425 gr @1750 and 525 gr @1500.

I expect when i step up from 9.3x62, it'll be to 404J.

 

[Fastrig]

This lines up almost precisely with some research I was doing for my 9.3x62 and my 45-70 with heavy loads. Recoil for those two, plus .375 H&H and 338 WM shooting 250s all seems to be in the 35 ft-lb neighborhood.

I can take about 25 or 26 from my 9.3 with 286gr @2400 fps, then start flinching. Same with my 45-70 shooting 425 gr @1750 and 525 gr @1500.

I expect when i step up from 9.3x62, it'll be to 404J.

Put 40 through my 9.3x62 one day....the last five had me flinching pretty bad. Bought a shoulder shooting pad for my last outing and my shoulder was very happy and no flinching after 40 rounds.

 

[sgt_zim]

That's about 40-45 rds of NAB 250 from my 9.3x62. Yes, that's an open blister at the top.

 

[Fastrig]

View attachment 301658

That's about 40-45 rds of NAB 250 from my 9.3x62. Yes, that's an open blister at the top.

Yikes! I had a little bruising and lots of soreness, nothing like that though. Bought the super magnum shoulder pad and hardly feel a thing now off a bench, but it does mess with the LOP

 

[Hoss Delgado]

I have shot all three , and to be honest I don't find the recoil of any excessive , to say the least. That said , l own two .375 HH Magnums , a Winchester Model 70 and a BRNO ZKK - 602 with a seven shot Magazine.
I honestly think that anyone who can handle a .375 , can learn to handle a .404 with a little bit of practice and a nice padded shooting vest.