Testing 404 Jeffery

[K95]

Following up on my last post on building a 404 Jeffery and working up some loading data here is the final result. 84 gr of 2208 powder, CCI mag primer with a 360 gr Atomic 29 projectile. This load is doing 2600 fps and putting out over 5200 lbs of energy at the muzzle. First 3 shot group at 100 yds measured .775". Following group was with the 350 gr Weldcore Woodleigh bullet travelling the same speed behind 85 gr of 2208 , group was slightly larger and shot .5" higher. Still very interchangeable.

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

hope when I get mine it can shoot groups like that,

 

[K95]

I think it will shoot much better as I was very uncomfortable on the bench and couldn't get my eye close enough to the scope to get a full field of view

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

I want to use heavier bullets in mine,
400gn - 430gn North Fork or Barnes, I do have some older 347gn woodleigh that I got with some brass but the heavy 450gn woodleigh are not available here in the US

 

[K95]

I want to use heavier bullets in mine,
400gn - 430gn North Fork or Barnes, I do have some older 347gn woodleigh that I got with some brass but the heavy 450gn woodleigh are not available here in the US

I just bought 2 boxes of 450 gr Woodleigh, $72 Aus that's about $42 US

 

[K95]

That's per box . Between Woodleigh bullets and Bertram cases we are some what lucky here in Aus because we can't get premium US bullets.

 

[Luvthunt]

Very nice!

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

That's per box . Between Woodleigh bullets and Bertram cases we are some what lucky here in Aus because we can't get premium US bullets.

I wonder if they can be ordered and sent here

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

I run the atomic 29 projectiles with 87gn of 2209, seems to work well in my jeffery, though I don’t think my groups are that good, but I haven’t really tried yet
Gumpy

 

[deewayne2003]

I wonder if they can be ordered and sent here

Yes, with an ATF form 6; which is the permit to import munitions where each caliber and quantity has to be listed.

I’ve done it, good luck with the form processing which took just shy of 2 months for them to process and only then did they call to make sure that Woodleigh hydros were not armor piercing.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I bet those kicked! That's a lot of gas per mass. I'm not familiar with 2208 powder. I tried 4895 with 307 gr Hammer bullets and my 404 was too much to handle from the bench. Group was also not great so I threw in the towel. But the barrel wasn't broken in yet. I should try them again.

 

[uplander01]

That seems like a lot of powder, I've been able to get my 404 with a 24" barrel to 2200-2250 fps with 70-72 grains of either H Varget or IMR 4320,......400 grain bullets. Haven't tried any 350's in my 404. In my 416 rigby however, that's the exact performance I get with 350 grainers, albeit 92 grains of powder

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

I bet those kicked! That's a lot of gas per mass. I'm not familiar with 2208 powder. I tried 4895 with 307 gr Hammer bullets and my 404 was too much to handle from the bench. Group was also not great so I threw in the towel. But the barrel wasn't broken in yet. I should try them again.

If you use a lead sled, it will help, cuts down the recoil like you wouldn’t believe

 

[Dirtdart]

For future reference AR2208 and Varget are the same powder.

 

[ftrovato]

Following up on my last post on building a 404 Jeffery and working up some loading data here is the final result. 84 gr of 2208 powder, CCI mag primer with a 360 gr Atomic 29 projectile. This load is doing 2600 fps and putting out over 5200 lbs of energy at the muzzle. First 3 shot group at 100 yds measured .775". Following group was with the 350 gr Weldcore Woodleigh bullet travelling the same speed behind 85 gr of 2208 , group was slightly larger and shot .5" higher. Still very interchangeable.View attachment 682728

It's time to take her on safari!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

If you use a lead sled, it will help, cuts down the recoil like you wouldn’t believe

I have read that Lead Sled is not healthy for ultra heavy recoil rifles, especially if set in fine wood stocks.

 

[Kevin375]

Very interesting ! Does your Blaser have an alloy receiver or a steel one ?
How is the recoil ?

 

[ftrovato]

I have read that Lead Sled is not healthy for ultra heavy recoil rifles, especially if set in fine wood stocks.

I have seen Lead Sleds ruin fine optics. The rifle has to move and expel the energy/recoil. People tend to overload the sled with more weight than generated recoil and the problems begin.

I suspect your observation on the stock falls into that same category.

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

I have read that Lead Sled is not healthy for ultra heavy recoil rifles, especially if set in fine wood stocks.

I’ve hear that as well, but if you get it close by using it and then continue to practice off sticks that might work.

 

[Kevin375]

Speaking about Led sleds, I had the opportunity to see it might shift the point of impact with some rifles. It happened to me once and I know someone who also had this bad experience.
Here is why I prefer to use a Tackdriver bag in the front and a smaller bag at the rear or my rifle.