A new backup scope, 2.5X-8X Leupold:







Saeed OUR FRIEND,

I have found that your .404 Jeffery data is very handy for me. The African Sheep Rifle with its 24" barrel pushing 380 grain North Fork bullets, gives almost identical velocities as your .404 Jeffery with 25.5" barrel using 400 grain WalterHog bullets.



For instance, I get 2532 fps from the 380 grainers with 83 grains of Varget.



Accuracy with the .423/380gr North Fork FP Solid was 0.856" for 3 shots at 100 yards.



Accuracy with the .423/380gr North Fork Soft was 1.055" for 3 shots at 100 yards.



I found the H-4831SC to be about 150 to 200 fps slower than expected, and compressed loads of 90 grains of it did not crack 2300 fps for me with the 380 grainers. Mike Brady must have had a tighter bore than me.



I notice that you got better velocity and accuracy with the VVN550, that is better than Varget, using up to 90 grains of VVN550.



I have acquired some VVN550 to see if my North Fork 380 grainers will go any faster or more accurately.



The Varget at 83 grains does not fill the case, hopefully the VVN550 will be useable in lightly compressed charges or at least 100% density. Any temperature stability issues with VVN550?



Maybe I will find that 100% density 2400 to 2500 fps load for the 380 grainers.



I may have to resort to Ray A's IMR4831, but I doubt I will be able to get that much powder in the case. How does he do it? Don't ask, don't tell?



Any comments from the girly men who must have walnut to caress their cheeks? What is wrong with fiberglass? It sure is stronger, lighter, and less fussy!



The 380 grain .423 bullet has an SD of 0.303. At 2500 fps, it is like a 300 grain .375 H&H (SD = 0.305), only bigger and deadlier on both ends.



A .404 with a .303 is all that is necessary.

Ron,

After seeing your 404 I have decided that if some extra money arrives over here I will get a Purdey chambered in 30/378 and with the rosewood forend tip

Might even get a 378 to go with it.

Mike

Mike375,
Glad to be an inspiration. A 1905 cartridge in a 2005 rifle will do that sometimes. Screw the iron sights! I'll carry the 1.5X-5X scope in a pouch on an ammo belt, and probably never need it, no matter how restless the natives are!

BTW, the QRW bases are epoxied on with JB Weld and 8X40 screws, all squared and true, and I like that better than Talleys. Those square recoil lugs on the bottom sides of the QRW rings are tops. No more mashed QRW bases. they will last forever when installed properly.

Not that I am going to change the world but specifying the accuracy (actually repeatability) of 3-shot groups need to be qualified, as it will vary depending on the power of scope used, wind, etc. (Just to give you a little static!).

The fiberglass stocks are the best in my opinion but may reflect my poor upbringing. They are obviously an ugly substitute for a good wood stock but I have been very happy with the McMillans I have had. The only thing I do not like is that fiberglass stocks make that hollow-type noise when scratched.

Beyond the completely unjustified utilization of the relatively expensive use of the present-day wildcat of the .404 Jeffery, why a camo stock on a SS barreled action? More contrast?

Okay, I'm reaching on this one, but you deserve it.

RIP my synthetic friend, I know you have a wooden heart in there somewhere. Give RL19 a try. I get 2250fps w/ 84gr under the NF. It's density is btwn. IMR4831 & H4831. I'm not sure you should try & better 3/4" for a .42 caliber rig, but knock yourself out. Mine is shooting 3/4"-1 1/4" w/ the NF @ 2250fps & the 400gr Barnes SOlid @ 2175fps. It's good enough for minute of buffalo or impala out to 250yds or so, about as far as I care to shoot this boomer.

Ron,

If you want to try an "accuracy load" it might be worth loading some RL 15 with 400 grain Woodleighs. It may not be the fastest, but it is very consistent and pleasant to shoot. I suspect that you could go a bit hotter with the 380 grain North Fork (I have with the Woodleigh as well, but for my purposes I decided to stick with this velocity level). Below is a group from my Whitworth at about 50 yards. RL 15 tends to group better in my rifle than Varget.

If nothing else, it makes a good "plinking load" for 404 speed freaks .

Jim

RIP,

Glad to hear your rifle is living up to your expectaions.

I am sure it will finish any animal you care to hunt with it on this earth.

And with your choice of scope, it can double as a long range plains game rifle too.

Yes, Will, if you want to be fussy about it for the record, many variables do affect group size! Suffice it to say that my rifle is about 1 MOA for three shots at 100 yards, with current load development. And if I ever get the compensating errors to come together for a 1-hole 3-shot fluke group, I will post a photo here, but will not promise repeatability at the drop of your hat!

You are wise in seeing fiberglass as best. It is not your poor upbringing, nor mine, for I was affected by starting this hobby when I lived in Alaska. You may have had similar life experiences. Brown Precision fiberglass, Kevlar, and graphite was the rage then. I still like Brown Precision when I am watching weight and aiming for a light rifle that is balanced. McMillan ranks right with Brown Precision, but they are heavier. I would have preferred a McMillan if I wanted to build the rifle to a usual weight of one or two lbs. heavier total weight.

McMillan is starting to make a lightweight stock using graphite, but when I looked last, they were only available for pushfeeds like the M700 so far.

The .404 Jeffery chambering? Well, I have to have at least one rifle in that chambering, to be able to argue effectively with Mickey and Ray about its merits. So far I have found no faults with it, and indeed superiority seems to be its essence. But, I will pack along the 6#12oz .375 H&H wherever the 8# .404 Jeffery goes, just to have the universal ammo availability on my side.

Stainless steel? That goes back to "poor upbringing" or Alaska days and nights of rust.

Camo pattern? After I drilled and placed my crossbolts and pillars, and placed the swivel bases how I wanted them (they have nuts embedded with them in JB Weld), I was left with the dilemna of sanding down the Brown Precision paint job and having to mask off the checkering, etc.

I decided instead to just leave the JB Weld (gray epoxy) showing, but enlarge it into a sort of camo pattern on the blue-gray paint. The map of Africa is an afterthought on the butt.

The camo pattern is due to my laziness and poor upbringing, but nobody can say it is a true camo pattern. It is just an unfinished stock that needs to be carefully sanded and re-painted, but I am careless, or rather care free, about that.

Sir Fred,
Noble Jefi Knight,

I am going for lightly compressed powder with 2400fps/400grainer or 2500 fps 380 grain North Forks, in the African Sheep Rifle.

Me thinks I must use the H4350 to VVN550 range in my rifle, somewhere around 88 grains.

Indeed, 1 MOA is fine for the bison I will be harvesting for table fare until I can get back to Africa.

Sir mbogo375, Knight of the Realm of Jefi,



Nice group! That is a 2250 fps load with 400 grain Woodleighs in my rifle.

RIP,
I sure don't know why you cannot get 95 grs. of IMR-4831 into a 404 case, I don't have any trouble..My everyday use to shoot'em load is 93 grs. and its accurate, not compacted but full enough..the 95 gr. load is about the same density as as 58 grs. of H4831 in a 30-06 case that O'Connor used for years....I have not used the short core but perhaps your getting some "fluff" and need to tap the case...

The nice thing about IMR-4831 is low pressure with high velocity...but inasmuch as your guns shoots fine with your stated loads, then that's what you should use..

I have found RL-15 works pretty well in most guns.

Saeed Our Friend,
Thanks. It is fun to utilize your philosophy of rifles, KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID, and know it is the best way, after all is said and done.

Master Ray,
Yoda of the Jefi Order,

I know that IMR-4831 is a faster burning powder than the H-4831SC, but it is bulkier.

I am still in the process of load development. Up next is H-4350, IMR-4831, and VVN550. I shall report back. I may have a bore that slugs bigger than the 0.4226" that some recent .404 Jeffery rifles have been found to have. I have certainly had no excess pressures with anything I have tried yet.

I may have to break out the drop tube.

RIP--First, my compliments on what you did regarding the front sling swivel. I have always thought that a better way than a barrel band, yet few folks do it that way. Second, have you tried a long drop tube to get in the greater powder quantity? Using a 2' tube, I can easily get 4 more grains of powder in some shortened .404 Jeff wildcat cases than I can with just a funnel. It's a skosh of a hassle, but no biggie.

Arts,
Thanks. Some more of my rifles will be having the front sling swivel base stud moved forward too.

I will certainly try the drop tube, since Yoda says that IMR-4831 is the Cat's Meow.

May The Farce be with y'all.

RIP and ART,
If my 404 had a compaction problem with any powder then I would not use it in a dangerous game round...

You may be better off to stay right where you are with Varget and RL-15....I like a full snug case but absolutly no compaction..

Rip, are you going to stick one of those in your Bison this year? If so let us know the results and a photo or two would please me for the web page. But please put a blanket over the stock

For what its worth.

Ray,
I'll do that. I can have my camera man carry a 470 NE Merkel as backup. We will pose with both rifles and hide the African Sheep Rifle in at least one photo.

Mr. Atkinson--You probably know this, but with a drop tube, the powder isn't compacted, it just trickles in in such a manner that there is less space between each granule. Actually, it amazes me how slick it works. I, too, do not like compacted loads, DG or not.

We made this powder drop tube from Sinclair rifle cradle parts, and a funnel.

Works great.

A very efficient setup, the Mother of All Drop Tubes.

The prototype of that device was developed and employed by the US Air Force to pack sand up peoples asses in service wide briefings (e.g. "Don't ask, don't tell").
JCN

RIP,

I have been using VV550 in my 450 Dakota lately and I also used it in my 458 x 404 improved (which uses a blown out 404 case).

You can probably add 4-6 grains from your Varget or RL-15 powder charge to equal their velocity with the VV550 and then have a low pressure load or keep going a few more grains for more velocity.

104 gr VV550 gives me 2530 fps with a 450 gr NF. 98 gr 4064, or 100 gr RL-15 gives me 2550 fps.

The VV550 is a really tiny cut cylindrical powder with multiple air holes passing through it (for better combustion according to the VV manual). It is not as bulky as 4064 or RL-15 and you can pour it like water.

104 gr does not even come up to the bottom of my sholder in the Dakota, while 100 gr RL or 4064 (which is about like Varget) fills the case to base of neck.

Anyway + 4 grs from your favorite Varget or RK-15 load wont get you in trouble for your first day at the range (I think).

Andy