I've spent some time searching the forums for loads for the 404 Jeffery using 380 gr North Fork bullets. There's some data for 400 gr bullets but little for the 380 gr.

What have you found to be good starting and "working" loads for both the softs and solids? I need to work up loads for an upcoming hunt and only have about 3 months to get 'er done.

Hello,

I was where you are with your load development one year ago. My results can be found at:https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4711043/m/284105429?r=452105539#452105539

My load was 75 gr of IMR 4895 for both the softs and cup points. (Usual discalimer holds - you are responsible for your loads. I can only tell you what I ended up with with my gun and my loading.) The velocity was around 2380.

Tell us about the hunt you are planning!

Andy E

Thanks Andy I appreciate the input and will check that thread. I'll be hunting with Charlton McCallum for buffalo in Chewore South the first two weeks of September - my first time for buffalo.

I have a 416 Rem (with North Fork loads) that would be OK in addition to a 375 H&H that I was going to take. However, I've wanted a 404J for a couple of years and just lucked out on one that should be in hand in a week or so. That's why I asked the question. There's only 90 days before lift off!

You'll get a lot of data here, RIP, RayA. etc. I have settled on IMR4831 or RL19 w/ mag primers as my heavy bullet powders in the 404j. In my 23"bbl M70, 84gr of IMR4831 or 85gr of RL19 give me 2250fps & on good days I can beat 1moa for three shots off the bench. The load has more than enough gas for buffalo. I have now taken two w/ one shot a piece & perfect bullet performance. These are not anywhere near max, but drop 2gr & workup. I drop the charge 1gr for the 400grBarnse BSolid. They run just under 2200fps & print 1" lower than the 380grNFs @ 100yds, close enough.

86 grains of VihtaVuori N550 gives me 2,400 fps for the NorthFork 380 grain bullet. No visible signs of excessive pressure and more velocity is probably attainable with this powder. This is a very good powder for this cartridge as you get good loading densities and don't need to compress (which is not a good idea with double based powders).

Thanks for the information. I have both RL-19 and IMR 4895 on hand so I'll try those first.

The only powder that I have data on is H4831SC. If you want THE top velocities, it's tough (near impossible) to get in the case without a drop tube but I reached 2500fps from a 26" barrel. I doubt that other lengths would lose more than ~25fps/inch. The test rifle has no extraction system. Extraction of the top load was elevate the barrel to 45 degrees and smack the action with my hand and the case fell out. If you are interested, start with 82 grains. That gave me 2300fps/26". I stopped at 90 grains but you may have to stop sooner, just depends on the barrel. The 82 is a ~95% capacity load. 86grs is ~102% load and is about all you are going to get in without a drop tube. 90 grs is ~102% WITH the drop tube or about 107% without(way too compressed without drop tube).

quote:

Originally posted by Oday450:
Thanks for the information. I have both RL-19 and IMR 4895 on hand so I'll try those first.

IMO, while it may be possible to get 400gr @ 2300fps+ w/ 4895, I think pressure are way up there compared to a med./slow burners like H4350, RL19, IMR4831, H4831, etc. One reason to use the old 404j is to get magnum performance w/o high pressures.

I used RL-15 on 380gr NF flat point solids, Barnes 400gr banded solids, and Swift 400gr A Frames. I ended up with the following loads:
380gr NFFP solid-80grs RL-15, Fed 215m match primer, Norma case, oal 3.500 (longer didn't feed reliably)--H-2453,L-2441,ES-12,M-2447,SD-4.
400gr Swift AF,RL-15-80.5grs, Fed 215m match, Norma case, oal-3.530,H-2407, L-2398,ES-9,M-2401,SD-4.
I shot hotter loads than these and my particular rifle didn't create signs of pressure in any brass. Your rifle may be different. I picked these loads because they both shot groups under an inch and the groups overlapped each other plus they both had low SDs. Hope this helps. MMP

Thanks for the additional data and dicussion.

RL-19 and RL-15 are the powders I have in largest quantities. H4831 and H4831SC I have used a lot but it's difficult to find right now and I don't know how much I have on hand. I'll be loading a ladder trial of the the Reloader powders tonight and, if I have time maybe one of the others suggested as well.