What kind of velocity can I get from a .404J with a Woodleigh 350gn bullet, loaded to about the same pressures as you would a 400gn at 2350 to 2400 fps?

26" barrel. Not looking for a hot load. Just an average using load with moderate pressure.

I don't have a realoading manual that lists the .404J at the moment.

Allen

Allen
What powder will you be using for your 400 gr bullets?
I have a Nick Harvey loading manual around here somewhere, I think he has 300 and 350 gr bullets for the 404 in it.

I will dig it out.

400gr @ 2400fps is warm in the .404j. You can expect 2600fps using sim. pressures for the 350gr. I load them to 2500fps in my 23"bbl w/ no problem using VV150 or RL15 & thats about all the recoil I need.

N E 450 No2, I''ll probably use IMR 4831sc and see if that works with the 400gn.

Saw an old post that said Kynoch factory ran 2600 with 350gn.Didn't know if that was realistic or not.

If 2600fps is doable that would be nice. Thinking flat shooting not hard hitting.Which I guess 2600fps would be hard hitting.

Allen

Allen
The Nick Harvey Manual shows the following.

60cm bbl
350 grain bullet.

Starting load Max load
IMR4895 84gr 2545fps 88gr2625fps

IMR4064 85gr 2420fps 88gr 2600fps

RL 15 86gr 2510 89gr 2630fps


With 400 gr bullets

RL 15 80gr 2400 84gr 2495fps

He does not show IMR 4831.

Hope this helps.

Allen

2600fps should be doable but just know that you will be in excess of what is considered "standard" pressures for that cartridge, although they will still be at or less than "modern" cartridge pressures.

I'm not positive about this but I don't think that Kynoch ever loaded a 350 to 2600. I think their light bullet was a 300gr at 2600fps. Big difference.

allen, when you get your 350gr Woodleigh's worked up, get some 340grNF from Mike. The BC is definetly better, this will flatten your 300yd trajectory a bit. I have found powders slower than H4350 just don't give the vel. you are looking for w/ a 350gr bullet. I think the sweet spot will be found between IMR4064, RL15, VV150 & Varget. IMR4831 & RL19 work great w/ 380gr-400gr bullets. Come on RIP, you've been down this road?
Mike, I hope to get to shoot some of the 340gr this weekend. I'm sure they will be equally accurate as the 380gr.

Oh, I didnt realize Mike made a 340gn NF. I thought he had the 380gn.Good!

NFMike your probably correct and that would make for quite a bit of differance!

Am thinking of a US and PG load.

I'll go over to NF site and look more maybe pay attention this time !

A 250 or so yard load is mostly all I'm looking for with moderate, reasonable drop.

Not trying to get a 300 plus yard barn burner.
Not really what this gun is being made for.

Allen

There you go Mike, now you have to make more!!