I finally got around to getting some pics of the rifle.

Fred that is a great looking rifle, can you please give us a some specs.

This started life as a used M70 in .300RUM. It now has a 23", #5 PacNor on it. NECG banded front w/ flip up "night" sight, Dakota 1/4 rib w/ single standing exp. and a banded front swivel. I had Laszlo (my smith) shorten the forend a bit to accom. the swivel & install (2) steel cross bolts. A Pacm. Dec. pad & 8oz. merc. reducer in the butt finished it off. The mounts & scope are Leup. There is also a det. muzzle break for extended shooting. It has a knurled muzzle nut for field use. It weighs in right @ 9 1/4# & 10 1/4# scoped.

Laszlo does great work & the rifle is proving a shooter so far. I am off to the range tomorrow to try some of those great looking 380grNF. Stay tuned.

Jeff,

Laszlo does good work!

jim

Fredj, that's nice. What's your smith's full name and contact info? Looks like you are having better luck than O'Sarge at posting pics.

Looks like it will handle recoil just perfectly. Congratulations!

Boha

hi,

That is a very nice looking rifle,Kev

Hi



That's a very, very nice looking rifle, Fred !!!

VERY nicely executed, Fred. That blacking job is superb.

George

Fine look'n rifle ya got there Fred!

Thanks guys, I got to the range again yesterday. The rifel is shooting very well. Feed & funcions is perfect, fast or slow, it just works. It seems like 1 1/2MOA is all I'm going to get w/ the 1.5x5 scope. I shot several groups w/ (2) shots under 1" & then it would open up. The 380gr NF shows great promise though. I got a 1 3/4" group w/ 80, 81 & 82gr of IMR4831. I'm going to try the 82gr load, it's clocking 2220fps & not too unpleasent off the bench . Stay tuned.

Goerge, thanks, it's actually satin rust blue.

Sorry, Fred. It looks closer to black on my monitor.

George

Understated elegance is how I would describe this rifle.

Sweet.

You are way to light on your loading with IMR-4831..Max is 95 grs. at 2663 FPS (27") in most of the 404s I have shot,with bit less as the barrel is shortened, and 93 grs. is where the best accuracy has been with my guns...That will clock about 2400 in most guns...however mine have all been with 26 inch barrels and one with the original 27" barrel...Northfork had no problem getting a bit over 2500 in his shorter barrel...

For killing Buffalo with the 404 I like 2400 FPS best but 2000 will do with that kind of SD...

I think you can take out the dealy in the butt with a 404, its an easy kicker and you'll have a pound less to pack around...

Ray, thanks for the input. I am getting 2220fps w/ 82.5gr IMR4831 under a 380grNF. Mike @ NF tells me his bullets penetrate better @ the 2400fps zone. I'll see how that feels, but 2200fps is "comfortable" to shoot, even w/ the "dealy" in the butt. Also, I can't even get 90gr of IMR4831 in the case w/o severe compression. I could get there w/ H4831sc but I'm liking 82 IMR4831 or 83gr RL19 so far. Do you use a looong drop tube? Stay tuned.

IMR 4831 never gives me any problems even when compacted, in any caliber....I can get 95 grs. in my cases and I get a bit of compaction, but nothing severe...93 grs. is just the right compaction to not leave am air gap..93 is good for 2475 FPS

Been shooting these loads for years..

RL-15 is also a good load and I have used it a good deal..I can get about 2530 FPS with 84 grs. 80 grs. will net you 2400 plus...

90 grs. of IMR-4831 will give you 2340 FPS...87 grs.= 2316 FPS.

Lots of powders can get 2400 in the big 404 case. 748 will really cook if it will shoot in your gun..

All on my chronograph with 26" barrels..

Great looking rifle Fred. I love its clean lines.



Is that a Leupold VX-III 1.5-5x20mm?

Thanks Ray, duly noted, I tried a long drop tube & could get 90gr to the base of the neck. Now back to the range.
Spie, yes that is a Leup. 1.5x5. I love the long eye releif. My back up scope is a Leup. 2.5x comp. but I like the exp. sights out to 100yds or so.

Thought so. That's the scope I've ordered for my .416. A bit more generous eye relief than most

You mention using express sights out to 100 yards. Do you have quickly detachable mounts? If so what make? If I buy the Heym Safari Express next week I had planned to get some EAW XS pivot mounts.

Spie, the mounts are Leupold QWR lever mounts. They are affordable & return to zero, they don't look bad either. EAW are top notch. I'm not sure anyone else makes a scope w/ ther eye releif of the VXIII Leupolds.

Surestrike, so you don't have to search.

Good solid gun, I like it, and it will serve you well I am sure of that....