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Converting to 404 Jeff.

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https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4711043/m/1361086311

23 July 2009, 22:19
PBens
Converting to 404 Jeff.
Does anyone have any information about converting a 300 weatherby to 404 Jeffrey? I have a Weatherby that doesn't get very much use (I would rather use my 338 WM), and I am thinking about trying co convert it to 404. Has anyone converted a Weatherby receiver to 404 Jeff?
Thanks,
25 July 2009, 17:52
bob*n
I'm surprised no one has responded yet. I have the same plan. Picked up a Weatherby Vanguard at Wally World when they were closing out their guns. It is 300 Weatherby also. The action is big enough for the 404. I've even started accumulating brass. Have a couple of A-zoom dummy rounds in 404 also. I'm looking at having Pac-Nor do the barrel worky.

Hopefully more people will chime in.

Bob
25 July 2009, 22:25
Shack
I owned for many years a Vanguard which I took many deer with before trading up to a German Mark V Weatherby that I still own and love. I would not part with it willingly.

So, I'll try to help a little by suggesting that if you're doing a conversion for something so grand as 404 Jeffery, I'd base it on their best. That's the Mark V. My second choice would be the Browning Safari Rifle. The Browning is a Mauser which is in keeping with 404 and a lot were made and they are out there in fair condition for not a lot of money.

On the other hand, the Vanguard is also considered a modified Mauser itself.

Anyway, the Mark V is the Vanguard's big brother and top of the line. Better looking styling, action and wood. I also prefer the bolt handle, the safety mechanism, bolt release, mag floor release (on my '70s model you needed to rap it with something hard after the first shot for it to open), the very heavy bolt and short bolt throw design on the Mark V. The both are/were extremely accurate as originally built.
26 July 2009, 05:35
Big Bore Boar Hunter
I haven't done the conversion, but you will need to rebarrel and have the feedrails modified to accommodate the larger cartridge. Vanguards are metric threaded barrels, most gunsmiths can machine them just make sure. In some cases, you may be better off selling it and getting a custom rifle in 404.

John