Long story short, what work has to be done on a 1952 M70 to make it feed a 404 Jeffery? Action was a std 270 Win.

Thanks

Pete M

That is a pretty long round for a standard Model 70. With enough grinding it might be done, but a longer action is better for reliable feeding, I believe.

I am having a .404J built on a small ring GM magnum action. I looked at a lot of options before deciding on this action.

Bolt face, extractor, rails, feed ramp, follower, mag well -
will all need to be size and contour fitted

most original 404's were built on "standard" 98's

Ok the stock action and barrel were taken to the 'smith last week, what you said is pretty much what he said too. There's some milling to be done!

It can and has been done many times..I still prefer the true magnum 98 Mauser, but they are not cheap....they finish out at about 9 to 9.5 lbs..That's about right for a 404 IMO..

BTW all pre 64 Win. are the same length, not so with one post 64 that is a short rifle.

Correct Alf, but that does not mean its not correct to prefer a true magnum action..Ive had both and felt the longer action worked best as a rule..Not many gunsmiths today can make a std action feed 110%, only a few and they are high dollar for that very reason is my guess. I can name the good one on one hand and be pretty close to correct...Id love to have one of your 404s today.. I had a couple back in the day and they were best quality.

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
The 404 Jeffery was primary designed for a standard Mauser action hence the rebated rim.

Yep, you better go hide behind the sofa for that, Alf.
The CIP spec (translated from mm to inches) is for .545" base diameter and .543" rim diameter maximums: 0.002" difference
When the brass is actually factory-realized by the likes of Norma, both diameters are 0.542": 0.000" difference
Base and rim are both within spec, less than the maximums, and exactly same diameter, no rebate.
If you want to make fun of the .404 Jeffery for anything, you ought to try that 8.5-degree semi-angle of the shoulder,
in a cartridge that head-spaces on its shoulder.

Rip ...

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:

The last entry in the table for 02/03/1970 (March 2, 1970):

Norma DRG 21782, Rim diam .543/+.005, Base diam .5433/=.004: This could allow the rim diam to be bigger than the base diameter --- NOT REBATED

ICI Metals, Rim diam .543, Base diam .487
What is that? The diameter of the extractor groove?

Sad to see such a screw-up.
However the table does suggest that the .404 Jeffery was developed before October 18, 1905.
Many "gunwriters" get that wrong.

Everything else in the table is exactly as I said.
Most brass, including .404 Jeffery brass is manufactured to a -.004" tolerance on the base and rim.
NOT a PLUS TOLERANCE on BRASS MAXIMUMS!
The .404 Jeffery is most easily done, and almost universally done, as .542" diameter on base and rim:
The .404 Jeffery has NO REBATE.

Rip ...

I would sure like to see the ICI Metals drawing with a base diameter of 0.487" for the .404 Jeffery.
And a rim diameter of 0.543".
That ain't rebated rimless.
That is flanged!
Typo?


Rip ...

Alf - - I had the action length discussion with my rifle builder (Reto Beuhler) and he advised me that a longer than standard action would feed 'much better' than a standrd action. I went that route.

I've had both, much prefer the magnum action, but if I ever get a chance at a WR, H&H or particularly another true Jefferys, I will jump on that..The two I owned and sold of course, never had a glitch in feeding, more than most customs on the std. Mauser or mod. 70 pre 64 who worked well with solids or softs but never quite worked out with both or a combination of all handloads..The two Jefferys would feed beer cans if I so wished...