Looking at a .404 Dakota. I'm, of course, aware of the ammo question when hunting offshore. Just wondering if it's superior to the Jeff and why?

Thanks
jetdrvr

Data I have shows the DAkota to be about 10% smaller loaded to the same pressure. Would a 2.57" case fit a normal magnum action vs the Jefferies being 2.865 I doubt anything you would shoot with it would tell the difference

Thanks. It's relatively new and I can't find a lot of field data for it.

jetdrvr, please keep us posted re the Dakota 404 if you get one. I too am considering this caliber as I have a 300 Dakota and love it. If you reload, I don't see having a Dakota caliber a big deal. Also, Dakota will provide you with load data to assist you if you reload. If you ever call Dakota re a technical issue, ask for Ward Dobler. He has helped me with a couple of issues and is a great asset to Dakota Arms.

A couple of years ago, I investigated the .404 Dakota as a custom build. Everything I could find indicated it would be a nice cartridge. I got five cases from Dakota (if you end up building one, I'll send you the cases).

Tip Burns in Canyon Tx was going to build the rifle on a LH Zastava action; he knows where there's a reamer (or did at that time).

I ended up with a .416 Hoffman on that action built by Sterling Davenport.

At this stage, however, I think I'd be giving a .404 Ruger the edge over the Dakota, especially due to the overall cartridge length and ability to use in more actions and case availability.

PostDriver, you said .404 Ruger>? Do you mean the new .416 Ruger?

quote:

Originally posted by leftcoast:
PostDriver, you said .404 Ruger>? Do you mean the new .416 Ruger?

.404 Ruger??

I might be mistaken but doesn't the good old .404 Jeff have more powder capacity than the Dakota. In a modern action at higher pressures will it not out perform the Dakota version?

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:

quote:

Originally posted by leftcoast:
PostDriver, you said .404 Ruger>? Do you mean the new .416 Ruger?

.404 Ruger??

When the 375 Ruger was a rumor, everyone tried to figure out the case dimenions and immediatly aircatted it up and down. Fjold stated at the hint of the 375 that a 404 or 423 ( 6 one half dozen the other) would be more appealing than another 416. Apparently he's not alone!

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
I might be mistaken but doesn't the good old .404 Jeff have more powder capacity than the Dakota. In a modern action at higher pressures will it not out perform the Dakota version?

I'm not sure. The RIQ (rifle in question) is a lefty. There aren't many LH Jeffs around unless you have one built and I don't have the time to wait for that.

From what Dakota says, the .404 Dakota outperforms the Jeff slightly on a shorter case and action.

.. Unless you just like the less common .423 bullets , the 416 Ruger is the cats meow .......There never was or will be anything wrong with the 425 Express Brass is pretty easy to find for it ....

To answer your original question Jet. There nothing wrong at all with the .404 Dakota. I have a friend who has one and he really likes it.

If you're going to go for a caliber that is NOT going to be an "easy-locate" while in Africa,

and you want a 400 grn bullet, why not opt for a .410 caliber wildcat on the 375 H&H brass

or a .410 caliber on the Ruger brass? This is because you can buy light handgun bullets to

mess with or hunt deer, and you can get heavier bullets for situations that call for them?

It would be a higher pressure 404jeffery. Other than fitting into a shorter action, there would be little advantage over the 404j. You can run the 404j to 2400fps easily enough, brass is readily available from Norma. You can even make brass from RUM brass. If you want a 404Dakota, it's reason enough. I have a 7mmDakota on a #1 & love it.