Besides Woodleigh, which I read are quite good, there is at least Northfork Bullets and Swift A-Frame both with good reputations, and Hawk which I understand some folks don't like because of being not bonded. I haven't been fortunate enough to use any yet as I am waiting for my rifle to be completed. I have posted before that folks also make bullet reducing dies to draw down 44 magnum bullets, 300 gr for instance, to .423. Not 'dangerous game' bullets but they are a lot cheaper for practice. RCE can make these dies for a reloading press or bullet making press. For that matter, 10mm or 40 S&W brass is the correct diameter to make bullets from, as well as 30-30 Brass. They are probably too thin for serious bullets but then there is copper tubing, but perhaps that is more time consuming work than most folks want to do. Elsewhere on AR, I think, some one mentioned that Hornaday could be persuaded to make .404 Jeffery bullets if enough people asked. May be wishful thinking or may be worth pursuing. Hope this helps.
Posts: 138 | Location: Hubbell, Michigan, USA | Registered: 05 October 2002
It seems that Barnes has dropped their .404 Jeff bullets. I was planning to use the X and Solid for a wildcat. Any other good sources of .404 bullets besides Woodleigh?
Posts: 546 | Location: Oklahoma City, OK | Registered: 29 November 2002
Swift makes (or was making).423 caliber A-Frame bullets. But you have to call them directly to order. A box of 50 is about fifty bucks. I bought four boxes about four months ago.
I'm sorry to hear about Barns. I was going to try some of their mono solids on buffalo this fall. Is this confirmed?
I'm sorry to hear about Barns. I was going to try some of their mono solids on buffalo this fall. Is this confirmed?
I talked to them today on the phone. The rep told me they had dropped their .404 bullets from the line this year, and that the news that they had been dropped had caused a run on the bullets. They're already out of the 400 grain X, I don't think they have any solids left either.
Posts: 546 | Location: Oklahoma City, OK | Registered: 29 November 2002
Several of us are calling Hornady and asking for them. I was told recently by the gal at Hornady, that they are seriously considering it. CALL THEM and ASK! I think they will make them soon ( 404 basic brass too) but they will do it faster if we "bug-um"
Also, A-Square makes a pretty good mono solid, at least, this is what I hear. You could also try for the GS FN solids from South Africa, just be prepared to wait a bit for them to arrive.
What's the latest on A-Square and GS? Anybody had any experience with either company lately?
Just checked Midway's web page, they don't list the 404 A Frames as being available. They also had Woodleigh 400 grain softs and solids on sale for about $42 a box, which is a very good price. They must be doing an inventory reduction on the 404 bullets as they only had 2 boxes of each left. Needless to say, those softs and solids are now on their way to my house...
Posts: 454 | Location: Califon, NJ USA | Registered: 18 January 2002
Being and old 404 fan...I like the Nothfork, GS Customs, and Woodlieh bullets, combined with the Bridger flat nose solids...Huntingtons has a number of sources for the .404 bullets..
Rhino bullets in Alaska, and Rhino bullets in Africa make 404 bullets, A multitude of small bullet makers are around and they make good bullets..
I agree that the Hawk bullets, regardless of jacket thickness are poor hunting bullets at the velocities that the 404 can generate in a modern rifle...I have had a lot of failures with Hawk bullets coming apart like a bomb, so use them for practice and perhaps deer hunting.
Posts: 42321 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
I have had good luck with the Hawk bullets, unlike some.
They give the best accuracy out of my Krieger barrel (and higher pressures too...so don't swap powder charges from another bullet).
I have shot one moose, one eland, and one kudu with the Hawks (in my 404), with good bullet performance.
Another source of .423 bullets is the Old Western Scrounger. They occassionaly have RWS FMJ (lead core) bullets that come in, and are on the inexpensive side. Great for practice, although not a good choice for hunting.
I could never get the Barnes X bullets to shoot acurrately out of my rifle, and other 404 shooters told me the same thing.
Hi, Contact Mr Ken Stewart in Pietersburg,RSA. He makes them in the weight you wish. I picked up some 425 grains .404 bullets last week from mr Stewart.
/Husky
Posts: 1134 | Location: Sweden | Registered: 28 December 2003
