A happy e-mail I received today

27 July 2006, 04:06

I received this e-mail from Roger Ferrell, the Atlanta area gunsmith, today. Whoopee!

Ernest,
I shot your .404 today and have nothing but positive developments to report. Feeding & ejection were fine. Accuracy was about 1" at 50 yards which is as good as I can shoot iron sights. When adjusted so the bullet's point of impact is 1" above the point of aim at 50 yards, the points of aim & impact coincide at 100 yards. Recoil is very manageable; the rifle is comfortable to shoot. Ammo is good. Chronograph velocity at 15' is 2285 fps. No problems. Bluing is next.
Roger

The gun was originally a Winchester special production Model 70 Classic, a notch or two above a Super Grade made by the Custom Shop for some distributer, I suppose. I bought it from a private party NIB, for a whopping $700.

The original caliber was .300 RUM, and since I prefer "long range" rifles to be ensconced in synthetic stocks and have stainess barrels, I decided to re-barrel to .404 Jeffery.

The ammo Roger was using was my Jeffery loads with Woodleigh solids. I'll work up a load later with Mike's North Fork cups and FPS, too. I think that the velocity is all I will ever need!

I chose NECG sights, a large bead front (with detachable hood) and a fixed and flip-up (200 yds) shallow express-style "V" on an island rear.

Roger pillar bedded the action and also full-length bedded the barrel.

I think you folks will be amazed with the quality of the wood (for $700). I'll probably put Talley QD mounts and a 1.5x5 Leupold on it.

I'm eagerly awaiting delivery next week and will get some pictures then.

27 July 2006, 04:14

jeffeosso

Judge,
Glad it's going well for you. The 300RUM to 404 is a pretty darn good and easy fit for the 404

jeffe

27 July 2006, 05:00

577NitroExpress

Judge:

That's great to hear. I am using Roger for my son's .30-06 project. Bill Soverns is doing the stocking.

You should bring that Beauty to Cooley!

27 July 2006, 05:13

bwanamrm

Ernest,
Look forward to pics! I have always wanted a custom .404 with all the trimmings... sounds like you built one. Congrats on her being a shooter.

On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling

Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.

27 July 2006, 05:41

JudgeG

I shall bring it to the DRSS meeting, subject to Rusty and Mac's blessing, of course... and my paying the final total to Roger, too, I reckon!

Jeffeosso:
The original follower would allow the cartridges on the left side to pop out, but Roger replaced it with a .375 H&H one, and, without modification, works just fine... Go figure?