I am looking for a "go to" .404 Jeff load for softs and solids.
What can you recommend?
I am not looking for super high velocity, just a standard, effective load.
Thanks

93 grs of IMR-4831 for 2433fps in my 26" tube, 1 gr. less for a solid, Max was (is) 95 grs in my Mauser at near 2600 fps and always most accurate, work up slowly. Another Mauser liked 89 for a solid and 90 IMR 4831 for SOFT....Some FOLKS GO FOR 2100 FPS loads from yesteryear in the 404..I shot a lot of buff with my modern loads and a 404 and a 416 Rem Loaded about the same. 2300 to 2400 FPS works good on any DG. Woodleighs and GS Customs but Barnes would work as well..

BTW I used old world 4831, a Jack O'Conner load so cut back a couple of grs to start with and work up.

84-86 grs. H4350 and a 400 gr. soft or solid has always worked for me.

This worked well for me. A very comfortable load.

https://forums.accuratereloadi...4711043/m/5031076072

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/404targ-a.jpg

Barnes 400gr TSX
78.0 grs of Varget
Fed. 215

North Fork 400gr Cuppoint
77.0 grs Varget
Fed. 215

Both at 2375 fps and shoot to exactly same point of aim.

Of course it depends on what bullets you intend to load for your 404, mono's or cup and core?

I have only ever worked up one load for my 404 after purchasing it when it arrived in the country from Rhodesia 47 years ago. As the rifle was accompanied by some Parker Hale 400gr solid ammo (2245fps) loaded for PH by Norma and some Kynoch 400gr soft factory ammo (2225fps), both which shot to same point of impact, I worked up a load with RWS cases and 400gr RWS solids until I hit the same POI as the factory ammo and stopped there at 85.0grs IMR4831 for 2200fps.
All bullets of course were cup and cores and all three loads were used to great effect on Aussie buffalo. Not sure if Norma powder is very available now but their load (confirmed by Norma) for the Parker Hale ammo was 87.0grs N204 for 2245fps.
My unscoped Mauser weighed 8.5lb and had a fairly hard recoil pad which combined with my wiry body, back then, made me not wanting anymore recoil than already produced so I never sought any higher intensity loads.

On a side note a 404 Jeffery built on a Weatherby MK V has been advertised for sale on our TradeMe auction site in the last couple of weeks with a start price $2,350. Synthetic stock, Japan produced Weatherby. Very nice looking rifle and "the action works flawlessly" according to the seller. The seller pays the auction fee on TradeMe so the price you win at is it + freight if you do not pickup. Was no takers.

I load 380 gr Northfork SPs and 430 gr FPS with H4350. But am going to try RL-16 and some 430 gr SP.

My Loads:
380 gr Northfork SS
2,315 fps

CCI #250 Primers Norma Case COL 3.585”
82.0 gr H4350

430 gr Northfork FPS
2,200 fps

CCI #250 Primers Norma Case COL 3.59”
79.5 gr H4350


Loads I'm going to try:

430 gr NF SS RL-16 78.0 3.600 FED 215
430 gr NF SS RL-16 78.5 3.600 FED 215
430 gr NF SS RL-16 79.0 3.600 FED 215
430 gr NF SS RL-16 79.5 3.600 FED 215
430 gr NF SS RL-16 80.0 3.600 FED 215

380 gr NF SS RL-16 80 3.600 FED 215
380 gr NF SS RL-16 81 3.600 FED 215
380 gr NF SS RL-16 82 3.600 FED 215
380 gr NF SS RL-16 83 3.600 FED 215


430 gr NF FPS RL-16 78 3.600 FED 215
430 gr NF FPS RL-16 79 3.600 FED 215
430 gr NF FPS RL-16 80 3.600 FED 215

BTW - I had a custom reamer made and ran the throat out another .100"