I had posted earlier regarding the accuracy of Dakota rifle. I had mentioned in my post that I was interested in a Dakota in .404 Jeffery. One of the responses mentioned something to the effect that the .404 was not very accurate to begin with. I realize that some cartridges are inheriently more accurate than other (ie .22 hornet vs 22 PPC) I've owned a .460 that would outshoot my .375. What are your experiences, or a reasonable expectation with the .404 Jeffery? Thanks! - Greg

Mabye it has something to do with the severe shoulder angle and body taper. Notice that BR cartridges are disigned with sharp shoulders and minimum body taper. Although, I'll bet Atkinson's 404's drive tacks.

I think it has alot to do with resizing. I'd bet that if you neck sized only, after fireforming, your rifle would have great potential for accuracy if the barrel, bedding, and machining are in order.

-Catter

[This message has been edited by Wildcatter (edited 02-28-2002).]

I didn't mean to start any kind of polemic, but when I was in the process of having a big bore built, I was advised by experienced african hunters to stay away from the .404 which I had chosen on it's theoric qualities.
Lack of accuracy was one of the drawbacks put forward, cartridge availability the other after RWS stopped loading this round.

The 404 Jefferys is the most accurate big bore that I have ever delt with and thats based on build quit a number of big bores..

Harold Wofle, gunbuilder and editor of Hatari Times, Reimer Johannsen out of Germany have both claimed the 404 to be the most accurate of the big bores..

As a matter of fact, in my gun building career and my career as a booking agent and as an African hunter I have never before heard the 404 was not accurate and I challange anyone who makes that statement, meaning your gunsmith...

If you use proper components, lothar-Walther barrels and properly bed it will shoot an inch..YOu do that and if it does not shoot I will buy it from you.

Most custom gun builders will guarentee and inch of accuracy at 100 yards with your choice of caliber within reason, if they will not then find one that will...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

BTW, RWS, Kynoch, Norma, and some other English Company are now loading 404 Jefferys.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

I have a .404 Jeffery with a Lothar barrel. When I first got it I tried two relatively moderate loads for the big case (400 grain bullets at 2300 fps). Both solids and Barnes X bullets printed in the same 1 1/2" with the X bullets in the top of the group and the solids in the bottom. I have never seen any reason to experiment any more, though I'm sure I could get it to shoot 1" groups and get more velocity with a little fiddling, but with the .423" diameter bullets, it just makes a big hole when you shoot five times or so, with all the holes touching.

I've had the rifle for five years now, have shot it several hundred times, and it hasn't changed point of impact that I can see.

Speaking of accuracy in big bores, I have a .458 on a Model 98 Mauser action with an Adams and Bennet barrel that shoots like a bench rest rifle with Federal factory ammunition, but just isn't the classic that the Jeffery is. I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Jeffery in the Dakota rifle.

Enjoy.

[This message has been edited by judgeg (edited 03-04-2002).]

Judgeg you,ve gone & done it! The next gun I build for myself is a 404 with a LW barrel!(actually I,ve been on the brink of doing this for a while). You just inspired me to get off the pot so to speak! What barrel length do you guys find suits the 404ne best?

Doug Humbarger

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NRA Life member

Bear Claw

I've been considering building a 404 for quite some time. What weight/contour barrel are you planning to use? What length?

Where do you plan to purchase dies? And the reamer?

I have a new Whitworth Express long magnum action in the original box saying build me, build me.

What possible kind of accuracy do you think you need when the usual target for this caliber exceeds 1500 lbs.? We ain't gonna use on prairie dogs, for Chrissake! The first requirement for a DGR is power and the second is like unto it, reliability! Bughole groups might look cute on paper but consider the size of the vital triangle on a buffalo at 60 yards. Not very accurate to begin with, my furry backside! I'm sorry, bobby, but I seriously question the "experience" of your advisors, if that is the kind of arguments they put forth. That long sloping shoulder is there on purpose in the .404 the same way it is on the .375 H&H (all kneel!). It is designed to slip the cartridge up the spout 100% of the time, with no error, because when you need a second or third fast shot, you REALLY need it.

As to ammunition availablility, brass is cheap, and the bullets are premium when they come from Woodleigh. Roll your own. Most of us do, anyway.

.318 Westley Richards and .404 Jefferey, the Ultimate African Pair.

Sarge

Craftsman Lothar Walter has 404ne barrels threaded & chambered for the 98 Mauser @ $149.00 plus shipping. Just have to headspace them. I have a Arg.1909 or a 1908 DWM earmarked for the project. I've been eyeballing Midways reamers. Their 404 reamer is $75.00 does anybody know who makes reamers for Midway?

Doug Humbarger

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NRA Life member

Bear Claw

Midway chamber reamers are made by Pacific Precision (Dave Kiff). I have several and they are sharp and accurate. Also they are one of the very few that are hand honed. They cut very smooth chambers.

They are made from M42 steel and work best at a little higer speed, about 110 to 115 rpm.

The Lothar Walter 404ne barrel for the M98 is
1.50 at the chamber, & .700 at the muzzle. It comes 25.6" long (Artical # 724)in their catalog.

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NRA Life member

Bear Claw:
I left my barrel the original length, figuring that I could lop some off some if the balance was wrong. I liked it just as it was. Mine is on an Arg.1909 action. If you build one, let me know how you get the magazine to hold three or more rounds. I have a drop box on mine and 3 is a pinch... but a darn reliable one.

I had folding express sights, barrel band swivel, 22 lines to the inch checkering, AAA walnut, etc. for mine, but I'd love a stainless .404 in a composite stock for a knockabout rifle... or one to take bear hunting in Alaska.

If you build the Jeffery, stand by for some amazing velocities with lighter bullets... and recoil to match.