Between a 375 H&H and a 404 Jeffery? I don't intend for this to be a 375 vs the 404 type of thread, but I'm curious about feedback from the field. The numbers are just that numbers, but there doesn't seem to be that much difference between the two, especially when looking at the Norma PH 375 loads with the 350 grain bullet. Even when you hold the two loaded rounds next to each other, just doesn't seem like that much. That being said, I have a real hankerin to own a 404 for much the same reasons I have a couple 375 H&Hs, nostalgia and a lot of years of proven results between the two of them. I don't read a lot of stories of the 404 "hammering" game but maybe a lot of folks opt for one of the 4 sixteens instead? A 400 grain bullet at 2400 fps is no slouch though. I just like the look of the 404, sort of unassumming. Doesn't look mean like a 416 Rigby but nonetheless, gets the job done.

Some of this depends on what you have holding the .404 Jeffery.....If it's a modern action capable of holding 60,000 PSI then the old .404 is very serious business.....

Generally the .375 H&H is a 4,400 ft-lb gun and the .404 (prudently handloaded in a modern action) is a 5,200 ft-lb gun.....the difference is significant in my opinion.

Whether or not the addfitional ft-lb is needed is a separate discussion.

As the owner of a 375, actually three of them, when I wanted something bigger, I looked at the 404. Because of a wrongly held belief that 425bullets were hard to come by (I later bought a 425 Express which uses 425 bullets-so I am well acquainted with 425 bullets), I had a custom built using the 404 case necked to 416. This was my own idea, but what I made was a 416 Howell or 416/404.

Performance is essentially exactly the same; bullets weigh the same; you get roughly the same velocities; they both fit in the same size actions.

I think that it is a wonderful choice because the performance is very good. You can easily handle 400gr loads in a 10# rifle at 2400fps. Recoil is stout, but not on the level of a 458 with 500gr bullets. Performance is excellent. The original was loaded to 2190fps, and you can get 2400 with no problem.

Bullets are available from Woodleigh and Barnes. You will enjoy it greatly.

Remember this about 404's: there is more than one chamber size used; therefore, make sure you dies and chamber size match. If you do this, you will eliminate most of the 404 problems.

You can use any standard size action; however "lengthen" it at the back of the action and not the front. Kudude

The .375 does not compare to a handloaded .404 Jefferys anymore than it does to a .416 Rem. Both of the 40s are just more powerful...

You can load the 404 to 2600 FPS plus a tad in a good modern rifle with 400 gr. bullets if you can stand the recoil...I load my .404s to 2400 FPS and that is a mild load...The old Kynoch load of 2125 FPS is passe today, I don't know why anyone would use those olf loads unless they have an old gun...I tried them and they killed buffalo just fine but 2400 does it better IMO...