Hey guys,

I am starting to get the components together for my 404J and was wondering what bullets you are using for buffalo and paper punching? Thanks for your help.

so far only the 350 grain woodleigh soft as I'm just screwing around with it.

I have only used the 400 gr woodleigh to date......................and thats what I will probably stick with, there is not much choice of .404 J bullets in Australia at anyrate.

I have settled on the 380 grain North Fork as my primary bullet. Have also used the 350 and 400 grain Woodleigh soft points.

380 North Forks, 400 Grain Woodleigh, 300 grain Hawks.

Big Bullet
I have used the following bullets in my 450/400 and 450 No2 doubles with excellent results, the Woodleigh Softs and the Woodleigh Solids.
I have also used the North Fork Cup Point, and the North Fork Flat Point solids, and the Swift A Frame in my 450 No2, again with perfect results.

If I was shooting a bolt gun such as your 404 I would definately give the North Fork Softs a try. Especially if I was going to load faster than traditional 404 Jeffery velocities.

I would develop loads with the 300 gr Hawks for use on deer and pigs as well. They have worked great in my 450/400 on them.

.404 Jeffery, .423 caliber favorites:

Woodleigh 400gr Weldcore RNSP @ 2200 to 2400 fps

North Fork 380gr SP, FP, CP all at about 2525 fps

North Fork 340gr SP @ 2700 fps

GSC 320gr HV @ 2800 fps

The GSC is the perfect AFRICAN SHEEP RIFLE bullet.

400 gr Swift A-Frames.

Thanks all for your thoughts. Sounds like there are plenty of good quality bullets to hunt with and the lightweight Hawks for punching paper and Florida deer. No one mentioned the Barnes TSX, are they new to this caliber, has anyone used them?

I should have asked this initially, what about powders? I would think that with this case there are many options. Everything from IMR 3031 to Reloader 22 I would think would work. Any favorites?

Thanks

I have used the Woodleighs in 350gr & 400gr, the Hawks in 300gr, 350gr & 400gr, the Barnes 400gr mono & banded solids & the 380grNFs. I have some 340grNFs I still have to try, looking forward to those for the supreme PG bullet. I have also sized down 300gr 44mag bullets as economical 100yd plinkers w/ good success (1.5 moa). I like the shape of the Swift, but haven't tied any yet. The Barnes TSX just kooks too long, maybe if they had made it 350gr instead.
Powders, I like IMR4831 & RL19 for 380gr-400gr, H4831sc is about as slow as I would go. VV150 or RL15 (Varget or IMR4064 also work)for 340gr-350gr bullets. I am only running the 400gr @ 2200fps+ & they kill game very well. I am looking for 2550fps w/ the 340gr-350gr bullets for PG.

Varget Extreme will do all my high velocity loads, and can be used with a filler for classic ballistics. It is all I need.

But I also like a case full of H4831SC with a 400 grainer for a sedate 2200 fps, or thereabouts.

Fred, RIP,

Thanks for the load info. I shall try these powders and bullet combos.

380 grain North Forks (flat points), 400 grain Barnes Banded Solids. Both are extremely accurate through my Kreiger barrel. I haven't tried any soft points or expanding bullets yet.