We are starting to load for a 404J with Re15 and the following bullets: 400 Woodleigh SN and FMJ, 400 TSX, 350 Barnes X, 400 Barnes Solid, 380 North Fork. Any ideas?

I meant Reloader 15

Funny thing is, I knew exactly what you meant.

There are one or two loads in this thread.Lots ofpowder choices offered but there is Re 15 in there as well.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...4711043/m/9501098821

Several Reloader 15 loads for 400 grainers on the reloading pages as well. http://www.accuratereloading.com/404.html

Jeremy

quote:

Originally posted by Dan416:
I meant Reloader 15

Oh, Alliant Reloder-15:

Powder lots seem to vary a lot with RL-15, so below is just a rough guide depending on your lot of powder
AND on whether you have a "loose" barrel or a "tight" barrel, as 404 Jeffery barrels vary too,
even nowadays, new-made barrels.

Chonography:

Norma brass, F215 primer, Woodleigh 400-grain RNSP
RL-15:

72.0 grains >>> 2120 fps
75.0 grains >>> 2227 fps
77.0 grains >>> 2290 fps
79.0 grains >>> 2360 fps

Above is in my 24" long, "loose" McGowen barrel of 1:10" twist and .425" groove-diameter.

If you have a tighter make barrel with .423" groove, you will get higher velocities and pressures than I did.

The CZ 550 Magnum in .404 Jeffery used a McGowen barrel like mine, 1:10" twist.

My rifle liked Varget best:

Norma brass, F215 primer, Woodleigh 400-grain RNSP
Varget:

72.0 grains >>> 2125 fps
75.0 grains >>> 2233 fps
77.0 grains >>> 2275 fps
79.0 grains >>> 2336 fps
80.0 grains >>> 2380 fps
81.0 grains >>> 2406 fps ... Best load in my rifle with Woodleigh 400-grain RNSP.

380-grain North Fork SP is best of all, Norma brass, F215 primer:
Varget 83.0 grains >>> 2528 fps

Some of the above loads were done on different days with different temperatures,
but I think you would be safe in any 404 Jeffery with modern steel action and barrel to start around 72 grains of RL-15
and work up to 80 grains of RL-15, with 400-grain Woodleigh RNSP.

The Varget is a tad slower than RL-15, overall in the 404 Jeffery.
Start with 73 grains of Varget and work up to 81 grains of Varget, with 400-grain Woodleigh RNSP.

I would expect RL-15 at 82.0 grains to give about 2528 fps with the 380-grain North Fork,
like 83.0 grains of Varget did in my rifle,
but I have not tried the RL-15 with 380-grainer.

Use one grain less powder with the FMJ Woodleigh 400-grain "solids" versus the RNSP Weldcore "softs."

What barrel make and action make do you have on your 404 Jeffery?