The Accurate Reloading Forums
Patience is a Virtue!!
09 August 2006, 02:21
RustyPatience is a Virtue!!
Stamped on the barrel, lightly
Was a name and not much more.
A single word "Jeffery"
"Jeffery 404"
After 3 years the 404 Jeffery projects have come home. Needless, to say I am thrilled.
The three shots touching on the target above were fired by 400 Nitro Express with iron sights at 50 yards. The little flyer is mine!
83.3 Grains of Hodgdon 4831SC, Federal GM215M primer, BeLL case, 400 grain Woodleigh Weldcore, right at 2100 FPS.
Also shot some RL-15 66 grains at 2133. The felt recoil was less in my opine with the RL-15.
There is no truth to the rumor that we sat in the Suburban with the AC on high, cooling the rifle down between strings!

Just wanted to say "Thanks!" to all of you here who have held my hand and provided wise council during the dark days of the projects.
A big "Thank You and a Job Well done!" goes out to Tip Burns, John Valicek, and Josh Burns for their craftsmanship and efforts in putting all the parts together, making a beautiful rifle, that shoots.

A special thanks to Roger Kehr AKA "Scrollcutter"
for adding a wonderful touch of elegance to the projects.
Also Rip and Alf for reloading info and encouragement.
As Always, I am humbled by the membership of this forum, whose knowledge, craftsmanship and willingness to help others seems to know no bounds!
Thanks for all your help!
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
09 August 2006, 02:31
Charles_HelmI'm am glad to see your patience was rewarded with a rifle that not only looks great but performs as well.
I enjoyed meeting Tip, Dona, and Josh on Sunday when I picked up/dropped off. The weather was a mite warmish though!

09 August 2006, 02:34
mstarlingRusty,
THAT is an extremely tasteful rifle!!!
Congratulations, Sir.
Mike
--------------
DRSS, Womper's Club, NRA Life Member/Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles ...
Knifemaker,
http://www.mstarling.com 09 August 2006, 02:44
Idaho SharpshooterLet me think...okay! I believe it was Townsend Whelen who said "...only accurate rifles are interesting...".
Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting rifle!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am jealous, just a bit...
regards,
Rich
09 August 2006, 02:49
MJinesVery nice. Sharp rifle. Congratulations.
Mike
Mike
09 August 2006, 02:52
N E 450 No2Rusty
Nice looking and nice shooting rifle.
I must admit, not only have I used a vehicle A/C to cool rifle bbls on a hot day. I have even done range test setting in the vehicle with the A/C on MAX, with the window down only long enouth to get off a shot or two.

Besure and save me a couple of rounds of 404 at the DRSS Hunt.
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
09 August 2006, 02:55
SDhunterWords do not convey.......
Heartfelt congratulations on a beautiful, functional rifle.
09 August 2006, 06:35
mix3006Hey Rusty
that rifle doesn't need one more damn thing done to it.Absolute elegance.
Did your engraving lose a little detail when the rust blue was carded?Just curious. Exactly the right amount of engraving to personalise it as well IMHO.
09 August 2006, 06:43
FjoldBoy, that's almost a perfect rifle in a perfect chambering. The only thing that would make it better is to have the bolt on the other side.

Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
09 August 2006, 06:58
308SakoWell done, and enjoy. A truly magnificient work of gunmaking art.

Sit back and enjoy one!
Member NRA, SCI- Life #358 28+ years now!
DRSS, double owner-shooter since 1983, O/U .30-06 Browning Continental set.
09 August 2006, 06:58
lawndartAwesome, simply awesome.
LD
09 August 2006, 07:04
WVFredVery nice Rusty,now it's time to take it somewhere.

Fred
DRSS Member
Rusty,
You are very kind to mention me above.

If you ever want to load it faster, your stout and beautiful rifle is good for loads of many sorts. However, you really don't need to go any faster than:
400 grainers at 2400 fps
380 grainers at 2500 fps
340 grainers at 2700 fps
320 grainers at 2800 fps
... or just stick to the gentlemanly and efficient loads you have ... let'er rip.

09 August 2006, 08:12
Rick RA new rifle with the class and dignity of one of the old "been there, done that" rifles.

09 August 2006, 08:18
boom stickgreat cartridge
great shooting
great rifle
proud owner to be sure

09 August 2006, 08:20
brianboRusty, that is just a beautifully done rifle. Congradulations. Well, worth the wait.
Regards,
Brian
Meet "Beauty" - 66 cal., 417 grn patched roundball over 170 grns FFg = ~1950 fps of pure fun!
"Scotch Whisky is made from barley and the morning dew on angel's nipples." - Warren Ellis
NRA Life Member
09 August 2006, 08:26
army aviatorquote:
Originally posted by Fjold:
Boy, that's almost a perfect rifle in a perfect chambering. The only thing that would make it better is to have the bolt on the other side.
one more vote for the bolt on the other side
09 August 2006, 08:27
lb404Well done! Extremely pleasing to the eyes.
square shooter
09 August 2006, 12:13
bulldog563That is an absolutely beautiful, elegant and understated rifle... And it shoots. What more could you ask for?
Congrats!
09 August 2006, 12:18
RustyFjold, Army Aviator-
By the other side, would you mean the Left handed 404 Jeffery by Burns/Valicek/Kehr? the second half of the 404 Jeffery Projects?

Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
Graet rifle and great caliber
09 August 2006, 19:09
FjoldRusty, I officially hate you now! Good thing there's no video on this site because I'm green with envy!
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
09 August 2006, 19:14
fla3006Very very tasteful!
NRA Life Member, Band of Bubbas Charter Member, PGCA, DRSS.
Shoot & hunt with vintage classics.
09 August 2006, 19:19
mstarlingRusty,
That was PURELY mean! Funny no doubt, and a lovely pair indeed ... but still one step into mean. Just want to make sure EVERYONE is envious?

Mike
--------------
DRSS, Womper's Club, NRA Life Member/Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles ...
Knifemaker,
http://www.mstarling.com 09 August 2006, 21:32
degoinscongradulations Rusty, very nice rifles indeed!!!!
DRSS
09 August 2006, 23:23
brianboRusty,
What was the rational or need to build the left handed rifle? Do you, can you shoot both?
A switch shooter so to speak? or just to shoot from behind the other side of the tree?

Regards,
Brian
Meet "Beauty" - 66 cal., 417 grn patched roundball over 170 grns FFg = ~1950 fps of pure fun!
"Scotch Whisky is made from barley and the morning dew on angel's nipples." - Warren Ellis
NRA Life Member
09 August 2006, 23:39
jeffeosso;bout time!!!
How wonderful is that?!! Awesome
09 August 2006, 23:55
army aviatorquote:
Originally posted by Rusty:
Fjold, Army Aviator-
By the other side, would you mean the Left handed 404 Jeffery by Burns/Valicek/Kehr? the second half of the 404 Jeffery Projects?

very nice. what barrel length and contour and rifle weight?
10 August 2006, 00:07
friarmeierThat checkering isn't pressed, is it?

just kidding...I'm only jealous, you realize!
friar
Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.
10 August 2006, 01:11
RustyThe barrels are .423 Lothar-Walther Magnum Sporter contours 26" long. Ihaven't weighed the rifles yet.
The left handed rifle is a gift for a friend.
Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
10 August 2006, 01:26
brianboThat is an awesome and most generous gift!
Regards,
Brian
Meet "Beauty" - 66 cal., 417 grn patched roundball over 170 grns FFg = ~1950 fps of pure fun!
"Scotch Whisky is made from barley and the morning dew on angel's nipples." - Warren Ellis
NRA Life Member
10 August 2006, 02:53
ScrollcutterRusty,
Thanks for posting the photos and the kind words.
You were a pleasure to work with on this project. I truely hope the rifles will bring years of enjoyment to you and your friend.
Roger
Roger Kehr
Kehr Engraving Company
(360)456-0831
10 August 2006, 02:59
bobcWell, I can see this rifle's gonna take a lot of work to file in those iron sights correctly! Congratulations, and I'm looking forward to seeing them in person. Are you gonna make us swear off bug spray at Cooley to pick them up? Bob
10 August 2006, 03:40
RustyI thought I'd let the guys look at them through a "Blister pack"!

Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
10 August 2006, 03:49
invader66Rusty, Those are as nice as I have ever seen.
Just beautiful.
Semper Fi
WE BAND OF BUBBAS
STC Hunting Club
10 August 2006, 04:22
PfeiferRusty,
Congrats on a fine pair of rifles in a great caliber... Someday I hope I can post picts here of mine when it is finished

Patience IS a virtue! Thanks for the inspiration... My compliments to Roger on his execution as well.
Jeff P
10 August 2006, 06:11
Mike SmithRusty, Very nicely done. Roger certainly does nice work. The whole design is what I would call simple elegance. Nothing is overdone, just pure class.
Happiness is a warm gun
10 August 2006, 06:23
butchlambertRusty, It is a real class rifle! Wouldn't I love to have it.
Buch
10 August 2006, 06:39
duikermanWhat can I say, beautiful!
10 August 2006, 08:17
tip burnsHey Rusty,
Thanks for the kind words and posting the pics.
Josh also appreciates your including his name in the post. He was very surprised.
I'd also like to give thanks to Roger Kehr.
The engraving is beautiful and somehow i managed not to screw it up! For the few times I called Roger, he was pleasant, helpful and it was a pleasure doing business with him.
These 2 rifles started out as a real problem for you Rusty and I am glad I had the opportunity to get them finished up for you.
Again, thanks and I thank everyone for their kind words as well.