I got to shoot my new .404 this weekend. The rifle finished out @ just under 9# w/o scope & 10 1/4# w/ a 1.75x5 VXiii. Recoil is tolerable off the bench but more than I want to shoot all day w/ on the bench . Feeding & function were flawless. The std. mag. box will accept (3) down w/ no problem.

I fired 20rds of diff. bullet/powder combos, just checking some loads & getting the scope/iron sights on paper.

The loads were using Hawk 350gr & 400gr bullets. I used RL12, RL15, H4831sc, RL19, IMR4064 H4350 & VV150. Vel. were from 2000fps to 2250fps w/ the 400gr & 2100 to 2450fps w/ the 350gr. It was interesting to note the heavier charges of 4831 recoiled less than lighter charges of faster powders (RL15). I am going to load up some 400gr o/ 81gr H4831sc for about 2200fps and shoot for groups next itme I can get out, sty tuned.

Sounds nice! Do you have photos of the completed rifle?

George

Congratulations, Fred!

If I can figure out how to post I'll get some pics.

The FAQ has information on how to post photos. You will need to upload them to a host server.

George

HI,

I agree with GeorgeS, need to see some pics,sound like a beautiful rifle and if you handload you can even get them faster,Kev

Nice one Fred! congratulations on the finished rifle! maxman

Try this, use IMR-4831, you don't need short core powder, you need to fill that big case...I use 95 grs. of IMR-4831 and a 400 gr. bullet for 2653 FPS in a 26 inch barrel..Mike at Northford got about 2580 plus with this load in his shorter barrel and pressures were well within tolerance...It kicks...

For a real nice hunting load try 93 grs. of IMR-4831...for about 2400 plus...

IMR-4831 is THE powder for the .404 according to my tests and is surpurbly accurate in most rifles.

Fred,

Let me second what Ray said about IMR 4831. At least in my customized Ruger with Kreiger barrel it is THE powder that gives me the best performance.

I shoot 92 grains of IMR 4831 with both Woodleigh and Swift A-Frame 400-grain bullets. The Woodleighs leave the barrel at 2375 fps and the Swifts at 2410. With the A-Frames, my 404 is a true MOA rifle. I took a zebra in Namibia with it last year at 325 yards.

I've used Reloader 15 in the gun and, while it still shoots good, not nearly as good as the IMR powder. I also get better velocity without pressure signs with the IMR.

Try it; you'll like it!

GAH

Fred,

Congratulations on finally GETTING the rifle! It shoots and functions fine too !!!

If you get a photo forward me one via e mail OK??

I'm thinking of doing one of the new CZ's in .416 Rigby as I have a mess of brass, bullets and the dies. Though I still have 90 .404 Cases on the shelf!!!

Don't forget that 3/15 is the closing date for your MT out of state application.

Hope to see you again this year....... FN in MT

Thanks fo the input guys. The rifle is back to the riflesmith for a diff. rear sight, I was about 6" low @ 50yds, that won't do. When I get it back I'll be back to the range.

Ray & GA, I would have to agree w/ you on the short cut, but that was what I had. I'll get some IMR4831 & will give it a try.

Frank, thanks for the heads up, but I am off to Mozambiqe this fall so Montana will have to wait for 05. I am putting in for RM goat again, just to keep my points up. With my luck I'll draw & will have no time or money left to go?!

Well done on getting your new rig !!

I recently purchased a CZ in 375 caliber and I am haveing Jim Brockman install a 404 Lothar Walther barrel, surface grind the action, Talley bolt, hand fitted Talley bases with Brockman pop up peep, barrel band front sight and swivel..It will hold a truck load of rounds in that big magazine...I had a piece of my good Turkish walnut I been ratholing for just this project and I am having Jim turn it on his CNC connection as they have the CZ pattern that he uses that was off my Mauser pattern stock...I will keep the CZ safty and trigger, I like them and its a good safe and handy combo for a DGR may be handier than the M-70 3 pos safty...Most of my guns have M-70 saftys.

I have half a dozen cocking piece peep sights, but they won't work on this gun, and that was a disapointment, they are for Mausers...

Fredj338, was that a 30-06 you started out with?
I have a super grade M70 that was fooled with enough I doubt it has any collecters value, G&H side mount ect. I was thinking of a .404 on it. I like the stock design of the supergrade too. Did you change just the mag box? I'd hate to change the floor plate as it has Super Grade on it and matches the rest of the rifle.

TSJ,
To do it properly one needs to change out the bottom metal alltogether and get a 404 box from Wisner or Blackburn, and I think the new Wisners will be the best of the two as I belive the stack will be wider....

That eleminates the super grade floorplate, but once you convert the gun to 404 the Super grade floorplate no longer has any sugnificance what so ever and it worth more being sold seperatly to a collector, along with the other parts that you have stripped off the rifle....

TSJ, no it started life as a .300RUM. No change in the mag or floor plate, although my smith had to tinker a bit w/ the rails & inside of the box to get reliable feeding. I may go to a Blackburn bottom metal if I have a new stock built. I used the factory stock w/ the addition of (2) cross bolts & a dec. pad, cut the forearm short a bit to accept the bbl. band swivel. When I get it back, I'll post some pics.
Ah Ray, you have always been a class act. I may have to do a .375 that way.