Norma, for whatever reason, changed the headstamp designation on its 404 Jeffery brass to 404 Rimless Nitro Express. Of course, everyone knows this is the alternate, although less common, name for the cartridge, with the possible exception of African customs officials.

I'm scratching my head wondering why Norma would do this, and worried that there might be some explaining to do if bringing loaded ammo with this brass to Africa with a rifle marked 404 Jeffery.

You guys with much more Africa experience than me, what say you? Any insights on why Norma would do such a thing? And is there a potential customs/import issue in some, or any, African destinations?

Hmmmm. Very good question and a concern for Africa. The airport workers aren't necessarily firearms experts!

Same concern as a 280 Rem. and a 7mm Rem. Express.

I'm sure there are others...

Because that was the correct name it went by in the first place and it coincides with the CIP designation !

The problem is custom gunmakers and their clients have been marking guns as 404 Jeffery or worse 404 Jefferies ????? when it was primarily never known by this name !

On the original Jeffery rifles even before the Magnum Actioned rifles it was marked as 404 Ex.

So get "404 RNE" stamped or engraved before or after or on a line above the common barrel marking?
Spell it all out if going the engraving route.

Rip ...

Much ado!!!
Could it be a legal and export issue?
Let me get my monocle and read the fine print.
Lots of bribery opportunity to be had over this trifle.

I have a wildcat named the ".410/404 Jeffery Rimless Nitro Express."
With either old Norma brass, New Norma brass, or new Hornady brass,
if the customs "checker" can read, he will find a match for my rifle with any of that brass.



Hornady brass is still headstamped "404 Jeffery" last time I checked.

Hornady 404 Jeffery brass is excellent.
That is the easy match to the "404 Jeffery" barrel marking.

So, no, Saeed does not need to change the name of his wildcat to .375/404 Rimless Nitro Express.

Rip ...

Just get out the metal stamps and mark the the gun 404NE or stamp NE after 404 Jeffery if already so marked.

Even my Mauser is stamped 404 NE although all my cases and factory ammo; Kynoch, RWS and Parker Hale which is made by Norma are all just headstamped with manufacturers name and 404 and no other designation.

I just wonder why they do not still call the "400 S Jeffery" by its original name instead of current "450/400 NE 3-Inch."

Rip ...