anyone try downsizing 300gr .430 bullets for plinking loads in the .404jeffery?

There's a parallel thread running here on plinking loads for the .416 Rigby, with a number of replies. NONE even mention cast bullets, which are truly the only logical bullet for such a role. I base that statement on the fact that even the "lighter constructed" bullets in these large diameters are intended for pretty serious use, and hence are very expensive for "plinking".

To address your question about sizing-down .44 bullets for the .404, YES! I have sized LUBRICATED Sierra 300 JSP .430" bullets to .424" in my lubricator-sizer for the .404, but this is very heavy work for the machine. A better setup would be a custom-made Lee sizer die, which mounts in the regular loading press and costs relatively little.

300 grains was a regularly-loaded factory-bullet weight in the early days of the .404, and as such is not "outside the envelope". These pistol-type bullets should make WONDERFUL groundhog loads at 2600 fps or so.

As mentioned here before, I hope to have Mountain Molds make me a purpose-built .404 mold in the near future. I expect that once a design is finalized it will be available to anyone who wants one. Then, it's just a case of casting the bullets from old wheelweights, hand-lubing them, and running them through your Lee die that was used for the jacketed bullets. Dead simple, and dirt cheap. My .416 Rigby cast bullets only cost about three cents each, and as a result the rifle sees a LOT of shooting. A mold will cost about $50 or so, and the Lee custom sizer a good bit less less than that. You would then have UNLIMITED bullets for practically nothing, and a properly-made cast bullet is no slouch on game, either....maybe not for the big African game, but for smaller stuff they'd do. In addition, the cast bullet is NOT restricted to reduced speeds. The Rigby 365-grain cast bullets are quite happy and accurate at 2700 fps....without "leading".

Regards fom BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)

Ooops....I just looked at the .416 plinkin' thread, and some folks are finally getting into the cast-bullet side of things.

Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)

Thanks Bren, is that die a special order from Lee? This sounds like it might work. I looked into Corbin, but they want $130 for a draw die to do this. That's only about 300 bullets but it would be nice to do it cheaper.

Fred, pard;

I do believe the regular-priced Lee bullet sizing die is about $14.00 or thereabouts, so I suspect the custom one might come in around $25-30.

Just make SURE that you lube the bullets. Regular case-lube will likely suffice. Sure do like the .404!

Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)

Thanks Bren, I went to Lee's web site & saw they are $25 @ 4 weeks. Heck, for that amount of money I'll give it a try. $8-10 / 50 would beat the $40 I have to pay for Hawks. I'll let you know how they shoot.
I just got this .404 put together & have really liked shooting it. I'm getting 1.5MOA groups off the bench w/ the Leup. 1.5x5, 350 & 400gr Hawks. I'm happy w/ that. I'm getting out Sun. to try some of the 380grNFs. Stay tuned.

I am a handloader and load for various big bores but the "cast bullet" scene seems daunting and the leading issue and reduced velocity has always scared me off....but casting is always in the back of my mind for some reason. It is something I would liek to try at some point.

PC, I've cast bullets for years, including some rifle bullets, for vel. up to about 1600fps. I just don't want to hassle w/ it much anymore. .05 a piece for plinking big bores would suite me fine.

Gentlemen

I got a reply from Hornady-
We do not at present have any plans to add a 404 Jeff caliber bullet to our line however your point is well taken and while not a huge market it may be ok. We always look at ways to improve our bullets and we will be experimenting with our profile."

I guess they are trying to tell me that Hornady will not make this caliber, neither bullets, brass or ammo.

I'm glad they didn't ask me to stuff if. I guess it's time to start the AR lobbyism and propaganda bureau

Cheers
/ JOHAN

Hornady need to produce a 9.3 bullet & a .404 bullet. There is a huge market for it...right here on AR

I already sent them my request.

fred, pard

One thing you have to consider in sizing-down jacketed bullets is that there may be some "spring-back" which could loosen the core inside the jacket. The lead core will compress as forced by the sizing die, but being malleable and sort of "dead", it will stay at the smaller dimension. The copper jacket, being somehat springier in composition, might expand slightly away from the the lead core after travelling through the sizer.

I would restrict such sized-down bullets to plinking, since the structural integrity of the bullet might be weakened a bit for hunting purposes with a loosened core. (Still great for varmints, of course!)

Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)

Fred,

Take a look at Mountain Molds or NEI, pick a mold, send it to me and I'll cast you some slugs. I'll even spring for the sizing die and top punch.

I just scored a major supply of CHEAP linotype and wheel weights. So I started casting some speciality slugs for handguns and rifles again. I'm getting a mold that will drop a 270 gr gas check slug for the 9.3mm so doing .416's or .404's is no problem.

SHIPPING may suck but then again I DO make it to the Bay Area occasionally and could send them from there vs Big Sky country. OR....... Come out and shoot some gophers this Spring and PICK THEM UP.

FN in MT

Thanks for the offer Frank. If I get some time I would love to come up for a few days & pot some PDs w/ my .260AI. We'll see. I need to send you some pics of the .404, I have it completely finished now, sighted in & just working up some good loads. The "plinking" rounds came to mind as I like to shoot the rifle but 20 or so 400gr rounds is about all I want to do in one session.

CH-4D makes bullet draw dies, as does Richard Corbin. The dies are less expensive than the other Corbin die firm. I got my die from Richard and the bullets are easy to draw down but since my rifle is not yet completed I have not been able to test them yet.

Thanks CC, the CH seems a good value for the money. Ive ordered a Lee die & I'll se how that works. I wonder if you use a bonded/plated type bullet, say the Speer GoldDOt, if it would reduce the chance of core slippage? Sty tuned.