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Re: .404 jeffery-a killing machine

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22 September 2004, 07:34
Atkinson
Re: .404 jeffery-a killing machine
Fred,
Welcome to the exclusive club of the 200 year old league of 404 lovers!

It is a grand caliber, no belt if that means anything, can be loaded to an easy 2500 FPS in any gun, but made its bones at 2100 FPS, works in a standard length action and was the darling of the early Africans and game depts.

There are still a gob of them in the hands of Tanzania game scouts in FN persuasion and other niceties, just how to get my hands on them has always been my problem...
21 September 2004, 09:28
GeorgeS
We require photographic proof. Please provide.

George
21 September 2004, 09:26
fredj338
I just got back from Moz. & RSA & took my .404 as my only rifle. I am happy to report all one shot kills using the exc. 380gr NF bullet @ 2250fps. This included my smallish buffalo shot thru the heart on a frontal shot, a bushbuck, reedbuck & really nice waterbuck. All bullets exited after breaking one or both shoulders. The bullet in the buff. wasn't found, lost somewhere in the rumin. I am very happy w/ my choice of heavy rifle. Good shooting!
21 September 2004, 09:50
ASS_CLOWN
George isn't kiddin' either, believe me without photographic proof he (and a few others) will hound you to death!!!

ASS_CLOWN
21 September 2004, 09:41
fredj338
George, I'm a bit old fashion & took my 35mm camera so photos will have to wait a few days. BTW, the myth of brush bucking bullets was proved on my 1st shot @ a 30" waterbuck @ 50yds. There was quite a bit of jesse in the way of his shoulder but I tried to squeeze one thru & he was off on the shot. We tracked for about 2 miles to make sure but never found any blood or sign of a hit. Went back to the original site & found a small mark on a branch about 20yds in front of the bull. I had a steady rest over the sticks so we assumed a deflection.
21 September 2004, 11:35
Rusty
Fred, WTG! Congratulations.

I can't wait for my 404 Jeffery that is being made by John Ricks!

Thanks for sharing.
21 September 2004, 14:27
jeffeosso
Fred,
great news..
we'ld love to see photos, but you haven't (heh) established yourself as a running "misuser" of truth, so we believe you...

just want to share your experience


(as I was giving rusty trouble about yesterday)

ah yes... a 400 gr at 2300..... you didn't mean a 416 taylor did you?

(runs for cover)

jefe
21 September 2004, 14:33
Oldsarge
Quote:

BTW, the myth of brush bucking bullets was proved on my 1st shot @ a 30" waterbuck @ 50yds. There was quite a bit of jesse in the way of his shoulder but I tried to squeeze one thru & he was off on the shot. We tracked for about 2 miles to make sure but never found any blood or sign of a hit. Went back to the original site & found a small mark on a branch about 20yds in front of the bull. I had a steady rest over the sticks so we assumed a deflection.



That's because you skinned the side of the branch. If, like I inadvertantly did, you had hit the tree square, the bullet would have drilled the veg and then the buck . . . only I did it on a bushpig.
21 September 2004, 15:25
ASS_CLOWN
Oldsarge,

Quote:

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BTW, the myth of brush bucking bullets was proved on my 1st shot @ a 30" waterbuck @ 50yds. There was quite a bit of jesse in the way of his shoulder but I tried to squeeze one thru & he was off on the shot. We tracked for about 2 miles to make sure but never found any blood or sign of a hit. Went back to the original site & found a small mark on a branch about 20yds in front of the bull. I had a steady rest over the sticks so we assumed a deflection.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



That's because you skinned the side of the branch. If, like I inadvertantly did, you had hit the tree square, the bullet would have drilled the veg and then the buck . . . only I did it on a bushpig.



In my experience, even when the vegetation is hit square, it depends how close the target is behind the vegetation. I missed a doe once that was ~ 10 yards behind a sapling. I killed the sapling alright, but what should have been a shoulder shot on the doe missed completely!

The "real" reason that he didn't "bust the brush" though is the his choice of cartridge/caliber. If it had been a 444 Marlin, 45-70, or 450 Marlin it would have "busted the brush" just fine!

ASS_CLOWN