I am purchasing a new in the box Sako Finnbear L61R Magnum action. I'm hoping I can use it to have a .404J built.

I've read some of the posts here regarding different specs for the .404 and want to go with the .423 (American?) bore measurement.

Does anyone have any advice regarding this idea? Will this action work for this caliber? This is my favorite action, so I'm really looking for a project for it specifically.

I'll be using it for coastal Alaska hunts, so am thinking of having the action coated somehow and possibly using a stainless barrel.

Any recommendations are appreciated!
David

You want .423 groove & bullet diameter. 12 inch twist if you can find it, otherwise 14.

Minimum 1.230" barrel shank diameter, 1.250" with the right contour looks better.

Coatings: Robar black Roguard with NP3 internals is bullet proof and is somewhat of an "Alaskan Standard". Molecular Metallurgy TiAl is very tough, dark charcoal gray, but not as slick internally as the NP3.

Or just NP3 the complete action, it looks like matte bead blasted stainless, and is very slick on the internals.

Just remember the Sako is a push feed, not a CRF.

[ 08-26-2003, 05:30: Message edited by: John Ricks ]

I believe the .423 bore has its lineage in the European 10,75x73 nomenclature. (It was also used for the 10,75x68 mauser cartridge). This is the version that has survived nearly 100 years without error.

The British version is the confusing one: .404, .412, .418, .424, etc.

I don't think there is an American version of the cartridge, just Americans with good taste in cartridges.

Thanks for the replies.

John, I sent you another email. This will be fun

John,
I have a .416REM on a Sako AV, circa 1987. I sure thought it was controlled round feed. It's been a while since I have looked at it, much less shot it, so I will pull it out this evening and take another look. Thanks, Bob

.

Nay, Johan, use 423 bullets, Woodleigh makes them.

423 groove diameter takes 423 bullets. No ratteling around!!

The Norma 404 factory rounds I have are loaded with 423 bullets.

Barnes makes 423 X bullets and solids.

423 is the "New" standard for the 404 Jeffery.

Back in the old days, the 404 used lead bullets and soft jacket bullets, had a long forcing cone ahead of the chamber, and a 418 or so groove diameter. Bullets were swaged down as they traveled the barrel. So, If one has a old 404 Jeff, be sure to slug the bore and measure to find out what the groove diameter is.

Nowdays we all use 423 bullets and 423 groove diameter.

[ 08-27-2003, 04:09: Message edited by: John Ricks ]

I am as we speek building a 404 Ne on a 1909 Arg. for one of our members & using a Lothar Walter 404 barrel with a .423 bore. In the test firing everything worked fine using Woodleigh bullets & RWS brass.