I keep looking for a used 404. Where should I be looking? I watch the classifieds here and pop in to gunbroker.

are ya willing to shell out three large?

I've got one that might work for you?

Larry Sellers had his CZ for sale in the classifieds back in February.

On another note, why are the 404's so much more the 375 and 458's?

PM Biggestgun

Perhaps one could consider the New Mauser 03 system?
Mauser African 03 at Cabelas

About what you'd pay for a custom rifle, without the 1-3 year wait. And once you have that basice rifle you can order and change out to different calibers. The rifle can travel as a "Take Down" Rifle.

It is non-traditional so I don't think people will like it. Too bad!

Champlin has a couple...just remember to bring your real money.

Larry Sellers also had one for sale here awhile back. Check with him, I think he wanted about $2500 with some stuff.

Rich
Buff Killer

As to why they cost more, CZ is about the only reasonably priced option, and it is an oddball.
.423" bullets are rather rare, even today.

I bought my new cz at Cabela's a couple of years ago.

Ruger chambered the M77 in 404, are those available for reasonable used prices?

I am more and more impressed with the 404 and someday, like to get one. I like the history romance and good ctg design. By design I mean diameter, taper, shoulder and neck. On paper appears it should be a good brown bear killer.

Red from Rip:

quote:

Originally posted by fourbore:
Ruger chambered the M77 in 404, are those available for reasonable used prices?

Was not the Ruger chambering of the 404 Jeffery just in the No. 1, in a very limited quantity, like 100 or less?
I have never heard of an M77 404 Jeffery from Ruger.

I am more and more impressed with the 404 and someday, like to get one. I like the history romance and good ctg design. By design I mean diameter, taper,
... Body taper of the .404 Jeffery is a very modern amount, minimal, near straight-sided, much less than the body taper of the .416 Rigby.
shoulder
... Shoulder taper is very minimal too, but that makes it an antique, at about 8.5 degrees, it is very slope-shouldered compared to the 45-degree degree sharpest of sharp shoulders of the .416 Rigby.
and neck.
... Yep, antiquated long neck ..
On paper appears it should be a good brown bear killer.

Yep, a good anything cartridge. With a low power scope and an FN solid bullet, 400 to 380-grainers at 2400 to 2525 fps, it would be good for pass shooting elephant brains.

I found this with google:

http://pdf.textfiles.com/manua...ARMS/ruger_77_nm.pdf

searching for 404, states MkII magnun chambers in 404. I guess not many were made then. And not likely a good source for dla69.

So the 404 has min taper, could not tell from the pics. Looked like an easy feeder. No scrimping on the neck thats for sure.

The Ruger MarkII in 404 Jeffery had chamber dimension problems on at least some of the rifles.

The problems didn't lead to blow-ups, just difficulties with some brands of ammo.

There weren't alot of them made, so I don't know how extensive the issue was, but Ruger repaired the rifles even if purchased used by a second party.

Garrett

I assume you're interested in a used 404 due to the economy of the purchase.

You might consider having one made yourself, which wil allow you to purchase the parts as you go along.

It's a lot of fun to have a rifle made just the way you like it, even if it seems like slow motion.

Garrett

quote:

Originally posted by fourbore:
I found this with google:

http://pdf.textfiles.com/manua...ARMS/ruger_77_nm.pdf

searching for 404, states MkII magnun chambers in 404. I guess not many were made then. And not likely a good source for dla69.

So the 404 has min taper, could not tell from the pics. Looked like an easy feeder. No scrimping on the neck thats for sure.

I see the reference, thanks.
Looked like that info was dated "2/03."
I bet they are expensive collector items, scarce.
I have never seen one.

Your best bet IMO, is to buy the CZ. You can make one for a reasonable price as well, if yo ucan find a used M70 in a RUM caliber. Change the bbl. & away you go in most cases. That's hoq I did mine, but w/ some bells & whistles added.

Is there a reason that the 404's are so much more than other calibers. For instance, I see a 416 Rig and 458 for sale in the classifieds for less than $1000.

If you refer to a CZ in 404; those are from the custom shop in kansas city. The Kc built guns are around $3k. The ones from check republic are the American model and cost $1000. Basically the same gun. No competition equalls a sellers market. If you want a 505 gibbs or a 404 they got you by the short ones. Just like the ammo situation before Hornady jumped in with the DG line. I payed for a CZ in 505, but be damned if CZ is going to get an extra 2k of my money for a 404. its not worth it.

If you dont already have a DG class 40; IMHO the 416 rigby its a lot better choice. Just as much romance and hits harder, lots of ammo.

You can certainly build a nice 404j for less than $2500, I did.

quote:

Originally posted by fourbore:

If you dont already have a DG class 40; IMHO the 416 rigby its a lot better choice. Just as much romance and hits harder, lots of ammo.

I don't have a DG class 40. Is there a big difference in performance between the 2?

In performance, they are very close. You'll need a larger rifle for the Rigby.

I just posted mine for sale in classifieds

quote:

If you dont already have a DG class 40; IMHO the 416 rigby its a lot better choice. Just as much romance and hits harder, lots of ammo.

Hmmmmm.

A .423 400 gr bullet @ 2380 FPS vs a .416 400 gr bullet @ 2400 FPS.

The rest of your post I agree with but in a modern loading the .416 Rigby and the Jeff are just about identical power wise.