Gentlemen, once again I need to call upon your expertise.

I've got a .404 Jeffery on a standard-length m98 with Blackburn 14X bottom metal and cartridge follower (purchased before Sound Metal Products entered the scene). The bottom metal is great, maybe a tad too narrow at the shoulder area for the fat .404s, but the rounds stack up nicely and it holds four down. I shortened the box down to 3.55" by soldering in a steel plate in the front. After doing some work on the rails and feed ramp, I've got the rifle feeding flawlessly.

However, I really don't like the cartridge follower. It was supplied with the bottom metal and has the correct width, but at a length of only 3.15" it is too short. It's rattling about during recoil and slamming up against the feed ramp. Since it's made from A26 mild steel, it's already starting to get deformed at the front end. Not a big issue yet, but I'm worried that it might in the end cause a feeding problem. I really don't want that to happen in this type of rifle.

What are my options? I know Sunny Hill makes a follower (#740) that's just the right length, but it's tailored for their .375 box and a little narrower than the one I've got. It might still work, though. Wisner also has one, but I've been told it's less than ideal with the wide box. Are there any others?

Any suggestions or ideas would be welcome!

have you checked with Brownells?

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
have you checked with Brownells?

Yes sir, I have. They've got the one that Jim Wisner makes, although they don't specifically mention him as the manufacturer. It's 3.38" long and is designed primarily for the .375 H&H. I read in one of Duane Wiebe's posts that it's not ideal for the wider mag box, but I guess it might do the trick.

No takers, huh? Guess I've got to do something to spark your interest. Ok, fair enough. How about I post some pictures on how I shortened the magazine box to appropriate length? Or maybe some pics showing the rail work and feed ramp modifications? I'll see what I can find.

In the meantime I'll rephrase my question: Is there a magazine follower for the RUM line of cartridges which would snap right onto the Mauser magazine spring?

Just in case he doesn't see your post, you should PM Duane directly with your question.

Have you considered contacting Montana Rifle Co.?
My 404 Jeffery is made on one of their long actions. Surely one of those followers would do the job. Might require a little work?

Just a thought.

I think the 770 (L or R) from SunnyHill should work. Might depend on the interior of the box...ours is machined wide, then narrows down forward of shoulder area...hence Sunny Hill works just fine

If you can find a 378 Weatherby follower (from a Weatherby brand rifle that is), you can trim/grind it as needed for your box, and it will work perfectly.

Did that once myself. It was free.

Garrett

A couple of years ago I purchased two 458 Lott followers from Jim Wisner. He recommended these for his wider boxes because they are wider than his 375 H&H followers.

If its mild steel why not just weld a small piece on to make it the right length.

Alchemist

We have the follower that you are looking for.
Please contact us so we can replace the follower you have.

Thank you everybody for your advice and suggestions!

Rusty, I might give MRC a try, but since I'm based overseas (Norway), I think I'll try the easier options first.

Duane, thanks, I wasn't aware of the #770 from Sunny Hill, I only saw the #740. Could the #770 be the one they make for the Winchester M70 action feeding RUM cartridges?

JBrown, I can't find Jim Wisner's .458 Lott followers at his website, nor on Brownell's, but I'll contact him directly if I don't have any luck with the others.

N. Garrett, a Weatherby follower sounds like an excellent idea, but I think I'll have tough luck finding one over here.

22WRF, good idea, I never thought about welding. To answer your question of why not, it's because I'm not a gunsmith, much less a welder. I could have someone else do it, but even with a half-decent welder it might end up looking like Bubba did it. It would look a little out of place on a $5k rifle.

Just to make it clear, my inital post was not at all meant as criticism of CNC Specialties or their products. I have the greatest respect for Mr. Blackburn and his gunsmithing skills, and he was very kind and helpful when I talked with him a couple of years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by lovebug:
Alchemist

We have the follower that you are looking for.
Please contact us so we can replace the follower you have.

Maggie, thank you very much for your kind offer. Are you sure that you have what I'm looking for? Could you please give me the approximate dimensions (length, width at rear and front) of this follower?

I purchased my guard and follower directly from you, about a year and a half ago. I specifically asked for a box and follower that would work with the .404 Jeffery. Do you make different size followers? If so, I think you sent me the wrong one.

I'll contact you by e-mail so we can straighten this out.