Gentlemen

What is needed to be done to make a 404 Jeffery work on a '09 Argentine? I think I have about the right idea. Open bolt face, shorten rear bridge/open action shorten bolt stop, ejector open rails. I'm really interested in what will have to be done to the mag box, especially in relation to Mauser's correct alignment formula?

Would it be easier to take a Montana long action (30-06) and convert it to 404 Jeffery?

In either case 2 or 3 down is ok.

The reason I ask about these two actions is that is what I have to work with.

Thanks
Shawn

My .404 is being built on a 1909..................if you want an all out classic thats the way to go.....................but the 1909 road means you really can't spare any expense, it has to be done balls and all or do it on the 1999. By that I mean the 1909 should e a full blown custom with all the bells and whistles if you just want a beater use the 1999 IMHO.

Shawn,

What about going with a 404 Dakota?

You will get the same ballistics, and it will cost much, much less to make from your action.

I have a 300 Dakota on an FN action, and the gunsmithing for that part was less than $200.
(I spent the real money on the barrel and trigger work).

Garrett

PC

I definitely understand what you are saying about the ’09. I have seen the pictures of yours, no doubt it is going to be beautiful. Why nicer than what I would want. I would like to shoot for somewhere between plain old ugly and what you are going for, that should net me a decent rifle. I have the Montana action a decent blank and a Douglas .30 cal. barrel. I was going to start on a 30-06 and hope to have it done in the next year or so. Then I came across the ’09, now I don’t really know what to do. Maybe over the next few months I’ll come across a nice piece of wood and get a new .423 barrel. Throw it all in a sack, shake it up real good and pour it out on the table. Whichever barrel and action hit the ground first is how they’ll get screwed together.

N.Garrett

I don’t know that much about the .404 Dakota. Isn’t it a shortened .404 Jeffery? If I go with the Argentine it will definitely be the Jeffery. The Dakota would go well with the Montana though. You no, they are both improvements over the old stuff and kinda go together. (Flame Suit On) Who knows what will happen, I’m still in the parts gathering/dream stage for now.

Shawn

Shawn,

Yes, the 404 Dakota is based on the original 404 Jeffery shortened and with an improved shoulder.

Another older, classic cartridge is the German 10.68 X 68, which is the 404 bullet on a shorter case (the 404 Jeffery came first).

Shawn, since you are willing to spend the money, you might also consider have the right (competent) 'smith lengthen a Mauser action for you. Two matching receivers are cut and welded together for more length.
Lots of original Mausers were modified (without welding) for the 404 Jeffery, but in England especially there were firms that made larger actions out of 2. Done correctly they are just as strong and the weld is indetectable. These are collectors items today.

I have some old gunsmithing books from the '50's that show how to do it.
Even back then it was rich man's rifle.

My 404 Jeffery is on a Win 70 classic that was originally a 7mm Remington Mag.
It's a good cartridge, but lately I am in the mood to experiment with something else.

Garrett

Shawn,

Sorry...meant to type 10.75X68.

Brain fart.

Garrett

I built my .404 on a 1999 action that was originally designed for the .375 H&H cartridge.....almost no alterations to the action required and the cost of the action was about $500.....less than the cost of reworking the 1909

You have to which ever option you want most and what will fill your needs best I suppose, and only you can work that out. My 1909 .404 was sort of started by accident and I suppose I was ignorant to what the costs would all run into, but long after the anal raping over the cost I will have a nice gun............................