I have a Win Model 70 classic chambered in 300 RUM that I have never really been satisfied with. I have considered rebarreling it a few times but undecided on what to go to. I have heard quite a bit about the 404 but do not know much about it. What is the expected velocity, recoil etc.,? I would be using this rifle for African plains game, and possibly a buff hunt one day if my pockets ever get deep enough.

How does the recoil compare to a 416 Rem or Rigby?

The conversion of your .300 RUM should be nothing more than a barrel change and POSSIBLY, a little feed rail work, although I doubt it.

Velocities can range from the original 2150 to 2400 fps without risking excessive pressure. The recoil, although much stouter than an '06, is much less than some of the hotrod .40 calibers and less felt recoil than the only .416 Rigby I shot. I once sat at the bench and fired 65 rounds of .404's converted from .375 RUM cases (another plus) without experiencing any particular recoil problems. I love my .404 and wouldn't hesitate to use it on the largest of African game.

I really don't consider the .404 a dual purpose cartridge.....There's littel doubt that it will do anything the 416 Rigby will do and more but to call it a plains game rifle is stretching it a bit.

I'd far rather have a lighter and faster (better tradjectory) cartridge for the task.....such as the .300 Magnums, the .338 WM or even the .30-06.

The .404 will do both but it's much better suited to the DG uses than plains game.

Sniper,
what was your dissatifaction with the 300RUM?

the 404 NOMINAL load is 400gr at or about 2300fps...

it can beloaded up to close to 2500, if you really want, or 350 gr at somewhat higher...

with hornady planning on making bullets, the .423 diameter is somewhat higher on my preference...

all that being said, the rum is the perfect platform to build a jeffe on

jeffe

I don't have any problem with the 300 RUM cartridge itself. I just have not had much luck getting it to shoot in this particular rifle.

I actually have rifle fever at the moment as well and I don't have any big bore calibers. The largest I have is a 358 STA.

What is the typical barrel length? 24"?

The .404 is fine for any of the bushveld plains game, maybe lacking for the highveld and Southern tip of Africa like the Winterberg Mts and such, but even so I have been very successful with it there and also with the .416 Rem about everywhere in Africa, its a great compromise for a one gun safari that includes buffalo and any of the big 4...I have shot a ton of Impala with it and some pretty long shots at that.

The difference in some of the flat shooting rifles and the big bores isn't as much as its made out to be, check the drop figures between them, its just not very much from a practical point of view.

Who makes dies for it?

I recently bought a 404 Jeffrey-I couldn't believe how easy it was to shoot. Gave up recently on shooting a 470NE-it was a bit much for me. Haven't used the 404 Jeffrey on game yet, but the 404 may have killed more DG than any other caliber. I have never heard anybody say anything negative about a 404 Jeff, other than ammo availability.