Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Re-boring to 404 Jeff

Found a line of a .375 win 70 wth VX3 1.5-5 for $850. We'll see if it materializes.

I checked a few makers on barrels. Seems Douglas, McGowen, and Krieger all had options or said they would make one off the top of my head.

Ask about turnaround time. Some of those may be a LONG time out...

That sounds like a great deal, scope's worth around $300, gun wouldn't be but $550.

That kinda deal may make a re-bore feasible.

And, reportedly, they shoot about as well as a new barrel.

DF

Agreed. I just hope it's still available and the guy responds. It even appears to have a decent stock, very much like the wood you had on your 404.

That 404 would be heavy medium bore heaven, it'd fit nicely next to the 400 Whelen, 416 Taylor and fill the gap on up to an old Safari Grade Browning in 458 WM, but alas you are probably right, boring my 375 H&H would then put me on the hunt for a really nice pre-64 375, that would require some serious leather slapping there.

The other option is to build a 404 on the standard , inexpensive Mauser in the exact same way that Jeffery did them in 1905.

Nice rifle Phil. I've thought about that route, but it seemed like once paid for all the tweaks on a Mauser (D&T, bend bolt, etc, etc) it didn't make financial sense. CZ 550 .375 actions can be had for $600ish.

Is there a better way I don't know of? I do like the trimmer option I think.

Chris

So Phil, you have captured my interest with the photos.
Questions:

1. No magazine box?

2. Has the action been altered to allow the bolt to extend more reward when cycling? I see a lot of metal removed from the top front of the rear bridge.

3. How much metal removed from the bottom lug of the receiver? I would love to see details in a photo or two.

Would like photos of the sights and of the stock.

Stock dimensions would be handy also: LOP, drop at heel, drop at front of comb, any cast off?

What a novel concept, wood for the magazine walls and front!

I have a box full of M98 actions and a 404 is on the to do list. I would like to make it look like an original.

Thanks!

Cabriolet, the wood forms the sides of the magazine box and this photo shows that there is a carefully inletted steel plate at the front.



The feed ramp was releived as little as possible with most of the length gained at the rear, as you can see from how slim the back of the magazine box is.

Intresting also is the fact that after 102 years the stock still has no cracks even though it lacks cross bolts.

One interesting thing is the taper of the barrel as it is not a straight taper but has a curve to it out to the front sling swivel and most of the weight is in the center of the rifle.









I don't remember the stock dimentions but as you can see it is set up for iron sights. It also weighs 8 1/2 pound even and is well balanced. It was delivered to it's owner in Jan of 1907 for an Alaskan Brown bear hunt

I was told by Jeffery that at the time they farmed out their rifles in batches of up to 10 to various local gun builders and I have seen other rifles of the same era that were obviously built by different men.

And compared with a Rigby 416 the Jeffery 404 was slimmer, lighter, cheaper and noticibly easier to carry





And the best thing about it is that it is still as good today as it was 102 years ago

Very cool stuff Phil, thanks for your posts. Lotta history there.....

Many thanks Phil. I will print the photos for reference.

I have reamers, brass, dies. Need to order a barrel.

After I finish my 450 Rigby project a 404 in the style of your rifle will be next.

I love the British style of Mauser big bores.

For a bit of humor post the photos in the Gunsmithing forum over on Accurate Reloading. The nay sayers and perfectionists, especially the "arm chair experts", will cry and whine.

Thanks again!

thp,

cut rifle.com is Classic Barrel Gunworks in Prescott AZ. That's Danny Pedersen's shop. He has re-bored 2 Ruger Hawkeyes for me - an African & an Alaskan - from .375" to 0.423", aka 404. Although my rifles use the Ruger case rather than the Jeffery, they duplicate modern ballistics, 400 gn bullet at 2425-2475 fps MV.

I believe that Danny is set up to do the action work, based on my visit to his shop a couple of years ago. He offers reasonable prices - 1/2 or less than a re-barrel - quick turn around in my case, personal attention, and great results.

Both my rifles were accurate in 375 and equally so in 404. Worth a phone call to his shop (928) 772-4060. Great cartridge choice. Good luck.

thp,

Sent you a PM about some possible rifle options for your 404 project.

Tried calling a couple times with no luck.

If I ever bear hunt with Phil wonder if I could leave a big enough tip to leave with that 404 too?

Beautiful piece Sir!

I'd like to have just the interest on that "tip"...

Yep, great piece.

Phil has some pretty "toys", for sure...

DF

Sure nuff Buddy.

I'm starting to give up on the re-bore idea. Cut rifle.com has not answered the phone in 2 weeks and they don't have an email. I'm not even sure how to reach them at this point.

Finally got thorough. He stopped taking any work till May. Seems like a very good guy

Came across a nice looking .375 H&H, but it's in Alska and he won't ship. So any of you AK guys can give it a look $650:

http://www.armslist.com/posts/5140276/fairbanks-alaska-rifles-for-sale---375-h-h-winchester-model-70