Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Any preferences among these 404s?

I've been looking for a 404 Jeffery and now have possibly identified 4 - will need to do some checking. They are 2 Mauser Werke Obendorfs on Type A single square bridge action (c. 1930 & 1926), a Dale Goens built on an Interarms Whitworth Mauser action, and a W. J. Jeffery also on a standard Mauser action. Any preferences or ranking on most desirable one for a rifle to be used for DG?

I like the Goens....not because I have any experience with 404's ,but I do have experience with Goens rifles. I'm sure that it is well made,and that Mark X Mauser has been slicked up nicely....seen pics of the rifle.

Bet Caswell will send it out for you to look at.

Do you want to use a scope or not? The Type A's sound nice, any photos? Are these the ones on Champlins site? In which case you wouldn't scope them!

Photos please! Cheers, Chris

Any of the above will make a fine DGR. So long as the one you get fits you and will reliably feed the ammo you use you are looking at three terrific options.

I'm an old 404 buff, hunted with it extensively, used many differnt makes and models..My choice would be the Jefferys hands down as they had the specs right and it will function 110%..The other two Mausers are excellent choices I would think, but would have to inspect them first..

I would not opt for the Goens in a 404...It is a tricky round to make feed..Goens was a heck of a stock maker and a good smith, but I am not sure I would trust the gun without a lot of trying it out..I have seen so many custom 404 that worked 95% of the time.

Bottom line is be real careful when you buy a 404 on a standard action, to start with they just work better on a mag Mauser mod. 20 action or one of its clones. Jefferys disigned their Mauser around the 404 with a time and a lot of effort. Harold Wolfe has the original Jefferys spects and makes his own magazines for them so his guns in that caliber are the best of them all, and the most expensive of them all.

Thats my take on the subject, and based on owning and studying a lot on the 404 Jefferys, my favorite African caliber.

Are you kidding? Original Mauser Oberndorf sporters? I wouldn't look any farther. Are they magnums?

A 404 Jeffery in a Type A Mauser is about as cool as it gets, however, I think those two on Champlin's site were sold awhile back....I heard the same day he listed them. Unfortunately, Type As are collectors items these days and to scope them...that would not be good for value purposes.

If you are looking at spending that kind of money, you may want to explore the possibility of having one custom built to your specs...just a thought.

There was a very nice Hoffman 404 Jeffery on Hallowell's site, not sure if it is still there...

Unfortunately sold while we were discussing it.

Have one built on a Mod 20 Mauser magnum action or one of its high dollar knockoffs at about $8000...Harold Wolfe can build you one for $12,000. and it will be the very best of the best.

If you want an inexpensive 404 then I suggest you find a Winchester mod. 70 CFR in one of the RUM calibers, its a big action built around the 404 case and is easily converted to the Jeffery's..Have it custom stocked or whatever you wish..Its a good route to take.

Ray, I have one of those M70 CRF RUMs put away for that reason but thought I could find a classic rifle instead. But it looks like I might have to go the build route after all.

If you want a classic, you'll never be truly happy with a modern one.

If I could find a classic Mauser actionned 416 Rigby that I wouldn't have to trade my kid for I'd be rid of my Ruger RSM in a heartbeat.