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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 107
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OP
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 107 |
I'm looking at ordering a Dakota 76 Safari in either .404 Jeffery or .400 H&H. I currently have a Dakota in .375 H&H that I like quite a lot but would like something larger for elephant next year. I have handled a .416 Rigby but it is a large heavy rifle, l believe the .458 Lott is just going to be to much recoil wise. Anyone have any experience of opinions?
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,025
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
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I built a .404J and liked the round. Sold it after shoulder surgery.
If I was looking for a gun in that power range, I'd check out the .416 Remington. It fits a std. mag. action and is an efficient round without going to hyper expensive brass.
IMO,
DF
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Joined: Aug 2009
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IF locating cartridges in Africa , because you got separated from yours, the 404 Jeff might be easier to find. Good luck on your elephant hunt.
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Joined: Sep 2012
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OP
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Thought about the cartridge availability issue but I don't believe that .404s would be available either. If the ammo gets lost most likely would use a rifle that the Safari company has.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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Campfire Tracker
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The 404 Jeffrey has 4500 ft lbs energy at muzzle, the 416 mag runs 5000 ft lbs, my 378 runs 6000 ft lbs at the muzzle. I chose the 378 but never hunted elephants but hunted capes.
It is better to be judged by 12 than to be carried by 6.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Norma .404J ammo with 450 gr. slugs runs right with the .416R at 5K ft. lbs.
DF
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
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404 Jeffery all day everyday, 400 gr Woodleigh Weldcores coupled with the 400 gr BBW#13 solids and you're gold.
I'd load my 375 with 270 gr TSX's to near 2800 fps for reach on anything else, Good Luck.
Trump Won!
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Joined: Sep 2012
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OP
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Thanks for the input.
I used my .375 with 270gr TSXs at 2700fps this year on everything and it performed well.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Not mentioned but I'd go with the 416 rem mag due to bullet and brass availability.
I've used various less common chamberings and have found that I don't like being in a situation where brass and bullets even harder to come by then more regular fair. It doesn't really matter whose headstamp is on the brass or if the bullets are .411", .416" or .423" so long as they are 400 gr leaving the barrel at 2400 fps. But it certainly does matter if you can't find said bullets or cases.
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It is better to be judged by 12 than to be carried by 6.
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.404. I like mine and load it to just above original ballistics at 2250 with a 400-grain. I think it has the capability to go beyond .416 Remington ballistics if you want to, but I don't. Great round with manageable recoil with the loads I use.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Not mentioned but I'd go with the 416 rem mag due to bullet and brass availability.
I've used various less common chamberings and have found that I don't like being in a situation where brass and bullets even harder to come by then more regular fair. It doesn't really matter whose headstamp is on the brass or if the bullets are .411", .416" or .423" so long as they are 400 gr leaving the barrel at 2400 fps. But it certainly does matter if you can't find said bullets or cases. This^^^^^^^ my sentiments exactly
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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I like the .404J, too.
Having built one, I'm thinking the .416 Rem would be less expensive to build or buy and would be comparable.
DF
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Joined: Mar 2003
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It would be a hard choice for me. The 416's don't do anything for me, I suppose because they are not all that unusual.
I've thought for a long while that I'd like to build a 404 on a left handed model 70 or Montana 99 action. I've also considered doing a 400 H&H on a left handed Remington 700 to match my 300 H&H KS Mountain Rifle. It would certainly be a two gun battery suitable for the whole world of big game.
I have a 400 Whelen so the need for either the 404 or 400 H&H would only be to satisfy my loonyism.
Chronographs, bore scopes and pattern boards have broke a lot of hearts.
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The 404 Jeffrey has 4500 ft lbs energy at muzzle, the 416 mag runs 5000 ft lbs, my 378 runs 6000 ft lbs at the muzzle. I chose the 378 but never hunted elephants but hunted capes. Old data, though accurate. In a modern rifle, in a 404J, 400 gn bullet at 2400 fps gets you to 5000 ft lbs. Definitive buff loads, workable for ele as well, in many cases.
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty of give me death! P. Henry
Deus vult!
Rhodesians all now
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Joined: Feb 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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While we were camping I found an article by Boddington on a 400 OKH.. Apparently it never went anywhere, but was an interesting read..
Molon Labe
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Joined: Oct 2014
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I've owned a couple rifles in 416 rem, and the last one I had built into a 404 J about 10 years ago (maybe a little longer ago than that even, but just can't recall exactly).
I had no problem pushing 400 gr bullets from the 416 cal at 2450 fps(clocked) with 82 grains RL-15.
The 404 will easily push the 400 gr pills at 2500 without breaking a sweat if you want to. It is obviously of larger bore diameter and has slightly more case capacity (5%-7% IIRC)than the 416 when measured to the bottom of a seated bullet, depending on brass brand.
My 404 is on a M-70 CRF action with a Krieger barrel. I get just under 2500 fps with 400 Woodleigh SP's or Barnes X and 84 gr RL-15.
The thing that is really nice about the 404 vs the 416 is that there is no belt and the case feeds so nicely.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
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I've owned a couple rifles in 416 rem, and the last one I had built into a 404 J about 10 years ago (maybe a little longer ago than that even, but just can't recall exactly).
I had no problem pushing 400 gr bullets from the 416 cal at 2450 fps(clocked) with 82 grains RL-15.
The 404 will easily push the 400 gr pills at 2500 without breaking a sweat if you want to. It is obviously of larger bore diameter and has slightly more case capacity (5%-7% IIRC)than the 416 when measured to the bottom of a seated bullet, depending on brass brand.
My 404 is on a M-70 CRF action with a Krieger barrel. I get just under 2500 fps with 400 Woodleigh SP's or Barnes X and 84 gr RL-15.
The thing that is really nice about the 404 vs the 416 is that there is no belt and the case feeds so nicely. Welcome to the Fire. I built a .404J on a M-70 RUM donor action, a really nice way to get there on a budget. DF
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