Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only .404J on a budget

Did your smith cut the feeding ramp like this one?

Was your M-70 donor a std. mag or a RUM with the "windows" in the mag box?

Thanks,

DF

My feed ramp looks just like yours. I never really noticed windows in the mag box, but the donor was a 300 RUM.

Compare your RUM box mag with a std. box mag. I have a .375 H&H, M-70 SS Classic, so I could check them out side by side.

DF


Edited to post photo of .375 next to .404.

Yep you're right, the mag box has a window on either side.

VonGruff, I never tire of seeing that picture.

That looks well thought out and executed.

Are you going to add open sights? What kind of scope are you contemplating?

Finally - are you going to field that rifle?

Questions, Questions that need answers.

DF,

Appreciate the solid reply. I think I am going to start looking for a donor...

First rule with a donor. DON'T SHOOT IT...!!

It will probably be a tack driver and you'll just end up with another rifle in .300 RUM...

DF

Thanks for those kind comments.

I have several scopes and have ordered two sets of high (.500") Talley QD rings to go with the high comb. I have a VX-III 1.5-5x20 duplex that will be a contender. I have an M8 3X that was re-worked by Leupold and now has a German #4. I have a 4200 3-9x40 that I may use to work up loads. I know, the ER on that scope isn't the greatest, so we'll have to see about that.

When asked about the .404J and why I need (want) one, I just reply that Louisiana 'diller are getting bigger all the time. They're obviously not as bit as Oklahoma 'dillers, as Gunner500 has a .505 Gibbs. Our 'dillers aren't that big, quite yet...

I don't think I'm going with irons at this time; will spend my time working up loads, etc. If I do go with irons in the future, I'll need another stock, as this one is strictly set up for scopes with a high, thick comb. An Echols Legend would work. Although set up for scopes, D'Arcy said it will work with high irons. But all that is for the next round.

As to serious use, I don't know. If I ever go to Africa, it will be a nice gun to take. If I ever get a chance for a big bear, etc. it will be a good one. In the meantime, it's something to play with and I expect to shoot a bunch of cast bullets. In fact, I just ordered 200 Beartooth 380 gr. gas check .424" bullets. With a slick Walther barrel, I don't think they'll lead that bad. I will be reporting as I gather data. I have the usual solids and jacketed soft bullets to try, both Woodleigh and Hornady. I have 20 Hydrostatically Stabilized Woodleighs. Weird looking bullets, for sure. I'll try a few just to see how they shoot.

DF

$700, .300 RUM SS M-70 Classic donor with Buckmark scope.

Did the same thing with one, just a slightly different approach. Bought the Win.ultra mag donor, sent it off to Dennis Olsen for a rebore and minor adjustments for feeding. Put in in a take off Win. Safari Magnum stock, bedded the action and barrel channel, added Necg sights , Talley mounts, Necg barrel band and 1 piece aftermarket bottom metal, and I've got a great carrying relatively light tack driver that, although not fancy custom, I did lots of the work myself. Feeds slicker than you know what; I've got to thank Ray for pointing me towards Dennis. Overall, I've got my404 Jeff. safari big bore for about 1400 bucks. And had a blast. Now having fun working up loads.
Best
Rick

Rick,

How about some pictures and of course, your best loads.

DF

DF, ya gonna break that 404 in on a Tehas Nilgai bull, or haul it across the big pond?

Gunner

Nilgai would be a better bet than the Dark Continent. My hunting buddy and I have discussed PG hunting in Namibia, as we know some who have gone there. I don't have much of an itch for DG. So, one never knows. I just like to be prepared for whatever, as I'm sure you understand...

DF

Nilgai or Bison would be cool hunts for that old classic stateside DF, and 10-Roger on the Preparation H, UH......."H" is for HAMMER.

Gunner

Gunner, compared to your .505 Gibbs, the old .404J is just a puppy...

DF

But it's still a damn HARD biting puppy.

Gunner

Now that is a very fine looking rifle indeed.

Will the 7MM STW in a LH model 70 work for a donor like the 300 RUM?

I'm no Smith but I think it will, I blew the throat on a 7mm STW, Smith replaced the follower, mag box, and spring with one for the RUM's, screwed on a 7mm RUM barrel and I rocked on, no problems with function.

This was on a Rem 700 action.

Gunner

I agree with Gunner. I think it can be made to work. With the M-70, the box mag has those windows to widen the box right under the rails. I'm not sure how Remington does that, having never examined a RUM caliber M-700.

So, with the the M-70, one could replace the sheet metal box mag and the follower for not a lot of money. A poster earlier stated that his .404J cycled better with the .375 H&H follower than with the .300 RUM follower. It may work OK with the std. mag caliber box mag without the windows. Just have to try it to see. If the rounds wanted to jump out from under the rails too quick, then the box mag with windows would be needed. One could probably cut those windows in a std. box mag and make it work.

DF