Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only .404 Jeffery Barrel Contour ?

Dave,

By the time I spent all that time working over .404J brass to fit the .425 WR, I'd just as soon get a .404J and use shiny, new Hornady brass right out of the box...

DF

Too true.

Here is the diameter measurements of an original 1905 Jeffery 404






dia in front of receiver ring ---1.248"
3 3/8" in front of receiver - directly behind rear sight ramp ---1.054"
7 1/4 " in front of receiver - directly in front of rear sight ramp --- .986"
12 1/4" in front of receiver - in front of sling eye --- .852"
14" in front of receiver - large part of barrel step --- .768"
14 1/8" - directly below step ---.744"
24" - end of barrel .721"


As you can see, it is not a straight taper --- but the balance is wonderful.

A three legged stool, maybe. One leg, IMHO, a bit wobbly...

I, obviously, like the .404J. A .416 Rigby would be a close second, the .425 WR a MUCH distant third choice.

DF

Phil, many thanks for taking the time to measure your .404. Very unique without a mag box. Some very talented guys those Germans and Brits.

'Farmer....3 legged stool, good analogy.

Just fitted an Echols Legend on this .404J M-70 barreled action. I had to go that route for irons, this stock is for scopes, the comb a bit high for irons.

So, this stock is available for someone wanting to build a big gun on a "G" series CRF M-70. This one has the Williams bottom metal, which is one piece like the SC, FN M-70's. CDNN has a $9 filler to convert a one piece bottom metal inlet to the older two piece set up. Or one could use a spacer under the bottom metal at the front action screw and add glass.

PM me if interested.

DF

Here are some photos of the project in progress. Echols Legend hasn't been painted, and a few Bondo spots are seen. Photo doesn't show it, but the pad is dark brown and I'm thinking about dark brown paint.

I added a NECG barrel band, my first at that. Followed NECG instructions, wedged the soft steel band on the barrel with a block of wood and mallet. Took some material out with a Dremel drum sanding mandrel, kept cutting until it fit where I wanted it, then used Loctite #271 to anchor it.

First photo is with Talley peep on SS Talley bases. Second is with older 3X Leupold I sent for referb and German #4, third is with Zeiss Victory 1.5-6x42 T*, both scope in Talley QD's.

Wt. gun with peep, 8# 4oz.
Leupold 3X and rings, 13.6oz.
Victory 1.5-6x42 with rings, 1# 4.8oz.

Gun ballances at front of receiver and handles great.

I don't like fold down rear sights, this one replaced on my .375 H&H M-70 SS Classic. But with the peep, it makes sense. NECG front with fiberoptic bead. Windowed hood will follow.

Legend stock a compromise, irons and scope. Irons require a firm cheek weld but are easily seen.

DF

Dirtfarmer, you switched to echols just to accommodate usage of iron sights??

That and I just like the Legend, although the walnut is definitely prettier.

The Legend is slimmer and fits me better.

I'm going to paint it brown, so it won't look so pale and pasty next time you see it.

DF

Link on the .404J.

DF

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/6621191/1

Very nice DF, the crossbolts in the syn stock are a nice touch, hope ya paint around 'em.

Gunner

D'Arcy gave me the choice of magnum or regular fill. He put in the cross pins and said regular fill would work, which is what I chose. I then Steel Bedded the lug, bedding the rest with Acraglas Gel. BTW, he did a great job inletting for the Williams bottom metal, which I had sent.

For the rear sling swivel stud, I drilled a 3/8" hole thru the fiberglass shell into the core, filled the hole with glass and will drill the glass plug to anchor the stud swivel.

Not sure the right way to do that, just improvised. Bet it'll hold.

DF

It'll hold, the 404J is a gentle slayer.

Gunner

The way the cross pins are put in and ground flush by D'Arcy, it'll be hard to leave them prominent. I think he paints over them and that's the way these are set up.

DF

Final version...??

Earth Brown Aluma Hyde II from Brownells looks more OD than brown, in fact an OD/brown combo. That's OK. I like OD, too.





D'Arcy's bottom metal inletting is Echols perfect.



Both stocks.

Was thinking about keeping the walnut stock. Looking at these photos, the walnut may be too long for the barrel band swivel stud. Haven't fitted it on the gun, yet. Walnut is prettier, but I like the way the Legend handles and accommodates irons. Shallower grip helps keep trigger guard and bolt handle from banging the shooter's hand.

NICE, congrats DF.

Gunner

Gunner,

I see a lot of .404J load data for 400 gr. bullets, can't find any for 450 gr. Woodleighs.

I figured you'd be THE man with such info...

Or at least have an idea. IIRC, you've loaded for the .404J, just don't have one in your safe.

DF

Yes, loaded the 400 gr Woodleighs for a Bud of mine, a 450 grain bullet being roughly just over 10% heavier than the 400 grainers, take the load data I gave ya, reducing it by 10% would be a good place to start.

Gunner

Gunner,

Norma has 450 gr. .404J ammo. Their posted velocity is 2,150 fps with 4,620 ft. #'s of K.E.

It's the exact same for the .416 Rigby, 450 gr. at 2,150 fps with 4,620 ft. #'s.

Both not too far from the .470 NE with 500 gr. at 2,100 and 4,897 ft. #'s.

DF

Stylishly handsome rifle.