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This past year my eleven year-old grandson decided to try the juniors shooting club associated with my rifle range. The local Association actually has two ranges: one near town that I knew had a very checkered history, and a more primitive range rented on a property about 35 minutes away. I...

When I finished building 404J on standard 98 Mauser I noticed the bolt was not closing as smooth as my Springfield 03A3. Okay, they're not exactly the same design but very close. I determined the cocking piece sear was catching slightly as it entered the track in the tang. It may have been...

I'll start this with shoelaces. Okay, I'm sure laces are the last thing on anyone's outdoor gear list, but they can make a big difference. First, throw away paracord laces! Seems to be the in thing these days for hiking boots but that crap is worse than useless, especially as laces. Doesn't...

Local museum near where I bird hunt in Montana is looking to acquire a polar bear full body mount and a couple of seals. Obtaining the seals shouldn't be a problem but they obviously want to find the bear first.

Yesterday while walking out after pheasant hunting in Montana I just happened to glance down at the trail and spotted this interesting artifact. Appears to be a fossilized prehistoric human's male organ. Only part of it so difficult to ascertain how well those aboriginals were "hung." But...

On another forum I once had an interesting, albeit fruitless, discussion with a well-known gun editor re the proper method of cleaning rifle bores. His thread was pushing some muzzle protector gizmo. I asked him how could my aluminum cleaning rod be any more damaging to rifling at the crown...

I never used shooting sticks till the first day hunting Africa in 2019. Had never even seen them used. Fifty years of solo stalking heavy timber in the US West and Northwest Ontario, I always had a natural rest near at hand or shots were so close no support was needed. Four animals in the...

Just received notice that an unknown generic newbie quoted one of my posts. What's up with that? The phantom posted "Thank you for your suggestion." Wait ... I don't recall making a suggestion in that post. So I opened it up completely and the sneaky bastard had edited my post that he was...

A friend just picked up an older very nice 8x68S CZ with some components and is looking for loading data. Any help would be greaappreciated.

Online I found what I thought was a good deal for a box of fifty 400 gr Barnes 404 bullets (~$60 US). When they arrived I discovered they are not TSX which I have been loading but rather "X" bullets. These have no canalure groove but do have the dimple tip. Can anyone give me some info? Will...

I have seen a few whitetail bucks with horns somewhat resembling mule deer, but here's one that also mimicked muley ears? :D (Safari Magazine, May 2024) Got any other published bloopers?

So this came up in another thread. Client wounded a buffalo but due to physical limitations was unable to followup and finish the animal. So PH and tracker went after it. The PH was badly injured and only saved by the courageous actions of the tracker who crawled through the grass, retrieved...

Anyone have experience with these detachable sling swivels?

Anyone have experience or recommendations for recessed socket quick detach push-button release QD sling swivels? Seems a good alternative for DGR vs barrel band. Bands with slings attached are bound to interfere with barrel harmonics set at the range. Recessed base for sling swivel would...

I recently picked up a very nice used stock for my standard 98 Mauser 404 Jeffery. It's a beautiful piece of wood with very nice checkering. Required some minor modification to the Brno vz.24 action before it would fit this apparently commercial stock. In particular, this stock is much...

Back in '70 when I was about to start my first govt job, my gun shop employer offered to make me a deal on any rifle in his collection. I picked this 1881 Marlin in 40-60, a 45-70 necked down to 40 caliber. I found an Ideal tong tool all-in-one loader for 40-65 Winchester, which is essentially...

I know the readily visible difference between a commercial vs military Mauser action: thumb slot on the left side of receiver and stripper clip port on top. But is there also a difference in the magazine box height? Here's the problem. Last year I built a 404 Jeffery on an 8mm Czech military...

I was always taught to store rifles and shotguns muzzle down to keep gun oil from seeping into end grain of wood at tang or pistol grip area. Gun oil discolors and softens the wood. Most synthetic stocks are impervious so either way doesn't matter. On this site I'm seeing most everyone stores...

I see Impala Bullets of South Africa makes not one but two sub 300 gr bullets for 404 Jeffery. Their website has very thorough loading information but only in a powder unavailable here (presumably also RSA). I am intrigued. A 250 gr 404J bullet flying at 2500 fps might have great potential as...

I see a thread for whitetail hunting reports but apparently nothing for mule deer, so thought I'd start one.

Besides the the hunt itself, what sight/sound/smell takes you instantly back to Africa? Sound: For me it's the song of the Cape turtle dove. They seem to be everywhere, especially in the morning...

Attempting to import my trophies from last August on Thursday. It was a disaster thanks to a couple of lazy and/or stupid and/or both women Canada Customs agents. Here's the details in my letter to my African shipping agent who was looking for feedback. Hi Martin [Africa shipping agent]...

My machinist gave this to me today. Maybe it shot a few Redcoats.

I'm wrapping up my 404 Jeffery build on 98 Mauser. The 24" barrel should be done this week. I'm wondering if I should full length bed it or free float. Seems most of the thumper guns are full length bedded. Is there a reason? I picked up a nice piece of zebrawood today for a fore end cap...

No this isn't a thread about a certain fancy hat double gun owner. ;) I'm wrapping up my 404 Jeffery build on a Mauser 98. Wondering how much, if any, creep I should leave on the Timney trigger? I thinking a fast and/or light trigger might not be a great idea for dangerous game rifle. Any...

My daughter had to work over the weekend and couldn't finish painting the fish till today. I made the lamp. The creel and lure box were my dad's. His spinning reel disappeared years ago. He mostly used the creel for fly fishing but his fly reel is already on the wall with granddad's bamboo...

I have heard it is advisable to bed the barrels as well as action for big bore rifles. I'm building a 404 on a standard Mauser 98. Shall I bed it full length? Or consider a pressure point? The stock came with one recoil lug installed ahead of the magazine. Should I add a second? Can this be...

I'm building a 404 Jeffery on a BRNO vz.24 action and the barrel maker should be finished any day. Then I have to have it threaded, reamed, cut, and crowned. It will come from him 28" long tapered and bored. What length shall I have it cut? Weight isn't a big issue. Actually, lack of weight...

Okay, after giving this a great deal of thought and upon consulting the forum management, I've decided to tell my horror story. I am by nature kind of a cranky old fart, so I had to be sure this is about a genuine crummy taxidermist and not my negative disposition speaking. In the spring of...

Yes, 16th of April and it IS snowing here. I am in the process of building a .404 Jeffery on a Mauser 98 and found several very useful threads on Africa Hunting. Since I've been to the East Cape a few times hunting, figured I should join instead of lurking like some creepy coward.