404 Jeffery reduced loads

[GuttormG]

I am using 28grs Tinstar for a 390grs bullet so your suggestion shouldn't be far off. Trailboss is less dense then Tinstar.

Fill the case to the base of the bullet, weigh this charge and your starting load should be 70% of that weight.

 

[Ray B]

According to Hodgdon info site, A case is supposed to be filled with Trailboss to what would be the base of the bullet (100% density). That amount is to be weighed and considered the maximum load. to get the starting load the maximum amount is to be 7/10th of that amount. I filled an empty RWS 404 J case. 33grs filled to the 1 caliber point on the neck. 32 grains filled to the junction of shoulder and neck. 32x.7= 22.4 33x.7= 23.1

I haven't had opportunity to go to the range yet but I'm loading some 200 gr Oregon Trail cast bullets, designed for the 44/40, .427" sized down to .423". In addition I have an Accurate Moulds, the weight escapes me at the moment but seems they are 375gr. According to Hodgdon the bullet weight doesn't matter, but I'll be very watchful with the 22 & 23 grain loads before I increase any of it.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Do yu require filler in the case - kapok? Foam?

 

[Ray B]

Do yu require filler in the case - kapok? Foam?

The instructions on the Hodgdon website list nothing about fillers, so apparently none are being listed. But other loaders that I know will use 1-2gr Kapok with their reduced loads of SR4759 and IMR 4198. The theory on the use of Kapok is that it acts like a shock absorber between the powder and the bullet base so that the pressure wave doesn't hit the bullet but is eased onto it so the bullet can start being pushed rather than hit. I can see why Kapok would benefit a Trailboss load, but as noted, Hodgdon says nothing about it, so I don't know.

 

[Proneshooter]

Hodgdon's web site lists a low recoil load for the .416 Remington magnum with 20 grns. of Trail Boss and a 350 grain bullet. I wonder if that is a good starting point?

Mike,
If you have Trail Boss it does make reduced loads easy. Just figure out where the base of the bullet ends up in the case. You can then fill the case to that level and that is your MAX load, do not compress Trail Boss. I've used up 5# of it in my 404 but could not find anymore but lucked into the 5744.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I don't have IMR5744 or Trail Boss. I have shotguns powders (Unique, 7625, 700X, Clays, HS7, WSF, etc.) and rifle powders of many types, just not the ones I seem to need for this project. I may try some 4895 or 4198 in modest quantities.

Bought 4 boxes of RWS .404J brass, have 100 rounds Norma brass. Got primers...

 

[Ray B]

Of the powders mentioned, Unique has probably the greatest flexibility for burning with a wide range of pressures. The old Lyman cast bullet manual lists loads with Unique for some big bore cartridges, which would work as a starting point. About the closed anything listed to a 404 would be 375H&H and 458 Win Mag, possibly 444 Marlin as the bore is about the same.

 

[Ray B]

Other than differences in maximum pressure differences it seems to me that the two main numbers in comparing cartridges for loads is the case capacity and the bore diameter. Larger capacity and bore would indicate a larger powder charge. So with that in mind, here are a few loads from the Lyman Cast bullet Handbook using Unique.
375 H&H 249gr cast start 13.0 1260 fps max 18.0 1525 fps
378 Wby 249 gr cast start 25.0 1760 fps max 29.0 1904 fps

444 Marlin 250 gr cast start 11.5 1225 fps max 17.0 1590 fps

458 Win Mag 552 gr cast start 16.0 1050 fps max 20.0 1200 fps
460 Wby 552 gr cast start 20.0 1150 fps max 28.0 1396 fps

So depending on the weight of the bullet you are using you could look at the various loads and note the relative position between the cartridge listed and the 404J. The 375 H&H would be smaller on both capacity and bore; the 378 Wby larger capacity, smaller bore' 444 has smaller capacity but very similar bore; the 458 Win has smaller capacity, larger bore while the 460 Wby has larger capacity and bore. Unfortunately the loads are not listed for a bullet that would be the same weight as what the 404 J would use so a variable has been added. but otherwise you could review the starting loads and either add or reduce depending on the difference in case capacity or bore size.

 

[GuttormG]

Do yu require filler in the case - kapok? Foam?

No

 

[Jack Stevens]

For any future needs, this is the information I got back from Hodgdon,


Here is the requested load data that will work for you.

Caliber: .404 Jeffery.

Barrel length: 24”

Reduced Loads:

Powder: Accurate – 5744®.

Bullet weight: 400 grains.

Low load: 35.0 grains (1550 – 1650 ft/p/sec)

Midrange load: 43.0 grains (1775 – 1875 Ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 50.0 grains (1975 – 2075 Ft/p/sec).









Don W.
CST
Hodgdon Powder Company
913-521-4791

That was the same load data for using 5744 that I received from Don when I inquired about reduced 404J loads. Very helpful and responsive gentleman.

No filler is required when using this 5744 data.

I'll have to check my notes, but I believe in a follow-up email, he said the same reduced load 'ranges' would work for the 350grn Jeffrey bullets.

 

[Proneshooter]

Mike,
H4895 is a real easy one to do reduced loads with if you have it. (info is on the hodgdon website) I and many others share your pain with trying to find any powders right now, it is a pain in the backside.
John

 

[Nevada Mike]

John - - I have about 1-1/2 lbs of 4895, thank God. Also have several lbs. of Unique, if it comes to that. There is absolutely nothing to buy right now.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I did score two pounds of 5744 so that will get me through breakin and practice. Ordered Lee sizing die set and .424" die and punch. I may be able to put some rounds downrange soon.

 

[Scrumbag]

I did score two pounds of 5744 so that will get me through breakin and practice. Ordered Lee sizing die set and .424" die and punch. I may be able to put some rounds downrange soon.

Excellent! Please let us know how you get on.

Scrummy