Seems much harder finding a .404 out there than the .416's, even on gunbroker. Anyone have any suggestions on other places to look besides reeds, bass, cabelas, gander, gunbroker, grabagun?
Hi reedyO312,
If nobody else has mentioned:
www.gunsinternational.com
that web site has provided myself with good deals on several used firearms and used scopes, over the years.
Regarding the two calibers in question, I somewhat prefer the .404 Jeffery over the .416 Rigby, due to the more gradual shoulder of the Jeffery.
Gradually tapered cartridges usually offer slick feeding, (Murphy's Law indicates: "Especially when hunting dangerous game").
Also it has less potential for brass to be ruined during resizing / bullet seating efforts.
Last but not least, the .404 is right at home driving 400 grain bullets at around 2100 - 2200 fps.
But, the huge Rigby case requires spacers or filler material to occupy all that air space, if loading to such "tame" velocity.
That being said, after a long spell of scouring the country for a .404 that, a simple working man like myself could actually afford / without treading close to the double rifle price range, I finally gave up.
I had made offers on 2 separate .404's over the years but, the sellers in both cases were firm on their absurd prices.
One day I was in a Cabela's store (Rogers Minnesota) when they were advertising an "over-stocked sale" on CZ 550 Magnums in .416 Rigby.
It was several years ago but, I believe I only paid $800.US for it? (might have even been less in my case as it possibly also involved redeeming some "purchase points" or whatever they call it, from the Cabela's credit card I had back then, not sure any more).
So, I then had a Gunsmith shorten / re-crown the barrel to 24" (or 23.6" ?), make a custom front sight to resemble a Pre-War Rigby front sight, including a larger flip-up ivory white bead (actually porcelain I think) that is set back a bit from the muzzle, also he installed a Model-70 type "safety" catch, barrel band swivel stud, reinforce the stock internally and weld on a larger bolt handle.
A Rigby rifle it is not, however it looks decent at a glance so far.
Eventually, I hope to have it profiling more in the traditional British express / magazine rifle pattern.
IE: As soon as I retire again one of these years, I plan to slowly and carefully take a bit of external wood off the generous stock, re-shape the cheek piece to an oval, have an ebony or horn forend tip installed then, re-checker it.
There is a .416 for sale at the moment in:
www.griffinhowe.com
that is perfect in every way (except price - LOL).
It is listed as:
"Francotte-300 Brevex"
If I can reshape my CZ stock to anything remotely close to that specific rifle's profile, I will be happy.
Therefore, even if I never find a .404 that I can afford (the above Brevex .416 is also beyond my bank account), I have nothing to gripe about, because my CZ .416 is not too rough to shoot when loaded "only" to original .404 Jeffery ballistics (foam spacer over the powder and all).
Plus it has never malfunctioned / "jammed" and it is satisfyingly quite accurate as well.
Actually, I have repeatedly read and heard tell that, most large bore repeaters and single shots are very accurate (provided one can avoid flinching - LOL).
Anyway Reedy, I do hope you find a fine deal on whichever one you decide you want, both calibers are African classics for sure.
Cheers,
Velo Dog.
The .404 has more charisma than the .416 and can be loaded well beyond its nominal original specs but will not equal the Rigby simply because the Rigby has more boiler room. The Jeff may approach 2500fps/400gr but the Rigby can equal the Weatherby at nearly 2700/400.
I like the .404 at about 2250fps, I think that's the sweet spot
, better than original but wont knock the shooter out from under his pith helmet. As far as getting 5000 of ME out of the .375 H&H?
It will take about 2750 fps to gain that. Not sayings its not possible but certainly that is well beyond what its design and capacity was ever meant to do within safe pressure limits. I always figured a tad over 2600 was about MAX. I have never seen a published load claiming 5K out of the H&H round.
