I joined the 404 Jeffery Club today

[sestoppelman]

Great looking setup. The .404 is a very accurate round with the right loads.

 

[Shootist43]

For when you start reloading, 400 Gr. Swift A Frames pushed by 84 Gr. of H4350 resulted in 2300 FPS and MOA groups out of my rifle.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

RANGE REPORT

I made it out to the range today, a beautiful, crystal clear day with the temps in the mid 40s when I arrived at 10 am and warmed up into the mid 50s by the time I left. Surprisingly, the range was not busy. I guess people were either hunting or doing Christmas shopping (or working since it was Friday).

I debated what barrel break in procedure to use. I wasn't sure what the gunsmith did, if anything, when he test fired the rifle prior to shipping it to me. All I knew for sure was he fired 4 rounds. So I ran a few wet patches and then a dry one. One thing I discovered was the .416 jag I was using would not run through my bore protector. I guess the .375 jag is the largest that will run through this particular bore protector. Also, since the .416 jag is a bit undersize for the .423, I found running two patches worked well and could even run three patches, but it was really tight. Decided to just run two at a time.

With the barrel pristine clean, I decided to check the scope at 25 yards and see if I was on paper. I had mounted and bore sight the scope myself and can usually get it close. Using a lead sled with 25 lbs on it, I shot a couple of Hornady 400 gr DGS and was several inches low and to the left. Made a few adjustments and shot a few more rounds and was getting close to the 25 yard bullseye. I then removed the scope, utilizing the Talley Quick Detachable rings. This is my first time to use these type of rings, so I wasn't sure what to expect. With the scope off, I fire two rounds using the NEGC sights that the gunsmith mounted on the new Krieger barrel. These shots were very close the prior shots using the scope. I was impressed. Next, I put the scope back on and fired a couple more shots and they too were in the same general area, so I was pleased with the 25 yard results and decided to move over to the 100 yard range.

This is the 25 yard target with 6 bullet holes. Certainly within a MOB (Minute of Buffalo). I ran a couple of patched and solvent through the barrel and then one copper solvent patch and saw very little evidence of any copper.

At the 100 range, I shot more of the Hornady 400 gr DGS and then some 400 gr Swift A Frame. There was not a significant change with either of these bullets and again I had reasonably good results for the first outing with the rifle. Again, I ran a couple of patches with solvent, followed by a patch with copper solvent and no significant signs at all of copper.

This is the 100 yard target (very easy to see these holes with the scope on 6x)

 

[nztimb]

That'll work

 

[Ray B]

One of the several nice things about the 404 is that seeing the bullet holes on the target at 100 yards requires very little in the way of spotting scopes.

 

[BeeMaa]

Certainly within a MOB (Minute of Buffalo).

Love it.
I expect the next report to include a picture of you behind a big olde Dagga Boy!

 

[Shootist43]

That is a good start, but I'm betting things will improve. Looks like you could take a couple of clicks right windage. Does your Lead Sled have a strap that holds down the front end? Restricting the upward motion will likely improve your vertical dispersion. If you haven't already read the following: https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/Hold+that+Forend.html

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

My Lead Sled doesn't have a strap for the forearm, but I am thinking about adding some sort of bungee system for it.

 

[Shootist43]

Please, take the time to read the article I posted the link to. You will find it very informative.

 

[nztimb]

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/Hold+that+Forend.html
Excellent artical Art and well worth the read.

 

[enysse]

Beautiful rifle and scope combo! Great job on the research and development for this rifle.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Beautiful rifle and scope combo! Great job on the research and development for this rifle.

I was wondering how many cartridges does the mag hold?

Also I reccomend that you move your front talley QR lever 180 degrees so that it is not only not over your action, but partially protected by the scope bell. Once had a idiot NP ranger jam his AK into the gun rack, not only gouging the hell out of the stock on a M-70, but losing the QR lever, costing the client a nice hyena!

 

[AB2506]

Very nice!

 

[Wheels]

Great looking rifle. Hope you get it blooded soon.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I was wondering how many cartridges does the mag hold?

Also I reccomend that you move your front talley QR lever 180 degrees so that it is not only not over your action, but partially protected by the scope bell. Once had a idiot NP ranger jam his AK into the gun rack, not only gouging the hell out of the stock on a M-70, but losing the QR lever, costing the client a nice hyena!

When I made the first post I could not see your rear scope mount on my phone. Again I would recommend you change QR levers about 180 degrees to try and protect them from possibly being knocked loose. Also it will make loading the magazine a bit easier and lessen the chances of cartridge loaded or unloaded coming in contact with the levers when ejecting same.

I think you really nailed it a #1 rifle and a #1 cartridge, now go and get a #1 buffalo!d You saved enough on that rifle over some of the expensive stuff to just about pay for a buff hunt!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

When I made the first post I could not see your rear scope mount on my phone. Again I would recommend you change QR levers about 180 degrees to try and protect them from possibly being knocked loose. Also it will make loading the magazine a bit easier and lessen the chances of cartridge loaded or unloaded coming in contact with the levers when ejecting same.

I think you really nailed it a #1 rifle and a #1 cartridge, now go and get a #1 buffalo!d You saved enough on that rifle over some of the expensive stuff to just about pay for a buff hunt!

Thanks for the comments and recommendations.

As far as the position of the QD or QR levers, I was simply following the instructions from Talley. Since the levers are on the left side of the rifle and the magazine is loaded and ejects to the right, I don't see the lever position being a factor at all. I will say there is a good argument to be made, from a visual aspect, to rotate both levers 180 degrees (front lever pointing forward and rear lever pointing backwards).

BTW, the mag holds 3 cartridges.

I'd like to hear some comments from Win Mod 70 owner's on loading one directly in the tube and closing the action. I do this all the time with my Ruger CRF. Any issues doing this in the Winchester?

 

[nztimb]

I have my QD levers so they are set against the recoil impulse.

 

[Shootist43]

My front one is at 3:00 my rear one is at 9:00. Although as long as the levers are parallel to the bore I'm thinking they will be unaffected by forces generated during recoil.

 

[tarbe]

Dave

Let me know if you need bullets.... These just came in today.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Tim, are those the Christmas goody bags you are handing to those in need? God bless you sir!

Seriously, I have about 70 bullets and a set of dies now. I have 60 rounds of once fired brass and 60 rounds of factory ammo to still play with. I just need it to stop raining so I can get back out to the range. Maybe Friday or Saturday.