In persuit of a 404 Jeffery working rifle

[8x68]

I rebarrelled a Win M70 Stainless CRF in 375H&H to 404 Jeffery. Cost me about 1400CDN for the barrel & the work. If I remember correctly the work included modifying the extractor groove, some feedramp work, and opening up the barrel channel a bit. Some extras were: adding a Ruger style wrap around front sight (I kept the original Williams style rear sight on the rifle), barrel band, and also a bit of trigger work.
I have a thread on here somewhere about my 404.

 

[8x68]

Good news on the 404j front my dies have come in I'm picking them up tomorrow.
Shawn

Then the fun begins!

 

[mdwest]

The easiest conversion was to find a M70 Classic in 300 RUM and re-barrel (as the RUM cartridge is based on the 404 Jeff - very little to no action work is required). The difficulty now is those guns are scarce and sellers know what people want them for, thus driving up prices when they sell. I did this a year ago and took it to Africa in May for buff. Phoenix Phil also recently went down this path.

I wonder if the better approach might be to try to find an M70 in 7mm WSM.. the 7mm WSM case is also 404J based.. and people drop the 7mm WSMs for peanuts on the auction sites all the time... there isn't a whole lot of love for the 7mm WSM out there these days...

OAL of the 404J is a good bit longer than the WSM though.. so I'm not sure whether the magazine / action length would be long enough..

 

[mdwest]

Answered my own question with a little bit of research.. 7mm WSM won't work.. the action is too short..

 

[ZG47]

Answered my own question with a little bit of research.. 7mm WSM won't work.. the action is too short..

Yes, basically a Model 70 short action with the receiver diameter increased to almost Mauser large ring size, if I recall correctly.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

The easiest conversion was to find a M70 Classic in 300 RUM and re-barrel (as the RUM cartridge is based on the 404 Jeff - very little to no action work is required). The difficulty now is those guns are scarce and sellers know what people want them for, thus driving up prices when they sell. I did this a year ago and took it to Africa in May for buff. Phoenix Phil also recently went down this path.

I've had several PMs w/ Phoenix Phil on this topic. Anything in the 300/338/375 RUM family should work as they are all based on the 404J. Not many 338 RUM or 375 RUM out there though.

 

[Shawn.54]

Even with the Ultra Mags the bolt face must be opened a little when Remington made that cartridge they gave it a rebated rim so it uses standard mag bolt face. Even though 404 J is parent they chose to modify it to save on production costs.
Shawn

 

[CTDolan]

I have pointed out previously: The 404 Jeffery is probably the fastest growing rifle caliber in demand . Everyone wants to own a 404 Jeffery for all the excellent qualities it has . I have a 404 Jeffery, and I would not trade it for any other rifle..it shoots extremely accurate and shoots beautifully. You will never be sorry for going the extra length to own a 404 Jeffery....even if you have to sell another rifle to fund your project..it still is the best rifle you will ever own....

Agreed, the 404 Jeffrey finally seems to be getting the respect it has long deserved. There could hardly be a better cartridge for all-around work, in my opinion.

 

[mdwest]

You guys are killing me with this thread...

Just when I thought "a .375H&H is all the rifle I will ever need...."

I find myself now seriously wanting a .404J...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

You guys are killing me with this thread...

Just when I thought "a .375H&H is all the rifle I will ever need...."

I find myself now seriously wanting a .404J...

There is nothing wrong with a .375H&H Magnum...just use a Norma 380 gn bullet..it is just as devastating ...but yes I understand the craving for the 404 Jeffery it is natural to feel this way...it has that effect on most hunters...

 

[Shootist43]

Well guys, my search is over. AH member LonD heard of my plight sold me his CZ Custom Shop 404 Jeffery. The check is in the mail and FFL's paperwork sent. All I have to do now is wait and maybe start gathering the necessary reloading supplies, perhaps even a box of Norma Ammo to get me started. I'll post a couple of Pics when I get it.

Now will someone please tell me what the 404 Jeffery is good for again? LOL

 

[jasyblood]

Congrats on the purchase!!! One day I hope to get one too!

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Shootist, I think we have the most 404 Jeffery rifle owners on this forum ever....and it still is growing in numbers as we speak. Congratulations, you have a great caliber , applicable for shooting a small animal like a duiker to a huge animal like an elephant. Maybe we should think of another name for the forum: Africa Hunting 404 Jeffery forum.com , that will sound just great...may you enjoy this great caliber for many years still to come and upload a lot of photos of your hunts with your 404 Jeffery....
Jason, visit South Africa and come and get a 404 Jeffery....

 

[jasyblood]

Jason, visit South Africa and come and get a 404 Jeffery....

I am definitely going to try to visit you next time I come over.....just a few months away!

 

[Rob404]

Well I have as much use for a 404J as I do an extra hole in my head. That being said when I started this project it was a toss up between a 416 Ruger and 404J would have been easier to do the Ruger but I was lead astray by some guys on a forum (no names mentioned) and even with the extra cost and work I'm glade I caved into peer pressure. I started reading every thing I could on line I could find most of it 2-3 times and I can't get enough. When I see what the cost of getting one made or buying one I realized that doing the work myself was the only way I could even consider to obtain one.
I have the luxury of working with a man who is 3rd generation gunsmith mostly Mausers to give me pointers as well I'm a machinist myself. The bolt face was the hardest thing to do as most of the job takes hand tools time and money.
What I have spent so far:
Used Mauser action $45
A rough inlet stock $65
New magazine spring $30
New Boyd's walnut stock because original stock has a bow from sitting around for the past 20+ years $144
Pac-Nor barrel 26" long .700 at muzzle $400+ shipping. (I'm still waiting for its completion only 2-4 more weeks to go).
I know that it won't be a show piece but it should be a great working gun.
The fact that the originals were working guns and not works of art may have helped in its demise the first time around but the more it is seen as a down and dirty work horse the more it will catch back on. I can't wait to finish her and try her out.
Shawn

Shawn at least you were lead astray in the Right direction

 

[Shawn.54]

Barrel is still in production I'm in the process of getting ready to glass bed the action making sure that there is lots of space around tang so that I don't split the stock after I get the barrel I'll set a time to rent reamer and gauges then all I have to purchase is bullets, talley bases and talley peep sight.
Oh and do a test fit and measure height to make front sight and make a front sling swivel install both shave the stock to match hardware finish the stock prep metal for Ceracote.
Looking at that list I thought I was almost done but I guess not well so be it if I plan to hunt bear this year I better get moving.
No rest for the wicked.
Shawn
I still have to teach myself to do checkering and buy the tools!!!!! May have to use a smooth stock for first year.

 

[8x68]

You guys are killing me with this thread...

Just when I thought "a .375H&H is all the rifle I will ever need...."

I find myself now seriously wanting a .404J...

There is no escape from the addiction because one is just never enough!

 

[JES Adventures]

@Wheels where are you in this topic?

 

[Wheels]

@Wheels where are you in this topic?

Been to busy lately. Besides, there has already been a lot of good advise given.

 

[JES Adventures]

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