Starting Reloading 404J

[Scrumbag]

Hi folks,

Looking to start reloading for my .404 Jeffery

Brass - Have some Hornady so should perhaps continue with that? Or any other recommendations? Any good mail order suppliers?

Bullets - initially for plinking. Peregrine? Woodleigh? Someone else?

Any pet loads that aren't too punchy?

Thanks in advance,

Scrummy

 

[GuttormG]

For plinking/training-the cheapest bullet you can find. Cast bullets is also an option.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I use MidwayUSA, Powder Valley and Natches Shooters Supply mostly. Check out Ammoseek.com for companies with the best prices for ammo and reloading components.
Sorry I don’t have a 404 Jeffrey to help out, but in my 375 I use the cheapest or on sale bullets to practice with.
Shootist43 or others who reload for the Jeffrey I’m sure will help get you started.
Best of luck! I’m envious of your 404 J!

 

[Shootist43]

84 Gr. of H 4350 and a good 400 Gr. bullet. I used Swift A Frames. I got the load from a former 404 Jeffery owner. It proved to be very accurate in both of my 404(s). Velocity is 2300 FPS out of a 24 " barrel. If you have access to Australian powders, AR 2209 is the same stuff.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@Scrumbag , I used the load that @Shootist43 recommended (who got it from @Von Gruff, I think). Had very good results.

My range testing with factory ammo and a few hand loads looked like this, from a brand new 23.5 inch Krieger barrel:

Factory ammo

Hornady 400 gr DGX 2381 and 2344 fps, 2362 fps avg, SD 26.1

Swift 400 gr A-Frame 2346 and 2416 fps, 2381 fps avg, SD 49.1

Hand load results using H4350 and 400 gr Swift A-Frames:

80 grs: Velocity = 2214 and 2204 fps

82 grs: Velocity = 2276 and 2278 fps

84 grs: Velocity = 2341 and 2342 fps

I then loaded up 10 rounds with the 84 gr load and shot groups at 50 and 100 yards and was happy with the accuracy.

 

[nztimb]

@Scrumbag , I used the load that @Shootist43 recommended (who got it from @Von Gruff, I think). Had very good results.


Hand load results using H4350 and 400 gr Swift A-Frames:

80 grs: Velocity = 2214 and 2204 fps

82 grs: Velocity = 2276 and 2278 fps

84 grs: Velocity = 2341 and 2342 fps

I then loaded up 10 rounds with the 84 gr load and shot groups at 50 and 100 yards and was happy with the accuracy.

The 84 gn H4350 400gn bullet load has shot well in a number of rifles now.

I have good cast bullet loads that run from 1400 fps plinkers (killed goats with them) to 1900 fps for accuracy all the way to near 2400 fps (recoil and recovery practice)with a 360-380gn bullet (weight dependent on alloy used)

 

[sestoppelman]

I had good loads made with IMR4064 and 4320 powders. Barnes Triple Shocks shot very well for me.

 

[stug]

78gr H4350 with a 400gr projectile is suppose to give 2125fps.
I have Von Gruffs .404 Jeffery and can vouch for the 84gr load, haven't shot any animals with it, but performs well on paper.

 

[Ridgewalker]

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/404-jeffery-400grs-a-frame-reload-data.42651/

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

I will be having someone (pro) load some 80rds. of .404J for me. 400grn. hydro shocks 84 grns. H4350. Since we have 4 .404 in various rifle lengths obviously fps. will vary looking for around 2300 fps.

Does this sound like the way to go?

 

[Rob404]

I load 84gs of Win 760 using 400g Swifts muzzle velocity at 2363 and get very acceptable groups at a 100m

The barrel is a 24inch McKowen with a 1-10 twist

 

[Shootist43]

Rob 404, while you have had some success with the Win. 760, the same dose of H-4350 produces sub MOA groups out of my 404 with a 24" McKowen barrel, and my CZ 550. When you can, "try it, you'll like it." My recorded velocities were 2300, 2309 & 2306 exactly as projected by Von Gruff when he gave me his "accuracy load."

 

[Shootist43]

Lon, the H-4350 has given excellent results in a number of rifles. Von Gruff's original load used 400 Gr. Woodleigh PP, I got the same Sub MOA out of "your" old rifle and a converted Mod 70 using Swift A Frames. I only checked the velocity out of "your" old CZ 550, three rounds one each at 2300, 2309 then 2306. I have no experience with the Hydro Shocks, but other AH members have had excellent success with them in various calibers.

 

[Rem700stw]

Hi folks,

Looking to start reloading for my .404 Jeffery

Brass - Have some Hornady so should perhaps continue with that? Or any other recommendations? Any good mail order suppliers?

Bullets - initially for plinking. Peregrine? Woodleigh? Someone else?

Any pet loads that aren't too punchy?

Thanks in advance,

Scrummy

The following information is safe in my rifle and based on published reloading data:

CZ 550 rifle

Norma brass (you get what you pay For)

Federal 215 primer

Barnes TSX/banded solid

Reloader 17 powder
82 grains TSX
75 grains banded solid

The tsx load is sub moa. Both loads shoot to same point of aim at 100 yards. Velocity 2350 FPS.

Turns the Black Death to Dead Black

 

[Rob404]

Same rifle different powder 82gs of IMR 4350

 

[Rob404]

Rob 404, while you have had some success with the Win. 760, the same dose of H-4350 produces sub MOA groups out of my 404 with a 24" McKowen barrel, and my CZ 550. When you can, "try it, you'll like it." My recorded velocities were 2300, 2309 & 2306 exactly as projected by Von Gruff when he gave me his "accuracy load."

Check my post above

 

[Rob404]

Haven't been to the range with my CZ for 2 years, I wonder why I still own it

 

[Proneshooter]

Norma brass at the best price I've ever found: http://www.safariammo.net/index.php/404-rimless.html
Barnes banded solids good for hunting or practice at this price, great company I have bought from many times: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/843653478
I also use the 84 gr. H4350 load with Norma brass, Fed 215 primer, and North Fork 400 softs and solids. To bad North Fork just went out of business so I'll be switching to Swift A Frames after my supply runs out.