Testing 404 Jeffery

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

I have seen Lead Sleds ruin fine optics. The rifle has to move and expel the energy/recoil. People tend to overload the sled with more weight than generated recoil and the problems begin.

I suspect your observation on the stock falls into that same category.

Yes I heard that as well,
I put a bag of lead shot on mine when im shooting the 375 H&H and it move the sled back a few inches,
I do have a synthetic stock with that rifle, but my 404 Jeffrey has a wood stock so I’ll need to becarful not to over load the sled when im shooting it,
Might not use any lead shot.

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

Speaking about Led sleds, I had the opportunity to see it might shift the point of impact with some rifles. It happened to me once and I know someone who also had this bad experience.
Here is why I prefer to use a Tackdriver bag in the front and a smaller bag at the rear or my rifle.

If you strap the rifle down on it pinching the barrel against the wood I could clearly see the point of impact changing, but I don’t do that, it just sits in the front holder.

 

[Monski]

I have a lead sled. It weighs 22 lbs on it's own I believe. I never put weight on it but put slick junk mail catalogs under the legs so that it moves some under recoil. That said, I broke a Leupold VX 6 1-6x24 scope on a 416 Remington caliber rifle while using it. It came in handy until I got used to 458 Lott (iron sights) recoil back when, but I can't see using it anymore. Standing rest or sticks work for me now. I feel lucky that I didn't crack a stock while using it.

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

I have a lead sled. It weighs 22 lbs on its own I believe. I never put weight on it but put slick junk mail catalogs under the legs so that it moves some under recoil. That said, I broke a Leupold VX 6 1-6x24 scope on a 416 Remington caliber rifle while using it. It came in handy until I got used to 458 Lott (iron sights) recoil back when, but I can't see using it anymore. Standing rest or sticks work for me now. I feel lucky that I didn't crack a stock while using it.

I think I’m going to get a good set of sticks from African Sporting creations, they make a really steady set of sticks that can be used for sighting in

 

[Rare Breed]

I bet those kicked! That's a lot of gas per mass. I'm not familiar with 2208 powder. I tried 4895 with 307 gr Hammer bullets and my 404 was too much to handle from the bench. Group was also not great so I threw in the towel. But the barrel wasn't broken in yet. I should try them again.

Just curious why you want so high FPS? I would have no problem even taking elephant at 2150 FPS

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Just curious why you want so high FPS? I would have no problem even taking elephant at 2150 FPS

No chrono but the 307 gr loads with 4895 kicked a lot harder than my 400 gr loads with A4350. I'm guessing the 400 gr were moving about 2200 fps with 80 gr powder. Didn't make sense that those lighter bullets were beating on me harder. Got a flattened primer so figured the load data was too hot. Confirmed by a member here who said the load manual's author liked to gas things up. It is very hard to find data for anything but 400 gr 404J bullets.

 

[K95]

I run the atomic 29 projectiles with 87gn of 2209, seems to work well in my jeffery, though I don’t think my groups are that good, but I haven’t really tried yet
Gumpy

Hi Gumpy I have only used 2209 with the 450 grs , what velocities are you getting with your load with the Atomics

 

[Tex .416]

I think I’m going to get a good set of sticks from African Sporting creations, they make a really steady set of sticks that can be used for sighting in

For serious range use, take a look at the Bog Death Grip tripod. It is very steady, very durable, and will last under sustained heavy use. It is not nostalgic like wooden sticks, but will stand up to heavy use far, far better. Also accuracy working up loads and adjusting scopes and sights will be more precise.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Hi Gumpy I have only used 2209 with the 450 grs , what velocities are you getting with your load with the Atomics

No idea on velocity, don’t have a chronograph, it’s basically the load von Gruff (nztimb) used
Gumpy

 

[Fatback]

I agree with @Tex .416, I have and use the Death Grip BogPod for sighting in all my heavy recoiling rifles where shooting from the seated position at a bench is uncomfortable. Mine has been a great investment for me.

 

[Rifleman97]

I have read that Lead Sled is not healthy for ultra heavy recoil rifles, especially if set in fine wood stocks.

The reputation for lead sled's breaking stocks comes from people over loading the sled with weight. Buy a lead sled, put 15 pounds, 25 at most on it. It cuts the recoil down like crazy while allowing the gun to move back in the sled enough to not risk damaging the stocks. Too much weight and something has to give. 15-20 pounds I think is the sweet spot as it, to the rifle's perspective, is no different than a heavier person shooting the rifle vs a lighter person.

That and never use the strap.

Do those 2 things and you'll never have an issue

 

[K95]

I bet those kicked! That's a lot of gas per mass. I'm not familiar with 2208 powder. I tried 4895 with 307 gr Hammer bullets and my 404 was too much to handle from the bench. Group was also not great so I threw in the towel. But the barrel wasn't broken in yet. I should try them again.

You call 2208 Varget I took the load up from there but there was no point. I have found with big calibers the harder you drive them the better they shoot. Anyway this is a comfortable load in my rifle and it shoots well.

 

[K95]

Just curious why you want so high FPS? I would have no problem even taking elephant at 2150 FPS

It shoots well, mild recoil and with the 360 gr Atomic it shoots flat out to 250 yds. I use it for Sambar which some times can be out there.

 

[Maskell Shotgun academy]

For serious range use, take a look at the Bog Death Grip tripod. It is very steady, very durable, and will last under sustained heavy use. It is not nostalgic like wooden sticks, but will stand up to heavy use far, far better. Also accuracy working up loads and adjusting scopes and sights will be more precise.

I also plan to use these sticks in Africa so they will need to be able to deploy quickly

 

[K95]

It's time to take her on safari!

Yes I'm off chasing Buffalo up in the territory in June. Post some pictures then.

 

[cajunchefray]

I think it will shoot much better as I was very uncomfortable on the bench and couldn't get my eye close enough to the scope to get a full field of view

Shooting the big bores for accuracy from a bench rest is a challenge. Anything above .375 H&H, I'm not shooting off the bench.

Fabricate a Standing Rifle Rest, like Holland and Holland. Like shooting over a wood planked fence, but really sturdy and portable (given the weight),

My standing rifle rest is at my friend's farm, so I don't have pictures now. Basically, it's a 4'x4' H Base, with an H shaped vertical structure, adjusted for your height.
Some internet searches will show some pictures of the H&H rests.

H&H uses these for regulating double rifles, and they are perfect for shooting medium and large bore bolt guns, standing upright, and rolling with the recoil.

I built the standing rest when I got my first double (450/400Nitro) and have used it for .375 H&H, .458 Winchester, and .500 Jeffery.

I can't find the picture now, but I made one out of 2x8" lumber.
H shaped base, approximately 48x44 inches, with right angled "hurricane braces" (easy to find in Louisiana), screwed in with coarse thread 3/4 galvanized screws.
Vertical elevation at 53 inches (for my height) and a 2x6" horizontal crossbar rest, padded with carpet.

Carefully measure the height of the crossbar for resting the rifle based upon height and stature.
I wanted it nearly horizontal, but with a slight forward incline "leaning into the rifle" of about an inch, for stability and to handle recoil.

I continue to dream of a .404 Jeffery, on a Model 70 Winchester, but I wouldn't be upset with an M98 Mauser.

Good Luck.

 

[K95]

Very interesting ! Does your Blaser have an alloy receiver or a steel one ?
How is the recoil ?

Alloy action , don't like heavy rifles, I have the 350 gr at 2620 fps the 400 gr 2450 fps and the 450 gr at 2230 fps. No pressure signs and the recoil is fine. Rifle with scope is 8.5 lbs. The Blaser stocks seem to really absorb most recoil , oh and I have a kick- eze pad fitted.

 

[eyedok]

I am getting 2250 fps with 69.5 RL 15 and a 1/2” of filler 400 gr CEB solids, without the filler my velocity was bouncing around quite a bit (50-75fps), with the filler got 2250,2253,2250, i stopped there, grouped about 1/2” but only at 75 yds, ready for elephant, now i need to load up some Barnes TSX and see if they have same point of impact for buff