OntarioHunter
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2020
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I'm having a 404 Jeffrey built on a standard 98 Mauser action. It's been an interesting, albeit complicated, project. The 404 Jeff has a significant place in big bore history. Initially, the rimmed "nitro" cartridges in double rifles had a lock on 19th century dangerous game hunting. After the successful introduction of bolt action repeating military rifles, gun makers easily made them work for other four-legged thin-skinned animals. Obviously, the race would be on to build a magazined multi-shot gun for man-killers. W.J. Jeffery simply cut the rim off a Nitro case, made it rimless (rimmed cartridges don't feed well stacked in a box magazine), shortened the case, necked it down slightly (British govt banned export of .45 cal sporting ammo into the colonies because too many rebel types possessed surplus Martini-Henry rifles), and stuffed it into Paul Mauser's Model 1898. Jeffery introduced his .404 (actual bullet diameter is .423) sometime between 1905 and 1907. Mauser didn't answer the call for a true magnum action that could handle cartridges longer than 3" until 1910 (exclusively for Rigby). So, Jeffery continued to use 98s for the .404 until 1912 when they were given access to Mauser magnum actions. Stuffing fat and long .404 cartridges into an action designed for 8mm was the challenge. According to what I've read, Jeffery made several changes to the 98's "bottom metal" including eliminating the sides of the magazine box and widening the hole in the stock. I'm not that much of a purist. Two custom gun machinists make .375 bottom metal for Mauser 98 that they will will widen to take 404.
It's a great cartridge with enough punch to kill buffalo and even elephant when loaded with a 400 gr bullet @2150 fps. And that respectable punch comes at a relatively modest cost in recoil. 404 Jeff is not belted so it feeds smoother and has less case separation issues for reloading. Jeffery also originally offered ammo loaded with 300 gr pointed bullets for thin-skinned plains game (back in those golden olden days, getting close for a shot was considered more admirable than plinking at animals long range). In Africa the .404 survived the magnum revolution well, and it's seen a recent revival in North America ... but only in 400 gr offerings gassed up to match .416 Rigby. However, I am very reluctant to push the Model 98's action any harder than the original Jeffery factory loads. With modern advancements in bullet metallurgy I should be able to safely speed up 350 gr slugs and still match or exceed the punch of original 400 gr cup and core loads. The problem is no current factory loads seem to be offered in anything less than 400 gr and at velocities well above 2150 fps (at upwards of $20/round!). I have been able to find three exotic manufacturers of .423 cal bullets in 320 to 350 grs. Two makers sell unusual copper/brass bullets that look interesting: Cutting Edge's "Raptor" and Perrigrine "PlainsMaster." I already have a lifetime supply of 400 gr Barnes bullets, 38 new brass cases, and essentially new CH dies. I'd like to load some of the lighter copper bullets but having no luck finding loading specs. Not even on the company websites. Any suggestions?
It's a great cartridge with enough punch to kill buffalo and even elephant when loaded with a 400 gr bullet @2150 fps. And that respectable punch comes at a relatively modest cost in recoil. 404 Jeff is not belted so it feeds smoother and has less case separation issues for reloading. Jeffery also originally offered ammo loaded with 300 gr pointed bullets for thin-skinned plains game (back in those golden olden days, getting close for a shot was considered more admirable than plinking at animals long range). In Africa the .404 survived the magnum revolution well, and it's seen a recent revival in North America ... but only in 400 gr offerings gassed up to match .416 Rigby. However, I am very reluctant to push the Model 98's action any harder than the original Jeffery factory loads. With modern advancements in bullet metallurgy I should be able to safely speed up 350 gr slugs and still match or exceed the punch of original 400 gr cup and core loads. The problem is no current factory loads seem to be offered in anything less than 400 gr and at velocities well above 2150 fps (at upwards of $20/round!). I have been able to find three exotic manufacturers of .423 cal bullets in 320 to 350 grs. Two makers sell unusual copper/brass bullets that look interesting: Cutting Edge's "Raptor" and Perrigrine "PlainsMaster." I already have a lifetime supply of 400 gr Barnes bullets, 38 new brass cases, and essentially new CH dies. I'd like to load some of the lighter copper bullets but having no luck finding loading specs. Not even on the company websites. Any suggestions?
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