Oscar,

I too use a 404 as my Buffalo rifle in the Northern Territory. It has proven to be totally satisfactory and is a good deal more pleasant to shoot than the other two. A big plus is that the rifle requires a 375 length action whereas the 416 requires a true mangnum action.

The 404 is mild but even when loaded with moden properllant to 416 Rigby velocities it is still more pleasant to shoot in my opinion.

As Mickey has stated he has a good deal greater experience than me with this cartridge but something to think about is that 2009 is the 100th anniversary of the grand old 404 a definate reason to get one!!!

Regards,

MOG