I have been using a 404 of one kind or another for 30 plus years...I have built myself 4 or them, but someone always wants them more than I....I have shot more Buffalo with the 404 than any other rifle caliber, with the 416 Rem running a close second...

I am presently making a 404 on a CZ-550 375 rifle...Don't use a 416 Rigby as the bolt face is way to large..The 375 action will hold 5 404s down and one in the chamber with a thick hollowed floorplate and new spring.....

It will have a Lothar Walther barrel and a turkish walnut stock...Brockmans is doing the metal and I am doing the stock...All my previous guns had 26" barrels, but this one is planned for 22 inches..for whatever reason, it is out of character for me to own short barrel guns, but everyone should have at least one shorty..

I once had an original FN Mauser in 404, that one I should have kept that one, but alas the whore in me, took the money an ran...

The 404 is a great caliber when properly set up and with a 26" barrel it will churn up 2650 FPS in most guns with a 400 gr. bullet of any kind...The load is 95 grs. of IMR-4831..This load was tested by NorthFork bullets for pressure and it is a near max and perfectly safe load..I expect I can get an easy 2500 from the 22" tube but will stop where the accuracy is best.....

The 404 is the full equal of the 416 Rem or Rigby, but I cannot tell that its any better. I do like the non belted big old torpedo looking case and it sure feeds well and most important the case design is friendly to extraction if problems occur...

Given my druthers, I will take a 404 Jefferys over any other bolt action caliber that I have used on dangerous game, including elephant..Mostly I have shot Woodleigh RN solids and GS Custom flat nose solids on everything...but Northforks SPs are great in the 404, and now Bridger Bullets makes a nice Flat nose solid.....IMR-4831 is the ONLY powder for that old girl IMO.....

You will not be disapointed in that one, I guarenteeeeee...