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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Mauser Discussion Forum
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axis1008
.224 member


Reged: 30/12/15
Posts: 18
Loc: Texas
Manton & Co. Calcutta Custom Mauser in .404 Jeffery
      #278817 - 05/03/16 09:55 AM



Edited by axis1008 (07/03/16 05:45 AM)

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Rule303
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Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5063
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: axis1008]
      #278867 - 06/03/16 08:12 AM

Very nice. Axis is this in your rifle rack?

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Vladymere
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Reged: 11/08/15
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Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: Rule303]
      #278885 - 06/03/16 12:38 PM

Why do you call this a type A rifle?

Vlad

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axis1008
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Reged: 30/12/15
Posts: 18
Loc: Texas
Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: Vladymere]
      #278900 - 07/03/16 12:03 AM

My mistake, it has been changed

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xausa
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Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: axis1008]
      #278921 - 07/03/16 10:23 AM

That certainly is a peculiar stock. With the side panals, it has some Germanic features, which make little sense on a British rifle, and the cheekpiece, pistol grip, as well as the sling swivels and straight stock with minimal drop, look decidedly American. Of course there is no way of telling if that is the original stock as it emerged from the British workshop or it has been restocked in the US some time in its extended life.

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eagle27
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Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: xausa]
      #278969 - 08/03/16 05:52 PM

Is it a magnum length action?

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Marrakai
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Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3592
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Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: eagle27]
      #278977 - 08/03/16 10:40 PM

What xausa said.

But its the lines (...and the grip cap! ...and the 'Jetsons' cheek-piece!) not the side-panels that give it away.

Remember, Westley Richards made great use of side-panels on their big game rifles, doubtless borrowed from European sporters at the time, and probably for the same reason as did the re-stocker of this .404.

Side panels reinforce the stock at its weakest point, through the thin sides that have been inlet for the action and relieved for the magazine box. Many of these big kickers have a recoil lug ahead of the action, and with no cross-bolts the force of recoil is carried back through the stock-wood.

--------------------
Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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axis1008
.224 member


Reged: 30/12/15
Posts: 18
Loc: Texas
Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: Marrakai]
      #278983 - 09/03/16 01:52 AM

Intermediate action, measure 8 3/4

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458Win
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Loc: Alaska
Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: axis1008]
      #279064 - 10/03/16 09:07 AM

From what I can see in the photos the stock appears to be a fairly recent addition, made from Black walnut, and the metal looks as if has been reblued.

--------------------
Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either never used one - or else is unwittingly commenting on their marksmanship
Phil Shoemaker
www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com

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buckstix
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Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: 458Win]
      #279724 - 24/03/16 08:47 AM

Hello All,

I wanted to drop in and let you know that this Manton rifle now resides in Wisconsin. After a nice conversation with axis1008, we decided it should be relocated. I must say that axis1008 is a very professional gun enthusiast, and a real pleasure to deal with. Any day you make a new gun friend, is a great day.

In answer to some comments above about this rifle; although likely an early 1900's build, it appears the rifle did go through a professional restoration sometime in the late 50's or early 60's. I base this timing on the recoil pad, which is a red "noshoc" brand, and the rear sight, which is German manufacture of that period . Perhaps the rifle originated or was restored in Germany, which would explain the German style stock. Its not possible to gain much information from the stock in that it has been totally, and professional, glass bedded from the recoil lug forward to the tip of the forend. Regardless, the overall workmanship is very professional.

Barrel length is 25-3/8" and was likely shortened from something longer. LOP is 13". The rifle weighs a "light" 8 pounds 6-3/4 ounces including the weight of the sling. However, the straight stock profile results in very manageable felt recoil. I'm 5 ft 10 in and it fits me perfectly.

Assembly marks indicate that the action and barrel were mated at the time of manufacture. The action is a standard length intermediate action likely of surplus military origination. This was a common practice of British builders. There is a slight modification to the feed ramp and the mag box has been widened by machining both inside surfaces. Also, the front of the mag box has been totally cut-away to accomodate the long 404 Jeffery cartridges. Capacity is 1 up 2 down.

The real fun is in the shooting. Here is my first target.




--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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lancaster
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Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: buckstix]
      #279739 - 24/03/16 08:43 PM

with this target we dont need to discuss the stock anymore

--------------------
Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians

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Rule303
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Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5063
Loc: Woodford Qld
Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: buckstix]
      #279740 - 24/03/16 09:39 PM

Not bad group with open sights. I would suggest that home loads with Woodleigh bullets-have not seen a 404J that will not shoot with them- will tighten that up a bit. Not that it needs it.

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axis1008
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Reged: 30/12/15
Posts: 18
Loc: Texas
Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: Rule303]
      #279744 - 24/03/16 11:18 PM

Thanks Buckstix,
I appreciate the comments and feel the same.Hope you enjoy it for a long time!

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Huvius
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Reged: 04/11/07
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Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: axis1008]
      #279753 - 25/03/16 01:59 AM

Sure looks like a good shooter, as most 404s are.
Odd that it will only take two down. Perhaps the mag was shortened up when it was restocked for some reason.
Does it almost fit three down or not even close?
Maybe the follower or spring was changed sometime in its life. I once had a Mauser that wouldn't fit as many down as it should have and the reason was that the spring had broken and had been brazed back together. The repair was so thick, it couldn't get the last cartridge in the mag.
Jeffery named it the "404" because it was a 40cal. 4 shot rifle and I would think that an English proved example would fit three down.
Buck, did you flip the rear sight back to the "normal" express arrangement before shooting it?

--------------------
He who lives in the past is doomed to enjoy it.

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buckstix
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Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: Huvius]
      #279772 - 25/03/16 04:18 AM

Hello Huvius,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, it does seem to be a good shooter - at least as good as my od eyes can see the iron sights.

The mag box does not appear to be sortened, but it does "almost" take 3 down, only the bolt won't pass over the 3rd cartridge.

Both the follower and spring look original, but one never knows. I might try an altered follower to see if it provides a little more room for that 3rd round down.

As you observed, I "did" flip the rear sight to the correct "normal express" position before shooting.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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eagle27
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Reged: 24/01/09
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Loc: Rolleston, Christchurch, New Z...
Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: buckstix]
      #279780 - 25/03/16 08:21 AM

Looking at your photo 4th from last, and a little hard to compare because of the side panels on your stock, but when compared to the photo below of my Type A 404 build on a standard Oberndorf action, the distance from the thumb notch to the magazine floor on your rifle does looks shorter. Often the distance of the trigger toe from the bottom of the bow is also a giveaway if the magazine box has been deepened. Mine does look to be higher up inside the trigger bow but it has more curve (Timney) so difficult to compare with your trigger.

I can easily fit 3 and a half rounds down in the magazine so can carry 1 up 3 down. The mag spring is quite soft too and the rounds feed out of the magazine like a hot knife through butter, never failing to feed and never popping out when you do not want them to.

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buckstix
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Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: eagle27]
      #279793 - 25/03/16 11:43 AM

Hello eagle27,

Thanks for the reply.

When I remove the follower and spring, and measure the inside depth of the mag box, from the inside of the floorplate to the top of the bolt rail (at the center of the thumb slot) I get 1-13/16".

I'd be curious to know what it measures on your rifle.

Also, the width of the inside of the mag box on my rifle has been machined about 1/32" per side wider. Has the mag box on your rifle been machined wider?

I'd be curious to see a photo of your follower, to see if its different.

--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."

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Dogfish858
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Reged: 08/08/15
Posts: 190
Loc: Western Canada
Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: buckstix]
      #282214 - 11/05/16 09:29 AM

Beautiful.

The stock looks very Griffin & Howe.

I had a Charles Lancaster in .280 Ross, looked like the same engraver cut the writing on the barrel.

--------------------
But what about you? he asked. Who do you say I am?

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eagle27
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Reged: 24/01/09
Posts: 1165
Loc: Rolleston, Christchurch, New Z...
Re: Another Type "A" Custom in .404 Jeffery [Re: buckstix]
      #282269 - 12/05/16 05:31 PM

Quote:

Hello eagle27,

Thanks for the reply.

When I remove the follower and spring, and measure the inside depth of the mag box, from the inside of the floorplate to the top of the bolt rail (at the center of the thumb slot) I get 1-13/16".

I'd be curious to know what it measures on your rifle.

Also, the width of the inside of the mag box on my rifle has been machined about 1/32" per side wider. Has the mag box on your rifle been machined wider?

I'd be curious to see a photo of your follower, to see if its different.



Sorry I have not got back, been away and then missed your post.

Depth from floor plate to bolt rail at thumb cut is 1-7/8", width of action rails at thumb cut 5/8", opening up to 11/16" by about the middle of bolt travel ans same width at the feed ramp. Photo shows the mag follower which although not really obvious in the photo, has been highly polished, almost looks like its been chromed. Magazine box has been at least widened as per photo, not sure if lengthened but I'm guessing it has, photo of bottom metal may give some idea if it has.







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