010166
.224 member
Reged: 21/01/09
Posts: 44
Loc: Australia, Perth
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Just starting out on a .404 build you guys may or may not be interested in. It is being built on a Brno 602 Magnum action, It was to be on a standard length Mauser 98 action but the Brno came up and I couldn't say no. The action came with a fair amount of surface corrosion that the previous owner tried to remove, and I will have to finish with plenty of elbow grease.
The back to front Brno safety is going for a one way trip to the rubbish bin, why Brno made them like that is anyone's guess. A safety from Danie Joubert in South Africa should be on the door step any day now, it looks like a Model 70 Winchester safety. This will remove any problems or confusion ensuring the safety is off when something big and ugly wants to harm me.
The barrel is going to be 23" long (or short?) as I would like to keep the whole rig short to aid in pointability. The barrel will have a barrel band for the sling, even though it won't be carrying a sling when chasing nasties anyway. Express sights NECG probably, but not the front sight with the barrel band, something slimmer is the go. Those front sight barrel bands look so lumpy sitting on a already fat barrel, and I have no idea of what function they serve other than cosmetic.
The stock came from NZ and was carved on a pantograph so was a bit rough to begin with. I have now cleaned it up a bit and it is going to be OK, I put a bit of oil on a section to see what colour I would get and that seems to be OK too. I'm hoping to get a piece of Buffalo or even Banteng horn for the forend tip, everyone has ebony. I've just finished inletting the action and I am pretty happy with that.
Most of the work will be done by myself especially on the stock, as I enjoy doing it, and get great pride looking at a rifle that I have helped to create. I will try to keep this updated regularly and everyones opinion whether negative or positive is most welcome, as I may get some ideas I have not thought of.
I am now going to try and attach a couple of photos, if they don't come out maybe someone can start by telling me how to do that.
Cheers, Bill
http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/ac125/redbank_2009/ttttt130.jpg
http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/ac125/redbank_2009/ttttt132.jpg
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CHAPUISARMES
.416 member
Reged: 16/01/08
Posts: 2908
Loc: DUBBO, NSW, AUSTRALIA
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Hi Bill,
Ask Fatboy404, he has just worked it out.....
Cheers,
Jeff Gray 
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"Travel Light, Travel Fast and carry a Big Bore"
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4seventy
Sponsor
Reged: 07/05/03
Posts: 2210
Loc: Queensland Australia
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Bill,
The photos are looking real good. Thanks for posting them.
That stock should come up very well. It looks very similar to the ones Geoff Slee does.
I built a mild custom 602 in .458 Win Mag about 20 years ago, and used a Slee stock which was bought straight off the pantograph.
It turned out quite well after it was all cleaned up, but I later realized that I'd left it a bit too thick (clubby) at the hand.
Your project will be of interest to many of us here, so yes, please keep us up to date. 
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FATBOY404
.400 member
Reged: 14/11/09
Posts: 1730
Loc: QLD
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Hi Bill . I am building a 404 on a 602 myself . It should be ready in Febuary hopefully . What did your safty cost ? . Ive gone with a 24 inch barrel myself .Look forward to seeing your project develope please keep us posted .
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"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"
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010166
.224 member
Reged: 21/01/09
Posts: 44
Loc: Australia, Perth
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Gidday Fatboy,
The safety cost $240 AUD. GOOGLE Danie Joubert, he has a small web site and there is a picture of some safeties on it.
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FATBOY404
.400 member
Reged: 14/11/09
Posts: 1730
Loc: QLD
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Boy he looks like he does nice work !!!
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"WHATEVER BLOWS YOUR HAIR BACK"
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ozhunter
.400 member
Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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I have a 404 24" Walter barrel, nice block of Aus Walnut, Recnagel sights and safety and a vz24 action waiting to be built up also.
Recknagel safety's are available at around $300 here in Aus.
Also have a 458 being built up at the moment with an FN action and a 23"barrel.
These rifles are to be built with a similar design to my 425WR.
This rifle also has Buffalo horn instead of Ebony.
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Con
.333 member
Reged: 24/05/04
Posts: 261
Loc: Victoria
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ozhunter,
You have both 458WinMag and 425WR. Why double up with a 404Jeffery which is in the same 'power range'?
Build it light and chamber for a 10.75x68 instead.
Cheers...
Con
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ozhunter
.400 member
Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Con,
Have seriously considered the 10.75x68 but elected to stick with the 404 as I have accumulated some 404 items for some time now. Such as a Recknagel 404 Magazine and components pus a Walther Barrel. Although the 404 is in the similar power range, it will be fitted with a scope where the 425 and 458 will not. Thus making it a little different than the other two.
Besides, this rifle will be used in areas that aggressive Elephant will be encountered and IMO a 404J with 450grn FMJ bullets with a MV of around 2200fps would be a safer bet than what a light 10.75mm with 400grn bullets traveling at around 2150fps would be.
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9.3x57
.450 member
Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5561
Loc: United States
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Quote:
ozhunter, that is a both beautiful and workmanlike rifle you have there. VERY nice combination of attractive AND properly-flowing grain in the wrist.
I like the ".425-styling".
You've got nice stuff and a great eye for it.
Will patiently wait for some photos of its use on the big'uns, too.
The only thing that stopped me from drooling was that I noticed the cheekpiece is on the wrong side of the stock...at least for me.
Thanks for posting the pic.
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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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Homer
.416 member
Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
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G'Day Fella's,
Nice rifles 010166 and OZ!!!
If you don't already have a barrel for this project, I have access to a Brand New, in the white Lothar Walther barrel, chambered for .404 Jeffery and threaded for a 98 Mauser action.
Price, I need to confirm?
HooRoo
From
Homer
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"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"
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010166
.224 member
Reged: 21/01/09
Posts: 44
Loc: Australia, Perth
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Gidday Hommer,
I don't have a barrel yet so I would be interested in the Lothar Walther. I am not sure on the difference in thread pitch between the Brno and the 98, so I assume there is enough room to cut it back, rethread and rechamber it?? If you could get me a price in your own time that would be appreciated. Is it a 1:14" twist? and what profile?
Cheers, Bill
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Bramble
.375 member
Reged: 29/07/06
Posts: 950
Loc: England
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There is no difference between a 98 and a BRNO. 1.1" Major 12 Tpi.
Regards
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010166
.224 member
Reged: 21/01/09
Posts: 44
Loc: Australia, Perth
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Cheers mate, thanks for that.
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Homer
.416 member
Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
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G'Day Fella's,
010166, I will check it all out for you and get back to you asap with all the gory details!
HooRoo
From
Hommer
--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"
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Homer
.416 member
Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
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G'Day Fella's,
010166, I have PM'ed you all the details on this .404 barrel.
HooRoo
From
Homer
--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"
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Squarebridge
.300 member
Reged: 21/08/08
Posts: 129
Loc: Tennessee
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I wanted to ask about your front sight on the rifle above - you say it's got Recknagel sights, but I don't see that sight in the Recknagel catalog on the NECG website. Are they making this sight? I was glad that they brought out a really nice early American style sight in the style of Griffin and Howe (pictured on the NECG site) but didn't know if they also did other recreated sights such as the one above.
Thanks very much.
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CHAPUISARMES
.416 member
Reged: 16/01/08
Posts: 2908
Loc: DUBBO, NSW, AUSTRALIA
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Try the Recknagel site.
http://www.recknagel.de
Cheers,
Jeff Gray
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"Travel Light, Travel Fast and carry a Big Bore"
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Squarebridge
.300 member
Reged: 21/08/08
Posts: 129
Loc: Tennessee
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They show less than the NECG site, but I see there that they make a magnum Mauser action, which I didn't know. I'll ping the company and try to get more information.
Thanks
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Cinghiale
.333 member
Reged: 15/04/08
Posts: 406
Loc: Northern Territory
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Glad to see more 404's springing up all over the place, one day it may be as popular as the 416 Remington.... I doubt it but its nice to dream!
OZ what would be the proper twist rate for a 404 that is built to fire the 450 grain projectiles?
Good luck with your build.
Regards,
MOG
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