buckstix
.400 member
Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1398
Loc: Whitetail Country
|
|
Parker Hale African - 404 Jeffery - Still Deals Out There
Hello Folks,
There are still "Deals" out there if you keep looking.
I found this one while searching Proxy Bid for rifles in one of my favorite calibers, the 404 Jeffery. This would be my 4th 404J rifle. It came from an auction house in Wayco, TX.
Although I'd seen Parker Hales in 375 and 458 calibers, I never knew they were also offered in 404 Jeffery. As you can see in the listing, this rifle was Brand New, In the Original Box, but it had NO BOLT. With some guidance from Forum members, I took a flyer and bought it. It hammered at ONLY $450 with a 10% buyer's premium.
.
.
I found a photo of a similar model Parker Hale to identify the type of bolt that I needed for the rifle, and started searching, but I had no luck in finding an Original.
.
.
However, I did locate and purchase from a friend. a "new" - "un-numbered" Oberndorf Military Mauser bolt body, for only $100.
.
.
I proceeded to open-up the bolt face to 404 Jeffery, and then alter the extractor to fit the larger cartridge.
.
.
Finally I finish off the assembly with some Commercial Mauser parts from my junk drawer stash.
.
.
I think it turned out pretty good. I especially like "look" of the turned-down handle, better than the original "swept-back" style.
.
.
And, I had it shooting the very next day.
.
.
Right out of the box, it was sighted perfect for the hunt.
.
.
For your interest: I found this spec sheet while searching the Internet for info on Parker Hale rifles.
--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."
|
93x64mm
.416 member
Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4416
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
|
|
Seen ones of those in the flesh in the early - mid '80's, had a chance to buy it too but didn't follow thru on that one.
Have a great rifle there Buckstix, may not be the prettiest but they were designed as 'control'/workhorse rifles & she can shoot!
Gone to a loving home matey!
|
Rule303
.450 member
Reged: 05/07/09
Posts: 5255
Loc: Woodford Qld
|
|
That was a good find and shoots well.
|
Homer
.416 member
Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
|
|
G'Day fella's,
Great bargain buy there Buckstix.
Regards
Homer
--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"
|
DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27701
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
|
|
buckstix - good score & bargain price as well!
--------------------
Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
|
Bidgee
.375 member
Reged: 08/04/15
Posts: 711
Loc: Northern Rivers, NSW
|
|
Great pickup! It looks better with the straight bolt handle rather than the swept back bolt handle IMO.
Cheers
|
NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
|
|
Good find.
--------------------
John aka NitroX
 ...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
|
NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
|
|
BTW I remember a PH M98 .404 which have a rounded forend, not the somewhat schnabel forend of that rifle.
--------------------
John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
|
buckstix
.400 member
Reged: 07/11/12
Posts: 1398
Loc: Whitetail Country
|
|
Hello NitroX,
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, I have seen those with a rounded forend.
I'd be tempted to shorten my forend to get rid of the schnable, and move the sling swivel to the barrel. Here's how it would look (before/after) via photo-shop.
--------------------
"You never pay too much for something, you only buy it too early."
|
NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
|
|
Looks good. Except for the buttstock, more like a classic forend. Thanks to Photoshop.
--------------------
John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
|
Rino
.300 member
Reged: 13/01/07
Posts: 101
Loc: Norway/South-Africa
|
|
Nice find.
That metal deserve a classic looking stock.
--------------------
Alf Rino Hals
|
szihn
.400 member
Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
|
|
I like my 404. I have to admit, I have no real need for it. I am never going back to Africa, and my 375H&H covers more uses for N. America, but I used a 404 for a 9 month period of time when I was 20-21 years old and loved the rifle. So I made one for myself later.
I agree with the post above. It deserves a classic stock.
The 404 was made to be a bolt-action version of the 450/400. The original load does that perfectly. It fired a 400 grain bullet at 2150 FPS. The newer loads are the same ballisticly as the original 416 Rigby. 400 gr bullet at 2350 FPS.
I load mine at 2200. It's quite accurate. I have a 2X Weaver on it and I can hold 4 rounds into about 1-1/4" at 100 yards. All I could ask for, from a 404.
Some time in the next 1-2 years I will take it out for elk, or maybe deer and antelope.
Why?
Why not!
Edited by szihn (25/09/17 09:11 AM)
|
ovny
.375 member
Reged: 19/06/08
Posts: 591
Loc: Spain
|
|
Hi, I really like the rifle, I see it resembling the BRNO, sturdy, with a Mauser bolt with a passive ejector. And the cartridge seems to me precious, soft but forceful midway between the 375 H & H Magnum and the 416 Rigby. It is an excellent choice from my point of view. Congratulations on the purchase and for being able to find a lock for that rifle wonder. That you enjoy it very much.
Regards
Ovny.
--------------------
I am Spanish
|
Branxhunter
.224 member
Reged: 31/05/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Victoria, Australia
|
|
I have an article in a 1990 edition of Australian Shooters Journal on the PH .404. Reading it find that the author didn't want to wait around for the intermittently produced African model so he purchased a factory PH ,404 barrel and screwed it into a Mod 81 Classic action. The stock on the classic looks a lot nicer with a straight comb on the butt and without the schnabnel fore end. Happy to provide a copy if anyone is interested.
Marcus
|
szihn
.400 member
Reged: 24/06/07
Posts: 2121
Loc: United States
|
|
Here's how mine turned out (so far)
No engraving or checkering yet. But I hope to get time to do those decorations this winter.
 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr
 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA by Steve Zihn, on Flickr
|
DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27701
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
|
|
That's better, Steve - I prefer the straight comb and Buckstix' rifle would look better too, with the slimmed forend and without the hollywood butt & white lines PH uses.
The Schnabel and forend itself appears to clunky/heavy/thick to me.
--------------------
Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
|
NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
|
|
Quote:
I have an article in a 1990 edition of Australian Shooters Journal on the PH .404. Reading it find that the author didn't want to wait around for the intermittently produced African model so he purchased a factory PH ,404 barrel and screwed it into a Mod 81 Classic action. The stock on the classic looks a lot nicer with a straight comb on the butt and without the schnabnel fore end. Happy to provide a copy if anyone is interested.
Marcus
Interesting as I was SURE the Parker Hale Model 81 WAS available in .404 Jeffery. I remember a model, available in .375 H&H, .404, and .458 Win Mag. I had a go at one in .404. AND was sure it was a Model 81 (from memory). Yet I think when I had a look at a comprehensive online resource, different models were listed for the .404. The rifles I remember had rounded forends, plainish stocks but built for the three larger chamberings.
--------------------
John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
|
NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
|
|
Quote:
I have an article in a 1990 edition of Australian Shooters Journal on the PH .404. Reading it find that the author didn't want to wait around for the intermittently produced African model so he purchased a factory PH ,404 barrel and screwed it into a Mod 81 Classic action. The stock on the classic looks a lot nicer with a straight comb on the butt and without the schnabnel fore end. Happy to provide a copy if anyone is interested.
Marcus
Marcus,
Yes if possible please email me a copy of the article.
Nitro AT NitroExpress.com
--------------------
John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
|
Branxhunter
.224 member
Reged: 31/05/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Victoria, Australia
|
|
Will do.
There is another interesting article you might like - along the lines of "hares in the vines" - but I'm sure you already have a copy!
Marcus
|
NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
|
|
Hares in the vines, "Jugged Hare" that I wrote for the Shooters Journal or Yearbook back in the 1990's?
Or a different article? I remember another article with a similar theme sometime later as well.
If it is mine, I DO have a copy or two somewhere, but where the ffff? Had pdf scans too, but on which HDD or older PC????
BTW replied to your message with my email address. Same as above, but "corrected" ie the above one is supposed to confuse the spambots ...
--------------------
John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
|
93x64mm
.416 member
Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4416
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
|
|
Quote:
I have an article in a 1990 edition of Australian Shooters Journal on the PH .404. Reading it find that the author didn't want to wait around for the intermittently produced African model so he purchased a factory PH ,404 barrel and screwed it into a Mod 81 Classic action. The stock on the classic looks a lot nicer with a straight comb on the butt and without the schnabnel fore end. Happy to provide a copy if anyone is interested.
Marcus
Finally found the actual PH catalogue today with all the models in it. I will scan & send on for all.
Cheers
93x64mm
|
NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
I have an article in a 1990 edition of Australian Shooters Journal on the PH .404. Reading it find that the author didn't want to wait around for the intermittently produced African model so he purchased a factory PH ,404 barrel and screwed it into a Mod 81 Classic action. The stock on the classic looks a lot nicer with a straight comb on the butt and without the schnabnel fore end. Happy to provide a copy if anyone is interested.
Marcus
Finally found the actual PH catalogue today with all the models in it. I will scan & send on for all.
Cheers
93x64mm
Thanks.
--------------------
John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
|
NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
I have an article in a 1990 edition of Australian Shooters Journal on the PH .404. Reading it find that the author didn't want to wait around for the intermittently produced African model so he purchased a factory PH ,404 barrel and screwed it into a Mod 81 Classic action. The stock on the classic looks a lot nicer with a straight comb on the butt and without the schnabnel fore end. Happy to provide a copy if anyone is interested.
Marcus
Finally found the actual PH catalogue today with all the models in it. I will scan & send on for all.
Cheers
93x64mm
Thanks.
And here it is:
Images from a Parker Hale catalogue. Thanks to 93x64mm.
Double paged images may be open to twice the displayed size. Click on them or open in a new tab to display the larger size.
http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=306958&an=&page=0&vc=1
--------------------
John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
|
Branxhunter
.224 member
Reged: 31/05/16
Posts: 16
Loc: Victoria, Australia
|
|
Quote:
Hares in the vines, "Jugged Hare" that I wrote for the Shooters Journal or Yearbook back in the 1990's?
Or a different article? I remember another article with a similar theme sometime later as well.
If it is mine, I DO have a copy or two somewhere, but where the ffff? Had pdf scans too, but on which HDD or older PC????
BTW replied to your message with my email address. Same as above, but "corrected" ie the above one is supposed to confuse the spambots ...
Yes it was the jugged hare article - the references to the Rem 788. .222 are what helped me make the link. Let me know if you want a PDF or hard copy of it.
I also emailed through the PH .404 article last night (been a while since I have been on NE).
I really like the lines of those M81 PH stocks in the catalogue. Interesting, I also wasn't aware that PH rifles could come fitted with a set trigger. Looks a bit like a Canjar.
Marcus
|
NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40651
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Hares in the vines, "Jugged Hare" that I wrote for the Shooters Journal or Yearbook back in the 1990's?
Or a different article? I remember another article with a similar theme sometime later as well.
If it is mine, I DO have a copy or two somewhere, but where the ffff? Had pdf scans too, but on which HDD or older PC????
BTW replied to your message with my email address. Same as above, but "corrected" ie the above one is supposed to confuse the spambots ...
Yes it was the jugged hare article - the references to the Rem 788. .222 are what helped me make the link. Let me know if you want a PDF or hard copy of it.
I also emailed through the PH .404 article last night (been a while since I have been on NE).
I really like the lines of those M81 PH stocks in the catalogue. Interesting, I also wasn't aware that PH rifles could come fitted with a set trigger. Looks a bit like a Canjar.
Marcus
Hi Marcus, I was unaware any Parker Hale came with a set trigger. When loading/editing the catalogue, never read it properly.
YES please send me a copy of my own article! Actually there should be FOUR articles of mine in that yearbook.
"Jugges Hare" - hare hunt in the vineyards of the Barossa
"Game Parks of Europe" - photo essay of Klampenburg in Denmark, St Hubertus in France, and the Vienna Woods
"Lucky at Boole Poole" - a hog deer hunt
and
an article on the Stockwell Hunt Club - with photographs of my Grandfather etc.
Murray Mitchell was the editor of my articles. i have never read a single one. I can't read my own stuff after sending it off. Murray must have been desparate for articles to take four from me for a single yearbook! 
YES please send me a pdf of the article and if it isn't too much trouble, all four! Send me your address and I will post you a bottle of wine as thanks for your time.
I may still have a copy or two of the issue, and may also have my own scanned pdfs of the articles. Not sure where the mag copy(ies) might be, and things can get lost of damaged over time. Stuff put into shipping containers which one day leak and everything going mouldy in it. PDFs on PCs that crash and die, or hard disks that get loss among all the other HDDs.
So yes, please send. I can then also share them on NE.com.
I did receive the .404 article. Haven't looked at it yet. Thanks.
--------------------
John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
