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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Rifles
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GPJ12345
.300 member


Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
.338-404 Express long range hunting rifle
      #237775 - 14/11/13 04:29 AM

Members, please tell me more about this caliber. I am contemplating a build with this caliber , since I already have a .404 Jeffery and a .375 H&H Magnum and a 8x57 JS all on Mauser actions to do hunting in a bush environment. I was thinking of using the .404 Jeffery brass to reload for this caliber.

It really will be appreciated if I can receive more information regarding reamers for this caliber. I can purchase the brass, full sizing dies, neck sizing dies , neck reamer for this caliber from Midway USA.

But I need to find chamber reamers for this caliber.

I really would like to hear from you.

Regards'

Gert Odendaal

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27093
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: GPJ12345]
      #237778 - 14/11/13 05:40 AM

In the States, most reamer makers will build you a reamer from a print design & even provide a blank for your numbers.

Pacific Tool and Gauge, Manson and Clymer are reamer makers I've dealt with in the past, with Pacific getting most of my business. I find them very helpful on the phone as well.

Would a .338 Ultra-mag not fill that bill? Of course, if a wildcat is desired or even necessary - have at it.

Long range 'plinking' at any vermin is a worthwhile pastime for any calibre.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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JabaliHunter
.400 member


Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #237815 - 14/11/13 11:59 PM

Sounds very similar to a 330 Dakota which may be a cheaper tooling option? - see http://www.barnesbullets.com/copper_manual/330_Dakota.pdf?PHPSESSID=1827884cd1bd166a487a5e2c28a5bda8

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GPJ12345
.300 member


Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: JabaliHunter]
      #237821 - 15/11/13 05:15 AM

Quote:

Sounds very similar to a 330 Dakota which may be a cheaper tooling option? - see http://www.barnesbullets.com/copper_manual/330_Dakota.pdf?PHPSESSID=1827884cd1bd166a487a5e2c28a5bda8



Good Day to you.

I looked at the Remington Ultra Magnum, it is an option, hunters/shooters in South Africa is of the opinion that our propellants SONCHEM make here will not perform as good as the propellants you guys use in America. Many of the wildcatters/fast flat shooting calibers in your country will not be able to perform at the same levels in our country like they perform in your country due to the type of propellants we have here.

The only reason why I do not want to build a 8x68S rifle is because I have a .404 Jeffery and if I can get more brass for my .404 Jeff, it will be cheaper to build a 338-404 Express. Even if I do not get the velocities you guys get in your country, it still will be an adequate long range hunting rifle...

I would like to hear from you guys again.

I will see if I can get hold of the reamer, problem we experiencing is many of the products your retailer sell is not allowed to be shipped to South Africa, we are seen as a liability since we have relations with countries like China, Cuba, Russia and other former socialist states.

Gert Odendaal

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JFE
.224 member


Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 46
Loc: Vic, Australia
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: GPJ12345]
      #239926 - 31/12/13 11:37 AM

In case you are not aware the 338 RUM is a shortened 404 case with a rim the same size as a H&H. 338 pills tend to have a fairly long ogive, especially pills designed for long range use, and its for this reason Remington used a shortened 404 case in this calibre. Other RUM variants use a full length 404 case.

If you wanted to find dies reamers etc for a 338 on a full length 404 case, google up 338 Edge - this case is effectively an improved full length 404 with a H&H rim (the developer necked up 300 RUM cases). You could simply use reformed 404 brass here as well. That will probably be your most economical way into a 338/404. I would check the magazine length of the rifle you are going to use, as that may be a limiting factor.

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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: JFE]
      #239947 - 01/01/14 01:30 AM

Quote:

In case you are not aware the 338 RUM is a shortened 404 case with a rim the same size as a H&H. 338 pills tend to have a fairly long ogive, especially pills designed for long range use, and its for this reason Remington used a shortened 404 case in this calibre. Other RUM variants use a full length 404 case.

If you wanted to find dies reamers etc for a 338 on a full length 404 case, google up 338 Edge - this case is effectively an improved full length 404 with a H&H rim (the developer necked up 300 RUM cases). You could simply use reformed 404 brass here as well. That will probably be your most economical way into a 338/404. I would check the magazine length of the rifle you are going to use, as that may be a limiting factor.



Curious how much more you get out of that 338 Edge---I currently shoot both the .338 RUM and 338 Lapua..and am very impressed with their long range performance...

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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JFE
.224 member


Reged: 03/06/07
Posts: 46
Loc: Vic, Australia
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: Ripp]
      #239982 - 01/01/14 11:24 AM

At that level of capacity I think the differences will largely come down to the details: barrel length, throat, magazine length brass quality, pressure etc. Most 338 Edge rifles seem to have long barrels (26+"), long magazines (3.8") and long throating.

I only use a humble 338 Win mag....

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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: JFE]
      #240000 - 01/01/14 07:48 PM

Quote:

At that level of capacity I think the differences will largely come down to the details: barrel length, throat, magazine length brass quality, pressure etc. Most 338 Edge rifles seem to have long barrels (26+"), long magazines (3.8") and long throating.

I only use a humble 338 Win mag....





I have used the 338 Win--most game I shot with it didnt find it too humble..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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NitroXAdministrator
.700 member


Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39990
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: JFE]
      #240007 - 01/01/14 09:54 PM

Quote:

I would check the magazine length of the rifle you are going to use, as that may be a limiting factor.



Good to check, but the .404 was designed to operate in standard Mauser length actions. The long .338 bullets may of course make it a little different.

Gert, good luck with it, should be an impressive killer of most African beasts at good range too.

--------------------
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"

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GPJ12345
.300 member


Reged: 18/08/12
Posts: 149
Loc: South Africa
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: NitroX]
      #242296 - 13/02/14 06:42 AM

Members, may be prudent to report back on this issue. During my look around, read up, surfing the web I stumbled onto a calibre not well known, at least not to me...a gentlemen with the name of Aubrey White of Canada , developed (with his company) a calibre know as a Imperial Magnum in various calibres , the one I am interested in is the .338 Imperial Magnum, a standard .404 Jeff brass neck down(without any alterations/changes ) to the .338 bullet...this calibre runs along side the famous .338 Lapua, it is just cheaper to shoot and to reload, reamers. dies and gauges is all available in America...

This will then be my .338 calibre I am to build myself. If anyone needs more info on the history/ reloading data please send me a e-mail I did receive info from Aubrey White regarding this calibre.

Regards

Gert

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gryphon
.450 member


Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: GPJ12345]
      #242299 - 13/02/14 07:01 AM

a mate of mine has the 338Imp.I will ask him for any relevant news of it for you.

--------------------
Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27093
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: GPJ12345]
      #242317 - 13/02/14 03:17 PM

Quote:

Members, may be prudent to report back on this issue. During my look around, read up, surfing the web I stumbled onto a calibre not well known, at least not to me...a gentlemen with the name of Aubrey White of Canada , developed (with his company) a calibre know as a Imperial Magnum in various calibres , the one I am interested in is the .338 Imperial Magnum, a standard .404 Jeff brass neck down(without any alterations/changes ) to the .338 bullet...this calibre runs along side the famous .338 Lapua, it is just cheaper to shoot and to reload, reamers. dies and gauges is all available in America...

This will then be my .338 calibre I am to build myself. If anyone needs more info on the history/ reloading data please send me a e-mail I did receive info from Aubrey White regarding this calibre.

Regards

Gert



Bottom picture - Competitor on the far left is Aubrey White (Whitey), then Serg Bisonette, Len Grennell and myself. We comprised the RCMPolice 200 meter prone rifle team of the World Police and Fire Games in Coquitlam B.C. in 89. Aubrey is packing 2 gold medals as he was also top-shooter, with Len G. getting the silver for second highest score.


The top picture is of the top scorers in Small bore, 50 meter prone - standard rifle.



--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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kamilaroi
.400 member


Reged: 18/12/04
Posts: 1803
Loc: sydney, new south wales, Austr...
Re: .338-404 Express long range hunting rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #242329 - 13/02/14 06:17 PM

Please read my comment on the 395 something.

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