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@Huvius, I came across an article on http://www.allaboutguns.net/404_Jeffery.html and the following para threw me off a bit:

" A word of caution is in order for anyone interested in firing a rifle chambered for the .404 Jeffery. As stated in the A-Square reloading manual Any Shot You Want, the original drawings for the cartridge specify a groove diameter of .418”, a bullet diameter of .422” and a chamber that has an “abrupt, funnel shaped throat.” The later German drawings call for a groove diameter of .423”. Unless you are absolutely certain that the rifle you are using has a groove diameter of .423”, do not fire any .404 Jeffery ammunition in it until the bore and chamber have been measured. Modern rifles are quite strong but it is the older guns that are likely to have a barrel with a .418” groove diameter and they are not nearly as strong as the stuff produced today. It is suggested in Any Shot You Want that owners of older rifles with .418” barrels should hang them on the wall and admire them, which is sound advice indeed."

A bit of a background, I live in India and so does this rifle. The market for guns here is pretty crazy, too many restrictions etc so the same reflects in the prices as well. Anyway, the biggest concern is ammo... Its not available here and my only source would be import, 50 at a time in personal baggage. I want to be sure that I can fire new factory loads and possibly reload once I have cases..

Currently, I wont be able to accurately measure the dia, and the only way for now would be to accertain via the serial number if this is an older jeffery or the later one with the 423 dia..

saif

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Well, I don't know anybody using a 404, whether it be an old rifle or a new rifle, NOT using .423" bullets, myself included in a rifle close to the vintage of yours.
The 1920's barrel specs from Mauser call for a bore of .4114" and a groove of .4232" and I would doubt that Mauser would change what Jeffery was using (if Jeffery decided the dimensions anyway which is debatable).
I have never heard of any rifle calling for a jacketed bullet that is .005" LARGER than the groove dimension!

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

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