Developing a 404 Jeffery Plinking / Practice Load

[Scrumbag]

Hi folks,

I’m currently looking at ways of developing a low cost plinking load for my .404 Jeffery.

This probably means going with cast bullets. Unfortunately the chances of me ever having a location to cast my own are rather slim so it looks like resizing bullets is the way forward.

My current plan is to resize .430 commercially available cast lead bullets down to .424 and start with this 300gr which I have 100 on order:

I use .44 cal bullets from this maker for my 44 Mag lever action in 240gr RNFP and 255gr SWCGC with some decent success.

Anyway, I managed to get a .427” and a .424” for sizing down the .430” as cast bullets and I try with the 240gr and 255gr bullets. Sample of 1 so don’t so more experimentation needed but so far signs are good. These are 2 stage resized bullets:

Both seem to have some lube left, something of a crimping groove and lengthened a bit over 0.2mm (0.008”) so that bodes well (I think though, I would welcome comments).

Next stage / decisions are:

1) decide whether to give a bit of extra lube with Liquid Alox or go the whole hog and try and home powder coat
2) See if the it is possible to get a gas check onto that 300gr Shell House Bullet

Powder is likely to be Reload Swiss RS14 which is a substitute for Trail Boss.

Thoughts and advice much appreciated.

Best wishes,

Scrummy

 

[Doug Casner]

Plinking and 404 Jeffery dont go together. Doug

 

[Scrumbag]

Plinking and 404 Jeffery dont go together. Doug

It's all relative my friend

 

[DLH_]

This sounds absolutely ridiculous and that’s why I absolutely love it! I have no meaningful input

 

[Scrumbag]

This sounds absolutely ridiculous and that’s why I absolutely love it! I have no meaningful input

Happy to oblige

 

[DLH_]

Happy to oblige

One particular thing that makes this funny to me is the firearms licensing here in the U.K. I am currently having some difficulty attempting to obtain a 300WM on my licence. You have to have a valid reason to possess such a rifle and that reason varies from police force to police force depending on your area. For me, I have it down for target shooting at a range, deer management, boar shooting, ‘zeroing on land’ (which required me to have written permission on over 10,000 acres) and I even have an Africa trip booked. With all this, I had some opposition on them allowing me to own one. Consequently, having a ‘Big Jeff’ for plinking is truly hilarious in this instance!

 

[JSH]

Buddy and I “developed” a “plinking” load for his 458 Lott, was always a hoot to put one our kids behind the Ruger #1 when there was a few folks at the range.

You might ask around and see if there is anyone that would cast some proper bullets.

 

[dellet]

Might be worth checking with the folks that shoot the 41 Swiss, 10.4 Vetterli rifles. Different versions used anywhere from .415-.430 bullets. I believe one was .424" and probably available.

 

[ebb]

Having a mold made to drop bullets the exact size would be the way to go. And you can come here and cast anytime you want, but after checking your local it looks like a bit of a drive/flight/boat ride.

 

[painter]

Buddy and I “developed” a “plinking” load for his 458 Lott, was always a hoot to put one our kids behind the Ruger #1 when there was a few folks at the range.

You might ask around and see if there is anyone that would cast some proper bullets.

Sir I like your idea of with the Lott I have a #1 in 458 mag, how difficult was the procedure to accomplish the reduced load, and what bullets and powder? Thanks

 

[Scrumbag]

Having a mold made to drop bullets the exact size would be the way to go. And you can come here and cast anytime you want, but after checking your local it looks like a bit of a drive/flight/boat ride.

That would be ideal but living where I do with communal garage space I think firing up even a small smelting pot would cause up roar.

 

[Scrumbag]

Sir I like your idea of with the Lott I have a #1 in 458 mag, how difficult was the procedure to accomplish the reduced load, and what bullets and powder? Thanks

Bengal Bullets do some s3xy looking cast, coated and gas checked bullets in big game calibres...

 

[Scrumbag]

Might be worth checking with the folks that shoot the 41 Swiss, 10.4 Vetterli rifles. Different versions used anywhere from .415-.430 bullets. I believe one was .424" and probably available.

Yeah I can't find a commercial caster for those. Interesting idea though. I will try harder.

Scrummy

 

[Scrumbag]

One particular thing that makes this funny to me is the firearms licensing here in the U.K. I am currently having some difficulty attempting to obtain a 300WM on my licence. You have to have a valid reason to possess such a rifle and that reason varies from police force to police force depending on your area. For me, I have it down for target shooting at a range, deer management, boar shooting, ‘zeroing on land’ (which required me to have written permission on over 10,000 acres) and I even have an Africa trip booked. With all this, I had some opposition on them allowing me to own one. Consequently, having a ‘Big Jeff’ for plinking is truly hilarious in this instance!

Where are you?

If near Bisley the British Sporting Rifle Club puts on 5-6 big bore events per year and the NRA does similar. Ask about Short Range Heavy Bullet Days and the Historic / Trafalgar meetings. Also with HME zeroing you can shoot your 300 WM out to 1,200 yds.

Scrummy

 

[DLH_]

Where are you?

If near Bisley the British Sporting Rifle Club puts on 5-6 big bore events per year and the NRA does similar. Ask about Short Range Heavy Bullet Days and the Historic / Trafalgar meetings. Also with HME zeroing you can shoot your 300 WM out to 1,200 yds.

Scrummy

I’m aware of these, thankfully the fiery hoops have been jumped through and all I well. Thank you for you advice!

 

[Scrumbag]

No probs! Glad sorted!

 

[dellet]

A good source for cartridges with the same bullet size may help

metric.htm

Looks like a few 10.75 cartridges might be popular enough for bullet sources.

The early, thick rim Maynard’s also used 423-4 diameter bullet.

If you can find someone to cast for you, all these Moulds can be ordered sized to your needs.

Bullet Design Catalog | Accurate Molds

We have an extensive catalog of bullet designs. Select an existing design or send us your custom design.

www.accuratemolds.com

Not much help, but maybe a few ideas.

 

[JSH]

Sir I like your idea of with the Lott I have a #1 in 458 mag, how difficult was the procedure to accomplish the reduced load, and what bullets and powder? Thanks

We did some trial and error at the time using various powders of older published loads, mostly Lyman CB data.
Then “Trail Boss” came out, that was a one and done process. I have not seen ANY trail boss in years. There was another product, Tin Star, that I heard and read about. Similar results and loading instructions.
I would suspect most of these powders go to sub sonic manufacturers because it is so easy to use and do with these.

 

[painter]

We did some trial and error at the time using various powders of older published loads, mostly Lyman CB data.
Then “Trail Boss” came out, that was a one and done process. I have not seen ANY trail boss in years. There was another product, Tin Star, that I heard and read about. Similar results and loading instructions.
I would suspect most of these powders go to sub sonic manufacturers because it is so easy to use and do with these.

I happen to have a full bottle of Trail Boss. Thanks.

 

[Cbashooter]

I shoot cast only in my 50-90, 416 Rigby ,416 Taylor and 375 h&h rifles.i use gc bullets driven from about 1200- 1500 fps in each.i find trailboss, 5744 and Buffalo Rifle powder work very well.Groups are easy to keep into under 2" at 100 yards and often smaller groups creep up.