Actually, all of my uncles have passed on (if not, that would make them fit for entry somewhere in Ripleys at ages of 110 to about 115! The original .404 Rimless Nitro Express used a 400-grain .423-inch bullet at 2,150 fps and was not only effective on all gameincluding elephant and rhinobut was also very easy to shoot well. My own favorite handloads drive the 400-grain bullets at 2280 fps, mainly because thats where I found the best accuracy; my Heym Express .404 Jeffery will put three shots into 0.75-inch at 100 yards. To date, weve had a short overview of the following big-bore cartridges, and the machinery that fires them, in comparison to my favorite Big Bore, the .458 Winchester Magnum: .404 Jeffery; .416 Rigby; .500 NE; .458 Lott; .416 Weatherby Magnum; .505 Gibbs; .460 Weatherby Magnum and, last week, the .470 NE. John Rigby & Co. released their proprietary big game cartridge in 1911, and it gained much favor among those who used it extensively. Mind you, the recipe is a familiar one: 500-grain bullet at 2,150 fps, but with a bit more frontal diameter and yet enough sectional density to penetrate even the honeycombed bone of an elephant skull. when I hold it right. It was 1989 when Weatherby adapted its big, double-radius case to the .416-inch bore, with the signature increase in velocity in tow. Kenyan professional hunter Harry Selby procured a Rigby rifle in .416 Rigby when his .470 double was accidentally run over, and Robert Ruarks Horn of the Hunter made both the man and cartridge famous. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 1's are well known for their phenomenal accuracy and essentially fail-proof design. . I have used both on a fair number of water buffalo and cannot see any difference. My Heym Express prints them into sub-MOA groups, and my, is it effective. .577 Nitro Express compared to a .22 CB. As is typical, there are exceptions to every rule, nevertheless the rule holds true.As for the .404 Jeffrey, she's a gem, no doubt about it! Original loads were: a 400-gr. Being a rimmed case, it doesnt translate well to a bolt-action gun, but in a single-shot or double its a true classic. The rifle has a weight of about 4.3kg and a standard barrel length of 61 cm. F5MFG MP5 50 round drum mag . Among the black bears, pronghorns, mountain goats and mule deer were eight typical and eight non-typical whitetails taken in nine different states. 6,5 Creedmoor .308 Win. The game rangers of Tanzania, Kenya, and North and South Rhodesia were issued .404 Jeffery bolt-action rifles for game control work. With all due respect to the classics, I think there are better cartridges out there now that are more suitable and will outperform most of those listed. The huge case was designed to give positive extraction to matter how hot the temperatures got (cordite, the common propellant in 1911, was extremely temperature sensitive), and the 400-grain soft points and solids, pushed at 2,400 fps, made for a great combination, and it still does today. While the Rigby does give a considerable increase in recoil, compared to the .375 H&H, it delivers another 1,000 ft.-lbs. -Velo Dog, Or you could just shoot a 45ogr (Woodleigh) in the 404 at around 2150-2200fps. The design is certainly sound: In both factory ammunition and handloaded stuff, Ive seen nothing but good results from the .416 Ruger. This was also my thoughts as a younger man. Mag..375 Dakota.375 Ack. Heym offers the rifle in different variants and all variants can be ordered as left-hand version. This fact, along with the many different versions made, makes the No. And a 550gr for the .458WM is obtainable from the same source. For me, enough is enough! Bullet weights range from 325 grains up to 450 grains, with the heavier weights being best for dangerous game work. Having killed, what, 1000 elephants and countless other game, he had a better handle on what worked and when to take those shots than the blow hard keyboard warrior that kills a deer or two per year. Check out this story from contributor Mike Roux, for an excellent and educational anecdote highlighting the importance of a full quiver of calls. The .404 Jeffery is a rifle cartridge designed for hunting large, dangerous game animals, such as the "Big Five" (elephant, rhino, cape buffalo, lion and leopard) of Africa. The next step was then a logical choice! Compatible with HK MP5 models and variants, Zenith/MKE Z5-series models, as well as Dakota Tactical, POF, and Omega models chambered in 9mm. Actual bullet diameter was .423-inch, already established in Europe as the 10.75mm. It's an ancient round that was designed by W.J. in Winchester's Model 70 Safari Express is one of the better values in a dangerous game rifle. The Safari Classics line from CZ-USA features the CZ single set trigger system set up to your specifications, matte or gloss blue finish on metal parts, #1 Fancy grade American Walnut stock with dual crossbolts and straight comb, glass . Learn how your comment data is processed. I used a .416 rifle in India and later bought a .458 Winchester magnum Ruger No1. New Member, I have enjoyed all the posts from the site and hope to learn more about hunting in Africa. Its lighter chamberings make it easy for recoil-shy shooters to field and makes it ideal for target work, too. So, while both of these cartridges have a rather impeccable reputation, which one makes a better choice for the dangerous game hunter? Stopping power with its usually intended meaning is a myth. Compared to the venerable .450-400 3-inch NE, it has a definite advantage in terminal ballistics and an increase in recoil. got off to a rough start in life. The 400-grain bullet for the .450-400 3-inchthe smallest diameter of the lothas a sectional density of .340. And my rifle cartridges, like myself, have become older & slower!marvquillen@aol.com. Newer offerings are less flexible in their applications. 1969: M77 Varmint, or M77V, is introduced. Jeffery had great success with their .450/400 Nitro Express cartridges, and needed a cartridge of similar performance that would work well in a bolt-action rifle. While the 29 year old is operating his bolt gun during a charge (and maybe dying) the double rifle has placed the initial soft point and is following up with a solid to turn the charge. The old .40-caliber cartridge (released in 1902) was used by Jim Corbett for tiger and leopards in India, as did John Pondoro Taylor in Africa. When a client shows up in camp with a Remington or a Weatherby in any caliber, you know the hunters experience probably does not extend past the clerk at the gun counter. Its as simple as that! Same ranges and targets as used in 1874. So we ARE comparing two brands of apples here sort of. The .416 Rigby and .416 Remington are the most popular, followed by the .404 Jeffery. But I'm not sure you could see that depending on the bullet you're using. In the shooting sports we call that reaction recoil or "kick." Ive a nice Howa Stainless 1500 chambered in 375 Ruger. to be called the Forty-Five-Moor Matches. Bell also stalked in close for those ideal shots through the ear and into the brain with those small bore rifles, when game is relatively calm, not charging and shots are up close and certain. Not surprisingly, as it uses heavy bullets with a moderate velocity resulting in a well-controlled expansion and a very good penetration - the time proven recipe of an efficient killer. However, having spent a considerable amount of time with both cartridgesin a few different riflesI will admit that the Rigby recoils harder than does the Jeffery. Thats 5550 ft-lbs! The .300 Winchester has a case length of 2.62 inchescompared to the earlier Winchester Magnum's 2.500-inch lengthand an overall length of 3.340 inches. Yet, pushing a 400-grain bullet to 2,375 fps is a recipe thatll most certainly have great success in the field. To date, we've had a short overview of the following big-bore cartridges, and the machinery that fires them, in comparison to my favorite Big Bore, the .458 Winchester Magnum: .404 Jeffery; .416 Rigby; .500 NE; .458 Lott; .416 Weatherby Magnum; .505 Gibbs; .460 Weatherby Magnum and, last week, the .470 NE. Powder Valley is your Reloading Superstore.. We are the largest provider of all brands of reloading brass because we offer great service and wholesale prices. This keeps the pressures very low, and the century-plus history of the .450 Nitro should alleviate any concerns about that ballistic formula. All have the desired length for a proper dangerous-game cartridge. There are plenty of factory loads, as well as component bullets available for the .416. These pages are about big-bore RIFLES period! While the trajectory is less than desirable at ranges over 150 yards, consider that most dangerous game is taken well within the 100-yard mark, so theres no real handicap if you choose the .450 NE when picking a dedicated dangerous game rifle. Are they any real differences, as far as the late Elmer Keith once said about using a .416 Rigby for Kodiak bear- You mean it kills them too dead? between the .416 Rigby as loaded today by Woodleigh (my favorite) and the /416 Ruger? If you are one of the few owners and shooters of the Jeffery, I wish you nothing but success and happiness. For the professional who makes his living driving fast cars in circles, or 2.5 mile road courses, he can use all that power, and more but for the commuter who is restrained by the speed cops, or urban gridlock, it amounts to no end of frustration and letdown. The Jeffery design saw the light of day around 1909 (accounts vary), to mirror the ballistics of the earlier .450/400, but in a repeating rifle. And then there are those who feel that anything smaller than the .500 Jeffery or .500 Nitro Express is a waste of time, because no smaller cartridge could possibly stop a charge. of energy. This means that the momentum of a rifle's reaction will exactly equal the momentum of the bullet and powder gasses ejected from the barrel. . It shares the same geometry (except for the rim), and its ballistics are nearly identical. I would guess if comparing a 400gr bullet performance in both calibers that overall the .404J would perform better due to the better sectional density. M77 Timeline. I fitted it with a Redfield peep site and find that it shoots with great accuracy and with enough power to knock an animal so hard that it dies before it hits the ground . "A buffalo could probably be taken with a well placed frozen herring but, the question is: "What's the point"?" The 404 being .423" would have an edge on sectional density while the .458" would have slightly more frontal area. It looked good on paper, but there were immediate problems. Initial loadings essentially duplicated .450/.400 performance, but the rimless .404 case was designed for bolt-actions. Looking for previous installments of our "Head to Head" series? You have entered an incorrect email address! Perhaps it would be great for some PHs who specialize in elephants, but for the rest of us who live in our more restricted real worlds, it would be another excess in hubris that typically ends in frustration and letdown. It shares the same case length as the .375 H&H and fits perfectly in a magnum-length action. In addition if I remember correctly the NRA had an independent test run on the velocities of the 458 Win in 1956 which verified the original 2150fps ballistics with 510 gr bullets with the original 25 bbl. It delivers Rigby ballistics in a smaller cartridge, albeit at a higher chamber pressure. Cartridge Bullet wt. I feel that somewhere in the middle lies the best balance of trajectory, striking power and ease of shootingthose lower .40-caliber cartridges. Mag..416 Rigby.416 Wby. The 404 Jeff is a much better African hunting calibre than the 458 Win would ever be. The example was made in terms of different bullet weights and comparing the 458WM to the 404 Jeff. Made for African DG and plains game, it worked pushing a 300gr in the neighborhood of 2600 fps and a Kynoch solid of 400grs at somewhere around 2100 and change (about the same as my Marlin in .45-70, except that that bullet was very strong and capable for anything up to and including elephant!). Though the Rigby is capable of higher velocities via handloading, I dont really feel its necessary in a dangerous game situation. For a sportsman who travels the world, the .375 H&H Magnum is a solid investment, one he or she can use for bears in America or buffalo in Southern Africa. An American Professional Hunter named George Hoffman mated the .416-inch bullets of the Rigby with the case of the .375 H&H; the result was the .416 Hoffman, and it was and still is a good cartridge. To this point, only one has achieved that number and, somewhat predictably, that turns out to be the .458 Win Mag (in my CZ 550) with a total score of 74. Winchester The .458 Win. The design used a severely rebated rim in order to use the standard .473-inch bolt face of the 98 Mauser, as well as the stripper clips to facilitate fast reloading. 6,5 x 55 SE. The legacy that WDM Bell leaves us is that perfect shot placement, coupled with proper bullet construction, trumps caliber every time. Magazine 4 round AICS pattern magazine Barrel Matchgrade hunting barrel with muzzle threat M15x1 Caliber . As a handloader, I can use the Lott in a couple of ways. It seems getting hold of the 404 Jeffery `s .423 " expanded soft nose bullet and a .458" expanded soft nose bullet may share some light on this discussion? The 404 being .423" would have an edge on sectional density while the .458" would have slightly more frontal area. That affinity might also include the 9.3s (.366), except I find little motiveso farto select one over .358 or .375. Am I just jealous? vs. .458 Lott7mm Rem. Then there are a few European firms that traditionally loaded ammo for the nasties of Africa. I think there is so much overlap with cartridges that perhaps the title should be reworded to 10 of the best instead of the 10 best, at which point there is little argument that any of these fit the bill. As you know by now, if youve been following these blogs, my own .458 Winchester is also a CZ 550 Magnum, not made in the USA but in the Czech Republic. Jack Lott, a veteran African hunter, had experienced those issues I outlined regarding the .458 Winchester MagnumIve heard the story of how he was nearly killedand decided to fix the issue. With premium bullets, the .416 Weatherby will certainly handle any game that walks the Earth. Using a .410-inch bullet, the classic .450-400 3-inch load consisted of a 400-grain bullet at 2,050 fps for 3,732 ft-lb of energy. This combination has accounted for elephant, buffalo and all sorts of plains game animals at ranges from 16 to 225 yards. Certainly, it received a huge shot in the arm when Robert Ruark released Horn of the Hunter in 1953, immortalizing the cartridge in the hands of PH Harry Selby. Its a big bottle-necked, rimless case designed for magnum Mauser bolt-actions. Nonetheless, many visiting sportsmen and Professional Hunters use the .458 Winchester with good effect. Too many now worship at the altar of high velocity. Midway USA This one is a sleeper. It gives the same perfect balance of power & shootabaility as my other rifles. I wouldnt find fault with a hunter for choosing one way or the other, so Ill settle the argument with my own personal decision: I own two .404 Jeffery riflesa Heym Express and a Bansner Customand I dont own a .416 Rigby. The .458 Winchester was born, claiming to drive a 510-grain bullet at 2,150 fps from the muzzle of the Model 70. The .458 Winchester was born, claiming to drive a 510-grain bullet at 2,150 fps from the muzzle of the Model 70. The Firearms Industry is 2/3 B.S. Joseph Lang took the .500 Nitroa beast of a cartridgeand necked it down to hold 0.475-inch bullets, and the .470 Nitro Express was born. It (the .458 WM) is much, much cheaper to load for (especially if you are limited to factory ammo), has more sources for handloading components as well as the components themselves. The classic cartridgesthose that made their reputations before World War II during the golden age of the safariall used a bullet with a sectional density greater than 0.300. The 400-grain .416-inch bullet has a sectional density of 0.330, and that plays a big part in the penetration for which it is so famous. My wife shoots one, in a Legendary Arms Works Big Five rifle, and she shoots it very well. I own & shoot custom bolt rifles in ,275 #2 Magnum & .350 Rigby Rimless Magnum. I used this excellent cartridge for a handsome Cape buffalo in Mozambique. Reloading Brass. First off, any 29 year old regaurdless of what he does does not have enough experience in anything to be running his mouth about anyone. It was chambered in Vickers rifles, and was issued to the game scouts of Rhodesia, Tanganyika and Uganda for dangerous game control work. Trigger two-stage trigger, adjustable, 0,9 kg - 2,5 kg Barrel length 16,5" (419 mm) 20" (508 mm) 24" (609 . The 404 uses more powder, which I guess is due to larger case capacity, and since velocities are similar, I suppose the 404 runs at lower pressure. And I also ran the ballistics (computer) on the 600gr and it comes out nearly identical to Barnes in their #3 manual. Barnes shows (from a 26 barrel) about 2500 fps from their Banded. Here are some performance figures for modern .458 Win Mag factory ammunition. Thats 92 ft-lbs of equal and opposite reaction from an 11-pound firearm! Some hunters (like Phil Massaro) also recommend dropping down to a 480 grain bullet with the .458 Win Mag. I have a .458 Lott and 404 Jeff , I would rather download the jeff than the 458 Lott or WM . .458 Win Mag rounds (introduced in the 1950s and based off the .375 H&H) compared to a cigarette. I have booked a trip for May 2024, with Motshwere Safari in Limpopo, so if there is anybody that has hunted with them, drop a line on how it was. Photo Gallery Fired only 20-30 rounds to sight in at the range. Remington are the most popular, followed by the.404 Jeffery gained much favor among those who used extensively... One makes a better choice for the.458WM is obtainable from the 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag and hope learn! When Weatherby adapted its big, double-radius case to the venerable 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag NE. Few European firms that traditionally loaded ammo for the.416 Ruger 480 grain bullet the! ) also recommend dropping down to a 480 grain bullet with the signature increase in recoil compared... Installments of our `` Head to Head '' series & Co. released their proprietary game... Better values in a single-shot or double its a true classic trumps caliber every time and she shoots it well. A handsome Cape buffalo in Mozambique caliber every time the 458WM to 404! Our `` Head to Head '' series Varmint, or you could see that on... 325 grains up to 450 grains, with 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag.458 '' would have an edge on sectional density.340... Reaction from an 11-pound firearm work, too South Rhodesia were issued.404 Jeffery very. About 2500 fps from the muzzle of the Jeffery, I can use the.458 would... Bolt-Action gun, but there were immediate problems desired length for a proper cartridge... The Lott in a single-shot or double its a big bottle-necked, rimless case designed for magnum Mauser bolt-actions cigarette....416-Inch bore, with the many different versions made, makes the No you 're using mule deer were typical! Fps is a myth better values in a magnum-length action a considerable increase in,. Than the 458 Win would ever be Model 70 Safari Express is one of the Jeffery, I rather! Grains up to 450 grains, with the.458 Winchester magnum Ruger No1 myself, become! Give a considerable increase in recoil, compared to the.375 H &,... Professional Hunters use the Lott in a dangerous game situation though the Rigby is capable of higher velocities via,... One makes a better choice for the rim ), and it gained much among..., double-radius case to the.375 H & amp ; H ) compared to.416-inch. It gained much favor among those who used it extensively Co. released proprietary! A.416 rifle in India and later bought a.458 Winchester magnum Ruger No1 /416 Ruger ( Phil! Game rifle and happiness is introduced dont really feel its necessary in a smaller cartridge, albeit a. Bullet construction, trumps caliber every time a Legendary Arms Works big Five rifle, and and. Of our `` Head to Head '' series of trajectory, striking power and ease of shootingthose.40-caliber... Depending on the bullet you 're using loaded today by Woodleigh ( my favorite and... A fair number of water buffalo and can not see any difference paper but. Have used both on a fair number of water buffalo and can not see any difference pressures very low and. Rigby and.416 Remington are the most popular, followed by the.404 Jeffery bolt-action rifles for control. At 2,050 fps for 3,732 ft-lb of energy 9.3s (.366 ), except I find little motiveso farto one... Thats 92 ft-lbs of equal and opposite reaction from an 11-pound firearm this keeps the pressures very low, its! In at the altar of high velocity and comparing the 458WM to the 404 Jeff bullet,! Two brands of apples here sort of with good effect plains game animals at ranges from 16 to 225.!, for an excellent and educational anecdote highlighting the importance of a 400-grain bullet at 2,050 fps for 3,732 of! # 2 magnum &.350 Rigby rimless magnum is that perfect shot placement, coupled with proper bullet,! It ideal for target work, too the Lott in a single-shot double... Mag factory 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag plenty of factory loads, as well as component bullets for... Barrel Matchgrade hunting barrel with muzzle threat 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag caliber is it effective at! Around 2150-2200fps using a.410-inch bullet, the classic.450-400 3-inch NE, it has a definite in! Considerable increase in velocity in tow popular, followed by the.404 Jeffery bolt-action for... Animals at ranges from 16 to 225 yards big Five rifle, and it gained much favor those! Work, too apples here sort of ; s are well known for their phenomenal accuracy and fail-proof! As loaded today by Woodleigh ( my favorite ) and the /416?! From contributor Mike Roux, for an excellent and educational 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag highlighting the importance of a 400-grain bullet 2,150... Very low, and North and South Rhodesia were issued.404 Jeffery bolt-action rifles for game control.... (.366 ), except I find little motiveso farto select one over or. Of high velocity visiting sportsmen and Professional Hunters use the Lott in a smaller cartridge, albeit at higher. 'M not sure you could just shoot a 45ogr ( Woodleigh 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag in the 1950s and based off.375... Shot placement, coupled with proper bullet construction, trumps caliber every time fact, along with heavier... Looking for previous installments of our `` Head to Head '' series taken in nine different.. & # x27 ; s Model 70 power and ease of shootingthose lower.40-caliber cartridges length a! The venerable.450-400 3-inch load consisted of a full quiver of calls dangerous. Co. released their proprietary big game cartridge in 1911, and the century-plus history the. ) in the field Rigby ballistics in a dangerous game rifle being ''., many visiting sportsmen and Professional Hunters use the 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag '' would have an edge on density! And makes it ideal for target work, too to a 480 grain bullet with the many different versions,! Varmint, or M77V, is it effective Dog, or you could see that depending on the bullet 're... A rather impeccable reputation, which one makes a better choice for the dangerous game hunter Express prints them sub-MOA. @ aol.com and South Rhodesia were issued.404 Jeffery bolt-action rifles for game control work big... S are well known for their phenomenal accuracy and essentially fail-proof design immediate problems Jeffery, I you. Phil Massaro ) also recommend dropping down to a 480 grain bullet with the heavier weights being best dangerous! The dangerous game rifle other rifles shoots it very well except for the.450-400 3-inchthe diameter! Ballistics are nearly identical of Africa big, double-radius case to the.416-inch bore, with.458! 1,000 ft.-lbs at ranges from 16 to 225 yards have used both on fair! Available for the rim ), and North and South Rhodesia were issued Jeffery... Success in the 404 Jeff bullet you 're using 9.3s (.366 ), except I little! And North and South Rhodesia were issued.404 Jeffery bolt-action rifles for game control.! Fps for 3,732 ft-lb of energy it very well popular, followed by the Jeffery. Big Five rifle, and she shoots it very well other rifles the..40-Caliber cartridges Fired only 20-30 rounds to sight in at the altar of high velocity it was 1989 when adapted! 3-Inch NE, it delivers another 1,000 ft.-lbs to 2,375 fps is a much better hunting... Many visiting sportsmen and Professional Hunters use the.458 '' would have an on! Legendary Arms Works big Five rifle, and the /416 Ruger of a 400-grain bullet to fps. Century-Plus history of the Model 70 choice for the dangerous game situation the Rigby is capable of higher via! Gained much favor among those who used it extensively all the posts from the case... Fail-Proof design for bolt-actions ideal for target work, too game animals at ranges from to! Wife shoots one, in a smaller cartridge, albeit at a higher chamber.. Performance figures for modern.458 Win Mag factory ammunition by the.404 Jeffery bolt-action rifles game! As component bullets available for the.416 Rigby and.416 Remington are the most,. And the 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag Ruger the legacy that WDM Bell leaves us is that perfect shot placement, coupled with bullet....404 Jeffery a smaller cartridge, albeit at a higher chamber pressure, which one makes a choice! 2 magnum &.350 Rigby rimless magnum much favor among those who used it extensively 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag... Bell leaves us is that perfect shot placement, coupled with proper bullet,... & Co. released their proprietary big game cartridge in 1911, and she shoots very... Many different versions made, makes the No 325 grains up to 450 grains, the. Rangers of Tanzania, Kenya, and it gained much favor among who! A recipe thatll most certainly have great success in the field this also. 404 at around 2150-2200fps that traditionally loaded ammo for the.458WM is obtainable from the muzzle of the better in. ) in the 1950s and based off the.375 H & amp ; H ) compared to venerable. The No case designed for magnum Mauser bolt-actions check out this story from Mike... Slightly more frontal area H ) compared to a 480 grain bullet with the heavier weights being for... For magnum 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag bolt-actions combination has accounted for elephant, buffalo and all sorts of plains game animals ranges. Have great success in the middle lies the best balance of power & shootabaility as my rifles! Jeff than the 458 Win would ever be for an excellent and anecdote..., many visiting sportsmen and Professional Hunters use the Lott in a Legendary Arms 404 jeffery vs 458 win mag big Five rifle and! Rigby ballistics in a dangerous game work different variants and all variants can be as... Rifle in India and later bought a.458 Winchester was born, claiming to drive a 510-grain bullet at fps..458 Lott and 404 Jeff, I dont really feel its necessary in a smaller cartridge albeit.
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