The famous .404 Jeffery (also known as the .404 Rimless Nitro Express in the UK) was introduced in 1909 by Jeffery of England to duplicate .450/400 (3 1/4") performance in a cartridge designed for bolt action rifles.

As originally loaded with cordite (British long strand smokeless powder), the .404 drove a 400 grain bullet at a muzzle velocity (MV) of 2125 fps and muzzle energy (ME) of 4020 ft. lbs. This is the load that made the caliber's reputation. There was also a load for large thin-skinned game that drove a 300 grain bullet to a MV of 2625 fps with ME of 4595 ft. lbs., but this load was regarded as less certain on thick-skinned game.

.423" bullets are available from A-Square, Barnes, RWS, and Woodleigh. .404 Jeffery brass is available from A-Square, Bertram, Norma, and RWS. According to loads given in the A-Square Handloading Manual, reloaders can equal or surpass the modern factory loads. However, in deference to the age of many .404 rifles, A-Square suggests that handloaders limit MV to about 2170 fps. 71.0 grains of IMR 4064 will give a 400 grain A-Square bullet a MV of 2171 fps in an A-Square case using a CCI-250 primer. History has shown that a proper 400 grain bullet at that velocity is as deadly as it needs to be to take any game in the world.

Note: A complete article about the .404 Jeffery can be found on the Rifle Cartridge Page.