.404 Riml.NE (Jeffery, 10.75x73) Ladedaten

The .404 Rimless Nitro Express, often referred to as the .404 Jeffery or 10.75x73mm, boasts a rich history rooted in the heyday of African big game hunting. Introduced by the British gunmaker W.J. Jeffery & Co. in 1905, the cartridge was designed specifically for use in bolt-action rifles. At the time, it emerged as a formidable alternative to the larger, rimmed Nitro Express calibers commonly chambered in expensive double rifles. The rimless design of the .404 Jeffery allowed for smoother, more reliable feeding from box magazines, which significantly increased the practicality for professional hunters and colonial game wardens across the African continent. Over time, the .404 Jeffery earned a sterling reputation for efficacy on dangerous game, both for British and Continental hunters as well as for indigenous game scouts employed by colonial governments.

The primary application of the .404 Jeffery has always been in the hunting of Africa's largest and most dangerous game. Renowned for its dependable stopping power, the cartridge was the backbone of government and safari rifles during the golden age of African hunting—enabling clean, ethical dispatch of species like Cape buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros. Even today, with the resurgence of interest in classic cartridges among reloaders and African hunters, the .404 Jeffery remains highly regarded. Its manageable recoil—relative to magnums like the .416 Rigby or .375 H&H—makes it an attractive choice for those who prioritize accurate follow-up shots in high-pressure scenarios. In modern times, the .404 Jeffery is also appreciated for dangerous game hunting in places such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Tanzania, where its legacy persists among both professional and seasoned amateur hunters.

The .404 Jeffery is ideally suited for targeting Africa's most formidable game species. Its traditional quarry includes the entire "Big Five": elephant, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard. The cartridge's ballistics make it a particularly popular choice for cape buffalo and elephant, offering sufficient penetration and energy to guarantee ethical kills, provided appropriate shot placement. Thanks to its reputation, hunters pursuing plains game—including kudu, eland, and sable—have also leveraged the round, particularly when hunting in mixed terrain where encounters with dangerous game remain a possibility. The versatility of the .404 Jeffery, combined with its controlled recoil, continues to influence ammunition reloaders who desire an all-around dangerous game cartridge for both bolt-action and custom-built rifles.

When it comes to bullet weights and technical characteristics, the .404 Jeffery typically utilizes softpoint and solid projectiles ranging from 300 to 400 grains, with 400 grains being the most traditional and widely adopted loading. Bullets are generally .423" (10.75mm) in diameter. With a standard muzzle velocity around 2,150 to 2,250 feet per second, the cartridge produces over 4,000 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle—ample for even the largest and most tenacious African animals. The cartridge's design—featuring a moderate case taper and rimless profile—ensures reliable feeding and extraction. These attributes make the .404 Jeffery a favored choice among handloaders who require custom ammunition tuned for specific game, terrain, and rifle preferences. Its combination of manageable recoil, reliable performance, and historical pedigree continues to ensure the .404 Jeffery's place among the greats of classic dangerous game cartridges.