Hornady 404 Jeffery 400 gr Dangerous Game Solid Ammunition: The Ultimate Choice for Africa's Big Five and Beyond

When embarking on a challenging hunt for the world's most formidable game, your choice of ammunition is paramount. It's the critical link between your skill and an ethical, successful outcome. For those who demand uncompromising performance and reliability when facing dangerous game, Hornady's 8239 Dangerous Game 404 Jeffery 400 gr Dangerous Game Solid ammunition stands as a pinnacle of engineering and trusted stopping power.

This isn't just any hunting round; it's meticulously crafted for the specific demands of encounters with truly massive and potentially aggressive animals. Whether you are a seasoned professional hunter guiding clients, or a dedicated safari client pursuing the ultimate African experience, Hornady Dangerous Game ammunition provides the confidence needed in high-stakes situations.

Why is Specialized Ammunition Essential for Dangerous Game?

Hunting animals like Cape Buffalo, Elephants, Rhinos, or even large bears requires a fundamentally different approach to ammunition compared to pursuing deer or elk. The problems faced are unique:

• Immense Size and Bone Structure: These animals possess incredibly thick hides, dense muscle, and robust skeletal structures that ordinary hunting bullets simply cannot penetrate consistently.
• Dangerous Nature: A wounded dangerous game animal can pose an immediate, life-threatening risk to the hunter and their party. Stopping power and reliable incapacitation are non-negotiable.
• Ethical Imperative: As responsible hunters, ensuring a swift, humane kill is paramount. This necessitates ammunition designed to reach vital organs reliably, even through challenging angles or heavy cover.

Hornady's Dangerous Game Series, particularly the 404 Jeffery 400 gr Dangerous Game Solid, is engineered to solve these exact problems, providing the deep penetration and consistent performance vital for these hunts.

The Hornady Dangerous Game Series: A Two-Punch Strategy

The Hornady Dangerous Game line is renowned for its "one-two punch" concept, often utilizing two distinct bullet types: the DGX Bonded for controlled expansion and the DGS Solid for unparalleled penetration. While the 404 Jeffery 400 gr discussed here is a dedicated Dangerous Game Solid (DGS), understanding the complementary nature of the series highlights Hornady's comprehensive approach to dangerous game hunting.

Hornady Dangerous Game Solid (DGS) Bullet: Unrivaled Penetration

The Hornady 400-grain Dangerous Game Solid (DGS) bullet for the 404 Jeffery is designed for one primary purpose: to penetrate deeply and reliably through bone, muscle, and thick hide. This solid, non-expanding bullet maintains its structural integrity and and weight retention through virtually any obstacle, reaching vital organs even on raking shots or when hitting heavy bone.

What makes the DGS Solid so effective?

• Robust Construction: The DGS features an extremely tough, alloyed lead core encased in a thick, copper-clad steel jacket. This construction resists deformation and ensures the bullet maintains its shape and mass during impact.
• Flat Nose Profile: The iconic flat nose of the DGS Solid is engineered to track straight through tissue, preventing deflection off bone or muscle layers. It delivers a powerful, non-expanding punch that channels all its energy into pure penetration.
• High Weight Retention: Unlike expanding bullets that shed weight, the DGS Solid retains virtually 100% of its initial weight. This is crucial for maximizing momentum and achieving the deep, straight-line penetration required for very large game.
• Ethical Performance: By guaranteeing penetration to vital organs, the DGS Solid contributes to quick, humane kills, fulfilling the ethical obligations of dangerous game hunting.

The Legendary .404 Jeffery Cartridge: A Safari Icon

The .404 Jeffery cartridge itself is steeped in the history of African safari hunting. Introduced in 1905, it quickly gained a reputation as an exceptionally capable and reliable round for all of Africa's big game. Its design offers a potent combination of power, manageable recoil (compared to some larger calibers), and excellent accuracy, making it a favorite among professional hunters and discerning sportsmen alike.

Key attributes of the .404 Jeffery that make it ideal for dangerous game:

• Serious Stopping Power: With a muzzle energy of 4698 ft-lbs and a muzzle velocity of 2300 fps (for the 400 gr Hornady load), the .404 Jeffery delivers immense kinetic energy to quickly incapacitate large animals.
• Manageable Recoil: While powerful, the .404 Jeffery's recoil impulse is often described as a firm push rather than a sharp kick, allowing for quicker follow-up shots – a critical factor in dangerous game encounters.
• Reliable Performance: The straight-walled case design (or very slight taper) and robust construction make it highly reliable in bolt-action and especially double rifles, which are common choices for dangerous game hunting.
• Deep Penetration Potential: The cartridge's design, combined with heavy-for-caliber bullets like the Hornady 400 gr DGS Solid, excels at achieving the deep penetration required to reach vitals through thick hide and bone.

Optimizing Ammunition Performance and Rifle Regulation

Hornady understands that precision and consistency are paramount in dangerous game ammunition. That's why their manufacturing process for the 8239 series involves stringent quality controls and meticulous component selection.

Powder Selection and Velocity Consistency

Powders are carefully matched to each load to ensure optimum pressure and velocity. This isn't just about achieving high numbers; it's about consistency from shot to shot, which is vital for accuracy and predictable performance in the field. This consistency also plays a crucial role in "regulation," especially for double rifles.

The Importance of Rifle Regulation

For hunters using classic double rifles, the concept of "regulation" is critical. A properly regulated double rifle ensures that both barrels shoot to the same point of aim at a given distance, typically 50-75 yards. Hornady's Dangerous Game ammunition is produced with careful attention to consistency, aiding in the proper regulation of these specialized firearms. This attention to detail means hunters can trust that their carefully tuned rifle will perform as expected when the moment of truth arrives.

Who Benefits Most from Hornady 404 Jeffery Dangerous Game Ammunition?

This specialized ammunition is designed for specific scenarios and highly demanding hunters. Consider this ammunition if you are:

• A Professional Hunter or Guide: Your reputation and the safety of your clients depend on reliable stopping power. This ammunition delivers consistent performance under pressure.
• Pursuing Africa's Big Five: Whether it's the thick hide of an elephant, the mass of a Cape Buffalo, or the predatory nature of a lion, this round provides the necessary penetration and authority.
• Hunting Other Large, Dangerous Game: This includes formidable animals like large North American brown bears (Grizzly/Kodiak), polar bears, or even very large European wild boar where deep penetration is critical.
• Using a .404 Jeffery Rifle: This ammunition is specifically engineered to maximize the potential of your .404 Jeffery, providing optimal ballistics and terminal performance.
• Seeking Uncompromising Reliability: In situations where there is no margin for error, you need ammunition that performs identically every single time.

Common Questions This Ammunition Addresses:

• "What is the best ammunition for Cape Buffalo?"
• "How can I ensure deep penetration on elephant?"
• "What ammunition is reliable for my .404 Jeffery double rifle?"
• "Which bullets offer maximum stopping power for dangerous game?"
• "Where can I find premium dangerous game ammunition that I can trust?"

Beyond the Bullet: Preparing for Your Destination Hunt

While selecting the right ammunition like the Hornady 404 Jeffery DGS is foundational, a successful and ethical dangerous game hunt involves comprehensive preparation. This includes:

• Rifle Choice and Fit: Ensure your .404 Jeffery rifle is well-maintained, sighted in, and fits you properly for quick and accurate handling.
• Extensive Practice: Practice shooting your rifle with your chosen ammunition from various field positions, focusing on quick target acquisition and follow-up shots.
• Physical and Mental Preparation: Dangerous game hunts can be physically demanding and mentally intense. Be prepared for long days, unpredictable conditions, and high-stress encounters.
• Experienced Guides: Rely on knowledgeable and experienced professional hunters who understand the local game, terrain, and safety protocols.
• Logistics and Travel: Plan your travel, permits, and firearm transportation well in advance. Reliable ammunition sources, like DEGuns, ensure you have your critical supplies when you need them.

The Hornady Legacy of Trust and Innovation

Hornady has been a leading name in ammunition manufacturing for decades, earning the trust of hunters and shooters worldwide through a commitment to quality, innovation, and performance. The Dangerous Game Series is a testament to this legacy, specifically designed to meet the extreme demands of the world's most challenging hunts. When you load your rifle with Hornady 404 Jeffery 400 gr Dangerous Game Solid ammunition, you're not just buying bullets; you're investing in the culmination of extensive research, rigorous testing, and an unwavering dedication to excellence.

This commitment to quality means that every box of Hornady 8239 ammunition, available at reputable retailers like DEGuns, is produced with the highest standards, ensuring optimal pressure, consistent velocity, and reliable performance on your destination hunt. For the serious hunter, there's no substitute for the confidence that comes from using ammunition engineered to perform flawlessly when it matters most.

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Technical Specifications: Hornady 8239 Dangerous Game Ammunition

The Hornady 8239 Dangerous Game 404 Jeffery 400 gr Dangerous Game Solid is packaged for serious hunters, ensuring you have ample supply for practice, zeroing, and the hunt itself. Each box contains 20 rounds, with 6 boxes per case, providing a total of 120 rounds for extensive preparation and reliable performance.

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	Dangerous Game
Caliber	404 Jeffery
Bullet Type	Dangerous Game Solid
Bullet Weight	400 gr
Muzzle Velocity	2300 fps
Muzzle Energy	4698 ft lbs
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	6
Casing Material	Brass
Application	Hunting
Game Type	Big Game
UPC	090255382396
SKU	8239