Rigby Mopani 450 Rigby Rifle

Aussie_Hunter

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I have known of the Mopani model rifles for a couple of years now and there is one I have been keeping an eye on for sometime, I have actually made a couple of offers on it over the last 12 months that were not accepted. Finally this morning my offer was accepted after some negotiation and payment has been made, I purchased number 1 of 12 limited edition Rigby Mopani 450 Rigby rifle. Couldn't be happier with what I've ended up with and how everything has turned out, the Mopani rifles are a bit on the fancy side with some gold inlays which is not usually my style but I couldn't turn down the opportunity I had this morning.

I'm hoping to get my hands on it before the Christmas break, however here is a couple of photos below that I got from the dealer and the details from Rigby on this series of rifles.

Introducing the Rigby Mopani .450 Rigby Bolt Action Rifle. This is a limited edition rifle released by Rigby in a series of 12 rifles. This is 3/12 of the series. Designed to celebrate Africa, it is aptly named after one of the continent’s most distinctive and well-known trees, the mopani.

In dedication, a mopani leaf is inlaid in gold on the bolt handle and engraved onto the recoil bar, plus “The Mopani Rifle” and series number is inlaid in gold into each magazine floor plate. Adding to its aesthetics, Rigby engraver Geoffrey Lignon, who’s passionate about African animals, has attractively engraved an elephant on the floor plate.

Manufactured in .450 Rigby, the 12 rifles are built around the magnum length Mauser 98 single square bridge action. Each featuring a 22-inch barrel with a special plasma nitride finish, a front foresight with a removable protector hood and a fixed rear sight regulated at 65 yards, with two folding leaf sights regulated at 150 and 250 yards.

These stunning rifles have hand-selected deluxe grade walnut stocks with Rigby oil finish. They come complete in a limited edition canvas case, with faux elephant leather trim and cleaning accessories.

Features & Specifications:


  • Calibre - .450 Rigby
  • Magazine Capacity - 3+1
  • Barrel - 22" with Special Plasma Nitride Finish
  • Mauser 98 Single Square Bridge Bolt Action, Three Position Wing Safety
  • Stock - Hand Selected Deluxe Walnut with Rigby Oil Finish, Classic Pistol Grip with Nitride Hardened Grip Cap
  • Case - Limited Edition Canvas Case with Faux Elephant Leather Trim & Cleaning Accessories
  • Engraving - Geoffrey Lignon
    • Elephant Engraved on Floor Plate with Gold Limited Edition Details
    • Gold inlaid Double R Logo on Grip Cap
    • Gold inlaid Mopani Leaf on Bolt Handle
    • Gold inalid Serial Number on Trigger Guard
    • Mopani Leaf Engraved on Ends of Recoil Bar
  • Cleaning Accessories Included - Big Game Cleaning Rod, Turn Screw, 2 x Brass Jags, Cone Oil Bottle, Patches, Elephant Faux Leather Sling
  • Sights - Fixed Rear Sight at 65 yards, Flip-up sights regulated at 150 and 250 yards. Standard front foresight with removeable protector hood.
  • 1" Red Rubber Recoil Pad
  • Length of Pull - 14 1/2" at centre including pad

1701999604362.png

1701999659638.png
 
I have known of the Mopani model rifles for a couple of years now and there is one I have been keeping an eye on for sometime, I have actually made a couple of offers on it over the last 12 months that were not accepted. Finally this morning my offer was accepted after some negotiation and payment has been made, I purchased number 1 of 12 limited edition Rigby Mopani 450 Rigby rifle. Couldn't be happier with what I've ended up with and how everything has turned out, the Mopani rifles are a bit on the fancy side with some gold inlays which is not usually my style but I couldn't turn down the opportunity I had this morning.

I'm hoping to get my hands on it before the Christmas break, however here is a couple of photos below that I got from the dealer and the details from Rigby on this series of rifles.

Introducing the Rigby Mopani .450 Rigby Bolt Action Rifle. This is a limited edition rifle released by Rigby in a series of 12 rifles. This is 3/12 of the series. Designed to celebrate Africa, it is aptly named after one of the continent’s most distinctive and well-known trees, the mopani.

In dedication, a mopani leaf is inlaid in gold on the bolt handle and engraved onto the recoil bar, plus “The Mopani Rifle” and series number is inlaid in gold into each magazine floor plate. Adding to its aesthetics, Rigby engraver Geoffrey Lignon, who’s passionate about African animals, has attractively engraved an elephant on the floor plate.

Manufactured in .450 Rigby, the 12 rifles are built around the magnum length Mauser 98 single square bridge action. Each featuring a 22-inch barrel with a special plasma nitride finish, a front foresight with a removable protector hood and a fixed rear sight regulated at 65 yards, with two folding leaf sights regulated at 150 and 250 yards.

These stunning rifles have hand-selected deluxe grade walnut stocks with Rigby oil finish. They come complete in a limited edition canvas case, with faux elephant leather trim and cleaning accessories.

Features & Specifications:


  • Calibre - .450 Rigby
  • Magazine Capacity - 3+1
  • Barrel - 22" with Special Plasma Nitride Finish
  • Mauser 98 Single Square Bridge Bolt Action, Three Position Wing Safety
  • Stock - Hand Selected Deluxe Walnut with Rigby Oil Finish, Classic Pistol Grip with Nitride Hardened Grip Cap
  • Case - Limited Edition Canvas Case with Faux Elephant Leather Trim & Cleaning Accessories
  • Engraving - Geoffrey Lignon
    • Elephant Engraved on Floor Plate with Gold Limited Edition Details
    • Gold inlaid Double R Logo on Grip Cap
    • Gold inlaid Mopani Leaf on Bolt Handle
    • Gold inalid Serial Number on Trigger Guard
    • Mopani Leaf Engraved on Ends of Recoil Bar
  • Cleaning Accessories Included - Big Game Cleaning Rod, Turn Screw, 2 x Brass Jags, Cone Oil Bottle, Patches, Elephant Faux Leather Sling
  • Sights - Fixed Rear Sight at 65 yards, Flip-up sights regulated at 150 and 250 yards. Standard front foresight with removeable protector hood.
  • 1" Red Rubber Recoil Pad
  • Length of Pull - 14 1/2" at centre including pad

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View attachment 573372
Magnificent! Congratulations!
 
That's a badass weapon @Aussie_Hunter, congrats!!! I can't wait to hear how the 450R performs on a big buff!
I've use 450 Rigby on buffalo hunts before, 550 grain Woodleighs at 2240fps. I prefer 450 Rigby over the 500 calibres, it produces just as much energy with a projectile that has a higher SD. Definitely my favourite big calibre
 
Congrats on something special enjoy it.
 
This is just WRONG! You cannot post pictures of each side of that beautiful rifle, and not include a photo of the engraving on the bottom metal. ;-)
Completely agree! Such a tease!
 
This is just WRONG! You cannot post pictures of each side of that beautiful rifle, and not include a photo of the engraving on the bottom metal. ;-)
These are pics from the Rigby website of number 3 of 12 but you get the idea. Only difference on mine would be 1 of 12 on the floor plate

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