In your opinion what makes a Rigby a "Rigby"?

[gordon-kruger]

Huntinghardsafaris, ones I had a old 98 Mauser Oberndorf in 9,3x62... It's 30 years ago and I can not really recall that it was a nice rifle to shoot, it was 7-8 ibs and nice to carry for a day but everything else was a bit rough, when I moved my belongings 15 years ago I left the old bagger in the corner of the attic to "rest in peace" forever......

A couple of years later the new owner of the house find the rifle and contacted me... it's a long story but the rifle is not exist anymore.. I would never though that it should have any kind of future value, but today similar Oberndorf are sold for 5-8.000 dollars.

A bit regretful !!!

 

[TokkieM]

Gordon I am in the process of restocking a Original Oberndorff Mauser, bought it without a stock. It is a sporting model in 9,3x62 and has all matching numbers and except for the stock is totally original, I have not shot her, but I have fed a few rounds through her and can't say that she is butter smooth like a Sauer or Steyr, but she feeds anything every time. If someone were to offer me the price you mention, I will politely decline.
Also have a 9,3x62 Husqvarna buildt on the FN Mauser action and man it is smooth and reliable. Still would not mind a Rigby!!!

 

[CAustin]

Would love to have a Rigby or any if the great makers rifles but in the end I find them too expensive.

 

[ScottG]

Great history. They seem to be very committed to make a fine weapon. A .416 made by Rigby that would be hard to say no to.

 

[Jager01]

Did any famous PH/white Hunter use a rigby?

 

[Wheels]

If anyone is going through London and has some time they should call Marc and stop in for a visit. There is a new member here on AH who works for Rigby. I don't remember his name. I am sure he can be contacted as well.

The Rigby facility isn't fancy or in Mayfair like some others. They are however, making some nice, good looking bolt actions at a fair price. It is nice seeing them assembling the rifles in London again. The craftsmen in the back that are making the high end stuff........

Beware, Marc's a good salesman. It is hard keeping the plastic in your pocket.

Hank. Yours sure is pretty!

 

[Hank2211]

Did any famous PH/white Hunter use a rigby?

I can name a few. John (Ponder) Taylor; Harry Selby; and J. A. Hunter. Im sure others could name more.

Hank. Yours sure is pretty!

Thanks! Taking her out for a day of practice tomorrow . . .

 

[Wheels]

Thanks! Taking her out for a day of practice tomorrow . . .

Hope you punch out a single ragged hole!

 

[sestoppelman]

John (Pondoro) Taylor

 

[gordon-kruger]

Yes, but Taylor past away for nearly 50 years ago, so there is not much to do with the new build Rigby, the same as Harry Selby's rifle.

What I do not understand is that the new Rigby in caliber .450 Rigby is only offered in a single square bridge action and a "terrible slowly operated 3-positions flag safety, not possibly for scope and comes with a shorter 22 inch barrel... For me it's not a interesting concept at all... if I'm not 100 % hunting up in some of the rainforest areas with very short visibility.

The other model, probably that Hanks have comes in a double Square, with a good 3 position side safety and a 24 inch barrel, ready for scope mount etc. this sounds very good but I can not see that this model is available in the greatest caliber of all .450 Rigby ???

Wish you good luck Hank with the test shooting

 

[CTDolan]

Question: What makes a Rigby a Rigby?

Answer: That it was made by Rigby, preferrably before the second world war but at a MINIMUM at a time when they were NOT based in California, USA!!!

 

[Hank2211]

First time out with my new .416 Rigby. The gunsmith had put on the scope and bore sighted it. 100 yards, at an outdoor range, with a lead sled. First shot was bottom left (the target in the picture is on its side; all references are to it vertical). I shot again to make sure it was the scope and not me. That's the shot on the bottom right. Adjusted the scope and third shot was one square down from centre. Two more clicks and last shot (with the lead sled) was dead centre.

I hope never to use this on anything as far out as 100 yards.

And that's another reason a Rigby is a Rigby!

 

[Wheels]

I hope never to use this on anything as far out as 100 yards.

And that's another reason a Rigby is a Rigby!

View attachment 40498

Pretty nice. You zeroed it in for only $24. Unless of course you reload.

The rifle can't shoot any better than that last bullet.

What scope are you using?

Thanks for posting. I think you've got a keeper.

 

[Hank2211]

A bit more in Canada! A box of 20 (these were Federal Premium BarnesX) costs about $200. So closer to $80 to get it right.

The scope is a Swarovski Z6i 1-6.

As for not shooting any better than the last bullet, since I won't be carrying a lead sled around with me, I think that's the best she'll ever shoot! I'm not that good!

 

[Hank2211]

Yes, but Taylor past away for nearly 50 years ago, so there is not much to do with the new build Rigby, the same as Harry Selby's rifle.

What I do not understand is that the new Rigby in caliber .450 Rigby is only offered in a single square bridge action and a "terrible slowly operated 3-positions flag safety, not possibly for scope and comes with a shorter 22 inch barrel... For me it's not a interesting concept at all... if I'm not 100 % hunting up in some of the rainforest areas with very short visibility.

The other model, probably that Hanks have comes in a double Square, with a good 3 position side safety and a 24 inch barrel, ready for scope mount etc. this sounds very good but I can not see that this model is available in the greatest caliber of all .450 Rigby ???

Wish you good luck Hank with the test shooting

Rigby offers the .450 in the single square bridge because they have assumed that this rifle will be for professional hunters. No PH I know uses a scope on his everyday rifle - its to stop charges and protect the client, not to reach out and touch some game. If you wanted a .450 with a double square bridge, I have no doubt they would build you one. But I'm happy enough with the kick from a .416, and don't really see the need to go higher!

 

[CTDolan]

The reason for the double square bridge is to leave meat for the gunmaker to machine mounts (for a scope). Otherwise, the big, flat tops serve no purpose.

 

[Wheels]

A bit more in Canada! A box of 20 (these were Federal Premium BarnesX) costs about $200. So closer to $80 to get it right.

The scope is a Swarovski Z6i 1-6.

As for not shooting any better than the last bullet, since I won't be carrying a lead sled around with me, I think that's the best she'll ever shoot! I'm not that good!

Yea, a bit more cost up North. I was only counting the four on the paper.

Scope/rifle combo sounds perfect. Match quality with quality. Looking forward to seeing the photo's of it laying across buff horns, tusks, lion skin............

 

[sestoppelman]

Yes, but Taylor past away for nearly 50 years ago, so there is not much to do with the new build Rigby, the same as Harry Selby's rifle.

What I do not understand is that the new Rigby in caliber .450 Rigby is only offered in a single square bridge action and a "terrible slowly operated 3-positions flag safety, not possibly for scope and comes with a shorter 22 inch barrel... For me it's not a interesting concept at all... if I'm not 100 % hunting up in some of the rainforest areas with very short visibility.

The other model, probably that Hanks have comes in a double Square, with a good 3 position side safety and a 24 inch barrel, ready for scope mount etc. this sounds very good but I can not see that this model is available in the greatest caliber of all .450 Rigby ???

Wish you good luck Hank with the test shooting

My post was actually meant for Hank2211 above mine, for his spelling of Pondoro.

 

[Hank2211]

My post was actually meant for Hank2211 above mine, for his spelling of Pondoro.

I think auto-correct got the better of me.

 

[gordon-kruger]

Hank, yes that's in a "normal" situation, but it's happened sometimes when you tracking wounded game and you in more open plains need to take a shot at 200 m... that's when a detachable scope is handy to have.... But we are different and have different views, and I'm a terrible with open sights at longer distance..

Did you test shot it yet ?

G