Is a Rigby worth it?

[Major Bonkers]

Uplander, I agree with you, although I dare say that there is an inevitable avalanche of shit about to descend on our heads for saying so.

In my opinion, if one is looking to buy a Rigby/ Mauser, forget it (at least new), and look at the Mauser model 66 instead. Buy wisely, and you will not lose money and with luck your rifle will increase in value. Even better, buy a Mannlicher-Schöenauer stutzen in 30-06 (which is the calibre that Mr. Shifty wants, although the 6.5x54 cartridge is the proper fit).

There is a slightly weird mystique around the Mauser model 98. I spend a lot of time stalking in Scotland and I have yet to come across any stalker - professional or guest - using either the rifle or model. The rifle is overpriced and the model is superseded. It lingers on in Africa for reasons of sentiment (most of which has more to do with the Boer War rather than hunting utility).

Here is Pierre van der Walt (‘African Dangerous Game Cartridges’), p.16. And he doesn't even mention the horrible, pendulum-like bolt!

The Mauser K-98 or Model 98, as we refer to the design in sporting circles, is the benchmark against which all bolt action designs for dangerous game hunting is measured. If you take the most Mod-98’s [sic.] and spend some money to polish its contact surfaces smooth, lap its lugs into good contact, replace the trigger, square the ring face, fit a custom magazine box, replace the bolt handle and fit a replacement bolt sleeve and safety catch, you indeed have an excellent basis for a dangerous game rifle. But it takes a lot of money to get there.

Some companies such as Granite Mountain Arms (Arizona), Satterlee Arms (South Dakota) and Reimer Johannsen (Germany) presently manufacture Mauser M-98 actions which incorporates all the customising one has to incur on the Mauser M-98 off the shelf. Their actions are made of better steels than the originals and their CNC machinery produces actions of unbelievable dimensional consistency. There are literally dozens of Mauser clones on the market, some dangerous game hunting compatible and others not.

 

[lockingblock]

If I were in the market for a factory made magnum Mauser, I would likely look hard at the Heym, then Mauser, then Rigby.

All are top quality factory made rifles. None are hand made custom guns. They are solid performers…but it’s very hard to justify the price for a factory rifle in a machine made stock.

I agree with another poster, there are a ton of great Smiths who will build a classic safari rifle…Duane Weibe.

YMMV, it’s only money.

 

[CJW]

Maybe I was flawed in my logic but I never once saw my purchase of a Highland Stalker as an investment. Maybe an investment in the quality of experience but not financial. As I read through this thread I am aware of three camps. # 1 The Rigby will heighten the experience. Take your rifle out and do great things # 2 Is the Rifle a sound financial investment # 3 You can buy better for cheaper from an American builder. I was asked a question a little while back while standing on a rooftop in Afghanistan while a few of us were trying to sort a problem we were given. The question was "what is the most precious resource we own / are responsible for?". This gentleman's answer to his proposed question was "TIME". You can make more money, train more people and build more equipment but we cannot buy more time. We all have a limited time on this earth and I feel if my Rigby makes that time sweeter, even if only in my own head it is worth every penny. My Rigby serves as a romantic touch point to the past while it motivates me to get out and hunt the future.

I'm in a way in all 3 of those camps, as are probably many others. It just depends on your perspective on many things. If I were a multi-millionaire, I would probably run right out and buy a stalker or more likely a big game without a second thought just to enjoy and my life wouldn't be affected one single bit. But since most of us are common Joe's, the discussion of whether a new Rigby is worth their current price is a valid one IMO, as is the case being made for the custom gun option. In your own way you're biased yourself because you own one.

Here's another viewpoint/option. Here in America we're spoiled for choice. I could have my heart set on any particular big name gun, but instead go cruise GI and find myself someone else's custom gun with a handmade stock, engraving, custom touches, etc., that they no longer desire and have a gun five times that of a new Rigby, Mauser, Heym etc. for thousands less. It's the same concept as letting the first guy take the hit on the new car you desire. If you have the money, it's a great problem to have.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Big question: Are there any Rigby owners that are unhappy or have buyer's remorse?

I guess this shows where I stand on that question.

 

[CJW]

Here's a question aimed at those of you who own a new Rigby. At what price point is the particular rifle you own too much? We can't sit here and pretend like there isn't a ceiling.

 

[lockingblock]

I will freely admit…the Rigby mystique speaks to me. Logically, I can’t justify it…but I will always want one.

Now…should Jeffery ever start making 404 bolt guns again…logic is turned off…

 

[roverandbrew]

Here's a question aimed at those of you who own a new Rigby. At what price point is the particular rifle you own too much? We can't sit here and pretend like there isn't a ceiling.

At what point is the cost of the rifle I own too much? Well to start I consider myself an "Average Joe" who has done reasonably well over time. I recently retired from the Army (Enlisted) for 26 years and now contract to augment my income. I have not had a car payment since 2001 and my children have their college paid for. I live within my means and manage debt. I found a good deal (<$9K) for a new Highland Stalker and took it. I see my neighbors all driving and financing $65K vehicles every few years and that seems acceptable to most because they pay their bills. I find that silly. I feel the price point you mention is one where you personally can purchase a rifle without impacting your quality of life or incurring unmanageable debt.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Here's a question aimed at those of you who own a new Rigby. At what price point is the particular rifle you own too much? We can't sit here and pretend like there isn't a ceiling.

My decisions, hard work, motivation, priorities and sacrifices have always decided where my ceiling goes. And my wife, of course.

 

[CJW]

At what point is the cost of the rifle I own too much? Well to start I consider myself an "Average Joe" who has done reasonably well over time. I recently retired from the Army (Enlisted) for 26 years and now contract to augment my income. I have not had a car payment since 2001 and my children have their college paid for. I live within my means and manage debt. I found a good deal (<$9K) for a new Highland Stalker and took it. I see my neighbors all driving and financing $65K vehicles every few years and that seems acceptable to most because they pay their bills. I find that silly. I feel the price point you mention is one where you personally can purchase a rifle without impacting your quality of life or incurring unmanageable debt.

You're misconstring what I'm asking. I'm asking since because Rigby has raised the price of their rifles since introducing them and because they aren't as hand built as the Rigby's of old, someone even mentioned metal to wood fit, and as others have stated they are now into the realm of a custom handbuilt rifle, at what point is the price for a Rigby HS for example too much? At what point does the custom rifle become the better option?

From what I've seen and heard of them, $9k seems very reasonable considering the name premium.

 

[Muskox]

My take on it is, that it depends on you.

I am of the theory that any overly unused very expensive items tend to be a source of buyers remorse very quickly.

I work with two guys that own the Platinum grade versions of F150's. They bought them before the super markups happened, and they were about $80,000. They both bitch about any dirt getting in their trucks, or kids spilling their drinks in the vehicles.

Never personally saw the value in this.

What happens when you safe ding it, or fall and break the stock on a hunt?

A $12,000-18,000 custom bolt rifle from one of the better makers like Duane Wiebe, Satterlee, Todd Ramirez, Heym, Johannsen or a few other people will make a hell of a lot better rifle.

Huge fan of nice things, but....?

 

[CJW]

My decisions, hard work, motivation, priorities and sacrifices have always decided where my ceiling goes. And my wife, of course.

But you wouldn't pay $100K for a Toyota Corolla.

 

[7MAG]

But you wouldn't pay $100K for a Toyota Corolla.

Some people will pay over $100k for a dodge

 

[CJW]

Some people will pay over $100k for a dodge

But not a Dart.

 

[FlowHamed18]

Well - that's the same question that tormented me too

I had a long conversation with a gunsmith, who is a friend of mine. We talked about this topic nearly an hour.

And like many other users already wrote ==> there are two correct answers "Yes" and "No".

Said that - I have to admit two things:

First thing: I landed on the "No" page in the end.

The simple reason is, that I want to have a perfectly working gun with me, while I am hunting - all over the world. And to get such a gun there is no reason to spend 10.000 $/€ or even more.
We are very lucky here in Austria, our gunsmiths are doing a great job.
A full custom rifle is around 7.000,- €. Of course you can increase the price by using an old woodstock for 5.000€ itself, or golden engravings - but excelent working, handmade rifles don't have to be that expensive like Rigby is telling us.

Second thing: I got weak and had to buy some other rigby stuff for my office instead of the rifle

“The black death” Limited edition fine art print - John Rigby & Co.

Cape buffalo fine art print (1 of 100) This limited edition A1-sized Giclée fine art print of a Cape buffalo by Geoffrey Lignon is hand-signed and numbered by the artist, before being relief stamped with the Rigby logo. Geoffrey has tried to purvey the African animal in its true form by...

www.johnrigbyandco.com

I know - Shame on me

 

[Scott CWO]

I have been very torn about whether or not to buy a quality double rifle and/or a Rigby, H&H, Mauser, WR, etc… quality bolt rifle when I already have a few very nice custom Winchester M70 based bolt rifles built in the USA and a couple upgraded CZ 550s. I also recently passed on a Dakota 76 in .416 Rigby and some days I regret it and some days I don’t.

For me, it’s not so much about the money as it is that I would want to use the rifle. While I am headed to Zambia this summer and Tanzania again in 2023, those could be my last safaris. I have hunted Africa just about every year since 2012 and after 2023, I am planning to do more sheep hunting again as well as perhaps a polar bear, both of which are not good applications for a Rigby. With only a couple safaris left, I am struggling with the decision to buy another rifle or not. I probably will not. If I had it to do all over again, I wish I would have bought one back in 2012. For any of you guys just starting out in Africa, it would make more sense for you to buy a Rigby, or something similar, than it probably does for me at this point.

So my advice to the OP is to go for it if it will make you happy and if you plan on doing several safaris and using the rifle.

 

[Muskox]

I remember getting off the airplane after moving to Australia wide eyed from car shopping. I wasn't wealthy at the time and am still far from it. We went to Toyota and there was a used 70' series Landcruiser troop carrier. The price was 100,000 AUD about $75,000 at the time.

I wanted it, it was the vehicle of my dreams. We couldn't really afford something like that for a 3 year trip. It hurt my pride not to buy it. We bought a 2005 Jeep Cherokee (5 years old at the time) and it was an awesome vehicle for where we lived in Australia.

About 5 years later, I was in California and I drove by a the Toyota dealership (it was on the only main drag in town, wasn't off course at all). They had a dealer demo Landcruiser for $45,000. It was a $90,000 USD car. I drove it, thought about it and I didn't do it because it wasn't sensible.

Then in 2019 after moving back from Germany we finally found a Landcruiser at a price I could manage. It was a bit of a comprimise as it meant that the wife was going to end up keeping our older Toyota Sienna van. Finally bought one. Felt small and immediate remorse when I signed it off the lot and drove it away. Hated the mileage, complete lack of room and how much it sucks on the highway. Was a hell of a lot more than $45,000, as it was only two years old.

In 2020 before the world collapsed, I finally got rid of it. Disappointed in the purchase, as it was really underwealming after I owned it.

I have a pair of Swarovski El 12x50 binos I kind of feel the same about. Eventually I'll throw them on ebay and lick my wounds. Really thought that 12x50's were optimal after using 8x56 on a sheep hunt. They have been out of the box one time.

Be very careful of needful things.

 

[R eight]

Damn….. I love my Tojo 70’s series, the old ute, my Rigby’s and my Blasers.

if you want something then buy it….if it’s a dud then flog it off. Much better to do that than to die wondering

life is too short to worry about such small nothings.

 

[R eight]

Big question: Are there any Rigby owners that are unhappy or have buyer's remorse?

I guess this shows where I stand on that question.

View attachment 461283

I’m a Rigby fan…….but not of their Scotch. A couple of years ago I sat down with a mate of two bottles of that stuff. Both bottles disappeared rather quickly. Felt great for a while.
Damn….the next day I preyed for death. It was the worst hangover I’ve had in over 50 years. Next time I’m going to make sure that the ice is pure and not out of date

 

[Sjakon]

I have just sold some property for a very healthy price so I have come into some money, I’ve already floated the idea with the boss (wife). Here in Australia there are a few for sale…. So it would be 30-06, 375h&h or 9.3 I am booked for a hunt in 2023 with KMG so it will be coming on that!

This maybe be a silly question on a forum like this but…. Is a Rigby rifle really worth it?

Gosh, I went on my first African safari just before covid. I am 69 now and wish I started 10 years ago, however, things just were not ready yet. After the hunt I ordered a Mauser 98 in .416 Rigby which will finally arrive next month. I am just so excited and looking forward to using it in September. So for me, yes it is worth it. A thing of beauty to cherish My brother has a Rigby which he uses on Sambar and he absolutely loves it. One time he came out of quarantine for 2 weeks and first thing he did was sit with his Rigby in front of the fireplace to find solace

 

[Sjakon]

Great photos