To bolt or not to bolt?

[Kevin Peacocke]

Whilst in S&O on Friday I laid eyes and hands upon a few beautiful pieces. Here is a Heym Martini in 404j, a Rigby Big Bore in 416 Rigby and a Heym double in 450/400.
The Heym 404j handles beautifully and is well balanced. The wood is very good too.
I found the Rigby bulky and front-heavy.
The Heym double is identical to what I have and it handled the best of the lot, shorter of course, with the balance between the hands.
The 404j is half the price of each of the others. I am not a bolt guy, but this one is tempting.

 

[DWB]

You won't regret it!

 

[K-man]

You didn’t list pricing, but buy both the .404 and the double. Hang on to the double for a bit and I’ll be there to pick it up from you. Beautiful rifles !

 

[KJE81]

I went from a double rifle in .375 Flanged Magnum to a magazine rifle (custom ordered a Mauser M98) in .375 H&H, no second thoughts and no regrets, cant say I miss the double rifle and all its quirks one bit.

 

[Green Chile]

Doubles are good guns but with limitations on being regulated. Bolt guns have no limitations as long as the ammo will feed/chamber correctly. We talk a lot about doubles around here but for the sporting client (most of us are not PHs), a bolt gun can cover anything and is less fussy about it. I've had to turn down shots with doubles that I would have taken with the bolt gun. You have a good double...consider getting that 404 to compliment it.

 

[Nyati]

A .404 Heym, definitely !

 

[skydiver386]

Bulky and barrel heavy?

That's just the way I like e'm.

 

[Doug3006]

I love the wood on that 404 Heym Martini bolt action. I know which one I would buy if I already had a double.

 

[Jefferry404]

@skydiver386,
Rifles or your women
Sorry, couldn’t resist

The 404J

 

[deewayne2003]

Since you already have a double, I would go with the Heym.

 

[skydiver386]

@skydiver386,
Rifles or your women
Sorry, couldn’t resist

The 404J

WHADDITLOOKLIKE?

 

[Safari Dave]

Get the .404, Kevin...

Bolt-actions are wonderful...

Wade in, the water is warm...


If you don't like it, just take me elephant hunting in ZIM and we can work out the details of me taking it home.

 

[cajunchefray]

Get the .404, Kevin...

Come on in, the water is warm...

As a proper African hunter, you already have a proper Single Shot Ruger Number 1 and a proper Double 450/400.
Now you need that proper Heym 404 Jeffery.
Then your life will be complete.
That Heym Martini is a really nice rifle.

 

[Safari Dave]

I've even got ammo for a .404, just no rifle....

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I wouldn’t do it. You adore your double too much to do that to yourself. Either of those magazine rifles will make you want to put your double down more.

The bulky and weight forward design of the Rigby comes from their recent replication of prewar rifles, I mean they’ve been making 416’s for about 114 years. You should shoot one sometime. Mine recoils for sure, but far more comfortable to shoot in volume and off the bench than even my Dakota 375HH, which is from the chunk stock with extra chubby butt.

The Heym Martini also exquisit, and while I e not had a 404, I’ve never heard anyone complain about the round. Those that have them, love them. Martini is a hellova stockmaker and designer, and he has served Heym well in that model. I really, really want one in 500J. Evidence of Ralph Martini’s prowess as a smith, he has supposedly joined Hartman and Weiss this year.

No way would I trade my Rigby 416 for either of the other two, it shoots .35-.40 MOA with factory Barnes ammo at 100 yards and is a just a joy to shoot.

Basically, just be really really careful, fear either of those options will steal some attention from your dearly beloved 89b.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I went from a double rifle in .375 Flanged Magnum to a magazine rifle (custom ordered a Mauser M98) in .375 H&H, no second thoughts and no regrets, cant say I miss the double rifle and all its quirks one bit.

View attachment 704275

Sorry to distract from OP’s original question, but I can’t help myself. Sexiest Mauser I’ve seen. Very classy scroll work…but the 1/4 rib is new to me on the Mauser 98’s. What model is this, or was it a total custom ground up from Mauser or other builder on modern Mauser action?

Thanks,
Will

 

[KJE81]

Sorry to distract from OP’s original question, but I can’t help myself. Sexiest Mauser I’ve seen. Very classy scroll work…but the 1/4 rib is new to me on the Mauser 98’s. What model is this, or was it a total custom ground up from Mauser or other builder on modern Mauser action?

Thanks,
Will

Thank you, it is a custom rifle built on a DWM Argentine 1909/Mauser M98. I got it exactly like I wanted/ordered it.

 

[chashardy]

The Rigby is the best choice. I love mine and the ammo is easier to find. The weight is a big help on felt recoil as it is more balanced than you described.

 

[crossone]

I'm a newly. What's S&O?

Thanks

 

[Bejane]

Safari and Outdoor, a shop in South Africa