Which is better? Vintage Rigby vs New Rigby

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

 

[spike.t]

Good move!

If you ever want to sell it, please post here and I'll be hoping @Red Leg is off in the bushes someplace so I get first chance..... and I'll do my best to encourage @Bullthrower338 to have his money spent on other things

Put me down in the list as well.....can make sure they are all off in the bush with a special just for them....

 

[cagkt3]

Congrats!! I think you have an ever-growing line of folks willing to purchase if you ever decide to sell (myself included!)

 

[ActionBob]

Put me down in the list as well.....can make sure they are all off in the bush with a special just for them....

Wow Mike, not sure if I want to give you a big thumbs up or the middle finger on that one. Sounds like a fun hunt proposal but then again....

 

[spike.t]

Wow Mike, not sure if I want to give you a big thumbs up or the middle finger on that one. Sounds like a fun hunt proposal but then again....

........

 

[chashardy]

There isn't any doubt that between a new Highland Stalker and a vintage Rigby of any caliber, especially one with the John Gough provenance, you should buy the vintage rifle. It's a real collectible that you can also use and it should hold its value or increase in value if properly cared for.
I recently purchased the new Rigby Big Game in 416 Rigby and I love it. The new rifles are made from the same design drawings that were used to make the original rifles 100 years ago, only using newer, more precise machining technology for the actions and barrels. The Mauser Magnum action on mine is very smooth and the fit and finish on the rifle are superb. Looking forward to using it Africa next year on Cape Buffalo.
Buy the vintage rifle, then get one of the new ones in another caliber.

 

[DrBob]

A lot of effort was made to bring the new Rigbys into line with the style and build of the originals. Marc Newton has shepherded Rigby well in this effort. As for the new 416 in "vintage" form and the rising bite double.... two Anchorage, Alaska physicians played roles with input into the rebirth... Richard Kilby (416) and Davis Peterson (rising bite).

 

[Captain Nwz]

One cannot do much better than a John Rigby . I would buy that lovely .303 if l were you . With traditional Woodleigh 174 grain bullets or 215 grain bullets , it would make a lovely Sambhar Deer rifle .
New Rigby rifles are naturally fine items , but yours appears to be in really good condition.

 

[WAB]

Just payed the first instalment.....

You made a good decision. I own a highland stalker in 9.3x62 and love it. However, faced with this choice I would buy the vintage rifle every time!

 

[Mateo Rossio]

Vintage Rigby sure!

 

[K981985]

No question you made the right choice. While the new Rigby rifles are great, there is nothing like the old school Rigby and the history that goes with this one makes even more interesting.

 

[bruce moulds]

the o.p. asked which is better, not which gives you a bigger mongrel.
bruce.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

The gun is on its way! Can’t wait!!!

 

[Major Khan]

Go for it ! A vintage piece is like owning a piece of history. However , do be sure to have a competent gun smith check the action and the barrel . The inescapable issue about second hand products is that you never know how the previous owner ( mis)used it . I would use traditional Woodleigh bullets in a gun of this age.
Kynamco lists a 215 grain soft point , if factory loaded ammunition is your preference.

 

[bruce moulds]

sorry.
heading of the thread would be more accurate.

 

[Rigby9362]

Here`s mine. A slightly used Highland stalker 9,3x62, made in 2017.
I havent hunted with it yet, bit will feed it with 250gr Accubonds for the 42 scope and 320gr Woodleigh SN/FMJ for the 24 scope and iron sights.

Planning to use it for everything, but o/c, a .275 would be fine next to it

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Hi Guys

So I received the rifle.....and it is even better than I thought it was going to be !

I can't believe that this rifle is 113 years old !

I immediately contacted Rigby to get all the info I could on the rifle, unfortunately, there was no regulation data available.

I know from the literature that Rigby had a proclivity to regulate the sights for the 150gr load. So I loaded up 10 rounds and went to the range today. First just starting off with a minimum load to check if everything was ok. The rifle did great. I was hoping to achieve about 2700fps as this was quoted in Jon Speeds Mauser Bible.

I was able to get on the 100m target quite easily but as the velocity of the loads climbed above 2400fps I was way too high.

This leads me to believe it was regulated for the 174gr bullet.

So back to the drawing board!

 

[K981985]

Outstanding craftsmanship.

 

[sierraone]

I'll be hoping @Red Leg is off in the bushes someplace so I get first chance

Very well said @ActionBob ...not to mention he very likely could be!

 

[ActionBob]

Hi Guys

So I received the rifle.....and it is even better than I thought it was going to be !

I can't believe that this rifle is 113 years old !

I immediately contacted Rigby to get all the info I could on the rifle, unfortunately, there was no regulation data available.

I know from the literature that Rigby had a proclivity to regulate the sights for the 150gr load. So I loaded up 10 rounds and went to the range today. First just starting off with a minimum load to check if everything was ok. The rifle did great. I was hoping to achieve about 2700fps as this was quoted in Jon Speeds Mauser Bible.

I was able to get on the 100m target quite easily but as the velocity of the loads climbed above 2400fps I was way too high.

This leads me to believe it was regulated for the 174gr bullet.

So back to the drawing board!

Wow that is special, congratulations!