Rigby double rifles

Many years ago,during the golden age of hunting in Africa,my late uncle often hunted in Kenya and Tanzania.He had 2 or 3 different guns but his favotite was a .455 rigby express double rifle,i remember staring in awe at it in the gun cabinet when he was back at home.It looked rather heavy.I was wondering if anyone out there had ever used one of these guns and if so did it have a hard kick back?thanks,Barry

I suspect that you've gotten the name of that cartridge wrong. 455 doesn't ring a bell for me..
If it was a 450 Nitro Express, 3 1/4" or the 3 1/2" #2 it'll kick about the same as a 458 WM or less because of the added weight of a DR vs a bolt gun. It will let you know you've shot it but it's very controlable.
The 470 NE should be about the same, (I haven't shot one of those yet) it'll toss out a 500 grn bullet at the same speed as the 450 NE's.

Originally Posted by AkMike

I suspect that you've gotten the name of that cartridge wrong. 455 doesn't ring a bell for me..
If it was a 450 Nitro Express, 3 1/4" or the 3 1/2" #2 it'll kick about the same as a 458 WM or less because of the added weight of a DR vs a bolt gun. It will let you know you've shot it but it's very controlable.
The 470 NE should be about the same, (I haven't shot one of those yet) it'll toss out a 500 grn bullet at the same speed as the 450 NE's.

I agree with these comments - have never heard of a '455' in a double rifle.

To me, the .470 NE has about the same felt recoil as the .458 LOTT. Unless you let rip with both barrels, in which case the recoil won't worry you much because you'll be more worried about finding all your teeth...!

Thanks for the reply.It was a long time ago and i think it was a .450 nitro express.I suspected that it must have a heck of a kick.My uncle was a professional hunter in Kenya before the hunting ban and also in Tanzania and Uganda.

I've got several 450's and they aren't bad at all.
It depends on what you're used to though.

Buzz,

Would you have any pictures of your uncle while he was hunting. I find the pictures of the old East Africa camps and hunting very cool.

Would that have been Chuck Bazzy? Just curious.

Thanks,i think the double rifles are great.

my uncle died along time ago,all his guns were sold andover the years we lost contact with his side of the family and i dont know what happened to all his gear.