Is a Rigby worth it?

[Shifty]

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?

 

[sureshot375]

Yes and not yes. If you think of it as a functional work of art, then yes, it is worth it.

If you look at it from the standpoint of whether or not you need it to have a great hunt as compared to the many alternatives that can be had for a fraction of the cost, then no.

 

[BeeMaa]

It’s worth it if you want a Rigby and the name on the rifle is important to you. You should be proud of whatever brand rifle you are toting around.

Rigby makes a high quality product but I would say that they are leaning on their history to prop up their pricing. A Heym Martini will be every bit as good at a lower price, but it won’t be a Rigby.

The choice is up to you…and the boss.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Heym Martini Express or Heym 88b or 89B.

 

[Captain Munro]

I am for the Heym as well, not that I have real experience with them. I just spent too much time at their booth at DSC and their reps were great.

 

[GuttormG]

If you have the cash, deffenitly worth it (and then only If you use it, safequeens is wasted money .) If you are low om cash, priorities the hunt (the game do not care..).

Om the other hand, one wellknown Norwegian writer stated that the only thing worth borrowing money for was nice guns and hunts!

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Only you can decide that because most people will never understand. Rolex watches, custom jewelry, antique/classic cars, fine wines and whiskys, fine firearms, etc., are all things whose value and pricing are determined by a select fan base.

As a kid, I read everything I could get my hands on about guns and hunting and was fortunate to work on the range of a popular gun shop in Texas. I wanted a Rigby for as long as I can remember reading about Africa and Jim Corbett. I now have 2 and my wife has one. For us, they are worth every penny. But then again, my Dad says I am the most "high falootin' Redneck" he has ever seen.

Safe shooting.

 

[Red Leg]

As @SFRanger7GP notes, it is a very personal thing. For many, a rifle is a rifle is a rifle so long as it functions and is accurate. There is nothing wrong with that perception.

I too grew up fascinated with the literature surrounding Africa and the Raj. Hemingway's "Green Hills Of Africa" and especially Corbett's thin little volumes were in my father's library where I discovered them as a teenager.

A year before its release, I was under the awning of Rigby's "booth" at SCI in Vegas where Marc Newton was showing me the prototype of the then new Highland Stalker. I decided that I had to have one in .275 and was one of the first people in the States to place an order. It took several deer here, and finally accompanied me to Zambia last summer for a special plains game safari.

My Blaser R8 is probably a more "efficient" hunting rifle. But the little .275 was the perfect special thing for this hunt along the Kafue. So yes, for me, it was "worth" the expense.

 

[roverandbrew]

Yes. I purchases a Highland Stalker in 275 Rigby last year and I can tell you I have zero regrets. I disagree 100% they are leaning on their history to "prop up pricing". Rigby makes great rifles. I have ZERO interest in a Heym. If given one I would sell it and buy a Rigby. Its the rifle I honestly pick up daily and admire. Since purchasing the Highland Stalker I have sold off all other rifles I no longer plan to use as I do not believe in safe queens. I have used the Rigby in all sorts of enviromenits and weather and its my "daily driver" during hunting season. If you have the spare cash and want one it makes sense. Maybe you can sell off a redundant rifle to even justify it in your mind a bit more.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

For years I hunted with high value vintage double shotguns. I enjoyed every minute of it including tripping and breaking the stock on an AH Parker. Ouch in the wallet for the repair and depreciation of a fine gun.

A fine gun that one doesn't over pay for will hold its value, minus ones wear and tear. A dent in a stock from an African hunt is a good memory, unlike a "safe ding". The guns probably won't appreciate like stocks and bonds, but one can't hunt with stock certificates.

I can buy a few fine guns, hunt with them for a decade, and when I feel the need, sell them for at least what I put into them. Their appreciation is measured in enjoyment of having, shooting, and hunting with them.

If you desire a Rigby, then buy it. It will give lasting value unlike drinking fine wine, a trip to Paris, or whatever else momentarily tickles your fancy. We are only caretakers of our fine guns...

 

[Major Bonkers]

In the calibres that you are looking at, a 30-06 and 9.3x62 falls within Rigby's 'Highland Stalker' range, at a base price of £9,180, and the .375 falls within its 'Big Game' range which starts at £9,120.

The equivalent Mauser models start from £9,100 (for the smaller calibres) and £12,800 for the .375.

These are, of course, the base prices, and the firms concerned will try to sell you various upgrades which can easily see the price increase rapidly. Nonetheless, given that a Mauser rifle with 'Rigby' engraved on the barrel and English proof marks will hold its value better than a Mauser rifles without these important aids, for the relatively small difference in price it would make sense to buy a new Rigby rather than the Mauser; it would certainly make sense in respect of the .375.

Bear in mind that as soon as you take possession of your new rifle and walk out of the shop, you will have lost about 40% of what you have just paid for it, and that out of taxed income.

If you keep your eyes open, and are prepared to put up with the onerous bureaucratic hurdles imposed by politicians to prevent us plebs taking pot shots at them, it might make sense to buy your rifle second-hand; ideally from an auction house - always get a condition report before you bid - or even a dealer. For example, although I live in the UK, my rifles typically have been bought at auction and from abroad: an H&H and a Jeffery came from Denmark (the H&H costing 2/3ds and the Jeffery 1/6th of the new prices, quoted above), and a Rigby came from Germany. And that way you can buy two rifles instead of one!

By the way, a bit of matrimonial advice: buy a piece of jewellery for the wife at the same time as your rifle. It neatly undercuts any arguments about (1) only spending money on yourself; and, (2) spending money on something you will never use.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

To add to my post above;

Last year I bought a well used Heym 88B double rifle in .458 Winchester. It had been owned by a late surgeon who with it, as reported but his son who witnessed, killed elephant, 2 lions, rhino, hippo, buffalo, and assorted lesser game. I don't know if it was used to bag leopard but it brought home the other big four.

For me, I carried it on an elephant hunt where it was not fired. It did kill a couple warthogs and at 116 yards, a giraffe. The gun has provenance that with luck, I will add to.

 

[Tommy_Fontaine]

Perhaps, and this is why.

Some years ago I was very fortunate and came across quite a bit of money. So I began to purchase things that I have dreamt about for years or even decades. Soon after most if not all of these purchases left me feeling unsatisfied. I have come to realize that the things I dreamt about were so built up in my mind that they could never deliver on my expectations.

This may not apply to you and you may be quite satisfied with the exquisite Rigby, I just figured I would share my experience.

Tommy

 

[AZDAVE]

The only person that can answer your question is you. If you really want the Rigby and plan on taking it to the field as often as you can, by all means buy it and go. If you are not a %100 sold on your purchase. Get a winchester, or CZ, or ruger and go hunt. Just know that you will have a great hunt with KMG.

 

[CJW]

Let me make this simple. To most with whom you may associate with on a daily basis, no, a rifle of that cost will not be worth it, they know that firearms usually cost considerably less. Heck, they'll wonder why you're dropping all that dough on a trip to Africa. Ask the same question here and most will probably say it is worth it.

For me personally, the new rifles are not really why I love Rigby's. They are great rifles but don't have the right lines and eye appeal of the original's that I covet. I agree with @BeeMaa, they are relying on the name to justify the price. I can find a complete original or even a nicely restored turn of the century rifle for much less than a new Highland Stalker, not tgat I could even afford those. I just feel that the new rifles are a touch inflated but still obviously command a greater premium than even the nicest model 70 you will find. Just look at the wood on the rifle posted by @Red Leg .

With that said, is Red Leg's rifle ever going to fail to fire, fail to be beautiful or fail to draw the attention of those around him in camp? No it won't and it is a true heirloom piece.

Of course IMO a person's financial situation greatly dictates what makes sense, but if it won't affect your life at all, and say you made stupid good money on that piece of land, well, you only live once. Bought well, you can always sell it and get your money back.

If you get one make sure to post pics.

 

[wesheltonj]

Worth it is relative. I have guns that I have never shot, and just sit in my closet. For me a Rigby would not be worth it, as it would be another gun to sit in the closet going unused except to test fire it. I have perhaps two trips left to go to Africa. Any my other trips outside the US or Canada, I would be using camp guns and might be doing that for Africa too. It was huge expense to store my rifle while I went sightseeing. But if I was going to purchase one it would be in either 275 or 416, both Rigby calibers, Rigby gun. I suppose if I where going to purchase a UK gun it would be a H&H in 375, as that is realistically the max recoil that I would want to shoot.

 

[VertigoBE]

If you keep your eyes open, and are prepared to put up with the onerous bureaucratic hurdles imposed by politicians to prevent us plebs taking pot shots at them, it might make sense to buy your rifle second-hand; ideally from an auction house - always get a condition report before you bid - or even a dealer. For example, although I live in the UK, my rifles typically have been bought at auction and from abroad: an H&H and a Jeffery came from Denmark (the H&H costing 2/3ds and the Jeffery 1/6th of the new prices, quoted above), and a Rigby came from Germany. And that way you can buy two rifles instead of one!

I also fully agree to find good used firearms to avoid that 40% decrease in value the second you step out of the shop. But you do expose yourself to sometimes outrageous auction fees

What Danish (or other continental) auction sites might you be using? For the moment I mainly look at Holts, but due to Brexit I’d rather find a good continental auction site…

By the way, a bit of matrimonial advice: buy a piece of jewellery for the wife at the same time as your rifle. It neatly undercuts any arguments about (1) only spending money on yourself; and, (2) spending money on something you will never use.

Excellent advice! I do exactly this. Seems a bit like positive conditioning

 

[ActionBob]

Yes it is worth it if that is what you want and having a "Rigby" means something to you.

If you just want a good hunting rifle, a Winchester M70 and many others will suffice nicely.

To me, by the time I might spend the money for a high end bolt rifle, such as a Hyme or Mauser.... I'll spend the extra to get a Rigby simply "because". But to each his own! Whatever speaks to your Soul

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

It is really up to you if you think it's worth it.
As many others have already mentioned you can buy a Winchester M70 or a Ruger M77 plus many others that will do the same job just fine. I have always wanted a Rigby and was happy to pay the price for one, I've had my 450 SSB Big Game for around 6 months now and I love it. First up I spent quite a bit of time on the range with it to make sure I was happy with the rifle, I didn't want it getting beat up until I was sure I was 100% happy with it just incase I wanted to sell it. Now I am satisfied I am 100% happy with it, the rifle has been spending quite a bit of time over my shoulder out hunting in the thick stuff. When it comes to Rigby's I have only had experience with this one particular rifle I own but it is as advertised by Rigby, extremely well made, fit and finish is perfect, 100% reliable, I am very happy with it.

My Rigby is a working rifle and always will be, I'm not one for safe queens and as I mentioned above now I have spent some time with it I'm not overly concerned with it getting beat up out hunting as at this point in my life I intend on keeping it forever. Below the big rig out and about in it's natural habitat.

 

[264]

Definitely worth the money. I haven't looked back after my purchase of a 275, highland stalker and later a 9.3.
Plenty of trips and good memories , even the days when nothing was taken. Its good to be carrying a Rigby.
I still use several other rifles of different makes and calibre, and enjoy them as well. Were lucky to have plenty of choices.
Heres a couple of pics, cheers Mick
9.3 x62 highland stalker 250gr TSX

275 rigby

pair of stalkers