New .275 Rigby

[enysse]

Stunning rifle! Love it!

 

[D.M.V]

Congrats !

 

[BenH2016]

That's a beautiful rifle. That rifle in that calibre is something I would love to have a chance at owning.

At GBP5000 or so and considering the reputation for success that the brands involved have I see it as reasonable for the basic model. It's when you start adding the mouth watering options to get it up to levels of prestige that one assumes when considering a brand like Rigby that the price becomes high.

@Red Leg I'm interested to know if you went for the "best london finish" at a hefty upcharge? I'd like to have my initials on it somewhere and the gold inlaid rigby logo. Nice to dream.

 

[Red Leg]

That's a beautiful rifle. That rifle in that calibre is something I would love to have a chance at owning.

At GBP5000 or so and considering the reputation for success that the brands involved have I see it as reasonable for the basic model. It's when you start adding the mouth watering options to get it up to levels of prestige that one assumes when considering a brand like Rigby that the price becomes high.

@Red Leg I'm interested to know if you went for the "best london finish" at a hefty upcharge? I'd like to have my initials on it somewhere and the gold inlaid rigby logo. Nice to dream.

No - that is the basic model with the standard stock. The only thing I did was have them lengthen the throat very slightly so that we could make use of full case capacity with any 170/173 gr bullets.

 

[BenH2016]

No - that is the basic model with the standard stock. The only thing I did was have them lengthen the throat very slightly so that we could make use of full case capacity with any 170/173 gr bullets.

Well it looks amazing!

 

[Velo Dog]

Well it looks amazing!

+1.

 

[fiocchi]

I'm curious why you mention lengthening the throat. I've just ordered one of the new Mauser 98 diplomats in 7x57 which is of course the same barrelled action and stock supplied to Rigby, but interestingly, more expensive despite a much lower grade finish (recknagel iron sights, laser checkering, non hand rubbed finish),..one might ask why I opted for that since a rigby was cheaper, but I wanted one of the first 100 limited edition new Mauser 98's,,call he crazy. Lol!

Irrespective, I specified throat to handle fully seated out 175g'ers and was told that the CIP spec on the standard factory rifle means there's enough room and then some. Either I was told porkies or I hope you were not charged extra for nothing.

I didn't recognise those as AA mounts, good stuff. I am going for recknagel pivots with G9 lock in extended super low.

I'm a little unhappy about Mauser not designing their own iron sights more in line with the original oberndorfs. I like the single fwd slanting rear sight with whit gold line to a wide V. Don't care for the laser checkering bug I can live with it for an original Mauser. Don't care to the hexalock mounts as they are ugly as sin, but fortunately there's no obligation. Receiver should be optional as not DT'd as I would have preferred H&H style sidemounts, but hey. Stock should have been finished better and there should have been more elaborate thumb fluting. Shame no option for 2 position side safety only, especially without red paint inlaid writing on the bolt shroud, and I suppose, metal work should have been rust blacked or done like the pre war oberndorfs, not spray coated..only other gripe is bolt handle appears to be scalloped when they could have sat it closer to the bolt body like an FN an retained the bolt handle shape.

Sometimes I wonder 'why', but when a new original Mauser 98 Ltd edition is launched, well, I can live with a few correctables (on 1st re-finish) to own it.

I'll post pics when I pick it up of course. If I don't like it, hopefully I can get the investment back given its limited edition status..

 

[sierraone]

I'm curious why you mention lengthening the throat. I've just ordered one of the new Mauser 98 diplomats in 7x57 which is of course the same barrelled action and stock supplied to Rigby, but interestingly, more expensive despite a much lower grade finish (recknagel iron sights, laser checkering, non hand rubbed finish),..one might ask why I opted for that since a rigby was cheaper, but I wanted one of the first 100 limited edition new Mauser 98's,,call he crazy. Lol!

Irrespective, I specified throat to handle fully seated out 175g'ers and was told that the CIP spec on the standard factory rifle means there's enough room and then some. Either I was told porkies or I hope you were not charged extra for nothing.

I didn't recognise those as AA mounts, good stuff. I am going for recknagel pivots with G9 lock in extended super low.

I'm a little unhappy about Mauser not designing their own iron sights more in line with the original oberndorfs. I like the single fwd slanting rear sight with whit gold line to a wide V. Don't care for the laser checkering bug I can live with it for an original Mauser. Don't care to the hexalock mounts as they are ugly as sin, but fortunately there's no obligation. Receiver should be optional as not DT'd as I would have preferred H&H style sidemounts, but hey. Stock should have been finished better and there should have been more elaborate thumb fluting. Shame no option for 2 position side safety only, especially without red paint inlaid writing on the bolt shroud, and I suppose, metal work should have been rust blacked or done like the pre war oberndorfs, not spray coated..only other gripe is bolt handle appears to be scalloped when they could have sat it closer to the bolt body like an FN an retained the bolt handle shape.

Sometimes I wonder 'why', but when a new original Mauser 98 Ltd edition is launched, well, I can live with a few correctables (on 1st re-finish) to own it.

I'll post pics when I pick it up of course. If I don't like it, hopefully I can get the investment back given its limited edition status..

fiocchi...Can you give a link to a Mauser 98 diplomat. I am not able to find one. You named several negatives that seem unlike Mauser for a $10000 - $12000 rifle. The one that most got my attention for the laser checkering instead of hand checkering. This is an all new rifle to me and am interested in reading more about it! Thanks.

 

[D.M.V]

No - that is the basic model with the standard stock. The only thing I did was have them lengthen the throat very slightly so that we could make use of full case capacity with any 170/173 gr bullets.

Hell of a-hh a basic model. That wood is something

 

[tarbe]

Oh my!

 

[Red Leg]

I'm curious why you mention lengthening the throat. I've just ordered one of the new Mauser 98 diplomats in 7x57 which is of course the same barrelled action and stock supplied to Rigby, but interestingly, more expensive despite a much lower grade finish (recknagel iron sights, laser checkering, non hand rubbed finish),..one might ask why I opted for that since a rigby was cheaper, but I wanted one of the first 100 limited edition new Mauser 98's,,call he crazy. Lol!

Irrespective, I specified throat to handle fully seated out 175g'ers and was told that the CIP spec on the standard factory rifle means there's enough room and then some. Either I was told porkies or I hope you were not charged extra for nothing.

I didn't recognise those as AA mounts, good stuff. I am going for recknagel pivots with G9 lock in extended super low.

I'm a little unhappy about Mauser not designing their own iron sights more in line with the original oberndorfs. I like the single fwd slanting rear sight with whit gold line to a wide V. Don't care for the laser checkering bug I can live with it for an original Mauser. Don't care to the hexalock mounts as they are ugly as sin, but fortunately there's no obligation. Receiver should be optional as not DT'd as I would have preferred H&H style sidemounts, but hey. Stock should have been finished better and there should have been more elaborate thumb fluting. Shame no option for 2 position side safety only, especially without red paint inlaid writing on the bolt shroud, and I suppose, metal work should have been rust blacked or done like the pre war oberndorfs, not spray coated..only other gripe is bolt handle appears to be scalloped when they could have sat it closer to the bolt body like an FN an retained the bolt handle shape.

Sometimes I wonder 'why', but when a new original Mauser 98 Ltd edition is launched, well, I can live with a few correctables (on 1st re-finish) to own it.

I'll post pics when I pick it up of course. If I don't like it, hopefully I can get the investment back given its limited edition status..

The rifle is optimized for the 140-150 class bullet. CIP should indeed account for 170-173 class. However, I have a lovely custom 7x57 built by one of America's best builders to CIP spec and some 173 loads require a bit of force to close. .338's are notorious for doing the same thing with 250 gr bullets. I didn't feel like taking a chance on a rifle which will primarily be used with the heavier bullets. And as one would expect, Rigby was happy to do it.

 

[fiocchi]

Quite right, I'll be checking mine for accepting a 175g as soon as I get it, but I suspect it will be fine as I will not be loading round nose which seem to make longer throats a necessity.

Sierraone -https://www.mauser.com/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/brochures/MAU_Catalogue_2017_210x297mm_en.pdf

Yes, I think I will use the crap out of it, and in a few years when I restore it, fix all the 'correctables' I mentioned.

I guess nothing like the good old pre war oberndorf commercial sporters and their quality, design, aesthetics, etc will just never happen as long as Mauser's parent company is in charge.

I can tell you right now that if I had my way with the company, all the MO series would be scrapped, rifles would be built to oberndorf qualities and properly designed for real hunters use, prices would be cut dramatically as. Just don't see the m98 at that price point ever giving the company the critical mass to reestablish a foothold in the market along, but given the parent company, there's a conflict of interest there of course.

I would ensure the DG series were built and designed fit for purpose, not full of useless features and design flaws for such rifles...but, sadly, those who actually have a clue about real rifle design and how that links to best practice in the real world,,,are seldom given the chance to spearhead any such businesses or marketing initiatives..much like rifle scopes these days, marketeers sitting in a silo thinking up new ways to make money rather than thinking about what real hunters need and want.

There's a reason those who really know what's good for them use rifles based on the m98 design, no bs iron sights and proper front sight, sturdy mounts (if any), low power fixed or variable (ugh!) no frills quality scopes, good extractors, perfect feeding at any speed, no risk of dumping ammo out of the mag box, good simple bedding, dense walnut with wrap checkering, and a stock actually fitting in grip angle, width, thumb fluting, lop, and comb height to what sighting mechanism is used...it's really not rocket science, yet, not one company can seem to produce anything fitting these simple criteria without wanting a price equivalent to a sports car...the mind boggles

 

[Abeln]

Ahhh yeah, fill my pipe too. I want to get in on that dream!!
Hahah.
Seriously though, a traditional straight forward working design is hard to come by in this world of newest, biggest, shiniest, most stuff attached, money makingest, gadgets that marketing agencies can convince everyone they need.

 

[CTDolan]

I would ensure the DG series were built and designed fit for purpose, not full of useless features and design flaws for such rifles...but, sadly, those who actually have a clue about real rifle design and how that links to best practice in the real world,,,are seldom given the chance to spearhead any such businesses or marketing initiatives..much like rifle scopes these days, marketeers sitting in a silo thinking up new ways to make money rather than thinking about what real hunters need and want.

There's a reason those who really know what's good for them use rifles based on the m98 design, no bs iron sights and proper front sight, sturdy mounts (if any), low power fixed or variable (ugh!) no frills quality scopes, good extractors, perfect feeding at any speed, no risk of dumping ammo out of the mag box, good simple bedding, dense walnut with wrap checkering, and a stock actually fitting in grip angle, width, thumb fluting, lop, and comb height to what sighting mechanism is used...it's really not rocket science, yet, not one company can seem to produce anything fitting these simple criteria without wanting a price equivalent to a sports car...the mind boggles

True quality has always been out of reach for the average person. What the gun companies are trying to do is sell to the masses. This of course does not apply to the M98 from Mauser or Rigby (or any maker), but it does apply to the M70, M77, and so on (in this class I do not include the post-64 M70, nor Remington's 700, nor most other push feed designs). The price point for such seems to be 1,000 USD. Keep it around or below such a cost and you appeal to the broad public (above, and people begin looking elsewhere). And it's not that anything over $1,000 is too much for most, but that everyone seems to want three of everything.

As for me, I've got a M98 in 30-06 which fits the description above. It is my go-to rifle. However, I also have a Ruger M77 Guide Gun in 416 Ruger (with a different stock and a bit of other work) and a Ruger M77 RSM in 458 Lott (as it came from the factory, other than a new recoil pad). If I had to part from any of the three the last to go would be the 30-06. It is definitely on another level. Pity they all cannot be the same.

 

[Rule 303]

Congratulations on acquiring a very desirable rifle. Full marks for having the presence of mind to have the throat enlightened for the 170grain bullets.

 

[fiocchi]

You will have London proof marks now right? If the throat was lengthened it will have had to be re proofed legally, so I imagine the German proof marks are removed and replaced with London? This will prove if Rigby really did the lengthening, which I have to admit I'm sceptical of..

 

[Red Leg]

The barrel was marked with a Rigby embossed hanging tag stating that the rifle had a lengthened throat. I have not pulled it apart to see if the lengthening was done in house or by the supplier. I don't intend to, because I don't really care who actually did it. I do somehow doubt that Rigby simply printed out a special tag and in order to lie about it.

 

[spike.t]

The barrel was marked with a Rigby embossed hanging tag stating that the rifle had a lengthened throat. I have not pulled it apart to see if the lengthening was done in house or by the supplier. I don't really care.

for sure too nice a rifle to bother about that....

 

[spike.t]

@fiocchi just to set your mind at rest....... i was just discussing this with marc and he sent me this, and as i thought.....

Thanks Mike.

None of the rifles ever have German proof marks. Only ever London. I remember this rifle personally and can confirm we lengthened the throat in house at Rigby. This would have been done before proof.

Marc Newton
Managing Director

JOHN RIGBY & Co. (Gunmakers) LTD
13-19 PENSBURY PLACE
LONDON SW8 4TP
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel. +44 (0)207 720 0757
RFD 02/7384 Met Police

They usually have a throat for the 140gr .275 High Velocity round as engraved on the barrel.

Marc Newton
Managing Director

 

[fiocchi]

I have to say, that's good to hear, and perhaps I'm overly sceptical of the new Rigby....I must also have to be honest and admit I'm often sceptical of companies using other manufacturers products and slapping their label on them...not that Rigby does that or try to hide working closely with Mauser, but they sure ain't no Westley Richards when it comes to in house manufacturing, that's all I say. Yes, before someone points it out, WR also use the Mayfair Engineering Mauser 98 action.

I'll have to take a tour of the Rigby facilities to fully understand how credible their new outfit is, run my hand over the lathes, look at some blanks, talk to the engraving and leatherware making teams...cough..