Rigby would like to know your caliber preference(s) for a Highland Stalker model without iron sights

RIGBY said:

Rigby is considering developing and offering a Highland Stalker model without iron sights and would greatly appreciate the opinion of the community on what calibers it would prefer in such a model. Thank you in advance for your contribution!

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I think it would be a disservice not to have iron sights. That being said. When ordering a rifle of this standard. Make it an option for the money.

I would stick to a nice Ole European caliber like the 7x64mm Brenneke as the Traditional European caliber for a nice European rifle

Ontario Hunter said:

It seems we have different definitions of a "stalker." For most of my sixty years hunting in North America I tracked game in snow. That was stalking game. My 30-06 wore only a 3x Weaver scope until recently and also until recently no iron sights. Most game was taken less than 100 yards and often in miserable/rugged environments. Many times I wished I could switch to iron sights at least temporarily. From my North American perspective I do not consider long range shooting to be "stalking." Nor do I consider it to be hunting, not in the purest sense anyway. But of course I'm not hunting a private reserve in the Scottish highlands.

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Maybe they can introduce a 6.5 Creedmoor to ensure you are tracking for some time to come

Ontario Hunter said:

It seems we have different definitions of a "stalker." For most of my sixty years hunting in North America I tracked game in snow. That was stalking game. My 30-06 wore only a 3x Weaver scope until recently and also until recently no iron sights. Most game was taken less than 100 yards and often in miserable/rugged environments. Many times I wished I could switch to iron sights at least temporarily. From my North American perspective I do not consider long range shooting to be "stalking." Nor do I consider it to be hunting, not in the purest sense anyway. But of course I'm not hunting a private reserve in the Scottish highlands.

I think it's fine for Rigby to try to compete with North American long range optic-centric rifle market. But like others here I think it would be better to rename it a new model and stick with a caliber that matches the design ... = North American origin (e.g. 30-06, 300 Win, etc). Cadillac would not introduce an all electric commuter car and call it a Coup de Ville.

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Okay, I have the solution. Name this new model the Rigby "Grand Slam Stalker." Anyone hunting the Grand Slam of North American or world sheep trophies will be using a long range scoped rifle and typically in a newer caliber with no iron sights. And anyone hunting those slams would be Rigby class material. It's a perfect fit! Caliber would be 300 Win. You're welcome Rigby. Please don't send me a new rifle. That would mean I'd have to stop hunting with the Springfield 03A3 Dad built for me ... and that's not happening. But I'm sure there's something in your shop I'd like. PM me for a mailing address.

RIGBY said:

Rigby is considering developing and offering a Highland Stalker model without iron sights and would greatly appreciate the opinion of the community on what calibers it would prefer in such a model. Thank you in advance for your contribution!

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I wouldn't want to see a rifle of any calibre, without iron sights.
Iron sights are traditional, trusted and greatly helps for a sudden & close shot to fire on the animal during hunting expedition.
Telescopes are for longer range shots and iron sites for close and sudden shot.
Salahuddin
Arusha.Tanzania

if you are going to build a rifle that runs into 5 figures nostalgia and collectable caliber is the choice. That being said 275 rigby would be my 1st choice.

I am very surprised by a lot of posts posts on the topic rifles without iron sights. It seems, when you read some of it, that a rifle without iron sights cannot be used. A very large number, maybe the majority of hunters worldwide use nowadays rifles without iron sights. These are often the only rifles available now, in all cases in the lower price ranges. Be noted that the majority of the hunter worldwide are not active on Forums so that posts are not always representative of the collective opinion of the hunting community.

grand veneur said:

I am very surprised by a lot of posts posts on the topic rifles without iron sights. It seems, when you read some of it, that a rifle without iron sights cannot be used. A very large number, maybe the majority of hunters worldwide use nowadays rifles without iron sights. These are often the only rifles available now, in all cases in the lower price ranges. Be noted that the majority of the hunter worldwide are not active on Forums so that posts are not always representative of the collective opinion of the hunting community.

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I don’t think anyone is making the case that there is no place for non-iron sighted rifles. Or that without them the rifle cannot be hunted with.

What I and others did make a case for is that the people who specifically want a Rigby branded rifle, are looking for traditional form and details, a classical rifle. Iron sights are part of that.


The same logic could be applied to Rigby offering a push feed action, instead of a controlled round feed action.
The reason to want CRF are threefold: 1. Tradition 2. (Allegedly) more safety against double feed etc helping with DG situations 3. Looks

So for a long range rifle, without iron sights, why not make do with a PF? Only the second point of the three reasons listed above would no longer apply, as you would not by definition use the rifle for anything close and dangerous. So only the two other points remain. So ask yourself the question, who then would want a Rigby rifle that is not traditional and does not have that nice look of a CRF ?

Next to detracting overall brand value, I would guess that the number of people willing to plunk down 15k on a new rifle for whom Tradition or Looks do not matter will be a very small population indeed.

RIGBY said:

Rigby is considering developing and offering a Highland Stalker model without iron sights and would greatly appreciate the opinion of the community on what calibers it would prefer in such a model. Thank you in advance for your contribution!

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Dear Rigby,

With all due respect I would never consider purchasing a hunting rifle without iron sights regardless of caliber.

All the best,

JB

Rigby/safari noob here, don't own a Rigby YET; voted for the .275, 7, and .338....35W would be my other vote.

I appreciate and respect the traditionalists who want irons, but it appears that's already a Highland option. Thank You to Rigby for the considerations of we the customers!

I have a great respect for older nicely made rifles and the gun makers who made them. That said alot of my rifles and builds I have don't have iron sights. I like my long range, carbon stocks and optics. So this is very interesting to me, a Rigby rifle that fits how a younger person is buying and setting up rifles today.
I would of voted for 6.5X55 if it was option to

8x57 or 35 whelen

Hunt27 said:

I have a great respect for older nicely made rifles and the gun makers who made them. That said alot of my rifles and builds I have don't have iron sights. I like my long range, carbon stocks and optics. So this is very interesting to me, a Rigby rifle that fits how a younger person is buying and setting up rifles today.
I would of voted for 6.5X55 if it was option to

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This would be a great option especially if it had a fast twist barrel. With hand loads it would exceed 6.5 PRC performance n a classic caliber.

Russ16 said:

This would be a great option especially if it had a fast twist barrel. With hand loads it would exceed 6.5 PRC performance n a classic caliber.

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Agreed, let's twist it so I can twist modern high bc bullet in it. I have both in a Tikka and I believe they have the same twist rate.

I do not understand the appeal of a rifle without iron sites, especially as the one they already make with irons is an incredible piece of work. However, I would add the 6.8 PRC and three .375 H&H Magnum to the lineup.

I don't understand why Rigby is even going there. Unless I am sorely wrong; and I'd appreciate input form you all, but Rigby makes neither their receivers or barrels, so what difference does any of this make? Don't get me wrong- I own one and love it. Forget the iron sights vs no iron sights; I only wish Rigby would make a left handed Highland Stalker.

.280 Ackley should be considered as well.

coreydb said:

I don't understand why Rigby is even going there. Unless I am sorely wrong; and I'd appreciate input form you all, but Rigby makes neither their receivers or barrels, so what difference does any of this make? Don't get me wrong- I own one and love it. Forget the iron sights vs no iron sights; I only wish Rigby would make a left handed Highland Stalker.

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My guess, it's uncharted waters for them, it will have a noticeable different look. Possibly trying to get a younger age group of gun buyer.
I'm 36, only thing I want with iron sights is a big bore, 9.3 and up even then want a low power scope with quick mount rings. On a 300 and down I don't get why you would need irons when you have a cartridge that has long range performance

First I wouldn’t want any rifle of Rigby’s without iron sights. Classic is their brand. Keep it old school stay in your lane and please offer a working mans rifle that’s more affordable, plane Jane.

I don’t quite understand the market segment that Rigby is aiming at, but I am guessing African Plains Game and US game (w exception of bison and grizzly. If that is the case, .308 Win works the best for me, followed by 30-06. I have a bunch of rifles but gravitate toward the .308 when hunting.
ALL CALIBERS ARE COMPROMISES. Positive and negative comments can be made for any of them. So there is no ‘’One best’’ answer. The problem for Rigby will be to sell the darn things. This is a different question than voting for your favorite cartridge. Inventory on the shelf is not revenue. Where can they find the best sales point? The answer may not be .308 or 30-06 as many people already own those calibers and may not be inclined to purchase yet another rifle of the same caliber.
The current business model is to hype the heck out of a new cartridge by paying or sponsoring hunts in Africa for hunting magazine authors in that new caliber. In my view I am much less likely to purchase a rifle if I already have one of that same caliber in my safe. That is a problem for Rigby as the hunting rifle market is pretty saturated. From a rifle sales perspective, perhaps the best course of action would be to invent yet another .30 caliber type cartridge, say ‘’295 Rigby Magnum’’ or some such and answer the question by going in that direction.