The Clash of the Titans: Heym Martini Express VS Rigby Big Game

BJH65 · 2026-09-11T09:23:15-0500

migrabill said:
So I had the same dilemma as you. I wanted to buy a DG rifle and weighed Heym Martini Express vs Rigby Big Game. In the beginning I thought I would go with the Rigby as that "Romantic" feeling lied heavy with me. After my research - In the end, I surprised myself and ordered a Heym Martini Express in .404 Jeff. The deciding factor was, as you mentioned, how the Heym's are really built ground up based on individual cartridge. My Heym is due to be received in March of '27. But... I really did want that feeling of just walking in Africa with a Rigby. Being a prolific reader of African tales a part of me was sad that I chose the Heym and was going to miss out on that. My response was to buy a Rigby Highland Stalker in .275 Rigby. That will serve as my plains game rifle in Africa as well as my deer/hog gun back home - so it will actually see more action than my Heym.

Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I think @Mark A Ouellette had it right, the engineering improvements the Heym possesses are incremental advantages and wouldn’t change the outcome of a hunt. You will be one of the lucky who has both, congratulations!

BJH65 · 2026-09-11T09:29:43-0500

BRICKBURN said:
The basis of this post is an AI query?? "AI missed the part.../"

Of course not! I simply used AI as a research tool like others and to assist with correct formatting. The typical internet search has now been replaced with AI. I do own and use a Heym Martini Express 416 Rigby backed with almost 50 years of hunting experience with a variety of firearms but I’m not too old to assimilate with technology.

dogcat1 · 2026-09-11T09:36:47-0500

I have owned and used both. There is virtually no difference in performance or quality. The differences are superficial. Both are well made, semi-custom and "do the job".

Second, rifles are not investments. They are tools that you hope will do what you want them to do. If you hold onto one long enough you may or may not make money. That goes for stocks, real estate and a few other things. The reason they get sold as investments is that they do not get used up - the value does not go to zero, like a car or whiskey or beanie babies. The intrinsic value is in what it can do, not what it is.

A commerically made rifle and the vast majority of custom rifles will never out gain the stock market or most real estate. If you use the time value of money scenario and assume a 7% gain price per year for 50 years, you will match many many investments but not all.

If you change the original condition of your rifle, good luck getting value for it. If you cut 1/16" off the stock, you will lose your gains for many years.

This is all due to perception of value and what an investment truly is.

Yes, everyone on this forum has a story of how they made money buying or selling a gun. Really? Compared to what? The people that make money in the gun world are brokers and retail sellers as well as consignment sellers.

So, if you are buying an investment, buy Exxon stock or Microsoft or the S&P 500. If you want to own something you can actually use and enjoy buy either of these rifles.

mms45 · 2026-09-11T10:02:34-0500

agreed 100% they are not an investment, the only difference vs a car, cloths ect they typically do not go to zero. but very very few are break even for what you pay and 99.9% loose compared to the sp500 over any amount of time.

farmer_john · 2026-09-11T10:03:49-0500

dogcat1 said:
I have owned and used both. There is virtually no difference in performance or quality. The differences are superficial. Both are well made, semi-custom and "do the job".

Second, rifles are not investments. They are tools that you hope will do what you want them to do. If you hold onto one long enough you may or may not make money. That goes for stocks, real estate and a few other things. The reason they get sold as investments is that they do not get used up - the value does not go to zero, like a car or whiskey or beanie babies. The intrinsic value is in what it can do, not what it is.

A commerically made rifle and the vast majority of custom rifles will never out gain the stock market or most real estate. If you use the time value of money scenario and assume a 7% gain price per year for 50 years, you will match many many investments but not all.

If you change the original condition of your rifle, good luck getting value for it. If you cut 1/16" off the stock, you will lose your gains for many years.

This is all due to perception of value and what an investment truly is.

Yes, everyone on this forum has a story of how they made money buying or selling a gun. Really? Compared to what? The people that make money in the gun world are brokers and retail sellers as well as consignment sellers.

So, if you are buying an investment, buy Exxon stock or Microsoft or the S&P 500. If you want to own something you can actually use and enjoy buy either of these rifles.

I agree. And what dealings i have had with both talking to the folks at rigby and heym there both responsive and customer focused.
I look at it have nice things because you want it and want to pass beautiful memories down. But i agree its not an investment

BJH65 · 2026-09-11T10:15:27-0500

I’m actually surprised regarding the results of the poll so far. I thought the Rigby would be leading just based on past commentary here on AH.

318AE · 2026-09-11T10:18:34-0500

BJH65 said:
This comparison has come up on more than one occasion, AH members trying to decide on what rifle, Heym or Rigby? One I have debated myself. I thought it may be interesting. Some like @mms45 have the best of both worlds and own both.

In my opinion, its just a really sad day for AH.

The OP isn’t a hunt report, range report, first hand experience owning both rifles, or much in the way of original content. It’s a largely a repost of AI.

As is the case with AI in its current level of maturity, it’s very sensitive to prompt engineering and biases. Rigby is likely the archetype of the “between the wars” English sporting rifle styling the Martini emulates. It got the mounts all wrong. The Recknagel mounts on the Rigby are German, a “pro” for the Heym, while the Talley mounts are made in the US. I certainly think the Mauser action is “German engineered”. As is often the case with AI right now, it looks great if you don’t know much.

All of this aside, in my opinion, having a sponsor post a partially AI generated compare of another sponsor and their competitor is poor precedence for AH. Imagine someone posting AI compares of Derien Koekemoer safaris and other operators, with little to no first hand experience of Derien Koekemoer safaris.

farmer_john · 2026-09-11T10:35:01-0500

318AE said:
In my opinion, its just a really sad day for AH.

The OP isn’t a hunt report, range report, first hand experience owning both rifles, or much in the way of original content. It’s a largely a repost of AI.

As is the case with AI in its current level of maturity, it’s very sensitive to prompt engineering and biases. Rigby is likely the archetype of the “between the wars” English sporting rifle styling the Martini emulates. It got the mounts all wrong. The Recknagel mounts on the Rigby are German, a “pro” for the Heym, while the Talley mounts are made in the US. I certainly think the Mauser action is “German engineered”. As is often the case with AI right now, it looks great if you don’t know much.

All of this aside, in my opinion, having a sponsor post a partially AI generated compare of another sponsor and their competitor is poor precedence for AH. Imagine someone posting AI compares of Derien Koekemoer safaris and other operators, with little to no first hand experience of Derien Koekemoer safaris.

I think ai is a poor substitute for most things. And sadly is going to rot the brains of the youth more than they already are.

SStomcat · 2026-09-11T10:43:59-0500

mms45 said:
thats the plan eventually! the EAW are plug and play with the rigby but i will tell you i like the talleys better. but i will get flamed for that opinion here.

I like Talleys. Recknagel or EAW are expensive but then you are buying a 25 plus K gun so may not care.

BJH65 · 2026-09-11T10:53:47-0500

318AE said:
In my opinion, its just a really sad day for AH.

The OP isn’t a hunt report, range report, first hand experience owning both rifles, or much in the way of original content. It’s a largely a repost of AI.

As is the case with AI in its current level of maturity, it’s very sensitive to prompt engineering and biases. Rigby is likely the archetype of the “between the wars” English sporting rifle styling the Martini emulates. It got the mounts all wrong. The Recknagel mounts on the Rigby are German, a “pro” for the Heym, while the Talley mounts are made in the US. I certainly think the Mauser action is “German engineered”. As is often the case with AI right now, it looks great if you don’t know much.

All of this aside, in my opinion, having a sponsor post a partially AI generated compare of another sponsor and their competitor is poor precedence for AH. Imagine someone posting AI compares of Derien Koekemoer safaris and other operators, with little to no first hand experience of Derien Koekemoer safaris.

Firstly, I am not a sponsor so get your facts straight. I agreed to be a U.S. representative to my friend Derian Koekemoer Safaris who I have hunted with a couple of times so I’m a reference not a sponsor. There is zero financial incentive or benefit to me and he has zero to do with this post. There are other AH members who are representatives and the sponsored outfitter will always be listed below our byline whenever we post. We are not sponsors. I am simply an AH member posting a comparison between two rifles.

I simply used AI as a search tool to assist which I stated. Yes, I did make a correction about the machined double square bridge to accept EAW mounts on the Rigby. The other comparisons are legitimate and noteworthy.

I did recently acquire a Heym Martini Express 416 Rigby and have previously posted about it. I will be taking it with me to Umbabat, Greater Kruger in a couple of months for buffalo and a full report will be submitted.

I think it’s a sad that your contribution to this dialogue offers nothing worthy of consideration so far and it’s a complete waste of time to the reader. Instead why not add your subjective opinion between the two rifles?

SStomcat · 2026-09-11T11:08:56-0500

BJH65 said:
I’ve been weighing two of the absolute finest dangerous game bolt-actions on the market today.

Respectfully, I’m not sure I would go quite that far with the phrase “two of the absolute finest.”. No doubt they are both excellent in their own class but to me the pinnacle of bolt rifles are the British pre war and current production WR, Jeffries, Purdeys and HH. They are the best of the best and I have seen them and discussed in length with someone that owns a battery of such rifles to see and experience the craftsmanship involved.

So I’d happily call the two rifles mentioned “two of the finest”,but “two of the absolute finest” is where I might respectfully part company.

Just my two cents, of course. And admittedly, I may have a slight weakness for British gunmaking.

BJH65 · 2026-09-11T11:20:26-0500

SStomcat said:
Respectfully, I’m not sure I would go quite that far with the phrase “two of the absolute finest.”. No doubt they are both excellent in their own class but to me the pinnacle of bolt rifles are the British pre war and current production WR, Jeffries, Purdeys and HH. They are the best of the best and I have seen them and discussed in length with someone that owns a battery of such rifles to see and experience the craftsmanship involved.

So I’d happily call the two rifles mentioned “two of the finest”,but “two of the absolute finest” is where I might respectfully part company.

Just my two cents, of course. And admittedly, I may have a slight weakness for British gunmaking.

Fair point.

The Engineer · 2026-09-11T11:39:58-0500

I love my 415 Rigby Heym Martini Express. Even with this large cartridge it cycles smoother than any other bolt action rifle I have handled. It also is a true minute of angle shooter with almost all loads I have shot in it.

The Engineer · 2026-09-11T11:44:43-0500

I fat fingered the caliber. It should be 416 Rigby.

BJH65 · 2026-09-11T11:52:12-0500

The Engineer said:
I love my 415 Rigby Heym Martini Express. Even with this large cartridge it cycles smoother than any other bolt action rifle I have handled. It also is a true minute of angle shooter with almost all loads I have shot in it.

So far I have fired 60 plus rounds from my Heym Martini Express 416 Rigby and I agree, it’s a smooth feeding rifle and accuracy is exceptional. I continue to practice dry firing off sticks and am fortunate to shoot whenever I want on our 20 acres. I really like the handling and “feel” of this rifle. Granted, most of my prior experience has been with Winchester M70 Safari Express, CZ 550 and Brno ZKK-602 rifles. I’ve only handled the Rigby Big Game but not fired one yet.

This is the setup I’ll be taking to Umbabat for buffalo in late October this year. Heym Martini Express 416 Rigby. Leupold Patrol 6HD 1-6 FireDot and 30mm QD Talley rings.

farmer_john · 2026-09-11T11:54:01-0500

BJH65 said:
Firstly, I am not a sponsor so get your facts straight. I agreed to be a U.S. representative to my friend Derian Koekemoer Safaris who I have hunted with a couple of times so I’m a reference not a sponsor. There is zero financial incentive or benefit to me and he has zero to do with this post. There are other AH members who are representatives and the sponsored outfitter will always be listed below our byline whenever we post. We are not sponsors. I am simply an AH member posting a comparison between two rifles.

I simply used AI as a search tool to assist which I stated. Yes, I did make a correction about the machined double square bridge to accept EAW mounts on the Rigby. The other comparisons are legitimate and noteworthy.

I did recently acquire a Heym Martini Express 416 Rigby and have previously posted about it. I will be taking it with me to Umbabat, Greater Kruger in a couple of months for buffalo and a full report will be submitted.

I think it’s a sad that your contribution to this dialogue offers nothing worthy of consideration so far and it’s a complete waste of time to the reader. Instead why not add your subjective opinion between the two rifles?

In his defense the OP was a bit much. But i can see what the intent was even tho it loomed more like an advertisment than the paragraph it could have been distiled into. And my HS/university english teacher would have shredded me for not writing my own work and thoughts. Im ok with using ai to help orgsnise things or as a starting point in a research project not being the project.

As for rigby/heym i would say functionally there identical barring minor differences.
Both perform well for intended role with biggest divergence in aestetics. If i had an unlimeted budget.

I woukd get rigby calibers in a rigby rifle and others in heym

Made to caliber action sounds nice. But i remember dropping guys in the sandbox with a rem long action shooting a 308 flawlessly.
So action for a 3006/300wm shooting something a whole half inch shorter.

At thebend of the day. Specs on paper are meaningless. Get what you think looks cool and will make you happy.

358 Norma · 2026-09-11T12:34:55-0500

BAY said:
Parkwest Dark Continent

That's what I chose, should be finished in January.

Garciamarquez1918 · 2026-09-11T14:08:11-0500

SStomcat said:
Respectfully, I’m not sure I would go quite that far with the phrase “two of the absolute finest.”. No doubt they are both excellent in their own class but to me the pinnacle of bolt rifles are the British pre war and current production WR, Jeffries, Purdeys and HH. They are the best of the best and I have seen them and discussed in length with someone that owns a battery of such rifles to see and experience the craftsmanship involved.

So I’d happily call the two rifles mentioned “two of the finest”,but “two of the absolute finest” is where I might respectfully part company.

Just my two cents, of course. And admittedly, I may have a slight weakness for British gunmaking.

I think this is a good point. But isn't it also true in the case of bolt rifles that these companies historically used "bought in" actions? I don't think it's a strike against them, anymore than I think it's a strike against Rigby. But I believe this is the case.

I know I was in the H&H store in New York in the early 90's and a salesman told me they used Dakota actions for their left-handed rifles.

And while I don't question for a minute the quality of current Purdey guns and rifles, something about the fact of their being owned by a fashion conglomerate leaves a bad taste. Rigby is owned by a firearms conglomerate, as is H&H.

But Rigby's are unapologetically in the thick of African hunting and conservation in a way Holland's doesn't seem to be. Of the three, I'd rather put my dollars there. Plus, to be fair, my dollars go a little farther.

curt672 · 2026-09-11T14:50:47-0500

Being a mechanical, hands on kinda guy I find the Rigby way over priced, Kinda like a Rolex on your wrist to show off. The Heym was limited on the calibers I was looking at . I elected to go with Park West in a 416 Rem mag. Even with upgraded wood and optioned the way I wanted it is still almost half the cost of a Rigby. To each his own but for me the nostalgia thing holds little importance for me.

dogcat1 · 2026-09-11T15:05:21-0500

I did not mention but I sold my Rigby and my Heym and bought Parkwest Dark Continent in .404 Jeff and am having a .416 Rigby made by Matt Roberts on a Granite Mountain action....

No slight on Heym or Rigby but these are more to my liking... So why not?

The Clash of the Titans: Heym Martini Express VS Rigby Big Game

Heym Martini Express or Rigby Big Game in your choice of DG cartridge

Heym Martini Express

Rigby Big Game

BJH65

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mms45

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318AE

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SStomcat

BJH65

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The Engineer

The Engineer

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