- Joined
- Dec 28, 2023
- Messages
- 664
- Reaction score
- 1,970
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
- Media
- 35
- Articles
- 1
- Member of
- SCI, NRA, DSC, WSF
- Hunted
- South Africa/Greater Kruger/Klaserie/Umbabat, USA, Canada,Greenland
A few months ago I got the opportunity to purchase a much-used (rough) Ruger RSM 416 Rigby.
She was not pristine. She had rusty spots and many character scrapes, bumps and bruises on the stock. She had clearly been hunted with some regularity. Some would call her homely. Despite her cosmetic condition, she shot great.
Her barrel had been fluted in a clean and professional manner, avoiding the front sight and barrel band. Unique, but not traditional.
I (unsuccessfully) attempted to learn her history, thinking that if I could document some sort of African hunting usage, I might leave her as she was, warts and all and take her back for another round.
In the absence of any romantic backstory, my love of nice things prevailed and I sent her off to Griffin and Howe for the Extreme Makeover-Safari Edition.
Flash forward a few months, she came home today. I probably should own two of them for what I have spent but, man, is she purty…. Fully rust blued and polished, new (real) crossbolt, slicked up action, refinished stock and the obligatory Silvers red recoil pad.
I just ordered new QD Rings from Morris at Alaska Arms so I can mount my scope.
The next job is to make plans for her return to the dark continent.
She was not pristine. She had rusty spots and many character scrapes, bumps and bruises on the stock. She had clearly been hunted with some regularity. Some would call her homely. Despite her cosmetic condition, she shot great.
Her barrel had been fluted in a clean and professional manner, avoiding the front sight and barrel band. Unique, but not traditional.
I (unsuccessfully) attempted to learn her history, thinking that if I could document some sort of African hunting usage, I might leave her as she was, warts and all and take her back for another round.
In the absence of any romantic backstory, my love of nice things prevailed and I sent her off to Griffin and Howe for the Extreme Makeover-Safari Edition.
Flash forward a few months, she came home today. I probably should own two of them for what I have spent but, man, is she purty…. Fully rust blued and polished, new (real) crossbolt, slicked up action, refinished stock and the obligatory Silvers red recoil pad.
I just ordered new QD Rings from Morris at Alaska Arms so I can mount my scope.
The next job is to make plans for her return to the dark continent.
