Rigby double rifles

Bazz · Feb 13, 2012

Many years ago,during the golden age of hunting in Africa,my late uncle often hunted in Kenya and Tanzania.He had 2 or 3 different guns but his favotite was a .455 rigby express double rifle,i remember staring in awe at it in the gun cabinet when he was back at home.It looked rather heavy.I was wondering if anyone out there had ever used one of these guns and if so did it have a hard kick back?thanks,Barry

AkMike · Feb 13, 2012

I suspect that you've gotten the name of that cartridge wrong. 455 doesn't ring a bell for me..
If it was a 450 Nitro Express, 3 1/4" or the 3 1/2" #2 it'll kick about the same as a 458 WM or less because of the added weight of a DR vs a bolt gun. It will let you know you've shot it but it's very controlable.
The 470 NE should be about the same, (I haven't shot one of those yet) it'll toss out a 500 grn bullet at the same speed as the 450 NE's.

505Gibbs · Feb 14, 2012

AkMike said:
I suspect that you've gotten the name of that cartridge wrong. 455 doesn't ring a bell for me..
If it was a 450 Nitro Express, 3 1/4" or the 3 1/2" #2 it'll kick about the same as a 458 WM or less because of the added weight of a DR vs a bolt gun. It will let you know you've shot it but it's very controlable.
The 470 NE should be about the same, (I haven't shot one of those yet) it'll toss out a 500 grn bullet at the same speed as the 450 NE's.

I agree with these comments - have never heard of a '455' in a double rifle.

DOC-404 · Feb 14, 2012

To me, the .470 NE has about the same felt recoil as the .458 LOTT. Unless you let rip with both barrels, in which case the recoil won't worry you much because you'll be more worried about finding all your teeth...! :biggrin2:

Bazz · Feb 14, 2012

Thanks for the reply.It was a long time ago and i think it was a .450 nitro express.I suspected that it must have a heck of a kick.My uncle was a professional hunter in Kenya before the hunting ban and also in Tanzania and Uganda.

AkMike · Feb 14, 2012

I've got several 450's and they aren't bad at all.
It depends on what you're used to though.

Mike70560 · Feb 14, 2012

Buzz,

Would you have any pictures of your uncle while he was hunting. I find the pictures of the old East Africa camps and hunting very cool.

sestoppelman · Feb 14, 2012

Would that have been Chuck Bazzy? Just curious.

Bazz · Feb 15, 2012

Thanks,i think the double rifles are great.

Bazz · Feb 15, 2012

my uncle died along time ago,all his guns were sold andover the years we lost contact with his side of the family and i dont know what happened to all his gear.

David W. Kropelnicki · May 1, 2014

Bazz said:
Many years ago,during the golden age of hunting in Africa,my late uncle often hunted in Kenya and Tanzania.He had 2 or 3 different guns but his favotite was a .455 rigby express double rifle,i remember staring in awe at it in the gun cabinet when he was back at home.It looked rather heavy.I was wondering if anyone out there had ever used one of these guns and if so did it have a hard kick back?thanks,Barry

The only 455 I have ever heard of was a prewar revolver cartridge. No such animal in the nitro express rounds.

DUGABOY1 · May 3, 2014

In a Rigby double rifle the chambering was most likely a 500/465NE ! If so it was a real stopper! and if in good shape today worth a lot of money!

Rigby double rifles

Bazz

AkMike

505Gibbs

DOC-404

Bazz

AkMike

Mike70560

sestoppelman

Bazz

Bazz

David W. Kropelnicki

DUGABOY1

Members online

Forum statistics

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

Buffalo Hunt with Henry Griffiths Safaris $10000

Share this page