roverandbrew
AH enthusiast
As some of you know I recently purchased a Highland Stalker in .275 Rigby. Prior to owning this rifle, I had been a serious CZ 550 die hard. I own a standard CZ 550 in 243 and 270, an AHR Upgrade # 2 in 7x57 and 30.06, along with an AHR # 3 in 375 H&H. Since owning the Rigby over the last month or so I have done two elk hunts and launched 120 rounds down range. I figured I would give a 30-day review for all perspective buyers out there looking at Highland Stalkers.
The rifle in its current configuration is a baseline Highland Stalker with grade 5 wood, Rigby leather thong sling, Mauser Hexalock scope rings, and a Leupold VX-3I in 3.5-10x40.
After unboxing the rifle, the first thing I noticed is its slim design over the blockier CZ. The rifle is beautifully shaped and very well balanced. The stock’s finish is beautiful and well fitted to the action. After mounting the scope, I headed to the range to zero and get a feel for the rifle. I initially used some PPU 140 grain soft points to get the impact on paper and completed zero with factory 140 grain Nosler Accubonds. Groups were easily within a MOA at 100 yards.
After wildfires cut 4th Season Elk a bit early, I decided to shoot some factory Hornady 275 head stamped 140 grain soft points to get ready for eastern whitetails. The accuracy of these rounds varied by box. I was either driving tacks or working to hold a 2” group at 100 yards. I will shoot another box or so this week and hope to be hunting whitetails mid-December.
I wanted to do a slight comparison between my Highland Stalker and CZ with AHR Upgrade # 2, both in 275 / 7x57. While not apple to apples I feel it is a close comparison.
Bottom Line Up Front: In my opinion the value in the Rigby is not mechanical but tradition. It just feels classy to hold the rifle. The history can be felt in the rifle while performing the same tasks it did a hundred years ago. I immediately viewed this rifle as an heirloom where I did not with my CZs. The Highland Stalker is a great rifle.
Cost: Highland Stalker $10K, CZ w/ AHR # 2 $2400
Action: I do not feel the Rigby feeds or extracts any better mechanically than the CZ. I have never had an AHR CZ fail to feed or extract. The action on the HS does feel slightly slicker. I do like the HS three position safety lever and shroud over the AHR. The HS’s safety lever is a bit longer and I feel is easier to manipulate with gloves. I have not shot a bullet in the HS heavier than a few 160-grain partition handloads. The bolt felt a bit “snugger” with these rounds so I am not sure how a 175 grain would work out. The CZ has no problem with 175 grain bullets.
Stock: The HS is much sleeker and better balanced in my opinion. I do feel the wood on the HS is “softer” as it appears to pick up nicks and bumps a lot easier than the CZ. I am sure this is due to the oil finished. I have used a tiny bit of BLO on the dings as maintenance after returning from the hunts.
Trigger: I see no clear advantage over either trigger.
Accuracy: I have only shot the HS out to 100 yards to date. This week I hope to reach out to 200. So far, I see little difference between the 140 grain accubonds the HS loves and the 140 grain Corelokts the CZ loves. The iron sights on the HS are more accurate in my opinion.
In summary I feel clinically there is little functional difference between a Rigby HS and CZ AHR upgrade # 3 with the AAA English Walnut Stock. I would be comfortable taking either to the worst places on earth. In “MY” opinion is the Rigby worth double the CZ? YES.
I truly value the tradition and I feel it makes my adventures a bit closer aligned to a much simpler time. A period I feel most of us attempt to emulate with our time afield. I did not have “extra cash” lying around and this purchase was not a drop in the bucket. I squirreled away money a little at a time for the past decade or so wanting to purchase a Rigby. I have ZERO regrets with this purchase.
The rifle in its current configuration is a baseline Highland Stalker with grade 5 wood, Rigby leather thong sling, Mauser Hexalock scope rings, and a Leupold VX-3I in 3.5-10x40.
After unboxing the rifle, the first thing I noticed is its slim design over the blockier CZ. The rifle is beautifully shaped and very well balanced. The stock’s finish is beautiful and well fitted to the action. After mounting the scope, I headed to the range to zero and get a feel for the rifle. I initially used some PPU 140 grain soft points to get the impact on paper and completed zero with factory 140 grain Nosler Accubonds. Groups were easily within a MOA at 100 yards.
After wildfires cut 4th Season Elk a bit early, I decided to shoot some factory Hornady 275 head stamped 140 grain soft points to get ready for eastern whitetails. The accuracy of these rounds varied by box. I was either driving tacks or working to hold a 2” group at 100 yards. I will shoot another box or so this week and hope to be hunting whitetails mid-December.
I wanted to do a slight comparison between my Highland Stalker and CZ with AHR Upgrade # 2, both in 275 / 7x57. While not apple to apples I feel it is a close comparison.
Bottom Line Up Front: In my opinion the value in the Rigby is not mechanical but tradition. It just feels classy to hold the rifle. The history can be felt in the rifle while performing the same tasks it did a hundred years ago. I immediately viewed this rifle as an heirloom where I did not with my CZs. The Highland Stalker is a great rifle.
Cost: Highland Stalker $10K, CZ w/ AHR # 2 $2400
Action: I do not feel the Rigby feeds or extracts any better mechanically than the CZ. I have never had an AHR CZ fail to feed or extract. The action on the HS does feel slightly slicker. I do like the HS three position safety lever and shroud over the AHR. The HS’s safety lever is a bit longer and I feel is easier to manipulate with gloves. I have not shot a bullet in the HS heavier than a few 160-grain partition handloads. The bolt felt a bit “snugger” with these rounds so I am not sure how a 175 grain would work out. The CZ has no problem with 175 grain bullets.
Stock: The HS is much sleeker and better balanced in my opinion. I do feel the wood on the HS is “softer” as it appears to pick up nicks and bumps a lot easier than the CZ. I am sure this is due to the oil finished. I have used a tiny bit of BLO on the dings as maintenance after returning from the hunts.
Trigger: I see no clear advantage over either trigger.
Accuracy: I have only shot the HS out to 100 yards to date. This week I hope to reach out to 200. So far, I see little difference between the 140 grain accubonds the HS loves and the 140 grain Corelokts the CZ loves. The iron sights on the HS are more accurate in my opinion.
In summary I feel clinically there is little functional difference between a Rigby HS and CZ AHR upgrade # 3 with the AAA English Walnut Stock. I would be comfortable taking either to the worst places on earth. In “MY” opinion is the Rigby worth double the CZ? YES.
I truly value the tradition and I feel it makes my adventures a bit closer aligned to a much simpler time. A period I feel most of us attempt to emulate with our time afield. I did not have “extra cash” lying around and this purchase was not a drop in the bucket. I squirreled away money a little at a time for the past decade or so wanting to purchase a Rigby. I have ZERO regrets with this purchase.
....375 nah....
.
