350 Rigby

[KSummers207]

Hi Everyone! I’m a new member but long time lurker of the forum. My adventure began with my hunting/fishing partner of around 10 years, nearly 45 years my senior. The stories of his several dozen safaris back in the day coupled with my readings of all the classics really sparked the fire of heading to Africa. With a strong interest in historic/quality firearms, I recently began the search for a rifle and came across a Rigby 350 Magnum that I could not pass up. I thought I’d share some pictures. Although my safari is likely a few years out, I can’t wait to practice with the new-to-me rifle!

 

[skydiver386]

Welcome to Africa Hunting. You have superb taste in rifles my friend.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Very cool rifle. What serial number range is it?

 

[Surgeon1]

And its got a lot of character.

 

[Rumrunner]

Welcome. Dang nice rifle.
Enjoy the quest for your first safari.

 

[KSummers207]

Very cool rifle. What serial number range is it?

5k range. Rigby tells me 1926

 

[RIGBY]

Welcome and beautiful rifle!

 

[steve white]

Super cool rifle!

 

[baxterb]

Love me some .350 Rigby - what a cool rifle, congrats.

 

[txtrout75218]

That is a damn fine looking rifle.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hi Everyone! I’m a new member but long time lurker of the forum. My adventure began with my hunting/fishing partner of around 10 years, nearly 45 years my senior. The stories of his several dozen safaris back in the day coupled with my readings of all the classics really sparked the fire of heading to Africa. With a strong interest in historic/quality firearms, I recently began the search for a rifle and came across a Rigby 350 Magnum that I could not pass up. I thought I’d share some pictures. Although my safari is likely a few years out, I can’t wait to practice with the new-to-me rifle!

@KSummers207
Congratulations on a beautiful rifle in an outstanding calibre.
The 350 Rigby was highly regarded as a plains game cartridge with 225 gn bullets at 2600fps and adequate for DG loaded with 300gn bullets.
Todoy with new powders and projectile you will be able to substantially improve on these numbers.
The good ol 35 Whelen loaded properly will easily eclipse the old Rigby with 225s @ 2,900fps.
With judicious handloads you will easily equal and surpass this in the Rigby.
You have made a wise choice and a great investment that will serve you well for a lifetime.
Bob

 

[KSummers207]

Thank you all for your warm welcomes and comments! One thing that has been weighing heavy on my mind is the idea of scoping it.
I understand that altering a 100 year old rifle is generally not looked highly upon and is going to have ramifications from a value standpoint. Would I be doing this rifle an injustice by scoping it or could the juice possibly be worth the squeeze in terms of utilization? I appreciate the thoughts/recommendations from folks like you who are more knowledgeable on this stuff than I. As Bob mentioned, I envision this rifle for plains game and big game here in the U.S. If only I would have found this rifle before my Maine moose hunt a few years back…

 

[skydiver386]

I'd say that depends on your age and eyesight.

The rifle has some very good and usable sights already on it.

The only way most of us would like to see a rifle like that scoped is if an original scope mount and scope from that era could be located and professionally installed. A B-square adapter mount and new Vortex scope would just about ruin it.

 

[Russ16]

I'd say that depends on your age and eyesight.

The rifle has some very good and usable sights already on it.

The only way most of us would like to see a rifle like that scoped is if an original scope mount and scope from that era could be located and professionally installed. A B-square adapter mount and new Vortex scope would just about ruin it.

I agree on the original mount since that becomes part of the rifle. But I would have no problem with modem high quality glad being out on it, such as a Swarovski, Zeiss, etc. in the appropriate magnification range for the caliber.

 

[spike.t]

Very Nice

 

[txtrout75218]

The question of keep original or make useful can be hard. I love old original rifles like this. However, I'm at an age that having a scope is pretty much needed for any reasonable distance and to help ensure humane shot placement, outside of a shotgun.

While I don't have a rifle this cool, I did just pick up an EMIL KERNER & SOHN, 8MM MAUSER with Double Set Triggers that will end up with a tasteful scope on i after I have time to clean it and test it out some. It's a pre 1940 rifle from Germany, and is a darn nice looking rifle. However, since it's not a collectable as a Rigby and is no longer original in that in its life here in the USA the horn butt pad and grip cap have been replaced with stupid plastic and nice bright stainless screws, I won't really feel guilty. I do however plan to put horn back on it.

If I can get the rifle to be accurate, I thinking I may mate this with a 9.3 as my Africa pair.

It's nice that we are all so blessed so we can make these hard decisions.

 

[pjaln]

Thank you all for your warm welcomes and comments! One thing that has been weighing heavy on my mind is the idea of scoping it.
I understand that altering a 100 year old rifle is generally not looked highly upon and is going to have ramifications from a value standpoint. Would I be doing this rifle an injustice by scoping it or could the juice possibly be worth the squeeze in terms of utilization? I appreciate the thoughts/recommendations from folks like you who are more knowledgeable on this stuff than I. As Bob mentioned, I envision this rifle for plains game and big game here in the U.S. If only I would have found this rifle before my Maine moose hunt a few years back…

please dont alter it ,if you need a classic that you want to scope I will trade you my 375 rebore from a 350 rigby by Paul Roberts

 

[uplander01]

That's a nice example of a 350, it appears un messed with. I think brass and dies is going to be the hard part there.

 

[atrious]

Here's my .350 Rigby Magnum, created by Lon Paul, using an original Rigby slant box, stepped receiver ring Mauser action and an original Rigby Mauser stock.

 

[rookhawk]

a 35 whelen, only better! Congrats. Its a lovely weapon for cats and all the plains game! Glorious.