Educate Me on Rigby Rifles

[absales]

Just starting to look at some higher end bolt action rifles. It seems that Rigby has a fairly large following and is an extremely well known name. Looking at there Big Game model, it seems that they do not even use or make there own action, they are using the Mauser M98 action which to me personally is a "negative" thing in my mind. To clarify the negative is buying into a high end brand that doesn't make there own action.

What would be the benefit of the Rigby as opposed to getting the Mauser?

Looking for any feedback on the brand or the Big Game model.

Thanks!

 

[Rare Breed]

The Rigby brand is 250 years old and has one of the best most recognized brands in the industry. I have owned three and still own two and have never been disappointed in any of them. While I have not owned a Mauser Brand Rifle I have both handled and shot two. Personally in terms of performance I could not tell the difference. In terms of wood no comparison Rigby wins but does not mean you could not order a Mauser in a grade 5 or higher. To me it just comes down to nostalgia with the Rigby winning hands down nothing more than me. To me Rigby is just synonymous with Africa!!!

 

[Northern Shooter]

If you read up on the Rigby history you will see that their partnership with Mauser goes back many years. These two brands have a history of collaboration going back before the world wars.

The Rigby Big Game is my current dream rifle that I’m working towards. It’s also 1/4 the cost of a comparable Jeffery, Westley Richard’s, Holland & Holland etc.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

Any Mauser Model 98 action is hard to make due to many machining processes required. A Bespoke maker like Rigby doesn’t make enough rifles each year to justify the expense of the equipment and personnel necessary to produce M98 actions. I am not an expert but I think that many London best firms such as Holand and Holand nearly always bought actions “between the wars” from Mauser.

The Rigby Big Game is an extra fine rifle. Their bolt functions even smoother than a Heym Martini Express, and that’s a big compliment from me! If you can afford one, a Rigby Big Game in .416 Rigby would be a very functional, very versatile, hunt anything lifetime rifle.
https://www.johnrigbyandco.com/guns/the-big-game/

Mauser is making fine Model 98 rifles but I haven’t heard of many if any buying new ones. Someone must be because they offer several levels of finish. The Mausers are a little less expensive than the Rigbys but the Rigbys should hold much more of their value than the Mauser-made rifles. Why? They are Rigbys. If you are wondering about this, refer to @Rare Breed 's post above.

If you want the finest rifle, buy a Rigby or perhaps a Westley Richards,

Or consider a Jeffery, which is a AH sponsor. Note: Jeffery and Westley Richards rifle may be two or three times the cost of a Rigby.

If, however you want a top of the line functioning magazine rifle that look amazing, consider the Heym Martini Express. Heym builds all components of their rifles.

 

[PCC600]

If you read up on the Rigby history you will see that their partnership with Mauser goes back many years. These two brands have a history of collaboration going back before the world wars.

The Rigby Big Game is my current dream rifle that I’m working towards. It’s also 1/4 the cost of a comparable Jeffery, Westley Richard’s, Holland & Holland etc.

Yes the Rigby’s are nice rifles . I like them and own 2 with a double under construction . They are great shooters and agree they are a fraction of the price of the Hollands, WRs etc . But they are still expensive . Before WW2 a Rigby bolt action was about 30% more expensive than a comparable H&H and double the price of a WR. Rifles by Jeffery ( basically a rebranded Mauser Type A) and Mauser branded rifles were much cheaper again . How things change.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Just starting to look at some higher end bolt action rifles. It seems that Rigby has a fairly large following and is an extremely well known name. Looking at there Big Game model, it seems that they do not even use or make there own action, they are using the Mauser M98 action which to me personally is a "negative" thing in my mind. To clarify the negative is buying into a high end brand that doesn't make there own action.

What would be the benefit of the Rigby as opposed to getting the Mauser?

Looking for any feedback on the brand or the Big Game model.

Thanks!

John Rigby & Co. has always used Mauser Model 98 actions imported from Germany, as early as 1900. As a matter of fact, for many years… they were the only English gunmakers who were exclusively authorized to use the German Magnum Mauser action.

There’s nothing wrong with this. Holland & Holland uses FZH actions at the moment. In the past, they used Belgian Fabrique Nationale Series 300 & 400 commercial Mauser actions. James Purdey & Sons, Westley Richards and George Gibbs employed the (now no longer manufactured) Mayfair Engineering Mauser action.

The only British rifle manufacturer who ever actually built their own actions in-house, was B.S.A (Birmingham Small Arms).

If you really want to select a rifle manufacturer who builds their own actions in-house, then perhaps you would do well to opt for Waffen Prechtll or Reimer Johannssen or Mauser.

There is nothing inherently better or worse in choosing the John Rigby over the Mauser. It may interest you to know that both are owned by the same parent company.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I've owned 3 Rigby Big Game rifles, 2 SSB in 450 Rigby and 1 DSB in 404. The fit and finish of the Rigby's is far better than the Mauser's in my opinion and as others have mentioned Rigby will hold value. Performance wise there should be no difference between the 2. Rigby also seems to offer countless more upgrade options over Mauser. My DSB in 404 is by far my favourite, the physical size and weight of the rifle feels perfect for me in the 404 cartridge. I also own a Highland Stalker in 9.3X62 which again I think is the perfect size and weight for the cartridge and one of my all time favourite rifles and cartridges.

 

[chashardy]

I have a Rigby Big Game in 416 Rigby and I completely agree with the posters above. Fit and finish are superb and the rifle is great to hunt with. I've used it on two safaris in Africa and one in Australia. You can't go wrong with the Rigby.

 

[yamoon]

I’ve ask myself the same question, at 82 I will never hunt DG in Africa. I can understand the pleasure of ownership of an expensive rifle, but it doesn’t kill any better than any other rifle. I have 2 Mauser sporters one built in 1912 on an Orberndorf commercial action, the other proofed in 1932, both function flawlessly and are smooth as a Mauser can be. Both are 8x57i (318 bore), my favorite caliber for deer hunting. For smooth, I have a Mannlicher Schoenauer 1910 9.5x57, tip the muzzle down and the open bolt will close under its own weight. When I was 6yrs old a skinny kid in the same grade moved in block away, we were inseparable until we graduated high school. He went on to become a premier stock maker, Darwin Hensley, Hollowell has one of his rifles for sale, I would buy it except the caliber is 460 Wby. Who knows, in the future I might still own a Highland Stalker.
Mike

 

[R eight]

If you buy a Rigby you’re also buying a Mauser. Buy whatever scratches your itch.

I can’t fault my Rigby’s.

 

[steve white]

I’ve ask myself the same question, at 82 I will never hunt DG in Africa. I can understand the pleasure of ownership of an expensive rifle, but it doesn’t kill any better than any other rifle. I have 2 Mauser sporters one built in 1912 on an Orberndorf commercial action, the other proofed in 1932, both function flawlessly and are smooth as a Mauser can be. Both are 8x57i (318 bore), my favorite caliber for deer hunting. For smooth, I have a Mannlicher Schoenauer 1910 9.5x57, tip the muzzle down and the open bolt will close under its own weight. When I was 6yrs old a skinny kid in the same grade moved in block away, we were inseparable until we graduated high school. He went on to become a premier stock maker, Darwin Hensley, Hollowell has one of his rifles for sale, I would buy it except the caliber is 460 Wby. Who knows, in the future I might still own a Highland Stalker.
Mike

Darwin Hensley is one of the best rifle makers this country has ever produced. Big big fan. He could have set up shop in Ferlach competently.

 

[Twraska]

I’ve ask myself the same question, at 82 I will never hunt DG in Africa. I can understand the pleasure of ownership of an expensive rifle, but it doesn’t kill any better than any other rifle. I have 2 Mauser sporters one built in 1912 on an Orberndorf commercial action, the other proofed in 1932, both function flawlessly and are smooth as a Mauser can be. Both are 8x57i (318 bore), my favorite caliber for deer hunting. For smooth, I have a Mannlicher Schoenauer 1910 9.5x57, tip the muzzle down and the open bolt will close under its own weight. When I was 6yrs old a skinny kid in the same grade moved in block away, we were inseparable until we graduated high school. He went on to become a premier stock maker, Darwin Hensley, Hollowell has one of his rifles for sale, I would buy it except the caliber is 460 Wby. Who knows, in the future I might still own a Highland Stalker.
Mike

Where is the listing on the 469 Wby?

 

[RR 314]

Very few companies make their own actions. There is little need to re-invent the wheel. Here in the states, D'Arcy Echols (relatively recently) and Stuart Satterllee, for example, make awesome actions (and rifles). They also built many equally beautiful rifles on actions built by others. The rifles on other actions are still "Echols" and "Satterlee" rifles. Would a Rigby be "better" if they made their own action of the same quality as the Mauser they utilize? I don't follow the purported logic. The question about buying a Mauser vs. Rigby is just a matter of preference. It seems to matter to you that the manufacturer utilizes their own action. If accurate, buy the Mauser rifle.

I have a Big Game in .416 and it is a very nice rifle. That being stated, it is not as nice as many rifles in the same price point by custom builders (largely on actions built by others). The logic would have people not buying a F-250, for example, when Navistar/International built the Powerstroke, even though it was the main component of the vehicle. I personally don't care who manufactured the action, or engine etc. as long as it is of the quality I am seeking.

 

[RR 314]

Where is the listing on the 469 Wby?

It is easiest to find on GunsInternational.

 

[CBH Australia]

It is what it is.

If I wanted to buy a Rigby to have something classic or high end or prestigious then I would buy the one I liked most.

They will hold there value but I don’t expect I would gain much value. The value is in the eye of the beholder.

If you are buying a Rigby and a Mauser action is at the heart of its history and pedigree then “ It is what it is”

 

[CZDiesel]

I’d say they are absolutely beautiful, great legacy rifle that can be taken on as many safaris as you can book, and will generally hold value…

Buuuut I’d take that kind of money and have the likes of LeRoy Berry, Todd Ramirez, or Matt Robert’s build you a custom built to your specs on a Winchester Pre-64 action! Winchester a true African legend!!!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Rigby Big Game rifles are beautiful, no doubt. But so is the Heym Martini Express. Safari and Outdoor have both in stock and I recently had the opportunity to handle both, side by side, back and forth. The Heym pips it, to me it is more to my liking in every sense.
There is no Heym bias in this, I have also handled Rigby's Highland Stalker and it is suerb, right in every way, I don't know if there is a Heym equivalent there to comare with, but it would take a lot to beat the Highland Stalker.

 

[RedTag]

I’m curious if any users would comment on any issues with dust or grit causing problems with the enclosed trigger assembly of the Rigby? They truly are such lovely rifles.

 

[grand veneur]

Just starting to look at some higher end bolt action rifles. It seems that Rigby has a fairly large following and is an extremely well known name. Looking at there Big Game model, it seems that they do not even use or make there own action, they are using the Mauser M98 action which to me personally is a "negative" thing in my mind. To clarify the negative is buying into a high end brand that doesn't make there own action.

What would be the benefit of the Rigby as opposed to getting the Mauser?

Looking for any feedback on the brand or the Big Game model.

Thanks!

L&O Holding / Germany,

...owns Blaser, Mauser, Rigby,...and so one. All these companies build semi-custom rifles with components from the same production. If you want something custom-made with parts from own production, then you have to turn to completely different companies or to gunmakers.

 

[Muskox]

Rigby is Blaser!

L&O Holding / Germany,

...owns Blaser, Mauser, Rigby,...and so one. All these companies build semi-custom rifles with components from the same production. If you want something custom-made with parts from own production, then you have to turn to completely different companies or to gunmakers.

Yes!

A new production Rigby is stocked in the UK and the barreled action is built here in Germany. Company is the same.

They are part of the Blaser, Mauser, Sauer, Minox, group.

I would also say that very little of the rifle is touched by human hands.

If you want a hand made gun, it would only be the highest grade Rigby's.