Educate Me on Rigby Rifles

[uplander01]

Rigby is a safe bet, the modern production guns are not going to appreciate like the old models. They are essentially a Mauser, done up in rigby form. There are lot of rifles out there for sale by fantastic makers at any given time that are equal to if not better in quality, fit, form, function. But, the generation of American men that even know those names is shrinking. Reto buehler, Duane Weibe, Fred wells, Ryan breeding, martini gunmakers,to name a few. Find one of these guys rifles in measurements that fit you and you’ll have something really special.

 

[mark-hunter]

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

Brand. British East African safari tradition. And a British class gun.
If you get a Mauser, you won't make a mistake either. You get the same with the same tradition.

That is my opinion; the rest is covered by other members' replies above.

If I were to make an investment in a gun like that, most likely between the two, I would choose Rigby.
Mauser would have to be a bit less expensive fro my primary choice, but at this price level as it stands now for both of them, Rigby would be my preference.

Having said, that, I am blue collar. Neither of them will I buy.
I will stick to my poor man's mauser, old ZKK rifle.

 

[AZDAVE]

In the gun trade 90+% use an action for their rifles built by another company. Has been that way since black powder replace bow and arrows..

Rigby has a long established name that is older than Mauser. So pick the one that fits you best and go hunt.

If I hit the lottery (OH yea I need to buy a ticket, the last one I bought was like ten years ago) I would buy the following.

275 Rigby bolt gun from Rigby
416 Rigby bolt gun from Rigby.
500 NE rising bite double from Rigby.
505 Jeffery bolt gun from Jeffery
375 H&H bolt gun from Holland and Holland
577 drop lock double from Westley Richards
Matched pair 12 ga from Boss
matched pair of 28ga from James Purdey

While also keeping my chapuis, rigby, and krieghoff doubles.

 

[rookhawk]

The original post seems to misunderstand the highest quality firearms. With very few exceptions, the most expensive bolt magazine rifles in the world use somebody else’s actions. Virtually all of them would be Magnum Mauser 98 blueprints produced by Prechtl, Reimer Johannsen, Mauser, or others.

I’m trying to think of fine guns that actually have in-house action design and there aren’t that many. Dakota / Parkwest? Dumoulin? I’m not even sure if Hartmann and Weis make their own bolt actions? Fuchs?

 

[Muskox]

Stu Satterlee is one of the only everything but the oink makers.

 

[Aaron N]

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!!!

Are you saying that a Pre64 is more of an African legend than a Mauser 98 action?!

 

[rookhawk]

Are you saying that a Pre64 is more of an African legend than a Mauser 98 action?!

A pre64 action IS a Mauser 98 action that was improved with a port to route gases from blown primer away from the shooters face. It also has the Winchester model 70 type three position side safety.

New Mauser 98s incorporate both of those John Olin - Winchester improvements.

Of course Winchester never made a square bridge nor a true magnum length action so I’d say Mauser is the better action.

 

[Muskox]

A pre64 action IS a Mauser 98 action that was improved with a port to route gases from blown primer away from the shooters face. It also has the Winchester model 70 type three position side safety.

New Mauser 98s incorporate both of those John Olin - Winchester improvements.

Of course Winchester never made a square bridge nor a true magnum length action so I’d say Mauser is the better action.

The 98 was probably first brought on safari sometime around 1900.

The M70 wasn't brought on safaris until after it was produced in 1936, so probably into the 1940's with most of this happening after the war was over 1945.

That gives the M70 40-45 less years in Africa considering the war lasted from 1939-1945, and who knows when the actual first major shipments made it to African gunships or were brought by hunters headed there. By the 1950's of course the m70 took over as the king until it was turned into the M70 push feed in 1964.

You also have to consider that the 1903 Springfield were also used in Africa from about 1909, the same year Teddy Roosevelt went on safari with a 1903.

1917, P14, and the SMLE 303 were all used from the same years probably starting in the 1920's.

98 action rifles have been produced by multiple companies on and off since 1898. They are probably the most common rifle in all of Africa until the 2000's with the spread of the Howa 1500 through Southern Africa. The Howa 1500 may not have eclipsed it yet, just a thought from what I am told.

 

[Aaron N]

A pre64 action IS a Mauser 98 action that was improved with a port to route gases from blown primer away from the shooters face. It also has the Winchester model 70 type three position side safety.

New Mauser 98s incorporate both of those John Olin - Winchester improvements.

Of course Winchester never made a square bridge nor a true magnum length action so I’d say Mauser is the better action.

Yes I know what the M70 is based on, but to say that it is an African legend up against a rigby or Mauser is quite a stretch. Hell CZ’s probably have done more heavy lifting in Africa than the M70.

 

[rookhawk]

Yes I know what the M70 is based on, but to say that it is an African legend up against a rigby or Mauser is quite a stretch. Hell CZ’s probably have done more heavy lifting in Africa than the M70.

I don't think we disagree. The pre-64 was certainly used in storied safari rifles, particularly in Griffin & Howes, but I would never build a new rifle on a pre-64 when there are spectacular mauser actions available on the market today.

We're comparing one manufacturer (and a few custom builders) action of choice over a 30 year period versus another manufacturer's action that has been in safari use for 125 years. Points go to the Mauser.

 

[absales]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

[RR 314]

I don't think we disagree. The pre-64 was certainly used in storied safari rifles, particularly in Griffin & Howes, but I would never build a new rifle on a pre-64 when there are spectacular mauser actions available on the market today.

We're comparing one manufacturer (and a few custom builders) action of choice over a 30 year period versus another manufacturer's action that has been in safari use for 125 years. Points go to the Mauser.

Absolutely. I have had some very nice customs on pre-64s; however, would not be my choice if having one built today. Most, if not all, of my gunsmith friends concur.

 

[yamoon]

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.

Passed in 2005

 

[yamoon]

Where is the listing on the 469 Wby?

Hollowell & Co, custom rifle section

 

[PCC600]

The 98 was probably first brought on safari sometime around 1900.

The M70 wasn't brought on safaris until after it was produced in 1936, so probably into the 1940's with most of this happening after the war was over 1945.

That gives the M70 40-45 less years in Africa considering the war lasted from 1939-1945, and who knows when the actual first major shipments made it to African gunships or were brought by hunters headed there. By the 1950's of course the m70 took over as the king until it was turned into the M70 push feed in 1964.

You also have to consider that the 1903 Springfield were also used in Africa from about 1909, the same year Teddy Roosevelt went on safari with a 1903.

1917, P14, and the SMLE 303 were all used from the same years probably starting in the 1920's.

98 action rifles have been produced by multiple companies on and off since 1898. They are probably the most common rifle in all of Africa until the 2000's with the spread of the Howa 1500 through Southern Africa. The Howa 1500 may not have eclipsed it yet, just a thought from what I am told.

Early Mausers , Lee Speed ( the commercial Lee Enfield ) were hunting in Africa before 1900. Mannlichers were also well established in Africa by the early 1900s .

 

[mauser98]

The Winchester is a knock off and wanne be copy of a Mauser 98. Looking at the model 54 and 70 you can clearly see the influence but with corners cut for ease of manufacturing. In saying that they are still good rifles and have some nice features but IMO the Mauser is King and continues to be 127 years later.

 

[CZDiesel]

Are you saying that a Pre64 is more of an African legend than a Mauser 98 action?!

Yes that’s what I’m saying. More Winchesters have traveled to Africa and taken more game than all of the English best rifles ever made…

 

[Aaron N]

Yes that’s what I’m saying. More Winchesters have traveled to Africa and taken more game than all of the English best rifles ever made…

‘Murica

 

[RR 314]

Yes that’s what I’m saying. More Winchesters have traveled to Africa and taken more game than all of the English best rifles ever made…

Perhaps more than the English best, but not more than the English and German mediocre.

 

[skydiver386]

This is Thurston Howell III, and he owns a Rigby.

This is Al Bundy, and he owns a CZ.

A man should own a firearm befitting his station.