Heym versus Rigby

[SStomcat]

For me, there are not any rifles in the price range of a Dakota/Parkwest that can compare to them in craftsmanship and quality. I own several and think they are very well crafted at a fair price point that exceeds Rigby & Heym.

How about a Mauser 98 in calibres 416 or a 375?

 

[SStomcat]

Gordy's have several 416 Rigby that are all priced north of 24-25 K. I do not beleive Heyms are in this range for the same calibre. They have Parkwest in the 14-15 K range.

 

[Rare Breed]

I think there is some variability between the brands.

If we're talking about bolt rifles, the Heyms and the Rigby's are roughly in the same price range. The stock aesthetics on the Rigby rifles are to my eyes, more attractive. The resale value appears quite a bit stronger on the Rigby. On the double square bridge Rigby rifles, the integrated EAW pivot bases are a very high quality improvement.

Inversely, on the double rifles, the prices of both have climbed quite a bit in recent years. The Rigby rifles are largely made in Belgium which I think degrades some of the prestige of the Shikari. The Shikari rifles presently are VERY close to a vintage Rigby double rifle. The quality of the vintage is of course sublime, and they hold their value very, very well. The resale value of Shikaris is yet unknown because they haven't developed a secondary market yet. The shikari rifles are not authorized for monometal ammunition, a serious limitation for a modern-made double. The Heyms on the other hand are bombproof, incredibly reliable, and have decades of field experience to demonstrate their longevity. All of mine have regulated very well and I found them wholly satisfactory. I do not believe the Shikari is 1.5x to 2x the quality of the Heym, but they are 1.5x to 2x the price.

To throw a further wrench into the works, I'd add that I believe the Dakota Dangerous Game rifles can equal or exceed the quality of the Heym and the Rigby rifles for about half the price. They also hold their values very well.

Disclosures: I've owned Heyms several times. I've handled numerous Rigby rifles and will likely own a Highland Stalker someday in the future. I've owned numerous Dakotas. I've never owned a Shikari and I don't plan on doing so purely because I view dollars better spent on either a vintage British Double or a modern Heym.

My opinions explain why restaurants have menus, not everyone wants the same things.

Wow, I had no idea the new Shikari does not allow for monometal ammunition!!! That is a serious mistake for a new rifle...I wonder why they chose to do that? Thoughts?

 

[The Engineer]

My Heym Martini Express 416 Rigby is the slickest cycling bolt gun I have ever handled in a large caliber. I am told this is due to each Martini Express action/magazine being machined for the particular cartridge the rifle will be finished in. This also protects the bullet noses of the cartridges in the magazine during recoil as the one-piece magazine/trigger guard also matches the cartridge shape all the way down.

 

[ftrovato]

How about a Mauser 98 in calibres 416 or a 375?

Although the Rigby bolt actions are build on a Mauser barreled action I do agree that Mauser does a superior job on their own stocks.

However if we're going to throw everyone in the ring of a discussion there is a Westley Richards on the top of the pile if you have enough $$$$.

 

[rookhawk]

How about a Mauser 98 in calibres 416 or a 375?

Made by the same company as Rigby. They cost the same as a Rigby. They have very little resale value compared to a Rigby. So if you're paying money and buying Rigby technology you probably should buy it with the words Rigby on it, all things being equal otherwise which they are.

 

[rookhawk]

Wow, I had no idea the new Shikari does not allow for monometal ammunition!!! That is a serious mistake for a new rifle...I wonder why they chose to do that? Thoughts?

I don't think Rigby understands Americans very well, that's why. In the EU, handloading is curtailed in many places, outright banned in others. So its on its face, a "weird" activity for a Brit, but not an American. Add to that, they probably don't want the bad PR of someone blowing up their rifles by using too hard of a monometal or using a monometal that is a thou or two too big for the barrels.

What Rigby doesn't appreciate is that brands and SKUs of ammo come and go, making their rifles potentially worthless and unable to hit the broadside of a barn due to supply chain issues outside their control. Having developed, published loads with particular bullets would be helpful to the brand and would protect the owner from ammo obsolescence in the future.

The double-triple whammy of all of this is that the UK has now banned the ownership of lead core hunting ammunition. I have no idea what that means for a Brit that buys a new Shikari, considering they cannot possess the ammo required by Rigby to be used in the rifle.

 

[uplander01]

There is only one choice right now for a sub 15k bolt rifle IMO, that is Parkwest. The overall ownership situation as described is quite accurate, I would add is that there is an employee ownership arrangement I believe. It’s all the same people that built, serviced, and sold rifles under the Dakota name. Add to that, it’s an American company, they take great pride in what they do, where you can call and talk directly to the people that will service or refinish your rifle. iMO rigby base model bolt guns are ridiculously priced. Heym/Martini bolt guns are great, very slim and refined feeling, but the magnum action is huge, too big for anything other than the biggest cartridges. I have nothing against Rigby, I know the guy that’s running the blaser group in the USA, there couldn’t be a better guy, but I think they are even surprised that the market is paying what they are paying for those base guns. When you get to high level Heym, Rigby, WR,..it’s the kind of thing mere mortals do t even pay attention to. It’s a very unique aficionado that will spend that kind of loot (100k plus) on a rifle that is essentially artwork.

 

[SStomcat]

Made by the same company as Rigby. They cost the same as a Rigby. They have very little resale value compared to a Rigby. So if you're paying money and buying Rigby technology you probably should buy it with the words Rigby on it, all things being equal otherwise which they are.

Probably I’m missing something. I see Rigby’s at 24K plus whereas a Mauser is around 15K. That is a significant difference to me ..

 

[Russ16]

Since Parkwest was brought up I’ll say that I think there are several custom rifle makers that make rifles as good or better than Rigby for less cost. But they generally have much less resale value as they are name brands.

I think a Rigby right now hits a very sweet spot in quality of the rifle and resale value because of the name brand. They are fantastic guns. I do wonder if they have attracted so much attention that the market is going to be saturated as the resale value will soften. Probably not soon but thinking 10 years down the road.

 

[PCC600]

I don't think Rigby understands Americans very well, that's why. In the EU, handloading is curtailed in many places, outright banned in others. So its on its face, a "weird" activity for a Brit, but not an American. Add to that, they probably don't want the bad PR of someone blowing up their rifles by using too hard of a monometal or using a monometal that is a thou or two too big for the barrels.

What Rigby doesn't appreciate is that brands and SKUs of ammo come and go, making their rifles potentially worthless and unable to hit the broadside of a barn due to supply chain issues outside their control. Having developed, published loads with particular bullets would be helpful to the brand and would protect the owner from ammo obsolescence in the future.

The double-triple whammy of all of this is that the UK has now banned the ownership of lead core hunting ammunition. I have no idea what that means for a Brit that buys a new Shikari, considering they cannot possess the ammo required by Rigby to be used in the rifle.

I have no doubt the Shikari can use monometal bullets as can older doubles . But it depends on the bullet design . Forcing bands and a slightly tapered rear end on bullet willl not stress the barrels . Hand loaders can easily manage these issues .

 

[Rare Breed]

Probably I’m missing something. I see Rigby’s at 24K plus whereas a Mauser is around 15K. That is a significant difference to me ..

While I 100% agree with @rookhawk

 

[Rare Breed]

Sorry did not finish your pricing is correct, however I will bet if you look closely the Rigby for $23 has a higher grade stock than the Mauser at $15

 

[Rare Breed]

For whatever reason I have seen few Mauser with high grade stocks while it seems rare not to see a high grade stock for Rigbys. just my experience

 

[PCC600]

Sorry did not finish your pricing is correct, however I will bet if you look closely the Rigby for $23 has a higher grade stock than the Mauser at $15

I can never understand why people pay more for weaker high grade stocks . An $8k premium sounds ridiculous .

 

[V.Veritas]

I can never understand why people pay more for weaker high grade stocks . An $8k premium sounds ridiculous .

No different than women, higher grades command higher premiums.
The base function is the same, but the enjoyment it’s not.
Shop within your budget for both.

 

[Choupique]

This is why my rifles are heavy, ugly, old and have a Lotta battle scars.

 

[Rare Breed]

I can never understand why people pay more for weaker high grade stocks . An $8k premium sounds ridiculous .

I completely agree!!!!!

 

[dhughes66]

I can't afford either so I don't have any experience just an opinion. Lol. If I could get one or the other, I would go Rigby all the way. I know both make excellent rifles and my preference is nothing more than nostalgia and the romance around Rigby rifles. I know they are nothing more than rebranded Mauser 98 rifles made to look more British. Of course those pre war Rigby bolt actions everyone loves are the same thing. Rigby has the history Heym doesn't. Simple as that.

 

[Doug3006]

They are 100% the same rifles, built in the same town (across the street I believe), manufactured by many of the same hands.

During the Remington bankruptcy debacle, Dakota got sold off in pieces with the larger liquidation. Unfortunately, the talented people of Dakota could not secure the trademarked name "Dakota". All the patents, practices, and quality are identical between a Dakota and a Parkwest. Same case coloring recipe. Same stock geometry. Same checkering layout patterns. Everything identical.

The only way to tell one apart is by looking at the grip cap or barrel nomenclature at point-blank range.

P.S. - While Parkwest has zero legal obligation or incentive to warranty or service Dakota rifles, they do so for little to no charge. A friend just had his Dakota refurbished back to as-new condition for a pittance by the same hands that originally made it. They also possess all the original build sheets of Dakota for purposes of provenance or verifying factory test targets. Bottom line: They are an amazing company.

Thanks for the info. It’s great to hear that they have continued to produce such a fine rifle. I was wondering if the quality was also maintained. Sounds like it has been. I’ve been considering a Parkwest for my next Africa rifle. Mostly because the Dakota was such an excellent rifle, but also because it’s made by my countrymen!