Heym versus Rigby

[Keelebilly]

I turn 50 next year and would like to buy myself a nice dangerous game rifle for my birthday. I’m thinking a 404 in either a heym martini or a rigby PH. I can’t really afford the rigby dangerous game rifle. Any thoughts between those two choices? Is the PH version quite a bit of a downgrade?

 

[318AE]

If you choose Rigby, get a 416,

 

[Tintin]

The Rigby PH is same action as the ‘Regular’ BG. Timber is not as fancy. Less options for upgrades on the PH.

I’d expect the wait will be considerably longer for a Heym.

 

[mdwest]

Both are stellar rifles… but I think the elegance and nostalgia of the Rigby wins the day… for me at least it would be an easy choice..

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

For me it’s really going to depend on the deal and the wait time. All things equal, I’d lean towards the Heym over the Rigby PH, however if it was my money, I’d instead look for an older Rigby rather than a new PH model.

 

[R eight]

You can’t go wrong with a Rigby. Even the plain basic PH model is pretty flashy. This is my PH in 416 Rigby. I can’t fault her.

 

[Tintin]

You certainly got a nice piece of timber on yours Rod.

 

[PCC600]

I’ve got a Rigby PH in 450 Rigby and a 416 Rigby Big Game . I actually much prefer the PH and not just because it was a lot cheaper. A heavier , handier rifle . Both are single square bridge actions with flag safeties . I think the PH model is only available with SSB action and flag safety so if you want to mount a scope the Heym may be the better way to go .

 

[Tintin]

@PCC600 ‘s PHs are both great.

The PH is available in DSB.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Safari and Outdoor in Johannesburg and Pretoria have both in stock. I tried them both and for me the Heym was better balanced and better finished too. The Heym Martini is at the bottom.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Rigby will put the three position safety on a PH as well.

I think the new Rigby bolt guns are simply stellar and love my 416 Big Game Rifle. It not only has beautiful fit and standard hand oil finish is on par with any maker. Mostly, they just outright shoot. I can easily get 0.3-0.4 MOA, with factory Barnes ammo.

I think the Heym Martini are also wonderful rifles, top quality and huge step up in finish over their previous express rifles. Also, the build time is much shorter than one might think. While a Heym 88b or 89b are being quoted at 2-years (spoke with Chris Sells again just today), the Martini Express rifles are closer to 6-8 months.

I’d happily own and hunt a Heym Martini, and am turning into quite the Heym fanboy—owning three of their doubles for the briefest of moments today, back down to two tomorrow…even considering how highly I think of their quality…there’s zero chance I’d swap my Rigby Big Game for a Martini Express. If I could have only one or the other…no brainer for me. Rigby all day.

 

[Fryeguy]

You should also consider calling the company’s. I visited Rigby last month while in London, they had several used rifles on the shelf. They were great btw, took me thru the entire facility, every station. It was awesome

 

[Wildwillalaska]

 

[R eight]

There’s very little difference, if any, in the quality of finish between the PH and the regular Big Game models.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I Went with the Rigby Big Game in 404 for a number of reasons. The Rigby is a bit heavier than the Heym which I prefer and more readily available. I also love the big magnum Mauser action the Rigby is built on and the plasma nitride finish over the traditional blueing of the Heym.

I would look around at pricing, in my opinion the Big Game model is a much better deal than the PH model, atleast here in Australia it is anyway.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I'll take a .416 Rigby "London Best" made by John Rigby & Co. AND a .404 Jeffery "Martini Express" made by Heym, please.

One thing to consider which breaks the tie, though. Heym has no problem running monolithic bullets through their wares. John Rigby & Co. has a bit more of an dislike towards monolithic bullets being used in their rifles. Something to think about.

 

[PCC600]

@PCC600 ‘s PHs are both great.

The PH is available in DSB.

The DSB action for Rigby PH models must be a new offering . When I got mine some years ago it was only a SSB , flag safety and 22 inch barrels . But a nice rifle nonetheless .
@PCC600 ‘s PHs are both great.

The PH is available in DSB. be with later models .

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

The 450 in a DSB is the new offering, 450 was only available in SSB in both PH and Big Game up until about 2 years ago. 375 and 416 have always been available in DSB for both PH and Big Game.

 

[PCC600]

I Went with the Rigby Big Game in 404 for a number of reasons. The Rigby is a bit heavier than the Heym which I prefer and more readily available. I also love the big magnum Mauser action the Rigby is built on and the plasma nitride finish over the traditional blueing of the Heym.

I would look around at pricing, in my opinion the Big Game model is a much better deal than the PH model, atleast here in Australia it is anyway.

Not sure I agree . My PH was half the price of the Big Game (which had a peep sight fitted) and which was also heavily discounted to boot. Both rifles were brand new .

 

[R eight]

I'll take a .416 Rigby "London Best" made by John Rigby & Co. AND a .404 Jeffery "Martini Express" made by Heym, please.

One thing to consider which breaks the tie, though. Heym has no problem running monolithic bullets through their wares. John Rigby & Co. has a bit more of a dislike towards monolithic bullets being used in their rifles. Something to think about.

First I’ve heard about Rigby’s and a dislike towards monoliths.