Heym versus Rigby

[SStomcat]

You are $50,000 high in your estimates.

EJ

Those are not my estimates.

 

[R eight]

Checked prices here in the U.S.—H.S. Rigby (9.3×62) is around $20–21K plus tax; a Mauser 98 is about $15.5K plus tax with roughly a year’s wait. I’ve handled both, and honestly, they’re on par for fit and finish. I actually preferred the 98—felt better aligned, more balanced, and the action fed smoother (tested with snap caps).

A couple of years ago, I picked up a Sauer 404 and put a Swarovski on it — it shoots ~1" MOA at 100 yds with factory PPU.

At the end of the day, I care more about build, function, and looks than brand hype. I plan to hunt with it and eventually hand it down to my two boys.

It’s different here in OZ. Prices are in AUD. At present 1 AUD will buy 0.62 USD.

I can understand your fondness for the Sauer. But the rifle that has most impressed me is the Blaser R8. My 9.3 x62 barrel loves PPU factory ammunition. I can regularly place 3 shots within an inch and a quarter at 100 yards. I’m sure the rifle is capable of better but I’m not.

I’m surprised that there was a difference in the smoothness of the action. All the actions are made by Mauser. Perhaps the actions assigned to Rigby are made on Friday afternoon.

 

[coreydb]

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.
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If only I wasn't a lefty

 

[Daniel Cary]

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?

@Kevin Peacocke @ everyone ..

Less their outfitter's that have these readily available .. If considering "New" is there a seriously long wait time to build either?

Thank you, everyone.
Both are unique, in their own right!
wbr, Dan.

 

[rookhawk]

At around $100K, you can pick up a truly exceptional used Rigby Rising Bite from the golden era — or even a London Best from Holland & Holland, Purdey, or Westley Richards. Any of these, in my view, are in a completely different class compared to a modern Heym.

I’ve always been puzzled by the opinion that Heym makes the best double rifle under $100K. Don’t get me wrong — they build a solid, reliable, and well-regulated hunting rifle. But “best gun” territory it is not. There are custom and boutique builders who’ll craft a double to your exact specs — stock dimensions, engraving, rib style, regulation — all in, for less money and with far more individuality. A Heym feels engineered; a Rigby or Westley feels alive. IMO ofcourse.

You misunderstand my words. You'll find no bigger vintage british double rifle fan than me. I said "Heym is the best modern double rifle for under $100,000". Emphasis on the word MODERN. And of course, you can buy a Heym for a lot less than a $100k if its a mid-grade or base model. Your comparison to boutique modern builders doesn't add up for me at all, the whole point of a MODERN Heym is the metallurgy. You intend to do horrific things to it. You intend to shoot monometal solids. You intend to shoot whatever powder suits you. The Heym is the least likely modern double to come apart on you even if you are doing ill-advised things and shooting higher velocities, harder bullets, or slower burning powders than you should.

If on the other hand you want to talk about Vintage British Rifles that is a a completely different conversation. Yes, there are many golden era double rifles available used for well, well under $100k or even $50k. They ALL have the same limitations though: you need to use a fast burning powder like 3031 to ensure the pressure curve is greatest near the chambers, just like Cordite. You need to use cup-and-core bullets that are traditional lead core solids or expanding softs. Vintage British doubles are like Ferraris, they are amazing but you cannot whine and complain that they won't take 85 octane gas from the local filling station. Both need a special diet in exchange for the prestige and pride of ownership.

In the MODERN double rifle camp, not all of them are well made. Not all of them will stand behind their warranty. And especially important, not all of them are up for the challenge of using monometal bullets. (many even void your warranty if you do choose to load them)

 

[Safari Dave]

Just curious why not a Double in Rigby?

Simply economics.

No one can dispute the quality of Rigby rifles. But a Rigby DR is so much more expensive than a Heym, that I wouldn't pay the difference, since a Heym DR is beautiful, functional, and reliable and less than half the price of a Rigby.

(I handled a used Heym bolt-action last weekend at a gun store, and my best friend owns one, and I just haven't been that impressed with them).

I, too, would love to own a rifle made in London, but this "civil servant," has never had the funds to make one a wise use of $.

(As if this forum as anything to do with the "wise" use of money...)

 

[Safari Dave]

If only I wasn't a lefty

I ordered my friend a left-hand Heym Model 88b when I ordered my right hand version. They came with consecutive serial numbers.

 

[Safari Dave]

We got ours's for $11,700 each in 2001.

Money well spent, IMO.

 

[rookhawk]

Simply economics.

No one can dispute the quality of Rigby rifles. But a Rigby DR is so much more expensive than a Heym, that I wouldn't pay the difference, since a Heym DR is beautiful, functional, and reliable and less than half the price of a Rigby.

(I handled a used Heym bolt-action last weekend at a gun store, and my best friend owns one, and I just haven't been that impressed with them).

I, too, would love to own a rifle made in London, but this "civil servant," has never had the funds to make one a wise use of $.

(As if this forum as anything to do with the "wise" use of money...)

Is there a big difference? I know a Rigby rising bite is very expensive, $150k-$300k, but their Belgian made and London finished Shikari is somewhere in the $40k-$80k range. I think a brand new Heym is in the $40k-$80k range as well depending on options and features. (And yes, either fully decked out with custom engraving and one of a kind wood would be over $100k)

 

[Safari Dave]

Is there a big difference? I know a Rigby rising bite is very expensive, $150k-$300k, but their Belgian made and London finished Shikari is somewhere in the $40k-$80k range. I think a brand new Heym is in the $40k-$80k range as well depending on options and features. (And yes, either fully decked out with custom engraving and one of a kind wood would be over $100k)

Honestly, I don't know.


If they were the same price, I would have probably gone with a Rigby.

I ordered our Heyms through New England Custom Gun Service, who was the importer at the time.

 

[Fatback]

I ordered my friend a left-hand Heym Model 88b when I ordered my right hand version. They came with consecutive serial numbers.


View attachment 721180

@Safari Dave, are you in need of any more left handed friends in “want” of a double rifle? If so, I know a guy.

In all seriousness, what a kind gesture for you and your buddy. Have y’all had a chance to hunt DG together with those rifles?

 

[Safari Dave]

We hunted Africa together in 2007, but not for DG.



Maybe one day...