Rigby 450 PH

[Accidental Villain]

I saw some red dot bases that use the front swivel bridge. After holding it I’m content with irons for now but seems like I have options in the future.

That Rigby is a dedicted open irons shooter with, in my view the best open irons system in existence, so it is definitely ready to go as is.

If you go the red dot route do not choose a system that will build more height on top of the front square bridge. Otherwise, that rifle will of course work very well with reflex sight/red dot.

 

[skydiver386]

BTW the only source I've found for 450 Rigby ammo is Grizzly brand at Midway using Bertram brass, and of course Hendershots.


Desert Tech sells Bertram brass.

Bertram 450 Rigby Brass

Buy new Bertram .450 Rigby unprimed brass cases from the authorized U.S. Bertram distributor. Domestic inventory, support, and volume programs.

deserttechmunitions.com

If Norma makes another run of 450 Rigby brass or ammo, I plan to buy as much as my credit card will stand.

 

[mms45]

If Norma makes another run of 450 Rigby brass or ammo, I plan to buy as much as my credit card will stand.

you and me both!

 

[mms45]

You are going to love the the 450 Rigby and it's performance on game.

My favorite is Norma brass, Federal Gold Medal 215 Mag primers, starting load of 102gr of H4350 and the Barnes 500gr X bullet. Most accurate load was 107 grains. I went up to 115gr with no excessive pressure signs, but accuracy wasn't as good.

Both the 450gr and 500gr bullets give superb accuracy in my rifles. They just like to be seated deep for a long run at the rifling. Just a light crimp with my new Lee custom made Factory Crimp die finishes the job.

Very little loading data is available, but if you can find a copy of the latest Woodleigh Bullets reloading manual they have excellent data there.

lucky i have a copy of the Woodleigh manual

 

[PCC600]

What’s the bottom rifle?

And yes mine has a 24” barrel comes in at 10.3 lbs unloaded

Bottom rifle is a 505 Gibbs. I just used that photo because it was the only one handy that showed the Rigby PH . I am intrigued about your PH because mine weighs more - 10 lbs 7oz . They are quite different rifles .

 

[skydiver386]

lucky i have a copy of the Woodleigh manual

I noticed the starting loads listed in the North Fork manual are more than 10 grains less than those listed in the Woodleigh. Completely different list of powders also. Good luck and be safe.

 

[mms45]

Bottom rifle is a 505 Gibbs. I just used that photo because it was the only one handy that showed the Rigby PH . I am intrigued about your PH because mine weighs more - 10 lbs 7oz . They are quite different rifles .

it was on the bathroom scale so take that weight with a grain of salt could be plus or minus a few OZ but its definitely over 10lbs. Anything else you want to see let me know. I was pleasantly surprised but the flip open grip cap, I thought it would be just the flat cover from the pictures. the flip has an nice "PH" engraved in it.

agree different rifles double square bridge and longer non stepped barrels, cabelas seems to have gotten 10 in across the country 404j and 450 rigby at least 2 ended up here if not 3 with forum members.

 

[mms45]

I noticed the starting loads listed in the North Fork manual are more than 10 grains less than those listed in the Woodleigh. Completely different list of powders also. Good luck and be safe

thanks if that north fork manual is available in print im going to track one down.

 

[Jagerrand]

thanks if that north fork manual is available in print im going to track one down.

Load data is available on the North Fork web page.

 

[RIGBY]

Load data is available on the North Fork web page.

North Fork is also very responsive to questions about load data and bullet construction - you can generally reach a human right away or they will call back in a timely manner!

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

If Norma makes another run of 450 Rigby brass or ammo, I plan to buy as much as my credit card will stand.

Or that your better half allows…..
You could just tell her that it’s for her rifle and you should be fine then…..
She won’t read this , will she……oh bugger

To the OP, that is one very nice looking rifle and I hope you have a lot of pleasure with it
Gumpy

 

[Journey]

Congrats, lovely rifle.

I am sitting having a medicinal beer after doing a session with a 416 rigby (cz550). Barnes factory were spicy running 400gr tsx at 2520. I shot some handloads with 99gr of h4350 and 350gr speed hit cores going 2740ish. What a blast these rifles are.

Towards the end I could tell I was starting to really have to concentrate not to flinch, practice i am learning becomes exponentially critical with these beasts.

K98A range day with a DGR is summed upnperfectly by this meme

 

[mms45]

Dies should arrive today, and ordered 200 500gr A-frames. now on to brass.

 

[skydiver386]

Dies should arrive today, and ordered 200 500gr A-frames. now on to brass.

Those should make superb Buffalo bullets.

 

[RIGBY]

Well I’m happy to report I joined the rigby familey today, I picked up a big game PH model in 450 rigby. I can tell you this rifle exceeded my expectations in person and man the stock feels just right much better than my M70. Much like red leg I think the wood is better looking than its grade 2 would lead you to believe and is icing on the cake.

Now if only Norma would make a run of brass and some ammo!

Let’s hear everybody’s pet loads to give me some starting places.

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Welcome to the Rigby family and congratulations on a beautiful rifle!

I look forward to hearing your thoughts after using it in the field!

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I do plan to put an optic on it but have not decided what yet. My go to is nightforce on my other hunting rifles for reliability but that doesn’t fit here. I may go red dot.

honestly it shoulders with such perfect alignment to the irons is making me question that.

Congrats on such a lovely rifle. I am jealous. If you decide to go with an LPVO, the 1-6x Kahles K16i that I put onto one of my DG rifles works very well and I liked it much more than the Swarovski 1-6x. The reticle allows for a bit of hold over if you need to take a longer shot but at 1x with the illuminated reticle turned on, it can be shot with both eyes open just like a red dot which is fast and accurate and easier to see in dark thickets where them damn Cape Buffalo like to hide in. Pic attached to see the scope on my rifle.