Rigby Caliber Mix Nostalgia vs Practicality

[pc3]

I am "attempting" to consolidate my rifles etc. less, but nicer. I'd posted this post elsewhere but it is a highjack of that persons thread, apologies to them.

In starting this process I may have jumped in a little quick and after some thought am thinking about switching the orders around a little.

I already own a .308 on a surgeon action in manners stock (another heavy .308 on a surgeon action is up for sale) & .300 win mag (christensen arms) in modern guise that I will keep. So a Highland stalker in 30/06 is a triple up of .30 cals....


So currently I have a deposit on HS 30/06 and a deposit/hold on .375 H&H with a nice stock.

I will also purchase a .416...its my favourite caliber so this is a given.

I am a sucker for nostalgia....so the dilemma is the 30/06 was at a fair price, BUT my heart says .275. The .375, well the timber is really nice, maybe this was impulsive due to the timber and it should be the .350 Rigby

The thing is I'll still want the .275, that's how I am, I'm embracing "Rigby" not really the caliber if you get what I mean so in the end I'd finish up spending more because I will want the Rigby offerings.

To that end I am seriously thinking about altering so the battery will be:

.275
.350
.416

rather than

30/06
.375
.416

Because I'm likely to still get those (.350 and .275) over the coming years if I follow through with the 30/06 and .375 and the idea is to trim down the collection.

I am wondering about modern handloads with the .350 Rigby and I am thinking if needs more than the .350 well bang you step up to .416 anyway.

Its all keeping me up at night because it is a lot of $$ I am going to spend and the mix needs to be right.

So the OP think long and hard about what you want as its not chump change....in all of this the calibers are not all that different the .275 will kill just as well as .308 and vice versa, its about how you want to structure your collection moving forward and what you value, nostalgia/practicality etc.

Also I think that the .350 Rigby and .416 Rigby is a more versatile pairing than .375 H&H and .416 Rigby.

Its not chump change, I'm doing this but need to get it right as I'm not wealthy, just persistent and value certain things and these rifles are not investments (that's stocks and real estate etc.) so chopping and changing will cost more in the long run.

Have others gone through the same thought process.

I don't think the agent will mind I am spending the $$ either way and I have not taken delivery of anything only deposits at this stage.

Cheers pc3

 

[R eight]

Mate you’re trying to cross bridges before you get to them. Shoot your first one for a few months and then decide on the next.

As you know. I went in this order 375, 30/06 and 416.

Would I do the same thing again? The answer depends on the day…maybe I’d swap the 375 for a 9.3 x62.

But I think the most logical thing is for me to buy another HS in 9.3 to complement the other 3.

Good luck

 

[tarbe]

No flies on either line up.

I think I understand your dilemma quite well and will not judge either way!

 

[Tintin]

What a great first world ‘problem’ to have.

As great as a Highland Stalker in 30-06 (or 9.3) and a Big Game in .375 would be …

How special a Rigby trifecta would be!

Could you scratch the .375 itch with one from another maker - Win Mod 70, CZ?

 

[Tanks]

To that end I am seriously thinking about altering so the battery will be:

.275
.350
.416

How about replacing the .416 with the .450?

 

[tarbe]

But for the record, the x3 Rigby line-up would be my vote!

No belts is a plus!

 

[Russ16]

I would say they for me the 30-06 and 375 have as much nostalgia as the others. They were all developed around the Sam time and have a storied history.

For me I can’t imagine choosing anything over a 30-06. Maybe it’s just because I’m so American centric.

I would go 30-06 and 375 or 416 and take the savings from the third gun and hard the wood or optics. A two rifle safari is a lot more practical than a three rifle safari.

 

[Tintin]

How about replacing the .416 with the .450?

Replace? or supplement?



A four Rigby battery

 

[odonata]

The title of this thread says "Nostalgia vs Practicality". Whenever I do that particular balancing act, it's usually about 90% nostalgia & 10% practicality. I always buy what makes me happy & I don't give the practicality of it as much consideration as I probably should. I love every purchase I've made which is why I still own every rifle I've ever bought. My only regrets are the ones I didn't buy. I have a few of those that still haunt me.

If I ever bought a Rigby Highland Stalker, it would have to be a 275. I own more 30-06's than any other chambering so I'm a big fan of that cartridge. But the 275 is such an iconic round from this particular company, I would have to go with it & just enjoy my Sako, Steyr & Remington in 30-06.

The middle choice is a coin flip: I like the three Rigby chamberings option a lot...if getting 350 Rigby ammo is doable. It seems like that might be a challenge. This is where practicality might actually win the day. A 9.3x62 would be my second choice if the 350 seemed too problematic.

I will also purchase a .416...its my favourite caliber so this is a given.

Since the 416 is a given, I'll leave that choice alone.

 

[pc3]

Mate you’re trying to cross bridges before you get to them. Shoot your first one for a few months and then decide on the next.

As you know. I went in this order 375, 30/06 and 416.

Would I do the same thing again? The answer depends on the day…maybe I’d swap the 375 for a 9.3 x62.

But I think the most logical thing is for me to buy another HS in 9.3 to complement the other 3.

Good luck

Thanks R8

Understand what your saying and if I go the Nostalgia route the “first” may well be the .350 over the 06.

 

[pc3]

How about replacing the .416 with the .450?

For sure that’s an option and has crossed my mind….I currently own a CZ .416 Rigby and it shoots exceptionally well, I Kudu Bob work on it when I first got it, bedded, feed check and bolt handle straightened and filled.

When I get the Rigby my son may use the CZ if still keen.

 

[pc3]

Replace? or supplement?



A four Rigby battery

It would finish up being a quartet when I get into something I generally go all in….my surgeon rifle action phase as an example.

The Rigbys will be it though…as I’m kind of sick of a “heap” of different stuff. To much clutter, to little time as well.

 

[JPbowhunter]

If it were truly about practicality you’d just buy a 9.3x62 or a 375 H&H and have no other centrefires for big game. But where’s the fun in that!

I say go with your heart otherwise you’ll feel unsettled and end up buying what you really want anyway

 

[farmer_john]

It would finish up being a quartet when I get into something I generally go all in….my surgeon rifle action phase as an example.

The Rigbys will be it though…as I’m kind of sick of a “heap” of different stuff. To much clutter, to little time as well.

Im in the same boat downsizing to make more efficient

 

[R eight]

Thanks R8

Understand what your saying and if I go the Nostalgia route the “first” may well be the .350 over the 06.

If that’s what you want then that’s perfect. IMO there is no bad choice.

 

[PCC600]

Replace? or supplement?



A four Rigby battery

I’d actually replace the 416 with a 450 Rigby . I think they are a better rifle to shoot and easy to get reloading components . Having said this I have both . But if I was a seller it would be the 416 Big Game . Love the PH.

 

[PCC600]

I am "attempting" to consolidate my rifles etc. less, but nicer. I'd posted this post elsewhere but it is a highjack of that persons thread, apologies to them.

In starting this process I may have jumped in a little quick and after some thought am thinking about switching the orders around a little.

I already own a .308 on a surgeon action in manners stock (another heavy .308 on a surgeon action is up for sale) & .300 win mag (christensen arms) in modern guise that I will keep. So a Highland stalker in 30/06 is a triple up of .30 cals....


So currently I have a deposit on HS 30/06 and a deposit/hold on .375 H&H with a nice stock.

I will also purchase a .416...its my favourite caliber so this is a given.

I am a sucker for nostalgia....so the dilemma is the 30/06 was at a fair price, BUT my heart says .275. The .375, well the timber is really nice, maybe this was impulsive due to the timber and it should be the .350 Rigby

The thing is I'll still want the .275, that's how I am, I'm embracing "Rigby" not really the caliber if you get what I mean so in the end I'd finish up spending more because I will want the Rigby offerings.

To that end I am seriously thinking about altering so the battery will be:

.275
.350
.416

rather than

30/06
.375
.416

Because I'm likely to still get those (.350 and .275) over the coming years if I follow through with the 30/06 and .375 and the idea is to trim down the collection.

I am wondering about modern handloads with the .350 Rigby and I am thinking if needs more than the .350 well bang you step up to .416 anyway.

Its all keeping me up at night because it is a lot of $$ I am going to spend and the mix needs to be right.

So the OP think long and hard about what you want as its not chump change....in all of this the calibers are not all that different the .275 will kill just as well as .308 and vice versa, its about how you want to structure your collection moving forward and what you value, nostalgia/practicality etc.

Also I think that the .350 Rigby and .416 Rigby is a more versatile pairing than .375 H&H and .416 Rigby.

Its not chump change, I'm doing this but need to get it right as I'm not wealthy, just persistent and value certain things and these rifles are not investments (that's stocks and real estate etc.) so chopping and changing will cost more in the long run.

Have others gone through the same thought process.

I don't think the agent will mind I am spending the $$ either way and I have not taken delivery of anything only deposits at this stage.

Cheers pc3

I like both your battery options . I’ve got a few big Rigbys with a Shikari coming . I don’t have a HS but I do have a 7x57 custom which is my go to deer rifle . I love this cartridge in all its variations from 140-175 grains . Never felt the need for a HS although they are lovely rifle . I’ve got a 30/06 Mannlicher Schonaeur . Nice rifle/ cartridge combo but I prefer the Mauser 7x57 combo . In summary if you want a HS in 275 get it . You won’t be disappointed and you certainly won’t need a 30/06 if you get a 350 .

 

[odonata]

In case you missed it, @PaulB posted about his Rigby battery on Friday that was really nice to read about & look at. I wanted to make sure you had seen it since you're trying to consolidate into a similar lineup. The opening photo of his 275, 303, 350 & 416 from top to bottom was inspirational even for this southpaw.

Thread 'JOHN RIGBY & CO. BATTERY'

Friday at 2:15 PM

THE “RIGBY BATTERY”

This Rigby lineup displays in one group, the extraordinary breadth of John Rigby & Co.’s magazine rifle offerings during the golden age of the sporting Mauser. Built between 1901 and 1920, these rifles span the classic Rigby big-game spectrum, from the light, wonderfully efficient .275, the historic .303, to the powerful .350 Magnum and finally the formidable .416 Rigby. The .275 was Rigby’s British sporting interpretation of the 7×57 Mauser, whose case originated in 1892, light-recoiling, flat-shooting and remarkably penetrating, it became legendary in Africa through...

• PaulB
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

• 
• 

 

[CBH Australia]

I think you are set on having the .275 Rigby and .416Rigby so it’s only a matter of which fits the gap.

The .375H&H is a classic in its own right and accepted as a minimum dangerous game cartridge in most places with ammo available in many places. Someone can help you out in a pinch.

It’s often been mentioned for the tiny 10 to DG use so that adds versatile to the equation.

If the decision is based on nostalgia, history or a passion for Rigby then you probably favour the .350Rigby for its heritage.

 

[pc3]

I think you are set on having the .275 Rigby and .416Rigby so it’s only a matter of which fits the gap.

The .375H&H is a classic in its own right and accepted as a minimum dangerous game cartridge in most places with ammo available in many places. Someone can help you out in a pinch.

It’s often been mentioned for the tiny 10 to DG use so that adds versatile to the equation.

If the decision is based on nostalgia, history or a passion for Rigby then you probably favour the .350Rigby for its heritage.

Thanks CBH, I made a decision, I am starting off with the .350 Rigby in the first instance. Order has been changed from the 30/06 to the .350 Rigby, it will be the rifle I take for Eland and other plains game down next trip.

I already have a "lighter" .308 on a surgeon action and Christensen .300 WM that I wont be selling as they are all weather etc. so in some respects a 30/06 did not make sense with what I already own.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts/opinions.