Rigby PH or Parkwest 404 Jeffery?

[dogcat1]

I am one of few here that have owned both, shot both, taken game with both.
Both are excellent. Rigby has reputation and is good quality on a proven action by a proven maker. It is not custom in that sense of the word.
The Parkwest is seriously sturdy, accurate and well made.
With Parkwest you get more input into what you want - wood, checkering, barrel length, sights, takedown or traditional. Parkwest is more customer friendly and quick to respond to questions. Parkwest will put that rifle in your hands in 12 months or less. It is a semi custom approaching serious custom features.

Rigby is owned by the group that owns Blaser and Mauser. Parkwest is owned by the Rabikoff brothers and based in the USA.

I like both. If forced to pick if I did not have both, I would pick Parkwest but by a very narrow margin.

You cannot make a mistake with either.

PS - you did not ask about customs or Blaser. They are good options as well. You can get a Blaser with a 404 jeff after market barrel. It will be lightweight and fast handling. A traditional custom can be had for $15-$20k and get exactly what you think you want.

For me, I like customs. I like Blaser. I like Parkwest. I like Rigby. All are wonderful and do that job.

BTW - I am waiting on a .404 Jeff to be delivered very soon, along with a couple of .416 Rigby's. I am an addict. My name is Dogcat!

 

[dogcat1]

YOu did not mention the Heym Martini. I have had that one and it is very nice as well. No mistake buying that one either. Well balanced and extremely pointable. You cannot err on this one either.

 

[uplander01]

Oooo. I like the Jeffery idea. I habe never handled one. Can you compare and contrast it to the others in terms of action, fit and finish?

They are rare as hens teeth but there was a member here that had just ordered one a few months back. It would be worth a call to inquire. I believe they have contact and advertisements on this sight. I just think if you're buying your dream gun for this hunt, if it were me, and I had the chance to buy a Jeffery rifle in a jeffery caliber, that seems cool,.....just like if you were to buy a Rigby, I'd buy it in a 416 rigby.

 

[uplander01]

Just jumped on Jefferies sight.....I'd say even though they have their standard configuration,...looks to me more of a Westley Richards base model price range, a lot more that 16k.

I don't mean to call the Rigby baby ugly, you couldn't go wrong with either Rigby or Dakota. I tend to just give American manufacturers a chance before any of the European manufacturers but that's just me. If it were a Double Rifle without question Rigby or WR all the way.

As also mentioned, no custom makers. If I had 16k to spend, I'd figure out a way to buy a Reto Buehler and spend 20,......problem is at this point you'd be waiting years to get something made for you you,...but it can be done completely bespoke for 20 if you have time.

 

[PCC600]

They are rare as hens teeth but there was a member here that had just ordered one a few months back. It would be worth a call to inquire. I believe they have contact and advertisements on this sight. I just think if you're buying your dream gun for this hunt, if it were me, and I had the chance to buy a Jeffery rifle in a jeffery caliber, that seems cool,.....just like if you were to buy a Rigby, I'd buy it in a 416 rigby.

I totally agree with you . For the big medium bores , if it is a John Rigby then it is a 416 . If it is a WJ Jefferey it is a 404 . If it is a Westley Richards it is a 425 . I’ve got the Rigby 416 and the WR 425 . Those new Jefferey’s look very nice .

 

[uplander01]

Hard to argue that this isn't a beauty and one phone call away, still enough cash left over to buy a really good optic.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/dakota-arms-rifles/dakota-arms-76-african-404-jeffery.cfm?gun_id=103616185

 

[uplander01]

I know you want a 404, this one is in 416 rigby, but this is a comparable price to what you get straight up Mauser, may want to call the Blaser group and ask if they have one in stock. But to me this rifle config is far more appealing than a standard Rigby at 16k.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/mauser-rifles/mauser-m98-magnum-416-rigby.cfm?gun_id=103608416

 

[ftrovato]

Assuming they both fit you well, buy the rifle that makes your heart skip a beat when you look at it!

For me that is how I spell "Value"!

Good luck in your search for your next mistress....

 

[Stnelson]

The Cabelas in Fort Worth had about 10 brand new 404 Jeffrey’s last week.

 

[AZDAVE]

I have handled and shot both. Both give a very solid value for the $.

The only Rigby I own is a double, and haven't owned a Parkwest but owned a Dakota model 10, years ago. You can go back and forth and not make a bad decision.

If it was my $$$ I would buy the Rigby, but in 450 Rigby.

I would buy the new 22LR that Parkwest came out that has the same fit as the bigger hunting rifles.

 

[RIGBY]

I’ve already traded messages with a gentleman at Rigby. Thanks!

Perfect!

 

[Tucketed]

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/rifles-african-dangerous-game-safari-magazine-/factory-game-scene-engraved-mauser-m03-404-jeffery-takedown-rifle-swarovski-habicht-certified-safari-ready-.cfm?gun_id=103674515

 

[Hillbilly Marine]

I appreciate your problem, even if it way above my price point. Personally I would go Rigby but could not fault the Parkewest.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Rigby has tradition and history on it's side, sort of like Harley Davidson in the motorcycle industry. But, with that it can hamstring a company into not taking advantage of innovation. Not saying this is the case at Rigby at all. Parkwest makes a beautiful rifle that is on par with any other. I have handled both but own neither. All things being equal, I think I would choose Rigby but all things are never equal and you would not go wrong with either and as someone posted the Heym is another likely candidate.

In my case I went the custom route. ER Shaw built P14 Enfield modified to cock on opening with premium wood and Shaw match bbl all topped off with a Kahles K16i 1-6x optic. It is very accurate with Barnes TSX. It is not a Rigby but serves me well.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

I have gone another route to have an all-weather .404 made BUT, if I hadn't, I was prepared to wait until I had all 3 of the contenders I was interested in (Heym Martini, Parkwest and I had handled Rigbys) in my hands at some point to see the quality of the action and fitting. Otherwise you are just guessing I think.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Both are magnificent and you will not regret purchasing either.

But I would personally opt for the John Rigby & Co. Big Game, because it holds one round more (4+1) than the Parkwest Model 76 (3+1).

 

[Huvius]

I know you want a 404, this one is in 416 rigby, but this is a comparable price to what you get straight up Mauser, may want to call the Blaser group and ask if they have one in stock. But to me this rifle config is far more appealing than a standard Rigby at 16k.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/mauser-rifles/mauser-m98-magnum-416-rigby.cfm?gun_id=103608416

Sound advice there.

The Das Original is a "nicer" rifle at a lower price point. The Parkwest fit and finish is also better than the Rigby.
The Rigby will always have the name - I guess it has that going for it and maybe that's enough to buoy prices over time but there's so damn many of them (and HS models) on offer that market rarity is out the window.

 

[BAY]

I have gone another route to have an all-weather .404 made BUT, if I hadn't, I was prepared to wait until I had all 3 of the contenders I was interested in (Heym Martini, Parkwest and I had handled Rigbys) in my hands at some point to see the quality of the action and fitting. Otherwise you are just guessing I think.

That’s where I am at this point. Looks like I’ll make a road trip to visit my son in Texas and fondle each of the contenders. I really appreciate everyone’s input, it has been immensely helpful.

 

[358 Norma]

Same Money get the Rigby.

Parkwest is still gay for Talley mounts, and they suck.

Also resale is going to be way higher for the Rigby.

To quantify that I have had them fail. This is when they were based in Glenrock, Wyoming not SC like they are now.

Weatherby 340

Winchester M70 300

Remington 700 416

They are also ugly, but if you like them and they don't break by all means.

I would disagree with you on that!

 

[DaddyFlip]

Since you're going to Texas and if an all-weather option is a consideration, check out the Safari model from Hill Country Rifles. I really like that true co-witness RMR mount they came up with.