Safari Rifle Market-Have we reached the point of no return on cost?

[Jefferry404]

For me, I try to get the high-end components (GMA, Prechtl, Satterlee,Dakota actions, integral barrels, $1000-$1500 stock blanks, etc) thinking that there is some recognized value. I would think that chambering a barrel by Rigby the same as by Matrix, or bluing, or sight work, or stock work, etc. So not sure how a Rigby or WR bolt rifles command such prices, abeit old and venerated names.

 

[Rare Breed]

For me, I try to get the high-end components (GMA, Prechtl, Satterlee,Dakota actions, integral barrels, $1000-$1500 stock blanks, etc) thinking that there is some recognized value. I would think that chambering a barrel by Rigby the same as by Matrix, or bluing, or sight work, or stock work, etc. So not sure how a Rigby or WR bolt rifles command such prices, abeit old and venerated names.

Using an accounting term on their balance sheets nothing but “Good Will” better known as the power of a brand and really little else. But that term has to be earned and the big names have done just that with reliability and high performance producing customer trust and satisfaction. A no name anything no matter how beautiful it might be just has none of that and thus their pricing

 

[RETD16]

I’m having a hell of a time trying to find a LH magazine in 375 H&H that’s under $10K. LH safari rifles are very difficult to find!!!

 

[rookhawk]

I’m having a hell of a time trying to find a LH magazine in 375 H&H that’s under $10K. LH safari rifles are very difficult to find!!!

When you find a LH anything, offering 1/3rd fair value, you are the only interested party they've ever received. I have a certain hatred for lefties (no disrespect intended) because the supply far outstrips demand. Lefty guns have zero collector value. Lefty guns are prolific. Lefties only buy based upon utility and therefore are not prone to overpay for quality and rarity.

The math: 11% of people are lefty. 5% of people are Lefties that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks. Roughly 2-3% of people are lefties that want all things lefty.

Now from that 2-3% group, how many are collectors and investors? 1:100?

If I was a lefty, the world would be my oyster. The amount of luxury left handed weapons sold for a pittance after languishing on the market for a decade is sizable. If you only buy guns over $5000, you're in rare air, probably buying $25k weapons for 20% of true value due to the rarity of the customer.

 

[zephyr]

When you find a LH anything, offering 1/3rd fair value, you are the only interested party they've ever received. I have a certain hatred for lefties (no disrespect intended) because the supply far outstrips demand. Lefty guns have zero collector value. Lefty guns are prolific. Lefties only buy based upon utility and therefore are not prone to overpay for quality and rarity.

The math: 11% of people are lefty. 5% of people are Lefties that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks. Roughly 2-3% of people are lefties that want all things lefty.

Now from that 2-3% group, how many are collectors and investors? 1:100?

If I was a lefty, the world would be my oyster. The amount of luxury left handed weapons sold for a pittance after languishing on the market for a decade is sizable. If you only buy guns over $5000, you're in rare air, probably buying $25k weapons for 20% of true value due to the rarity of the customer.

I am Right handed but left eye dominant shoot but in your 5% that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks.....
My custom 505 Gibbs built for me on a right handed GMA Action has 3/8" cast "ON"

 

[Rare Breed]

When you find a LH anything, offering 1/3rd fair value, you are the only interested party they've ever received. I have a certain hatred for lefties (no disrespect intended) because the supply far outstrips demand. Lefty guns have zero collector value. Lefty guns are prolific. Lefties only buy based upon utility and therefore are not prone to overpay for quality and rarity.

The math: 11% of people are lefty. 5% of people are Lefties that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks. Roughly 2-3% of people are lefties that want all things lefty.

Now from that 2-3% group, how many are collectors and investors? 1:100?

If I was a lefty, the world would be my oyster. The amount of luxury left handed weapons sold for a pittance after languishing on the market for a decade is sizable. If you only buy guns over $5000, you're in rare air, probably buying $25k weapons for 20% of true value due to the rarity of the customer.

My son is left handed and shoots that way and I have found the following for him:
1. There are many choices in nice mid tier pricing for him at great pricing to @rook hawks point.
2. What I have seen though maybe contrary to his point is the Rigbys, Heyms, Westley Richards have in no way fallen into that trap…you most likely will have to custom order a left hand model with these brands

 

[Rimbaud]

My son is left handed and shoots that way and I have found the following for him:
1. There are many choices in nice mid tier pricing for him at great pricing to @rook hawks point.
2. What I have seen though maybe contrary to his point is the Rigbys, Heyms, Westley Richards have in no way fallen into that trap…you most likely will have to custom order a left hand model with these brands

I’m a LH shooter. I can never find high-end rifles. I’d love a Fanzoj kiplauff, but prices start at €50,000, which strikes me as Saudi sheikh silliness. Many thanks for any suggestions on where to look.

 

[DaddyFlip]

I’m a LH shooter. I can never find high-end rifles. I’d love a Fanzoj kiplauff, but prices start at €50,000, which strikes me as Saudi sheikh silliness. Many thanks for any suggestions on where to look.

Left hand Dakota 76 .416 Rigby, 4+1, express, banded​

On Gunbroker right now. Of course, high end to one person may be ho-hum to the next.

 

[DaddyFlip]

As far as I can tell, the cost of high quality has gone up significantly in the last 15 years, definitely higher than the rate of inflation. I worked for the Blaser Group some years back and the Rigby "Big Games" at that point were selling for 10-12k, now they are 15-20k. I could be way off base,...but its a great discussion and i really enjoy the input form you fellas on here.

Before my first trip to Africa in 2014 I bought a Winchester M70 Safari Express for $1200 brand new. And a Ruger Guide Gun for $850.

Here in 2025 I bought a Winchester M70 Safari Express in 416Rem for $1900 brand new; that's a 60% price increase in 11 years. The cost of everyday quality has risen at the same rate as high quality. Also, I paid MSRP+$20 just a few months after several AH'ers were complaining you couldn't find one at all; and if you did, it was marked up as high as three grand.

Sidebar: From the same seller, I could have paid 7x for a ParkWest Dark Continent in 404J. Sexier? Yes. Worth it? Not to me because it's still a bolt gun. The top of GI Page 1 is still just bolt guns. For 7x, I want a double, but that doesn't get you much double. You can't buy a double sight unseen like you can everything else. The whole reason I bought the M70 was because I found out the hard way...

 

[Northern Shooter]

I paid the following for my Dangerous Game rifles:

1. CZ550 375 - $2,100
2. Model 70 458 - $2,350
3. CZ550 416 (with scope) - $4,750
4. Merkel 160 470 - $15,000

 

[RETD16]

When you find a LH anything, offering 1/3rd fair value, you are the only interested party they've ever received. I have a certain hatred for lefties (no disrespect intended) because the supply far outstrips demand. Lefty guns have zero collector value. Lefty guns are prolific. Lefties only buy based upon utility and therefore are not prone to overpay for quality and rarity.

The math: 11% of people are lefty. 5% of people are Lefties that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks. Roughly 2-3% of people are lefties that want all things lefty.

Now from that 2-3% group, how many are collectors and investors? 1:100?

If I was a lefty, the world would be my oyster. The amount of luxury left handed weapons sold for a pittance after languishing on the market for a decade is sizable. If you only buy guns over $5000, you're in rare air, probably buying $25k weapons for 20% of true value due to the rarity of

As someone who is constantly looking for LH rifles on any format that I can find, I would respectfully disagree with you. Demand is high for LH rifles, and supply is pretty low. I look at this forum (of course), Cabela’s, GB, Guns.com, and Guns International multiple times a week. No joy!!! I lucked out when I found my Dakota Model 76 Traveler Safari in .416 Rem Mag a few years ago. I just happened to stumble across it at the Cabela’s in Glendale, AZ. Paid $5200…

Any hunting rifle for me must be LH. Otherwise it’s useless to me. As a collector, obviously I’m not going to find a Winchester 1886, 1866, or 1873 in LH. But those rifles are for my collection, they will never be used for hunting!!!

 

[EarlsSon]

And it will kill anything that walks!

I agree 100%, dead is dead. and the animal that was killed could care less if it was a $ 1,000 dollar rifle or a $ 150,000 dollar rifle that ended its life. I take pride in my "inexpensive" rifles that I both own and load for as well as every animal that I've taken on two different continents. YMMV !!!

 

[Whit]

I am Right handed but left eye dominant shoot but in your 5% that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks.....
My custom 505 Gibbs built for me on a right handed GMA Action has 3/8" cast "ON"

I'm right handed, left-eyed dominant, so I prefer true left/left rifles.

Have not yet found the top-quality LH rifle at 1/3 of market value yet... maybe I haven't looked in the right shops.

 

[rookhawk]

I'm right handed, left-eyed dominant, so I prefer true left/left rifles.

Have not yet found the top-quality LH rifle at 1/3 of market value yet... maybe I haven't looked in the right shops.

@Whit there was a london best bolt gun on this forum for about a decade. True magnum square bridge mauser if I recall? A jeffery? After a decade of languish I'm sure it could be had for a pittance.

Lefties on this forum have become a meme. People troll the classifieds saying "man if that was a lefty, i'd be all over it!", I've even seen trolling of unsold lefty guns by the masses so sick of the lefty cliche they write "man if that was a righty...." . It's become somewhat comical, but I do understand why:

Lefty guns do not sell well. There are too many kinds of lefties out there, there is zero liquidity or collectibility to lefty guns, there is limited inheritable use to them, etc. Hence, they languish. If I offered 1/5th of asking for every lefty gun on GI I bet that 10% of them would be sold.

 

[BJH65]

@Whit there was a london best bolt gun on this forum for about a decade. True magnum square bridge mauser if I recall? A jeffery? After a decade of languish I'm sure it could be had for a pittance.

Lefties on this forum have become a meme. People troll the classifieds saying "man if that was a lefty, i'd be all over it!", I've even seen trolling of unsold lefty guns by the masses so sick of the lefty cliche they write "man if that was a righty...." . It's become somewhat comical, but I do understand why:

Lefty guns do not sell well. There are too many kinds of lefties out there, there is zero liquidity or collectibility to lefty guns, there is limited inheritable use to them, etc. Hence, they languish. If I offered 1/5th of asking for every lefty gun on GI I bet that 10% of them would be sold.

I’m in 100% agreement. If one is a left handed shooter and cannot find the highest quality left handed rifle at a bargain, then you are are not looking hard enough or long enough. I find them often enough and at such bargains I’ve seriously considered purchasing one and using it as a right handed shooter!

 

[Badjer]

Respectfully, in 15 or so years of looking for LH guns (shotguns, lever, bolt, etc) I've never seen a LH model go for less than 130% of a equal specification RH model.
As far as the not selling well, I would probably agree since most LH shooters give up looking for what they want and settle for a compromise (RH model, different caliber, finish) or just give up looking altogether.
Now all that being said: Hunters are a relatively small portion of the population. African hunters, a smaller percentage of that. Dangerous game? The numbers reduce further. Add Left handed to this and it's understandable why there are few options for southpaws.
However; we apparently are supposed to keep 4-$20,000 readily available for years and hopefully be in the right place at the right time when a DG weapon CLOSE to what we want becomes available.
We have become a meme by those who can go buy what they want when they want it for less money. JM .02

 

[RR 314]

Respectfully, in 15 or so years of looking for LH guns (shotguns, lever, bolt, etc) I've never seen a LH model go for less than 130% of a equal specification RH model.
As far as the not selling well, I would probably agree since most LH shooters give up looking for what they want and settle for a compromise (RH model, different caliber, finish) or just give up looking altogether.
Now all that being said: Hunters are a relatively small portion of the population. African hunters, a smaller percentage of that. Dangerous game? The numbers reduce further. Add Left handed to this and it's understandable why there are few options for southpaws.
However; we apparently are supposed to keep 4-$20,000 readily available for years and hopefully be in the right place at the right time when a DG weapon CLOSE to what we want becomes available.
We have become a meme by those who can go buy what they want when they want it for less money. JM .02

I looked at this fine rifle every time I went to my FFL to pick up a rifle. It was spectacular and seemingly at around a 50% discount due to being left handed. It lingered forever.

J

Thread 'For Sale Frederick Beesley Left-hand 416 Rigby With Scope'

Aug 19, 2020

FREDERICK BEESLEY LEFT-HAND BOLT ACTION RIFLE
. 416 Rigby caliber
23 1/2" barrel
weight 13 lbs with scope & sling
44 3/4" overall
LOP 14" over 7/8" leather covered recoil pad
raised blade front sight & quarter rib 50 yard rear 'V' sight
trigger currently set at a 3 lb 8 oz pull.
EAW quick release bases carrying a Leupold 1.5-5x scope

The gloss blue barrel is marked with "Frederick Beesley (Formerly of St. James Street, London) Amersham" on top, the scimitar proof and "416 Rigby LP/96" on the right side of the chamber and the London "Crown/GP" on the right side of the receiver. The blued...

• JMM
• Replies: 48
• Forum: Classifieds

• 
• 

 

[rookhawk]

Lefties, here's a gift.

Go insultingly low-ball on these. The Cabelas rifle is a good one and it is already discounted, indicating it has languished. I bet you'd get them to take $2800 for a Champlin built custom rifle.

CHAMPLIN ARMS ~ CUSTOM RIFLE ~ LH ~ .25-06 REMINGTON for sale

CHAMPLIN ARMS ~ CUSTOM RIFLE ~ LH ~ .25-06 REMINGTON for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Left hand Biesen custom .338 Winchester Magnum made for family member, integral brake, highly refined, tremendous wood, provenance, 98%, layaway for sale

Left hand Biesen custom .338 Winchester Magnum made for family member, integral brake, highly refined, tremendous wood, provenance, 98%, layaway for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Awesome Custom Rifle. for sale

Awesome Custom Rifle. for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

AL BEISEN CUSTOM BOLT RIFLE 7MM WEATHERBY MAGNUM 24" BARREL **LEFT HANDED** for sale

AL BEISEN CUSTOM BOLT RIFLE 7MM WEATHERBY MAGNUM 24" BARREL **LEFT HANDED** for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

For shotguns, call Orvis Sandanona in Mill Brook, NY and talk to Greg in the gun room. If they have lefty shotguns in stock on consignment, you'll mop up great deals because they NEVER sell and the consignees get desperate/frustrated.

 

[rookhawk]

Look at this glorious, 100 year old German Falling Block, a lefty, asking $1600! It's in sporting configuration, not Schutzen Target config! That's a classy hunting rifle.

SCHMIDT & HABERMAN - "SYSTEM REFORM" - LEFT HAND - 8.15 x 46R for sale

SCHMIDT & HABERMAN - "SYSTEM REFORM" - LEFT HAND - 8.15 x 46R for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

 

[BJH65]

I looked at this fine rifle every time I went to my FFL to pick up a rifle. It was spectacular and seemingly at around a 50% discount due to being left handed. It lingered forever.

J

Thread 'For Sale Frederick Beesley Left-hand 416 Rigby With Scope'

Aug 19, 2020

FREDERICK BEESLEY LEFT-HAND BOLT ACTION RIFLE
. 416 Rigby caliber
23 1/2" barrel
weight 13 lbs with scope & sling
44 3/4" overall
LOP 14" over 7/8" leather covered recoil pad
raised blade front sight & quarter rib 50 yard rear 'V' sight
trigger currently set at a 3 lb 8 oz pull.
EAW quick release bases carrying a Leupold 1.5-5x scope

The gloss blue barrel is marked with "Frederick Beesley (Formerly of St. James Street, London) Amersham" on top, the scimitar proof and "416 Rigby LP/96" on the right side of the chamber and the London "Crown/GP" on the right side of the receiver. The blued...

• JMM
• Replies: 48
• Forum: Classifieds

• 
• 

Was just looking at some old threads and this exact rifle a few minutes ago. I assume it sold on GB but damn I would honestly buy that rifle and use it as right hander.