When Perfect Timing Seems Bad—of Rigbys and Cabelas

[Wildwillalaska]

More pictures, please!!

I will post more once I have it in hand.

 

[Surgeon1]

Great buy Will!
As you and I have discussed many times, it is time to stop buying guns and hunt more!
I'm off to Uganda in 24d if they can get the internet and cell service turned on after elections.
The Democrats/Communists in our government repeatedly shut the government down (last one 45d),
and get nothing. They haven't learned to become a real Third World Country, which is what they so desire, they need to turn off the cell phone and internet service. But damn that is going to make it
hard to buy beautiful guns and go on wonderful hunting trips!

 

[375Ruger416]

Beautiful rifles and purchase! Congratulations!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Beautiful pairing. You really need a Rigby in a lighter caliber like a 275 now. I know where there’s a Paul Roberts produced 270 from the 80’s that the owner could likely be talked out of.

 

[Rare Breed]

Just for fun, I went to the Rigby site and cost out what I see. The heavy up cost is the wood, engraving and gold. If you bought this gun new it is just south of $30,000. Well done!!!

Sometimes things fall into place, and just too good to pass even when the timing is wrong.

So I’ve had a fascination and desire to own a Rigby since I was a little kid, and while I cannot recall when it started, I do recall talking to a gentleman when I was 12 at the gun shop and rifle range where I worked a few days a week after school just up the road from our house. I was out sweeping up brass and this gent had the most gorgeous rifle, the wood caught my eye, the thick barrel, and the all the engraving and gold. I can’t recall if he said he won it or bought it at the DSC, which I’d heard of even though I hadn’t been to one of the annual events, living in the hill country, it was a good poke to Dallas. But as soon as he said it was a 416 John Rigby, I knew what he was talking about. He was very kind and showed me the rifle and chatted with me a bit, before I went back to work and watched as he fired off a round now and then. At that point, I’d shot my 30-06 a ton, several of my father’s 308’s, but no magnums yet, and was enthralled at the notion someday.

It’s funny how much that stuck with me, and how much I knew someday I wanted one. I got sidetracked hunting Alaska for almost 20-years before turning to Africa, and again finding fancy in guns that were as pretty as they were accurate. Nice change from all the customs for years being purpose built to hell and saltwater. So as I got ready for my first safari, I picked up a couple Dakotas, in 375HH and 416 Rigby. Liked them both a great deal, but thinking back nearly 40 years, I knew if I was going to take a 416 Rigby to Africa, it ought to be a John Rigby rifle. And if I’m hoping to poke a hole in my first buffalo, I ought to do it with my dream rifle. I ended up with some good fortune with a splendid deal on a pre-owned 416 Big Game Rifle from Griffin & Howe that was an early rifle to their return to London, mint condition and shoots lights out, under 1/2 MOA with factory Barnes ammo. As much as I love it, and I do, there’s not a spec of gold. I don’t want or need much, maybe in the sights, safety, serial number, possibly bolt knob double R. So I’ve kept an eye out, always. Same for a Highland Stalker, I’d like to try one out, but also being one that typically enjoys pre-owned rifles, I just hadn’t found the right caliber in the right deal. I wanted a 9.3x62 as I’ve never had one, but really figure the 275 Rigby is more ideal. Wish they would make it in 300HH.

During the last year, my Rigby searches have dwindled as I got sidetracked with doubles, and especially Heym. I have discovered that double rifles can impact your toy and hunting fund quickly. I acquired 5 Heym and 1 Westley Richards in 2025, although 3 of the Heym went to new owners already. And I was getting dialed in on exactly what I wanted, I ended up talking myself into importing two more gorgeous Heym 89b from Germany, fingers crossed to arrive as early as late March. I also hoped to do an elephant hunt in 2026 around the same time I had a buffalo hunt in Mozambique, doing it right before or after…but I needed to both quit buying doubles, and part with one or two. So I had a plan on after I made the last wire to Germany, I’m good…no more doubles for now. Failed to tell myself no more Rigbys though.

So Thursday night I glanced at Cabelas pre-owned guns, seeing what kind of things were popping up after TTH and really not sure why, I hadn’t looked in a few weeks. And basically shot myself in the foot, first thing I see is new in, gorgeous wood, some engraving, stepped barrel, Swaro glass, John Rigby 416. Dammmmiiitttt!!! Thankfully it had an engraved floor plate by Burgess, and initials on the trigger guard (Or acronym for how it kills things “Really F’n Dead”) so maybe I can show restraint. I do some research to tire my eyes and drift off. Find where the same rifle was sold by Hallowell couple/few years back for 50% more than asking price. It was built on a BRNO vs Mauser action, so maybe I can still withstand temptation. Figure I should at least e-mail and see if I can’t ask a few questions, I mean what’s the harm.

Look over the photos at Hallowell and thought it was cool that inside stock was signed by several folks, supposedly those that worked on the rifle. And man is the wood pretty, but I can easily walk away…I’ll just ask a few questions about handling marks, and see how firm they are on price, maybe what might come with the gun. So yesterday morning get them on the phone, and speaking with the gent that took the guns in, he loves this one, so gorgeous, way fancier than the Mauser one the same guy sold…wait, what????

What Mauser? Guy responds, oh it’s a 9.3, nice, like new but no where as pretty as the 416. So I ask a few questions, because he said it was a Mauser but then also a Rigby. So I ask if it’s online yet, and of course not, but it’s right there with him, so he can’t text me some photos. I ask if it says Rigby, and yes, floor plate and barrel. Serial number on trigger guard please, responds back 14xxx didn’t hear the last three, but knew it was a Highland Stalker, so asked how much…I mean I couldn’t help it, thinking maybe it would be a steal at $10k-$12k if as minty as he said….then I hear $799…and he corrects himself, “I mean $7,999.” At this point, I temporarily forgot about the 416. Said yes, please text me photos. Asked that they knew it was a Rigby rifle as well, not just a Mauser, he said yes, but the action said Mauser where the 416 said John Rigby. Ok by me, sounds logical, am I able to buy it now even though not intending to list till Monday, he spoke to someone over his shoulder and said yes.

Great, here I am barely a week into my aspirational gun fast, and not only calling about a Rigby, but about to buy another Rigby I didn’t even call about in the first -lave…worse yet, I was about to ask what if I bought them both. Did I say daammmmmmiittttttt yet. They knock off $500 on the 9.3x62 Highland and $750 on the 416 BIG Game. Decide I can’t say no, especially with free shipping to Anchorage store and no sales tax. Now I’m hoping I don’t like the 9.3 Highland, as I went from needing to sell one or couple Heyms to now needing to prioritize sparing another or two if I hope to track elephants this year.

I just couldn’t help how that stepped barrel 416 Big Game was calling to me, and I’d have been an idiot to say no thank you to a $7,500 Highland Stalker in a caliber I really, really wanted to try and specifically in that ri

Just for

 

[skydiver386]

You should have known better than to do an Internet search for a gun you wanted. What were you thinking?

Seriously, that rifle is exactly what dreams are made of. I know I'm not the only one that hopes to see that rifle in a hunt report soon.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Just for fun, I went to the Rigby site and cost out what I see. The heavy up cost is the wood, engraving and gold. If you bought this gun new it is just south of $30,000. Well done!!!


Just for

If if were a basic Big Game Rifle with Mauser barreled action that Rigby does the additional accoutrements and finishing a stocking, at least that. I’ll be surprised if the ledgers don’t show this 416 as a London’s Best rifle. With all the engraving on the action and elsewhere, the stepped barrel and melded band, it’s got the hallmarks.

The Higjland Stalker appears configured as their base rifle, grade 5 wood, no additional options, which ballparks it around $16,750 plus whatever additional is at play with increased tariffs.

I’m not going to scope the 9.3 as I’m hoping to play with it at the range just a bit to get a feel for it, but view it as one I could replace down the road and need to replenish my Ele fund so my misses doesn’t get too bent with me if I slip one in this year.

 

[Fryeguy]

Wow, just wow. Great buy. I am very jealous of the highland stalker!!!

 

[PCC600]

If if were a basic Big Game Rifle with Mauser barreled action that Rigby does the additional accoutrements and finishing a stocking, at least that. I’ll be surprised if the ledgers don’t show this 416 as a London’s Best rifle. With all the engraving on the action and elsewhere, the stepped barrel and melded band, it’s got the hallmarks.

The Higjland Stalker appears configured as their base rifle, grade 5 wood, no additional options, which ballparks it around $16,750 plus whatever additional is at play with increased tariffs.

I’m not going to scope the 9.3 as I’m hoping to play with it at the range just a bit to get a feel for it, but view it as one I could replace down the road and need to replenish my Ele fund so my misses doesn’t get too bent with me if I slip one in this year.

It is definitely a Rigby London Best . Has the H&H style mounts and a leather recoil pad to boot ! I think it would be at least a US$50k+ rifle .

 

[Pablo]

Chingow! Those are pretty! You made out like a bandit.

 

[steve white]

Sometimes things fall into place, and just too good to pass even when the timing is wrong.

So I’ve had a fascination and desire to own a Rigby since I was a little kid, and while I cannot recall when it started, I do recall talking to a gentleman when I was 12 at the gun shop and rifle range where I worked a few days a week after school just up the road from our house. I was out sweeping up brass and this gent had the most gorgeous rifle, the wood caught my eye, the thick barrel, and the all the engraving and gold. I can’t recall if he said he won it or bought it at the DSC, which I’d heard of even though I hadn’t been to one of the annual events, living in the hill country, it was a good poke to Dallas. But as soon as he said it was a 416 John Rigby, I knew what he was talking about. He was very kind and showed me the rifle and chatted with me a bit, before I went back to work and watched as he fired off a round now and then. At that point, I’d shot my 30-06 a ton, several of my father’s 308’s, but no magnums yet, and was enthralled at the notion someday.

It’s funny how much that stuck with me, and how much I knew someday I wanted one. I got sidetracked hunting Alaska for almost 20-years before turning to Africa, and again finding fancy in guns that were as pretty as they were accurate. Nice change from all the customs for years being purpose built to hell and saltwater. So as I got ready for my first safari, I picked up a couple Dakotas, in 375HH and 416 Rigby. Liked them both a great deal, but thinking back nearly 40 years, I knew if I was going to take a 416 Rigby to Africa, it ought to be a John Rigby rifle. And if I’m hoping to poke a hole in my first buffalo, I ought to do it with my dream rifle. I ended up with some good fortune with a splendid deal on a pre-owned 416 Big Game Rifle from Griffin & Howe that was an early rifle to their return to London, mint condition and shoots lights out, under 1/2 MOA with factory Barnes ammo. As much as I love it, and I do, there’s not a spec of gold. I don’t want or need much, maybe in the sights, safety, serial number, possibly bolt knob double R. So I’ve kept an eye out, always. Same for a Highland Stalker, I’d like to try one out, but also being one that typically enjoys pre-owned rifles, I just hadn’t found the right caliber in the right deal. I wanted a 9.3x62 as I’ve never had one, but really figure the 275 Rigby is more ideal. Wish they would make it in 300HH.

During the last year, my Rigby searches have dwindled as I got sidetracked with doubles, and especially Heym. I have discovered that double rifles can impact your toy and hunting fund quickly. I acquired 5 Heym and 1 Westley Richards in 2025, although 3 of the Heym went to new owners already. And I was getting dialed in on exactly what I wanted, I ended up talking myself into importing two more gorgeous Heym 89b from Germany, fingers crossed to arrive as early as late March. I also hoped to do an elephant hunt in 2026 around the same time I had a buffalo hunt in Mozambique, doing it right before or after…but I needed to both quit buying doubles, and part with one or two. So I had a plan on after I made the last wire to Germany, I’m good…no more doubles for now. Failed to tell myself no more Rigbys though.

So Thursday night I glanced at Cabelas pre-owned guns, seeing what kind of things were popping up after TTH and really not sure why, I hadn’t looked in a few weeks. And basically shot myself in the foot, first thing I see is new in, gorgeous wood, some engraving, stepped barrel, Swaro glass, John Rigby 416. Dammmmiiitttt!!! Thankfully it had an engraved floor plate by Burgess, and initials on the trigger guard (Or acronym for how it kills things “Really F’n Dead”) so maybe I can show restraint. I do some research to tire my eyes and drift off. Find where the same rifle was sold by Hallowell couple/few years back for 50% more than asking price. It was built on a BRNO vs Mauser action, so maybe I can still withstand temptation. Figure I should at least e-mail and see if I can’t ask a few questions, I mean what’s the harm.

Look over the photos at Hallowell and thought it was cool that inside stock was signed by several folks, supposedly those that worked on the rifle. And man is the wood pretty, but I can easily walk away…I’ll just ask a few questions about handling marks, and see how firm they are on price, maybe what might come with the gun. So yesterday morning get them on the phone, and speaking with the gent that took the guns in, he loves this one, so gorgeous, way fancier than the Mauser one the same guy sold…wait, what????

What Mauser? Guy responds, oh it’s a 9.3, nice, like new but no where as pretty as the 416. So I ask a few questions, because he said it was a Mauser but then also a Rigby. So I ask if it’s online yet, and of course not, but it’s right there with him, so he can’t text me some photos. I ask if it says Rigby, and yes, floor plate and barrel. Serial number on trigger guard please, responds back 14xxx didn’t hear the last three, but knew it was a Highland Stalker, so asked how much…I mean I couldn’t help it, thinking maybe it would be a steal at $10k-$12k if as minty as he said….then I hear $799…and he corrects himself, “I mean $7,999.” At this point, I temporarily forgot about the 416. Said yes, please text me photos. Asked that they knew it was a Rigby rifle as well, not just a Mauser, he said yes, but the action said Mauser where the 416 said John Rigby. Ok by me, sounds logical, am I able to buy it now even though not intending to list till Monday, he spoke to someone over his shoulder and said yes.

Great, here I am barely a week into my aspirational gun fast, and not only calling about a Rigby, but about to buy another Rigby I didn’t even call about in the first -lave…worse yet, I was about to ask what if I bought them both. Did I say daammmmmmiittttttt yet. They knock off $500 on the 9.3x62 Highland and $750 on the 416 BIG Game. Decide I can’t say no, especially with free shipping to Anchorage store and no sales tax. Now I’m hoping I don’t like the 9.3 Highland, as I went from needing to sell one or couple Heyms to now needing to prioritize sparing another or two if I hope to track elephants this year.

I just couldn’t help how that stepped barrel 416 Big Game was calling to me, and I’d have been an idiot to say no thank you to a $7,500 Highland Stalker in a caliber I really, really wanted to try and specifically in that rifle.
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I've never seen inletting signed--whatever you do, don't cover it with epoxy bedding! Very unique and two very classy and beautiful rifles. Congratulations and thanks for the eye candy.

 

[Woodcarver]

So, is the plan to cut the barrel on that 416 down to 19" and thread it? I hear that's the best thing to do with a big bore. You'll only lose about 100fps!

Beautiful rifle! And a great deal to boot! Congrats on not giving in to the wrong devil on your shoulder.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

So, is the plan to cut the barrel on that 416 down to 19" and thread it? I hear that's the best thing to do with a big bore. You'll only lose about 100fps!

Beautiful rifle! And a great deal to boot! Congrats on not giving in to the wrong devil on your shoulder.

Wait, isn’t that what the stepped barrel was for, to show where to cut. I mean I think it would still be sexy at 16” with a 10” suppressor on it…certainly bubba sexy. Hopefully someone would smack the sense into me before that happened.

 

[AZDAVE]

You have a very nice pair of Rigby's. Enjoy them.

 

[Tex .416]

Absolutely stunning rifle and stunningly great buy.

Congratulations!

 

[Moosemind]

Byron Burgess did a lot of engraving for California Rigby, which used Reimer Johannsen and Dakota actions for magazine rifles. The one pictured belonged to vette47. The writeup is in Africa Hunting somewhere.

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

Bloody nice rifles!