Which is better? Vintage Rigby vs New Rigby

[ve7poi]

Very nice now take it hunting and tell us all about the hunt with such a special rifle..

 

[sierraone]

Dammit, some people have all the fun.

 

[Red Leg]

Hi Guys

So I received the rifle.....and it is even better than I thought it was going to be !

I can't believe that this rifle is 113 years old !

I immediately contacted Rigby to get all the info I could on the rifle, unfortunately, there was no regulation data available.

I know from the literature that Rigby had a proclivity to regulate the sights for the 150gr load. So I loaded up 10 rounds and went to the range today. First just starting off with a minimum load to check if everything was ok. The rifle did great. I was hoping to achieve about 2700fps as this was quoted in Jon Speeds Mauser Bible.

I was able to get on the 100m target quite easily but as the velocity of the loads climbed above 2400fps I was way too high.

This leads me to believe it was regulated for the 174gr bullet.

So back to the drawing board!

Were it me, I think period style mounts and a modern piece of German glass on that old girl would tap the utmost of that round's capability.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Were it me, I think period style mounts and a modern piece of German glass on that old girl would tap the utmost of that round's capability.

I think you are right. Saying that...it has remained unaltered for 113 years. I would hate to be the one to defile her. I have plenty of other rifles that I can use with scopes.

At 37 my eyes are still pretty good to reach put to 150 with irons.

Cheers

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

What a fantastic First World problem to have

I think I'd take the old one, you can always order the new one, but can't always find the old one, especially in good shape

I agree with you Action Bob.
Witold

 

[TOBY458]

Here`s mine. A slightly used Highland stalker 9,3x62, made in 2017.
I havent hunted with it yet, bit will feed it with 250gr Accubonds for the 42 scope and 320gr Woodleigh SN/FMJ for the 24 scope and iron sights.

Planning to use it for everything, but o/c, a .275 would be fine next to it View attachment 327006View attachment 327007

I have one of these on my mind at the moment. Did you do a write up on this one anywhere? I'm very interested in the particulars.

 

[WAB]

Toby,
I have one in 9.3x62. We took it to Africa last August. Among other things, my wife took her buff with it. Perfect one shot kill. There’s a write up and pics here somewhere. Something like ‘epic retirement party’. I have to say, if it came to a choice and I could have only one rifle, it would come down to the 9.3 or .375.

 

[TOBY458]

Toby,
I have one in 9.3x62. We took it to Africa last August. Among other things, my wife took her buff with it. Perfect one shot kill. There’s a write up and pics here somewhere. Something like ‘epic retirement party’. I have to say, if it came to a choice and I could have only one rifle, it would come down to the 9.3 or .375.

I just skimmed through your hunt report. Great hunt! Does the Highland Stalker 9.3 shoot as well as it looks?

 

[chashardy]

Congratulations on the vintage Rigby! Beautiful rifle.

 

[Rule 303]

Hi Guys

So I received the rifle.....and it is even better than I thought it was going to be !

I can't believe that this rifle is 113 years old !

I immediately contacted Rigby to get all the info I could on the rifle, unfortunately, there was no regulation data available.

I know from the literature that Rigby had a proclivity to regulate the sights for the 150gr load. So I loaded up 10 rounds and went to the range today. First just starting off with a minimum load to check if everything was ok. The rifle did great. I was hoping to achieve about 2700fps as this was quoted in Jon Speeds Mauser Bible.

I was able to get on the 100m target quite easily but as the velocity of the loads climbed above 2400fps I was way too high.

This leads me to believe it was regulated for the 174gr bullet.

So back to the drawing board!

I just saw this thread. yes the .303 would have been regulated for the 174 or 215 grain projectile.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

So I took her to the range.

Started with 150gr bullets, Rigby's gunroom manager told me they were usually regulated with either 150gr or 174gr bullets. The 150gr bullets shot way too high at 100yrds.
So I loaded her up with 174gr bullets on the second go-around.
They shot to point of aim at 100yards going at about 2250fps.
I shot 2 groups with that load, both were sub 1" groups with a 113-year-old open sighted rifle in 303 British at 100yards!

I think the 215gr bullet is definitely something to try in the future as the 174gr shot to point of aim at a pretty mediocre velocity.

 

[Tintin]

what an incredible provenance - my vote is for the 303

 

[WAB]

I just skimmed through your hunt report. Great hunt! Does the Highland Stalker 9.3 shoot as well as it looks?

It does. 1/2 moa with 286 gr A-Frame handloads.

 

[Milan]

Great rifle. Congratulations!

 

[BWH]

I’ve only shot Bossie’s at Limpopo Big Game Safaris..... but his .old school .416 Rigby kicked like a rocking chair. Real dreamboat to shoot. Felt like a 22