Owners of premium bolt guns - Rigby, Jeffery, Holland + Holland, Westley Richards etc

Blastattack said:
They're very pretty, but I fail to see the value, especially for the most basic configurations. There seems to be an enormous amount of profit based on the name for little return in value.
Click to expand...

I agree and refuse to believe that british made rifles are worth their outragous prices. Many of their clients are Arabian Sheikhs and other people of wealth in the middle-east. Only the super rich can afford such luxuries, especially firearms that are in the tens-of-thousands. A close look at German and Austrian rifles reflects realistic prices, although still quite expensive, especially for the commoner. Andy Norris in the video explains quite well.
https://youtu.be/GdnwOgM0_1c?t=4
 
track said:
I agree and refuse to believe that british made rifles are worth their outragous prices. Many of their clients are Arabian Sheikhs and other people of wealth in the middle-east. Only the super rich can afford such luxuries, especially firearms that are in the tens-of-thousands. A close look at German and Austrian rifles reflects realistic prices, although still quite expensive, especially for the commoner. Andy Norris in the video explains quite well.
https://youtu.be/GdnwOgM0_1c?t=4
Click to expand...

This thread isn’t about doubles. And Merkel is not Holland and Holland.

I know lots of people who aren’t “super rich” that own rifles in that price range. It’s all about priority or what you want or value in a firearm. I know lots more “regular” people that have a safe full of factory or semi custom rifles worth $1500-$3000. Then add scopes to those rifles, reloading components or ammunition and I think you get the picture. A $15000 Rigby isn’t necessarily for the well heeled. That said, I don’t think the British have the corner on quality. IMO North American custom builders produce a better product. If he was still making rifles, price out a David Miller Classic for example.
 
pathfinder76 said:
This thread isn’t about doubles. And Merkel is not Holland and Holland.

I know lots of people who aren’t “super rich” that own rifles in that price range. It’s all about priority or what you want or value in a firearm. I know lots more “regular” people that have a safe full of factory or semi custom rifles worth $1500-$3000. Then add scopes to those rifles, reloading components or ammunition and I think you get the picture. A $15000 Rigby isn’t necessarily for the well heeled. That said, I don’t think the British have the corner on quality. IMO North American custom builders produce a better product. If he was still making rifles, price out a David Miller Classic for example.
Click to expand...

LOL!! When does a thread stay on track?............ Threads, for the most part, stray. The message in the video is about owning a rifle, which is hand made of excellent quality, without paying 150,000 British Sterling Pounds. Regarding work and craftsmenship, the North American Gun Makers Guild is outmatched by the European gunmakers. BTW, the best gunmakers in Canada are both from Germany and Austria, who have boosted the NAGMG to a higher level.
I was going to purchase that Rigby Highland Stalker in the 7x57, however I did not see the quality for that price; low grade wood, no ebony forend tip, overtravel on trigger, no enlayed swivel studs, orange recoil pad (YUCK!!!)
 
This subject beckons for some common sense, as with all luxury goods, are they worth it? Absolutely not. Functionally, they’re no different than a Ruger or Winchester, and there’s a good African plains game trip to be found in the difference.

Are they nice however? Yes, yes they really are. They’re an expression of art in our hobby of sporting arms, and art can’t ever be considered from a practical point of view. If you’re trying to, you don’t understand it and that’s alright, I’m into lots of things others find overpriced and have drifted into and out of the appreciation of myself.

The real question is what’s important to you, and what you can afford. I would caution not to buy the rifle instead of going on the trip, but if you can manage both, all the better.
 
Joel said:
Do you like the Trijicon triangle on post setups at all? :)
Click to expand...

I'll chime in on that one. I'm not a fan of the triangle on post reticle in it's current format. I found that the triangle was too big and too bright, even with the "damper" closes as much as possible. The size and brightness of the triangle drew my eye to the center of it rather than the top of the point, which resulted in my shots being higher than they should have been. A minor issue but it was definitely a little problematic when making shots on smaller targets. That being said, if I was shooting one all the time then I'm sure that I would become more familiar with them. And if you were shooting a bear out of a tree then they would probably be the best reticle that you could get. But even so, I think that I would prefer Trijicon's traditional crosshair reticle with the illuminated center dot which would provide all the benefits of the lighted aiming point, without the drawbacks I experienced with the triangle.

That being said, if the triangle was 25% the size that it is now (that is to say, draw a horizontal line through the middle, top to bottom, and only illuminate the top "half" of the triangle) then I would be much more interested. The triangle in the Accupoint is 2 MOA tall and 2 MOA wide which I think we can all agree, is just too big, whereas the dot is .4MOA. An illuminated dot that size is perfect for big game hunting. The 2MOA triangle thing is just crossover from the military market. All well and good for fasts shooting up close, but not what I'd want for longer range.

As always, YMMV.
 
track said:
LOL!! When does a thread stay on track?............ Threads, for the most part, stray. The message in the video is about owning a rifle, which is hand made of excellent quality, without paying 150,000 British Sterling Pounds. Regarding work and craftsmenship, the North American Gun Makers Guild is outmatched by the European gunmakers. BTW, the best gunmakers in Canada are both from Germany and Austria, who have boosted the NAGMG to a higher level.
I was going to purchase that Rigby Highland Stalker in the 7x57, however I did not see the quality for that price; low grade wood, no ebony forend tip, overtravel on trigger, no enlayed swivel studs, orange recoil pad (YUCK!!!)
Click to expand...

You and I are going to have to agree to disagree on this. The Americans, from a quality of work prospective, are heads and shoulders above the Brit’s when it comes to bolt action rifles. The guild doesn’t have anything to do with it.
 
Uh oh! People asking about what you get for your money with a custom rifle? Thought that was a huge faux pas! On the level of asking someone if his wifes tits are real.



BigUglyMan said:
I'll chime in on that one. I'm not a fan of the triangle on post reticle in it's current format. I found that the triangle was too big and too bright, even with the "damper" closes as much as possible. The size and brightness of the triangle drew my eye to the center of it rather than the top of the point, which resulted in my shots being higher than they should have been. A minor issue but it was definitely a little problematic when making shots on smaller targets. That being said, if I was shooting one all the time then I'm sure that I would become more familiar with them. And if you were shooting a bear out of a tree then they would probably be the best reticle that you could get. But even so, I think that I would prefer Trijicon's traditional crosshair reticle with the illuminated center dot which would provide all the benefits of the lighted aiming point, without the drawbacks I experienced with the triangle.

That being said, if the triangle was 25% the size that it is now (that is to say, draw a horizontal line through the middle, top to bottom, and only illuminate the top "half" of the triangle) then I would be much more interested. The triangle in the Accupoint is 2 MOA tall and 2 MOA wide which I think we can all agree, is just too big, whereas the dot is .4MOA. An illuminated dot that size is perfect for big game hunting. The 2MOA triangle thing is just crossover from the military market. All well and good for fasts shooting up close, but not what I'd want for longer range.

As always, YMMV.
Click to expand...

I can absolutely agree with this, with one "but..."

Assuming 2 MOA is really no big deal at all on anything one would shoot with a 416 Rigby. Unless the owner really plans for deer at 300 yards or moose at 500 yards (maybe he does!) then 2 MOA is pretty miniscule against the size of big, toothy, tusky, stompy bois in African places. Even for say a lion within 200 yards?

Depending on your magnification, of course. But for big animals and short to medium ranges, that eye catchin' triangle may not be a bad thing. Absolutely not a target scope, they may be your cuppa tea as a big game scope.

Plain crosshair with dot is a great setup though! More versatile for sure. I was really thiking in terms of "Cape buff" or "Moose inside 200 yards" here where a 4 inch triangle is still probably smaller than its heart lol
 
Last edited:
pathfinder76 said:
You and I are going to have to agree to disagree on this. The Americans, from a quality of work prospective, are heads and shoulders above the Brit’s when it comes to bolt action rifles. The guild doesn’t have anything to do with it.
Click to expand...

I didn't mention Brit's, I said Europeans. I'm talking all rifles, plus, even European shotguns are much better. Well if it's not the Guild, than who? It can't be the standard manufactures.
 
Rigby is stocking Mauser barreled actions, did they even do that back in the day or were Rigby bolt actions made completely by Mauser?

Buying straight from Mauser will run US$13,000 and up.
 
pathfinder76 said:
Rigby stocked Mauser barreled action historically as well.
Click to expand...

Is there evidence that they even did that. There are many German and Austrian rifles roll marked with the name of English Gunmakers.

I don't think anyone is saying that Rigby did anything with the C96 pistols they sold.
 
This is from the internet, it doesn't say what Rigby did to it other than sights. I'd think if they stocked it they would have some particulars on the stock. Of course the stock may have the Mauser number out of sight if they did stock it.

Screenshot_20230905-133050_Gallery.jpg
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20230905-133050_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20230905-133050_Gallery.jpg
    44 KB · Views: 119
So now are you saying Rigby doesn’t stock them at all? Rigby has done all sorts of things in conjunction with Mauser I’m sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom