Recommended load for Rigby

Rigby's moved from 72 St James in 1907, so built earlier than 1908. Given the early date, it was likely regulated for the 173 gr load, but the front sight has been changed so it's anybody's guess what it's sighted for now.
 
OP .... That's nice old rifle. Has it been drilled for scope mounts?

Also .... I always wonder about how well those bolt mounted peep sights work with the rear bbl sight in front of it. Would think that bbl sight would obscure some of the sight picture from the peep. I like peep sights and that bbl sight is pretty nice as well. Just always thought it should be one or the other. I've never handled one, thus the question/observation.
 
A breath of new air into my interest in it and I’ve just ordered
A copy of the book “Rigby: A Grand Tradition”.
The rife is completely original and unmolested. Supercub
the peep sight post retracts down and out of the shooter’s
field of vision.
J.
 
I share Supercub's question - typically that rear aperture sight is used when a really precise shot is required - often long range. The iron sights on barrel often used for "normal" hunting range shots. It also appears to me that the view through that peep would be "fouled" by the rear sight bodies - is it?? Maybe that peep sight is set to be higher than the iron sight bodies - although both would use the same front sight. Was from days before scopes - barrel sights for short range - that rear mounted for longer range precise shots. Might be how we use words as well - not sure that those days would consider even 300 yards as "long range" shooting with iron sights?? Certainly records of Boers exchanging shots with British in 2nd Boer War - so 1900 - with iron sights at 1,400 yards - I believe is mentioned in a poem or article by Rudyard Kipling about that conflict.

FYI - likely a competitor?? I have a Parker Hale Sportarget sight that is brazed onto a standard Mauser 98 cocking piece - as if to replicate what Rigby did on their rifles.
 
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Cool picture of the Rigby "High Velocity" cartridge. Unfortunately, no evidence that the cartridge shown is what that rifle was set up for. From another source, apparently the 100, 200 and 300 yard sights suggest 173/175 grain loading. (1924 Rigby Catalogue) Would have been 100, 300 and 400 yard sights if it was for the High Velocity, and then would have had the engraving on top of front ring to indicate that - not evident in the pictures from the OP. Is also possible to be a "Ladies Rifle" - would have had slightly shorter barrel with about any choice of sights.
 
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