Rigby stalking rifle.

I've handled a couple Rigby Highland Stalkers at Calgary Shooting Centre and they're definitely nice. They have almost everything I'd be looking for in a rifle of that category, but lack a few small details like an ebony foreend. They shoulder nicely and have a really nice heft to them.

How was the wood?

IIRC ........ The LOP is a bit long for NA standards.
 
... but lack a few small details like an ebony foreend.

Very few of the original Rigby's had forend tips. It would have been a special request by the purchaser. Each gunmaker had their own style, and after you've seen a few it's easy to pick out a Rigby from a Holland, from a Westley Richards etc. Rigby typically did not have forend tips, Holland was an even split, some do, some don't, Jeffery & Westley Richards usually do.
 
That's a good read supercub, fits in with my view of a stalking rifle,
Mine view, is slim trim and light, designed to be carried, for days at a time, quality open sights, with a couple distance options, front barrel band, sling mount. Moderate caliber.
Interesting I never hear the term "deer stalking" here in Canada, but it's common, were I am from, New Zealand, the largest hunting clubs, in the country, are the "Deer stalkers". Various chapters
Ive got one of the modern production, Winchester featherweights M70, in 7x57, it kinda fits the bill, but lacking irons sights and front barrel band mount, and refined smooth action.
I intend, to go have a look, at the rigby rifles, sumtime over the summer.
 
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How was the wood?

IIRC ........ The LOP is a bit long for NA standards.

Yes, I did notice it being a bit longer, and the pistol grip is straighter than my Ruger African, which felt almost more natural. It had a nice thin wrist to it, but the forend was a bit clubby in terms of grip.
I handled a Dakota Safari that had a much nicer forend on it in my books. But totally personal preference.

Very few of the original Rigby's had forend tips. It would have been a special request by the purchaser. Each gunmaker had their own style, and after you've seen a few it's easy to pick out a Rigby from a Holland, from a Westley Richards etc. Rigby typically did not have forend tips, Holland was an even split, some do, some don't, Jeffery & Westley Richards usually do.

True, good point. Definitely more of a personal preference - I really like ebony forend tips so for $15k that'd be something I'd definitely want on my gun.
The wood was very nice though, I can't remember the grade but it was upgraded from standard. A really nice, rich hue and finish to it.
The extra finishes like the colour base hardening on the claw and bolt handle and bottom metal were really nice as well.
 
The article expresses a 'stalking rifle' as a mindset, which I can understand, but do not agree with entirely. It seems as though a stalking rifle is a combination of subtleties, like the difference between a rental suit and a fitted suit. Forgive any irritating tone, I am only writing as I see and don't intend to be provocative:

-- A stalking rifle requires wood fitted to the caliber, shooter, and level of engraving.
-- It requires a barrel fitted and tapered to the caliber and balance point.
-- It should be intentionally and perfectly balanced.
-- It should revolve primarily around open sights, even if a scope is used.
-- Medium to small caliber.
-- Designed for offhand shooting.
-- The trigger must be safe for offhand shooting.
-- Usually some degree of homage to tradition.

To me, the Highland Stalker is nice but appears to be a bit of a design jumble.
 
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I am having sum thoughts, about culling down the number of bolt actions, and getting one high end classic stalker, rifle, these have caught my eye, anyone got one or shot one?
What's your thoughts. I see shooters choice Calgary, has a few, and am tempted to go for a look,
I've bought a double rifle and a 1907 6.5x54 MS carbine, in the last two years, and the handling of either rifle is Surperb, My Cooper's and Sako feel like a plank, in comparison,
Looking tat one of these Rigby's, or perhaps Dokata.

The Rigby Highland Stalker is not a lightweight, 7.8 pounds, bare. No doubt a beautiful rifle, but not a lightweight. I just purchased a Brno 21H, 7x57 that weights 6.5 pounds, bare............an ideal stalking rifle. Single shot German rifles would be another great choice as a stalking rifle.
https://imgur.com/a/DRL0Jlt
 
What exactly is a "Stalking Rifle" as applied to us here in N/A?

Hint ...... It's just a lightweight deer rifle, usually stocked in walnut and having sights.

Good read ...... https://huntforever.org/2015/08/31/the-stalking-rifle/

Having just had a pair of M77 Africans, from the new runs, in my hands, they would make an excellent stalking rifle... Ruger really did a nice job slimming the whole package down... they feel great in the hand and at the shoulder.
 
The article expresses a 'stalking rifle' as a mindset, which I can understand, but do not agree with entirely. It seems as though a stalking rifle is a combination of subtleties, like the difference between a rental suit and a fitted suit. Forgive any irritating tone, I am only writing as I see and don't intend to be provocative:

-- A stalking rifle requires wood fitted to the caliber, shooter, and level of engraving.
-- It requires a barrel fitted and tapered to the caliber and balance point.
-- It should be intentionally and perfectly balanced.
-- It should revolve primarily around open sights, even if a scope is used.
-- Medium to small caliber.
-- Designed for offhand shooting.
-- The trigger must be safe for offhand shooting.
-- Usually some degree of homage to tradition.

To me, the Highland Stalker is nice but appears to be a bit of a design jumble.

Describes my Savage 1899H in .303 savage perfectly.

Darryl
 
Mine is just a .300 H&H Ruger No. 1 with a peep sight. Not in Rigby league at all. I've got to poke around at the CSC and drool over a Rigby one day.

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I did something similar to what you are planning, and chose a custom Deer Stalking rifle made by Chris Greisbach of Three Hills AB. He based his creation on a ZKK 600 action, 30-06. I could not be happier. Handling is an underemphasized quality in hunting rifles, but is as important as accuracy!
 

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I did something similar to what you are planning, and chose a custom Deer Stalking rifle made by Chris Greisbach of Three Hills AB. He based his creation on a ZKK 600 action, 30-06. I could not be happier. Handling is an underemphasized quality in hunting rifles, but is as important as accuracy!

Very nice rifle!

I talked to Chis today regarding a similar project on a commercial FN action. Very friendly on the phone.
 
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I did something similar to what you are planning, and chose a custom Deer Stalking rifle made by Chris Greisbach of Three Hills AB. He based his creation on a ZKK 600 action, 30-06. I could not be happier. Handling is an underemphasized quality in hunting rifles, but is as important as accuracy!

yep very nice, looks slim trim and nicely balanced., thanks for posting.
 
A 9.3 x62 on a ZG 47 makes a nice stalker !
Nitride the action ,stainless benchmark barrel ,stainless express sights and barrel band gunkoted satin black.Epoxy bedded and sealed wood with Shaftol and carnauba wax.
Just needs to get some character patina !Have not had a chance to use it much .
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While we’re at it with stalking / light walking rifle builds in that case, underway build with a rebored Oberndorf Sporting rifle to an as yet unnamed .375. And then a little Hagn and a No.1 I did a few years ago, stalking rifles are my interest in hunting arms; that is lightweight, classy, iron sighted hunting rifles.

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I am having sum thoughts, about culling down the number of bolt actions, and getting one high end classic stalker, rifle, these have caught my eye, anyone got one or shot one?
What's your thoughts. I see shooters choice Calgary, has a few, and am tempted to go for a look,
I've bought a double rifle and a 1907 6.5x54 MS carbine, in the last two years, and the handling of either rifle is Surperb, My Cooper's and Sako feel like a plank, in comparison,
Looking tat one of these Rigby's, or perhaps Dokata.

If you're looking for a Stalker that 'feels right', and won't break the bank, I would recommend a nice condition BRNO 21. Should be similar to how your MS 'feels'.
I wish they would make rifles like that again. Very difficult to get a modern equivalent, at almost any price, that carries and shoulders the same. Comes up like a fine English SxS.

Some nice rifles in this thread. Stunning Oberndorf Ardent! And hats off to Longwalker and G.E.FLACH as well.
 
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Was surprised it didn’t go admittedly. Bare wood blank cost more than I had her up for, be a pretty valuable stock at the end.

I looked at that wood and gave it some long/hard thunkin'. In the end, I like the understated wood that the old makers used, much like this Rigby rifle in 416.


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