For those that can't afford the Rigby Big Game or Heym Express, What's the next best thing?

[Wishfulthinker580]

I'm not particularly sure that it will go for more: the general tenor in Britain is against the private ownership of rifles and big game hunting in particular. There is a very limited domestic market for this type of rifle and, if we are honest, if you can afford even a cheap safari you can afford a more expensive rifle than this.

As with buying any rifle at auction, a condition report is vital before bidding; but again, most big bore rifles are expensive to shoot and can often be bought in very good used condition. An important question to raise is the weight of the rifle, as you suggest.

Paul Roberts, of course, previously owned Rigby back in the '80s and '90s, and although it has his name on it rather than 'Rigby', it was made by someone who knew what he was doing. As far as I am concerned, it answers the original question of a good quality .416 at a reasonable price. I do not recognise the action offhand - Husqvana, perhaps?

Everything about that action screams either BRNO or CZ 550 to me

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I built my own 404 Jeffery and it came in right at $2K. The action is post war BRNO vz.24 Mauser 98, barrel is Lija (Plains, MT), 416 Rem Mag bottom metal from Swift-Blackburn, iron sights from 1990s Winchester Safari Express (eBay), Warne QD rings, COOP USA steel base, Timney trigger, Parkwest 3-position Model 70 style safety, New England Custom Gun magnum follower, and semi-finished stock I bought from an old gent in Manitouwadge off GunPost. I was in a hurry to finish this gun in time for August safari. Figured I would get better wood later when I had more time to shop, but it turned out well. The action originally came with a 30-06 barrel (maker unknown). I could only find one barrel maker in Canada who could do 404, a very pleasant Aussie chap up in Red Deer, but he only had stainless blanks. He agreed a stainless barrel dangerous game rifle might be an odd duck. So I ordered one from Lija. They have a good reputation and turnaround fit my schedule (barely). Because of new US export restrictions on gun parts, I had to take the gun across to Montana as a whole rifle with 30-06 barrel attached (I'm a US citizen and have Ontario PAL so no problems crossing with guns) and had the barrel swapped down there, then brought it back. My brother in Montana actually ordered the barrel and he "gifted" it to me. All entirely legal. There are Canadian barrel makers who produce quality 375 or 416 barrels, just nothing in 404. I modified the receiver to feed 404 cartridges. Not a job for a novice, which I am, but I did it. The gun cycles smoother than any factory rifle I've ever handled. A local machinist was willing to tackle opening the bolt face. Duane Wiebe's booklet was a great help for that. The scope is a 1972 Weaver 3x I retired from my deer/elk/moose 30-06 a few years ago. I'll probably pick up better glass this coming year. A moose hunting outfitter in New Brunswick did the bluing. Originally I purchased a fancy "Old English" red recoil pad to fit the dangerous game rifle image but boffed the measurements and had to toss it. No time to order another so I recycled the black one from a broken shotgun stock (that had a ton of history). Turned out okay. Stock came with one crossbolt and rather than take the time (which I didn't have) to build a jig and drill a second one behind the magazine, I dropped in an internal crossbolt a la Roy Weatherby.

Anyway, you can buy a new rifle or pick one up used but it will never have the personal history of a gun you made or had made. Look at the above story I can now hand down with this rifle when my grandson gets it.
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I should add that I did find a couple of Canadian sites online that offer checkering. On gal's work looked particularly good and her pricing seemed reasonable. But this stock obviously isn't worth that investment.

 

[IvW]

Bolt handle should be straight on DG rifles....

 

[Northern Shooter]

I'll be honest, half the appeal of buying a rifle like this is for a conversation piece, a wall hanger that I can sit back and admire. While I use every rifle that I own in the field, I want something that I can just sit back and enjoy the workmanship on as much as I'll use it in on a hunt.

…Just without the Rigby, H&H or Westley Richards pricetags.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Bolt handle should be straight on DG rifles....

Why? So it will stick me in the guts while slung on my left shoulder? Or get caught on every acacia twig I walk by? Oh wait ... this isn't an issue because every authentic Stewart Granger white hunter always throws his rifle on top of his shoulder ... with muzzle pointed at PH walking in front (barrel band sling swivel is of course essential decoration). Also lots of fun trying to shove those straight handled affairs into a gun case or scabbard.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I'll be honest, half the appeal of buying a rifle like this is for a conversation piece, a wall hanger that I can sit back and admire. While I use every rifle that I own in the field, I want something that I can just sit back and enjoy the workmanship on as much as I'll use it in on a hunt.

…Just without the Rigby, H&H or Westley Richards pricetags.

So have a rifle built for you. That makes it truly a conversation piece with a story to tell. A story where you are the main character, not some gun factory.

 

[D.M.V]

My opinion. The CZ 550 is pretty nice. I have one in 416 Rigby and I love it. I'm the original owner and plan on upgrading it in the future. But as is it is a great rifle. Even though I know the original post said above a CZ.

 

[IvW]

Why? So it will stick me in the guts while slung on my left shoulder? Or get caught on every acacia twig I walk by? Oh wait ... this isn't an issue because every authentic Stewart Granger white hunter always throws his rifle on top of his shoulder ... with muzzle pointed at PH walking in front (barrel band sling swivel is of course essential decoration). Also lots of fun trying to shove those straight handled affairs into a gun case or scabbard.

Smart ass.....not all sling the way you do....all "white hunters" dont employ African carry.....
Acacia does not exist in Africa anymore they are now either Vachellia or Senegalia......

 

[IvW]

Why? So it will stick me in the guts while slung on my left shoulder? Or get caught on every acacia twig I walk by? Oh wait ... this isn't an issue because every authentic Stewart Granger white hunter always throws his rifle on top of his shoulder ... with muzzle pointed at PH walking in front (barrel band sling swivel is of course essential decoration). Also lots of fun trying to shove those straight handled affairs into a gun case or scabbard.

You should get in contact with Westley Richards, H&H, Rigby, Heym and the like and get them to recall all their dg rifles and bend the bolt handles as they are poking and hooking on everything and that fast reloading and positive palm to bolt knob for fast reloading is not a requirement on a dg rifle.....

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Smart ass.....not all sling the way you do....all "white hunters" dont employ African carry.....
Acacia does not exist in Africa anymore they are now either Vachellia or Senegalia......

I see ... so there are fellas out there who only sling their 10+ lb dangerous game bolt rifles on right shoulder all day? I'll be sure to correct my PH next time he calls those thorny bastards acacia. I'm sure he will appreciate the clarification. And I'm the smart-ass? You still haven't answered my question. Is there any practical reason why a dangerous game rifle must have a straight bolt? Or is it just another prerequisite 19th century costume decoration ... like a pith helmet.

 

[IvW]

Specially designed to poke you in the gut no other reason at all just gut poking......

 

[Happy Myles]

I have noticed over the decades of firing heavy recoil rifles the bolt position, length, and size of knob may cause a hard rap on the shooters knuckle. Also no checkering on knob please.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Bolt handle should be straight on DG rifles....

I notice that my 404J Mauser 98 Magnum has a straight down bolt handle and the bolt knob about even with the front of the trigger. On my Model 70s (including the .375) the bolt handle is very slightly curved to the rear and about 1/8" to the rear of the knob position on the M98. I never noticed any difference whene shooting them on any game, including DG. Must be a character fault...

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You should get in contact with Westley Richards, H&H, Rigby, Heym and the like and get them to recall all their dg rifles and bend the bolt handles as they are poking and hooking on everything and that fast reloading and positive palm to bolt knob for fast reloading is not a requirement on a dg rifle.....

Okay, I anticipated this. Didn't take a sack of tea leaves to foretell this response. So, since my dogs are buggered and can't hunt today and I'm bored to tears, I thought I would try my first attempt at posting a video. If it works, you should see me loading and cycling four rounds through the shabby homemade bent-bolt Mauser 98 404 Jeffery I built this past summer. If it cycled any faster I don't think my old laptop would capture the activity. Maybe Rigby can make them cycle quicker but I doubt it. So ... hope downloading MP4 works. Nope. Need to do some research. Stay tuned.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Okay, I anticipated this. Didn't take a sack of tea leaves to foretell this response. So, since my dogs are buggered and can't hunt today and I'm bored to tears, I thought I would try my first attempt at posting a video. If it works, you should see me loading and cycling four rounds through the shabby homemade bent-bolt Mauser 98 404 Jeffery I built this past summer. If it cycled any faster I don't think my old laptop would capture the activity. Maybe Rigby can make them cycle quicker but I doubt it. So ... hope downloading MP4 works. Nope. Need to do some research. Stay tuned.

I will try again.

See if that works.

 

[TOBY458]

I will try again.

See if that works.

Says video is private

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I think if the bolt knob on a recoiling rifle could smash my knuckles, my middle finger would already be in serious trouble with the back of trigger guard. That would have to be a very low hanging bolt handle.

Anyway, the point being a custom rifle can certainly be made for a reasonable outlay compared to Rigby, etc. And it would have a lot more personality. No reason why it can't be just as pretty, just as accurate, and kill animals just as effectively.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Says video is private

Sorry Toby, I couldn't kill that post fast enough. I am new to the video technology. Still working on it.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Try again. Technology will not defeat me. Damn artificial intelligence!

I win! If there is a better way to post videos, I would appreciate advice. I also have a video of snap over on cartridges dropped in the chamber if anyone is interested. No? Oh well ...

 

[ChrisG]

Not for Nothing, @Ontario Hunter, and while everyone is entitled to their opinion and designs they like, IvW is a Professional Hunter in Africa, so I would lean towards his point being accurate and not unfounded. Iron sighted bolt guns with a straight bolt that protrudes a little more will be faster and easier to manipulate under stress than one which is swept back. It also moves the bolt handle a little further from the trigger finger so when firing from the hip at a leopard who you didn't see until he was springing from 6ft, or when a wounded Brown Bear in the alders comes knocking, you lessen the risk that you break your trigger finger. They will require medium scope rings usually, but that's a sacrifice to make the bolt function more reliable.

The barrel band sling swivel made sense when all rifles sported 24" barrels and, when slung, a rifle so configured sits with the muzzle about head height and doesn't catch on high twigs as much. carry muzzle down solves this, but also risks filling the bore full of mud if the carrier slips.

The features on dangerous game guns all have/had a very practical purpose. Nowadays, some of them might be "fashion" but they still serve the purpose they were developed for 140 years ago.