OK, so fairly fast by 7mm mauser standardsAn exquisite product of the gunmaker's art in a chambering I greatly admire! Who would not be proud to own and hunt it?
Red Leg, you mentioned it loving a fast 170 bullet. What is the velocity?
I lied - right at 2600 - we were getting 156 north of 2700.OK, so fairly fast by 7mm mauser standards. We have this one running well north of 2700. Norma loads their 170 gr Oryx in the 7mm magnum at around 2850. They have a 156gr factory load for the 7mm mauser. The 2700-2800 loading in 170 gr is fairly popular for the 7x57 in Europe where liability issues with ancient military mausers are not much of a concern. With a 2-inch high zero, I should have true point blank ability to 250 and a bit. We also loaded these rounds with .275 stamped brass to prevent any issues abroad.
For the better part of four years I was aware that Rigby was going to follow their new big game rifle with a smaller stalking rifle using the Corbett .275 as a basis for the design. Lance Hendershot owner of Hendershot's Sporting Goods in Hagerstown, MD https://hendershots.net/ is a Rigby distributer, and while the "Highland Stalker" was still an experimental project, I had a deposit in for perhaps the first .275 to reach the US. Two weeks ago it arrived. I initially tried the 140 gr Hornady Interlock which the rifle did not love (those of you following another thread on this site will understand that I was not unduly upset). A few days ago, Lance forwarded a couple of boxes of Hendershot's Extreme Ammo loaded with the 170 gr Oryx - a bullet which I truly worship. The rifle and the results are shown below.
Is the rifle worth a nearly 9k price tag. Hell, I don't know. But it is an exquisite creation in hand and it shoots one of the best 7mm bullets on the planet. I am thrilled. And, it is, after all, a RIGBY!
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The eyes are traditional English style. Standard Uncle Mikes and ilk fit just fine. I don't care for the leather attachment or the old style hooks so didn't get one of their slings. Besides, I have been using Trader Keith's canvas slings forever and don't plan to change. http://traderkeith.com/Beautiful rifle sir.
Just curious, are you planning on using a leather thong type sling connection? I had noticed that the sling attachment eyes are larger than typical. Personally, never have seen that before.