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Never thought I'd ever own one of these! Being enamoured with Jeffery sporters, I had begun taking out my frustration at the lack of opportunity to acquire a good .275 stalker by building a faithful copy. A close friend has a couple of lovely examples of Jeffery's Mauser sporters, so I had acquired a correctly-profiled 7mm barrel, and a VZ24 action to kick the project off. That all went out the window when another friend decided to move his Rigby along, to free up funds (...and space in the gunsafe!) for further acquisitions. So in due course the little Rigby headed north. Here's a few pics to add to the archive. Hope you like the rifle, I know I do! It has the flattened bolt-handle option, similar to that of the famous Bell/Ruark/Selby rifle. The stock-wood is pretty nice for a Rigby .275: many I have seen have less figure than the average chair-leg. Also the pistol-grip stock is a bonus as my personal preference excludes the oft-encountered bag-grip. This particular rifle was built on a 1908 Oberndorf action, and probably left the Sackville Street premises in 1911. I have yet to research the original owner. Apologies for the rubbish pics of the barrel engraving, hard to photograph well. It was sighted for the High Velocity load, 140gr pointed bullet. Rigby's patent detachable scope mounts were present, however only the front one remains. Unfortunately the action has been drilled and tapped for American-style scope bases, and the rear bridge has a few other holes as well (!). My intention is to make and permanently attach a faithfully-profiled rear square-bridge to completely cover the damage. The attachment will have the correct square hole for 'proper' detachable scope mounting at some future date. This little stalking rifle has obviously led a busy life, and it will get little respite in my employ. Luckily the previous owners have looked after the metal and bore condition is far better than I had a right to expect. Bright and shiny with sharp rifling and very little wear so no issues expected in the hunting field. A block of cartridges for load development with 140gr flat-base Sierras is ready and waiting for the next fine afternoon. I'm sure she won't disappoint! |
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Beautiful wood! Nice pick up, Marrakai! |
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Marrakai! Lucky bugger! Good find mate - happy hunting with it 93x64mm |
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Hello Marrakai, Beautiful!!! What stories to tell by the rifle... Well done! PH |
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That little Rigby of yours is exactly what a proper little stalking rifle should look like. What a beautiful thing. Good on you. I hope you have a fab time with it. I'm envious as hell. |
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Marrakai, lovely rifle with a beautiful bit of wood. Don't let the screw holes put you off, it can all be worked around one way or another. Very nice little stalking rifle in a great cartridge. Hornady currently make brass with the 275 Rigby head stamp, which would fit nicely with your new purchase. Waidmannsheil. |
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Great acquisition! An honestly used and well cared for classic. Congrats |
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NICE! |
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G'Day Fella's, Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Donuts! Doh! Homer |
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Thanks for your kind comments gentlemen. ...and for the info on correctly headstamped Hornady brass Waidmannsheil. Will definitely get some of those! Currently using S&B and they don't inspire... Since this is an archive, I attempted better photos of the barrel engraving, with limited success. Definitely need a better camera! ...and the one line of 'non-British' text we still like to see on these delightful British stalking rifles: Still haven't gotten to the range yet, waterfowl season is in full swing and my mates would rather we fed the mozzies at the local goose swamp than bang away over a chronograph. Maybe this weekend... |
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I am inclined to think that the other holes in your rear bridge are for the original Rigby mount such as on this rifle: http://jamesdjulia.com/item/2277-369/ It is really a simple base as it has just a square hole in it to accept the square hook on the rear ring. These are tilt back to remove and the front mount is where it locks down - which you already have of course. Lovely gun. I also prefer the full pistol grip stocking which seems to be rare on the .275s. |
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Huvius: Thanks for the link: I hadn't seen that one. Much appreciated. I have been collecting web-pics of these mounts since taking delivery of the .275, and that is the first of a good half-dozen that is clearly a post-manufacture added rear mount (by Rigby no doubt). All the others I have seen appear to have been manufactured as single square bridge actions from scratch. The fact that Rigby also appear to have added such a mount to a standard Mauser 98 action is very encouraging! Forum member jcorry has posted photos of a lovely .350 Magnum with the rear square-bridge recessed for the detachable mount. Click HERE to view the thread with photos. Unfortunately jcorry hasn't posted since early 2014. Pjaln has one too I believe, maybe a 400/350, and I have sent a PM requesting dimensions, with fingers crossed! Meanwhile, if anyone else here has such a rifle (or won Lot 2277 at the JJ auction!) I would love to get accurate measurements for the length, width and depth of the square hole, and internal angles of the mating surfaces. A pic (and dimensions) for the scope-ring foot would be mighty helpful as well! Thanks all |
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Marrakai Active member Paradox ( also from your end of the woods) has a Rigby with such a rear base. I am sure he will be delighted to help. Best regards and congtratz wi your find |
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Got busy again, field-work etc, but finally got to shoot the Rigby on the weekend. After a 'warming' shot into the dirt bank, the first 3-shot group at 50 metres off the bench, open express sights, was a cloverleaf! Working up with AR2208 (Varget) left me pondering, velocity was a good 150fps slower than that published on the ADI webpage for a 140gr bullet atop the loads I tested. Will have to try AR2209 next. All good fun! Rigby's were quick to send the provenance: the rifle left their shop in January 1911 in the hands of a Major E.S.D.Goldsmith. The only likely candidate I have identified so far seems a bit early, 104th Bengal Fusiliers, Irish Regiment, so maybe it was a 'present to self' in retirement! Will keep researching.... The details listed in the Rigby ledger are still correct today, length of pull to anti-recoil pad is still the same despite a recent Silver's replacement, and that magic word "Best" is there as well. I was pleased to see the 'telescope' was fitted prior to the initial sale, but no details of the optics were recorded. Interestingly, the rifle shares the weight (6lb 9oz) and barrel length (22 inches) of what was to become the No.3 pattern, presumably after the Kaiser's war, however this example was listed as a No.2 pattern (High Velocity model) at the time. Should have some time to get back onto the scope-mount issue soon, will post anything of interest. Thanks for your help all. |
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Very nice. Cheers Mick |
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Marrakai, that is a very good pick up and damn fine group. Modern rifles with a scope are pushed to match that. I like the old stalking rifle configuration, looks like a rifle should to me. I hope you take some game with it. |
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Congrats Tony...very nice Best Eric |
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Quote: Agreed--what a great find on your part..congrats.. Ripp |
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Marraki AR2209 worked best in my 7x57 with a 140 Nosler, has worked well on pigs & a deer to date. Parker Hale M1100 - 22 inch barrel - Federal 210 primers & Remington/RWS brass My most accurate load was at 50.5gn, start low & work up AR2209 Gn 46 47 48 49 50 51 Vel 2432 2490 2525 2629 2674 2695 Great shooting by the way! Cheers 93x64mm |
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Marrakai, Congratulations on a wonderful find. I hope when you do investigate its past, the provenance is intriguing. Would it be too much to ask to give me the measurement of the forend? Taken from the front guard screw to the end of the forend. I would like to duplicate its look on a project I am working on. Thanks in advance. Doug |
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MagnumHunter: Apologies, just realised I had forgotten to respond to your request. Centre of front guard screw to forend tip is exactly 18cm, just over 7 inches. Hope this helps with your project. 93x64mm: have had AR2209 loads sitting there for over a week now (my time is not my own at the moment) but intend taking them to the range tomorrow. Will add results to this thread when they are to hand. |
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Love a classic small bore. Went to the safe and pulled out a 333 Jeffrey takedown factory engraved and a holland & holland 250/3000 Kurtz action rifle to make my day. If some one in west Australia could visit me and teach me how to post a picture that would be great. |
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Shot the AR2209 loads at the range today, very happy with the results. 45 gr - 2495 fps 46 gr - 2580 fps 47 gr - 2640 fps 48 gr - 2700 fps 49 gr - 2760 fps ...a little faster than your loads, 93x64mm The S&B case is close to 100% load density at 49 grains, but another half grain or so would probably fit and would push the velocity closer to the published 2800 fps 'factory' figure. Scope mounts next! |
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Quote: Go to Photobucket.. http://s209.photobucket.com/ set up an account..hit "Upload" on the screen..drag the picture you want to post to the box..it will upload..click on the photo..click on the tab to copy..past it on the post here and boom..its there.. Ripp |
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Quote: Good to see you had a win mate! Looks like yours could go a lot further than mine with velocities still going up in nice incremental steps, mine wasn't so by then even though I went higher! 50.5gn was the accuracy node for me, I only have a 22" barrel so my velocity will be down on yours. 140gn Noslers do well on smaller pigs & small Rusa! 93x64mm |
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Marrakai, Interesting your Rigby has the flat lever as well. As for more info on your Rigby , I have records from EAP which lists various Rigby rifles and the owners , sometimes I can locate game licenses the owners had . For example I have WDM Bell's Sportsman's Lic records and info on his Lee Speed , Mauser and double rifle license from 1905 . The records I have range from 1905 to 1925 . If you care to share your Mauser number and Rigby Number I can look it up for you . Not saying it will be there, my 1924 Rigby isn't . There's a wealth of info I have eg William Buckleys Lic , the appointment of Jim Corbett to game warden Nairobi . Cheers BJ |
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I forgot to say I got 100 x Hornady .275 cases through Brownells Aust in September . There may still be some available , but if you get stuck let me know I'll post up 50 new of mine (1 box ) .it only worked out slightly dearer than buying Norma 7x57 . |
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Personally I would make use of the existing screw holes and modern bases and rings. You obviously don't have the rings to go with the Rigby mounts and there is much more choice if going with modern. No matter what you do, unless welding up the screw holes front and back, the rifle will never be untouched original but is a beauty in its current guise and will serve you well. I used 44.0grs IMR4064 with 140gr or 45.0gr IMR4320 with 145gr bullets in my 7x57 for velocities 2800 to 2865fps. |
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Thanks Marrakai for going to the trouble. It does help. |
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What a beauty. Reminds me of a Charles Lancaster I had in .280 Ross, done on a Ludwig Loewe 96 action. What is the taper on this barrel? It's interesting that these older barrels are all done in simple tapers that can be done with an offset tailstock. |
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Finally back here again, with a few things on my conscience: -will get back to you soon, Bwana338, although likely this rifle went to India rather than Africa, but who knows? It certainly appears to have had a busy life! In the meantime, Paradox has kindly sent me a pic of the rear scope base photographed from the top. It explains the four holes in the rear bridge of my example, additional to the 2 new holes for the modern bases. Soon to chat with pjaln as well, my time has not been my own of late. Very much looking forward to building a rear mount that duplicates the original and effectively covers all 6 holes in the rear bridge! Hopefully I can get back onto this early in the New Year. Thanks to everyone for your help and encouragement. |
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Great looking rifle Marrakai!!Some jealous BGRC members I'm sure. Cheers. |
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Quote: Yep - certainly have one here! |
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Stunning rifle that shots well too - what's not to like? Good pick up. Marcus |
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I am envious! I passed up a similar rifle at Jean Rolland's shop in Bangui some 25 years ago. I kick myself daily about that oversight! |
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I am ignorant on one point so will ask a question (no such thing as a stupid question etc) for my education, if thats ok. Is welding on any point of the receiver likely to weaken it? I remember a couple of magazine articles showing a catastrophic blow up of a welded receiver - shrapnel everywhere. I wonder if even TIG welding means that the receiver must heat treated again? Thankyou MMBA |
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Quote: Generally speaking any modifications of the receiver requiring heat will lead to requiring heat treatment , there are some exceptions though, I have seen arc welding on a #4 Lee Enfield, it was welded in an area that did not affect the load bearing area so obviously the British Military deemed it to be safe, another is the shortening or lengthening of Mauser receivers, again the welding for this is performed in non critical areas so as long as the heat is controlled all should be good. |
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Thankyou darwinmauser. As I said I am ignorant about welding and receivers (and most other things too!) . Remembering those photos prompted the question and as this rifle is a beauty and as it speaks to Jim Corbett I had to pipsqueak! Thankyou MMBA |
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Quote: Quote:Quote: Ahmed If you like we can get together on the telephone, on our PCs and I will 'walk' you through it. |
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Lovely rifle Tony, A great addition to your classic armoury. Looking forward to seeing some pigs, maybe even a Queensland red stag (!), rusa or chital with you and it oneday. Ha ha, instead of that, what was it, 260 Rem (?). |
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John: I have never owned, nor will I ever own, a .260 Remington! House rules: no rifle chambered for a cartridge younger than I am, is allowed in my gunsafe. Note to self: check introduction date for .416 Taylor... If I can manage to file up the replacement rear scope-base and make rings to fit the Rigby before the roar, that delightful little sporter will get a walk in the Cressbrook valley in April. God willing.... |
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Quote: I seem to remember some rifle, perhaps even a plastic fantastic rifle used by a gentleman from Darwin, in Queensland ... I don't remember the chambering ... but the horror of it did burn in my memory ... As for the .416 Taylor, its correct nonmenclature is the .416 Chatfield-Taylor. As such being hyphenated, it at least pretends to a pedigree. |