Igorrock,

I'm sorry if you have misunderstood my comment.
It is not French arrogance, but disappointment. I know very well the newly made 98' Mauser magnum rifles and even the team of gunsmiths that assembles them and I'm a fan - and a friend customer- of Gottfried Prechtl who pioneered the European modern made Mauser clones, but I was naļve in thinking that the Blaser-Sauer-Mauser group, having all the good cards in hand will produce a true modernized Rigby.
I regret that they settle for a slightly revamped Mauser magnum, using the same stock shape, shortened barrel and a front sight block that uses the spring and Allen screw adjustable bead tof their mod.03/12…
The short rib is reminiscent of the ones find on the late .416 and it's not out of place even if I would have preferred the traditional Rigby flat, but what bothers me is the too close grip coupled with that short barrel and long forearm…that is only my opinion and don't put in doubt the overall quality and reliability of the new rifle.
Notice also that when you write that "you never have anything positive to say about yours rival endeavours" you certainly have not read my posts.
I don't consider others gunsmiths as "rivals" but as friends and I have learned many good things from D'Arcy Echols, Steven Dodd Hughes and many others like my old master Lenard Brownell…my aim is to try to improve each of my work because I think I can do it better.
All the best.

DORLEAC
www.dorleac-dorleac.com