NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/04/15 02:09 AM |
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John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
NitroExpress.com is pleased to bring you the John Rigby & Co. "London Best" rifle in .450 Rigby, with its elephant charge engravings.
The "London Best" rifle is a bespoke custom rifle from the John Rigby custom workshop in the United Kingdom. The .450 Rigby cartridge is a .458 rimless cartridge certainly suited to a modern Mauser 98 bolt action rifle to be used for the hunting of elephant and other dangerous game.
The single square bridge magnum Mauser action is inscribed with the words "Rigby's Special Big Bore for Dangerous Game" and with the John Rigby logo on the rear square bridge.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/04/15 02:14 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
The bolt shroud is colour case hardened, and as the rifle has been designed to be used with its express open sights, a traditional Mauser safety is fitted.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/04/15 02:18 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
The barrel is proudly engraved with the maker's name - "J. Rigby & Co. London. England." Celebrating the origin of the gunmaker and its return to its home country.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/04/15 02:22 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
The floorplate features the engraved scehe of a big tusker "elephant charge". The dust swirls at its feet.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/04/15 02:26 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
The grip cap is richly engraved and features a trap compartment.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/04/15 02:28 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
The logo has been inlaid into the butt in gold.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/04/15 02:32 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
The straight handled bolt features what I believe is a thistle flower. (???)
The Mauser internal magazine has been extended slightly to accomodate the large .450 Rigby cartridges.
| Igorrock |
| (.400 member) |
| 13/04/15 03:04 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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IMO this one looks much better than Shikar -rifle.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 13/04/15 03:10 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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YES - This one is supurb!
| Huvius |
| (.416 member) |
| 13/04/15 06:55 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Indeed, that is one beautiful rifle.
The logo inlet on the underside of the stock looks great. As a bespoke rifle, it would be neat to have the owners initials, in smaller but similar script, below the Rigby logo.
Opening up the legendary 416 Rigby out to .458" is, IMO, the most worthwhile redesign of any classic cartridge. Really puts into the "stopper" class.
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 13/04/15 07:31 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Quote:
Indeed, that is one beautiful rifle.
The logo inlet on the underside of the stock looks great. As a bespoke rifle, it would be neat to have the owners initials, in smaller but similar script, below the Rigby logo.
Opening up the legendary 416 Rigby out to .458" is, IMO, the most worthwhile redesign of any classic cartridge. Really puts into the "stopper" class.
+1
Ripp
| tinker |
| (.416 member) |
| 13/04/15 07:34 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Looks nice - let's see more if it!
| gwh |
| (.333 member) |
| 13/04/15 10:44 PM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Very nice!!
| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 14/04/15 02:38 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Very nice. I like it much better than the shikar rifle. I also like the look of the .450 rigby cartridge. It's the first time I've had a good look at it. I'd like to see this rifle in an even plainer version, with nice dark wood, not highly figured, no color case hardening, and only minimal engraving.
| xausa |
| (.400 member) |
| 14/04/15 02:53 PM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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After all these years it's interesting to see that Rigby has finally reinvented the wheel, in this case the .458" caliber cartridge which John Buhmiller created back in the '60's by necking up the .378 Weatherby Magnum, and which Weatherby chooses to call the .460 Weatherby Magnum.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 14/04/15 03:59 PM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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One reason for these rifles being more elaborate is probably because they are coming from the London Best range from the bespoke workshop.
Customers wanting a good plain usuable rifle can and are purchasing the "Big Game" model of rifles in single square bridge action in .416 and .450 Rigby cartridges, or double square bridge action in .375 H&H Mag and .416 Rigby cartridges. These "Big Game" rifles are very popular and have been selling in considerable numbers per the comments made to me by Marc, the CEO of Rigby.
Customers wanting something extra, are commissioning a barrelled action supplied by Mauser, to be build by the London workshop into something of their choice. The "Shikar" rifle and the "Elephant Charge" rifle are per the customers specifications and interests.
It would be possible for a customer to ask for a plain rifle to be made for them of the old Rigny classic shape and design many on NE like, and I would have no doubt customers will also ask for that in the future. So it is really up to the customers choice and wallet. But in the meantime we do have the excellent and very usuable Big Game rifles readily available and some examples of the Rigby London Best workshop to admire.
I have some production photos of the Rigby Rising Bite double rifle also to share here on NE in the near future.
| Bidgee |
| (.375 member) |
| 14/04/15 04:20 PM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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How superb, it is just quality work. However in reality I would have to ask how much it was which means that I couldn't afford it.
| Yochanan |
| (.375 member) |
| 13/05/21 05:53 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Great looking rifle. I wonder what the idea was behind having Rigby logos on the receiver, grip cap, stock and the action. I would say engraving on the barrel is enough
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 13/05/21 07:37 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Quote:
After all these years it's interesting to see that Rigby has finally reinvented the wheel, in this case the .458" caliber cartridge which John Buhmiller created back in the '60's by necking up the .378 Weatherby Magnum, and which Weatherby chooses to call the .460 Weatherby Magnum.
Quote:Quote:
Indeed, that is one beautiful rifle.
The logo inlet on the underside of the stock looks great. As a bespoke rifle, it would be neat to have the owners initials, in smaller but similar script, below the Rigby logo.
Opening up the legendary 416 Rigby out to .458" is, IMO, the most worthwhile redesign of any classic cartridge. Really puts into the "stopper" class.
+1
Ripp
Correct in both cases, but I believe Rigby did the right thing by lowering the speed a fair margin from the Weatherby's blistering speed of 2700 fps down to a more realistic 2300-2400fps which from folks who use these rifles to still give more than enough energy to anchor their quarry but not overstress the projectiles at the same time. As to operating at a lower pressure well that is a good thing too, dependant on powder type as well of course, ADI powders (Hodgdon being a distributor only) are temperature non sensitive so will not spike the pressure as other powders can.
Mighty cartridges each in their own right, I know which one I'd prefer - in a little less 'flash' outfit!
Certainly a work of art the 'London Best' - too good in my humble opinion to ever go out in the field!
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/05/21 02:28 PM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Quote:Quote:
After all these years it's interesting to see that Rigby has finally reinvented the wheel, in this case the .458" caliber cartridge which John Buhmiller created back in the '60's by necking up the .378 Weatherby Magnum, and which Weatherby chooses to call the .460 Weatherby Magnum.Quote:Quote:
Indeed, that is one beautiful rifle.
The logo inlet on the underside of the stock looks great. As a bespoke rifle, it would be neat to have the owners initials, in smaller but similar script, below the Rigby logo.
Opening up the legendary 416 Rigby out to .458" is, IMO, the most worthwhile redesign of any classic cartridge. Really puts into the "stopper" class.
+1
Ripp
Correct in both cases, but I believe Rigby did the right thing by lowering the speed a fair margin from the Weatherby's blistering speed of 2700 fps down to a more realistic 2300-2400fps which from folks who use these rifles to still give more than enough energy to anchor their quarry but not overstress the projectiles at the same time. As to operating at a lower pressure well that is a good thing too, dependant on powder type as well of course, ADI powders (Hodgdon being a distributor only) are temperature non sensitive so will not spike the pressure as other powders can.
Mighty cartridges each in their own right, I know which one I'd prefer - in a little less 'flash' outfit!
Certainly a work of art the 'London Best' - too good in my humble opinion to ever go out in the field!
Probably because there is a reason there are a lot of .460 Wea Mag rifke second hand on the market particularly in Africa.
Because it is such a shit over recoiling cartridge pushing bullets at an un-necessary fast velocity. They aren't sniper rifles ....
I would choose a .450 Rigby anywday before a crappy whybotheraby.
| grandveneur |
| (.400 member) |
| 13/05/21 05:05 PM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Quote:
After all these years it's interesting to see that Rigby has finally reinvented the wheel, in this case the .458" caliber cartridge which John Buhmiller created back in the '60's by necking up the .378 Weatherby Magnum, and which Weatherby chooses to call the .460 Weatherby Magnum.
I agree with you.
I use an older Brevex rifle caliber 460 WBY-Magnum for hunting in Africa for almost 30 years and I am satisfied with, but if I had had the choice at the time when I bought the rifle, I would have opted for the cartridge 450 Rigby, not just because it looks more original. The 460 WBY-Magnum factory load is too strong loaded to be really efficient in the heat of Africa, but reloaded at the level of the cartridge 450 Rigby it is very useful.
Rigby's rifle is very beautiful, but Imho too beautiful for a rough use in Africa.
| Homer |
| (.416 member) |
| 13/05/21 07:48 PM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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G'Day Fella's,
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Donuts!
A Dumb Question, from out of the blue;
Q) Is the .450 Rigby, basically the .416 Rigby case, necked up, or a different parent case?
I could go and Google this info up, but if any of you good folk, have the spare time explain this Q, I would always prefer to hear this from you.
Best regards
Homer.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 13/05/21 08:51 PM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Quote:
Opening up the legendary 416 Rigby out to .458" is, IMO, the most worthwhile redesign of any classic cartridge. Really puts into the "stopper" class.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 14/05/21 01:49 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Quote:
Rigby's rifle is very beautiful, but Imho too beautiful for a rough use in Africa.
It certainly would get some of the "green" worn off fairly quickly.
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 14/05/21 02:26 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Quote:Quote:
Rigby's rifle is very beautiful, but Imho too beautiful for a rough use in Africa.
It certainly would get some of the "green" worn off fairly quickly.
It certainly would have on the hunts I've had over there..
BUT rifles are meant to be used.. IMHO...
| iomskp |
| (.300 member) |
| 14/05/21 11:32 AM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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If that rifle does not give you the I wants you are probably dead.
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 14/05/21 08:50 PM |
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Re: John Rigby - London Best, .450 Rigby "Elephant Charge"
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Quote:
G'Day Fella's,
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Donuts!
A Dumb Question, from out of the blue;
Q) Is the .450 Rigby, basically the .416 Rigby case, necked up, or a different parent case?
I could go and Google this info up, but if any of you good folk, have the spare time explain this Q, I would always prefer to hear this from you.
Best regards
Homer.
To my knowledge the 450 Rigby is the 416 Rigby necked up and blown out so there is a bit less tapper on the case. I stand to be corrected on that.
The wood on that Rigby looks great, from what I can see it is not the usual garish wood (for me as i like plain straight grain flow) and I would not hesitate to use it in Africa or else where. It would look better with a few battle scares, so to speak.
If I was going to get a 458 it would be either a 45-70 or 450 Rigby. Go figure.