416 Rigby anyone ?

[bracebeemer]

I had this gun out recently just to fondle it and shoulder it at the “ charging Cape Buffalo “. It is a custom 416 Rigby made by Reimer Johannsen of Neumuenster Germany. He makes his own magnum Mauser actions and they are magnificent. His stocks are beautiful and are perfect dimensions for the big Rigby cartridge. I’ve shot this rifle off the bench and it is totally controllable. The rifle weighs 10 3/4 lbs. and you’re glad that it does. The rifle is beautifully finished in a soft rust blue. The front sight is a flip up ivory night sight over a fine bead standard sight. The rear sight is a 3way express sight for point blank, 50, and 100 yards. It has a Model 70 3 way safety with a spring loaded bolting piece so it can’t be knocked off safe in the thick stuff. I took a bunch of photos while I had it out. Bill

 

[robertrwalsh]

Must get some pretty tough wolverines out where you live.

 

[bracebeemer]

I use my 375 H&H Magnum on the Wolverines! Bill

 

[Old TexMex]

That’s a beautiful rifle, wonderful.
A very strong floorplate release, right?

 

[bracebeemer]

Yes the floor plate is the inside the trigger release and you have to push it hard to release it. You don’t want your cartridges to fall out of the magazine at an inopportune time. The magazine is the deep Rigby straddle type that allows an extra round of the big 416’s. Bill

 

[M29since14]

I notice it is a single square bridge receiver. I have never understood the purpose of that design. Maybe you could explain it? I can’t see any advantages and I see a couple of drawbacks. What’s with that?

But yes, a really beautiful rifle and no doubt “strong as an ox” (no pun intended ). I’m curious, was the stock made for you, or just to whatever the maker thought were standard dimensions? I like a little extra length of pull (about 3/4”) in a rifle that kicks, but besides the English, I seem to be alone in that preference. A 13-5/8” .378 or .458 is not my cup of tea, at all.

Thanks for showing us that one. Very nice.

 

[bracebeemer]

The square bridge was a platform for mounting a telescopic claw mount. The front ring would be dovetailed for the “ claws” of the mount and would snap securely into the rear bridge. Later they made a double square bridge which made claw mounting easier. My rifle has a 14 1/2” pull and fits me fine. The most important for me with a heavy recoiling rifle is the shape of the buttstock. My stock comes straight back with very little drop and has a wide solid recoil pad. The early Rigby rifles had quite a drop and would punish the poor soul who was shooting it. Bill

 

[ISCS Yoda]

For awhile I had a CZ "European-style" .416 Rigby. Model 550 Safari Magnum. It was a very cool rifle. Shooting it was something VERY different than any other rifle I ever fired before.

Then I tore my rotator cuff and I knew that was it for that .416 and moi so I sold it. Funny thing is I can still handle my .35 Whelen bolt gun fairly easily. But I was CHICKEN to touch off another .416 round!

https://t9c6w9j5.stackpathcdn.com/h...14/04/cz-usa-cz-550-safari-magnum-500x334.png

(c) CX-USA 2019

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Growing up in the shadow of Ohio State University, I agree that 375 H&H is adequate for Wolverines.

I love the rifle, the proportions look to be perfect!

Ivan

Aside from a runaway train, what else is there that requires a 416 in SE Michigan?

 

[Kitgun]

Truly a beautiful piece! Thanks for the posting.

 

[505Gibbs]

I use my 505 Gibbs for the occasional T Rex that wanders out of Ann Arbor.
Its very satisfying. When they get hit they whine just like Jim Harbaugh!!

 

[bracebeemer]

Ivan, there is nothing in Michigan that requires a 416 Rigby. It would be overkill for any fauna in our state. I’m not sure about Ohio though ! Bill

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

During the John Cooper years, 3 of the OSU football players that had apartments with our company. I don't think 375 H&H was enough for the two bigger ones! Back in the Earl Bruce years, I had one (receiver)that didn't get picked up by the NFL. He went into "Herbal Imports", and 9mm took him out, but that was after he moved from our units.

Aside from 'roid infused athletes, we get the occasional breeding bull that goes on the rampage. And the Columbus Zoo has a few large bore rifles for escapees! By and large, the big and nasty wild animals have been gone since the last ice age ended. But that didn't stop me from having 2 375 H&H's and a 450 Nitro Express, Just in case!

Ivan

 

[6518John]

Another pinnacle today of the firearm arts.

 

[Leonard]

Beautiful gun and a very practical cartridge for Africa.

 

[Valmet]

That is a truly stunning piece OP. I’ve been fortunate enough to own some very nice firearms, one of which being a Holland & Holland take-down rifle and arms like that are truly “best guns,” as they’re commonly referred.

.416 Rigby is mild IMO when it comes to recoil, the hardest of the bunch is the .378 Wby Mag, which may have been actually based on the Rigby case, though Weatherby claims it to be an original design. A 300-gr bullet pushing 3000 fps= THATS recoil! Whew

 

[junglefighter]

I have hunted Africa with a .416 Remington and I am a believer in the .416 caliber.

 

[gregintenn]

Amazing rifle! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jebus35745]

Fantastic rifle, it has beautiful wood. Wish I could find a front sight like that for my S&W revolvers. Larry

 

[Kanewpadle]

Now that’s a bear gun!