Blaser vs Rigby

[CBH Australia]

So it’s a weekend and I want to invoke some comments. The Blaser nuts are all over those things and the Rigby are offering some nice CRF rifles assembled by them.

What are you preferences and what other big end rifles should I have named?

I can afford either but I’d like to try a Blaser or a Rigby. I do like the traditional looks etc on the Rigby but I haven’t seen either up close.

I like all nice rifles but preferences vary what’s yours?. I have functional reliable sporting rifles, I Like quality scopes too and could not spent like $3000 plus for a scope for these high end rifles. If I won the Lotto I may consider having something like that but then I would want more than one I guess.

Using these would add to the glamour, the experience and the nostalgia of hunting Africa or elsewhere but would it improve my success.

 

[Pondoro]

The Blaser is an odd solution for a problem that never existed.. Rigby´s Mauser M98 actioned boltrifles have proved themselves for more than a century..

When you wrote Blaser nuts......I kind of giggled...

In addition I mean that Blasers are ridicoulusly overpriced..

Now I take cover and wait for the Flak...

 

[bruce moulds]

at the risk of sounding common, can a rigby do anything a win70 can't?
of course if you want to go upmarket you could also consider the Dakota 76 traveller.
and for plains game a soroka single shot farquarson derivative.
bruce.

 

[sierraone]

Whether you choose a Blaser R8 or a Rigby Big Game, what will improve your success rate will be the time you spend on the range before you go.

 

[Bushpig4Ever]

Blaser = Chevrolet
Rigby = Mercedes

Get a Mauser and ignore the rest.

 

[Red Leg]

I like them both. Blaser currently is the most technologically advanced solution to launching a bullet with an explosive chemical mixture and the Rigby Big Game the latest production refinement of the classic ‘98. @Bushpig4Ever is onto something, though I think BMW is a more apt parallel for the Blaser. I suppose a bespoke Rigby or Westley Richards would be a Rolls.

I prefer my “Highland Stalker” and its Mauser ilk for North American game reachable by my truck. But when it comes to air travel, particularly international air travel, then the R8 wins hands down. And nothing brings two calibers to a destination in a handier or more accurate package. It’s short action puts a sub-MOA magnum with a rifle-length barrel in a firearm of carbine dimensions.

Like with the Blaser S2, another technological advancement, many of the most vehement critics of the R8 have never fired one, much less owned one.

 

[mlg]

I’ve seen a few of the new Rigbys and I’ve seen one Bolt action Heym.

I would take the Heym any day to a Rigby in the similar price bracket. Plus Heym do the 404 Jeffery’s.....

 

[mlg]

Red Leg

Agree with you on the R8 - the most versatile rifle on the market

 

[BenKK]

I like Red Leg’s attitude that appreciation for one doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the other.

 

[CBH Australia]

Whether you choose a Blaser R8 or a Rigby Big Game, what will improve your success rate will be the time you spend on the range before you go.

That part was like a rhetorical question. Apart from the Rigby are beautiful with Blaser Being the most technologically advanced way to propel a bullet using a chemical mixture doesn’t mean I will get more game or maybe even more velocity, be a better hunter or have better luck on the day .

Let’s say a Blaser is consistently 1/2 Moa, my Tikka is guaranteed to be at least 1Moa, an old Lee Enfield might be shootings 2 MOA we can probably all hunt with them and take game humanely at appropriate ranges. The projectile does the deed.

I didn’t mention Heym, are there others in the price point?

I had to look up vehement, that’s new to me.

Being a better hunter is up to us. Learning the skills, the game and terrain may all lead to success the same as range time. Accuracy is not the only factor in success. Most modern rifles have sufficient accuracy used within reason..

 

[spike.t]

Rigby ..nothing like nice wood and a lovely finish...they feel right as well.....there are others that make beautiful rifles but I have only had rigbys in that type of category...so am biased. ....and blasers and other European makes of similar appearance do sweet FA for me ..and I have handled them.....never shot them as had no desire ...there looks enough to put me off....so @Pondoro I happily join you awaiting the flak.....

 

[WAB]

Both great rifles. I am a traditionalist and really like my Rigby. My wife is not and is considering a blaser. I think part of her motivation is to own a rifle she knows will be hers, as I will have no desire to use it!

The question about what will it do that a M-70 can’t is fair. I am a M70 fan and own five, three of those being high end custom jobs. Functionally the answer is nothing. The appeal of the Rigby is in form, it’s lineage, balance, finish, etc..

 

[Red Leg]

Proba

Rigby ..nothing like nice wood and a lovely finish...they feel right as well.....there are others that make beautiful rifles but I have only had rigbys in that type of category...so am biased. ....and blasers and other European makes of similar appearance do sweet FA for me ..and I have handled them.....never shot them as had no desire ...there looks enough to put me off....so @Pondoro I happily join you awaiting the flak.....

Probably still use a bleeding flip phone .........

 

[Red Leg]

Both great rifles. I am a traditionalist and really like my Rigby. My wife is not and is considering a blaser. I think part of her motivation is to own a rifle she knows will be hers, as I will have no desire to use it!

The question about what will it do that a M-70 can’t is fair. I am a M70 fan and own five, three of those being high end custom jobs. Functionally the answer is nothing. The appeal of the Rigby is in form, it’s lineage, balance, finish, etc..

But the Blaser is all about function. As I say, I love them both.

And you better get that girl that R8.

 

[WAB]

But the Blaser is all about function. As I say, I love them both.

And you better get that girl that R8.

Fat fingers, I was trying to say ‘what can a Rigby do that a M70 cant’! Totally agree with you, both great rifles. I’m afraid I’m too dense to use the straight throw of the blaser. I bound one up trying to cycle it at the blaser booth! Did you have any trouble adjusting?

 

[Pondoro]

But the Blaser is all about function. As I say, I love them both.

And you better get that girl that R8.

Red....I agree that the R8 is very easy to travel with. But when you say that its all about function then I presume you mean it is faster to shoot than a bolt rifle..? If so, I would argue that a modern semiauto is even more sensible.

But there is a sporting aspect here as well..and that is the reason I will never hunt with a Blaser and similar or a semi....its all about coping with a bolt or double rifle and give the game a fighting chance. If I miss an opportunity because I am too slow then so be it....we are not at war with the game..are we..?

 

[CBH Australia]

Rigby ..nothing like nice wood and a lovely finish...they feel right as well.....there are others that make beautiful rifles but I have only had rigbys in that type of category...so am biased. ....and blasers and other European makes of similar appearance do sweet FA for me ..and I have handled them.....never shot them as had no desire ...there looks enough to put me off....so @Pondoro I happily join you awaiting the flak.....

Spike, if you have owned Rigby’s how well do they shoot? I haven’t seen one in person and the closest stocking dealer is likely 1500km from my hometown. I’m not sure they will let me handle them anyway.
I have watched the you tube clips of them making these. A lot of hand crafting etc. I understand they are a Mauser action but hopefully refined and smooth. They are beautiful but pricey , traditional and I guess old school which makes me wonder what they are like to shoot

 

[spike.t]

Proba

Probably still use a bleeding flip phone .........

What's a flip phone..... Sounds hi-tech.....Have to check them out....

 

[BeeMaa]

I didn’t mention Heym, are there others in the price point?

How about Dakota and Kilimanjaro?
Although I think the Kilimanjaro is built on a Dakota 76 action.

 

[Pondoro]

Spike, if you have owned Rigby’s how well do they shoot? I haven’t seen one in person and the closest stocking dealer is likely 1500km from my hometown. I’m not sure they will let me handle them anyway.
I have watched the you tube clips of them making these. A lot of hand crafting etc. I understand they are a Mauser action but hopefully refined and smooth. They are beautiful but pricey , traditional and I guess old school which makes me wonder what they are like to shoot

CBH Aussie...I have handeled several of the new Rigby´s, .275s, .375H&Hs and .416s....all actions were smooth..and the owners say they are accurate..

The Rigby´s are moderately priced compared with similar from Westley Richards, Holland&Holland, Purdey etc.