The Accurate Reloading Forums
275 Rigby
06 March 2015, 17:17
larrys01275 Rigby
I see Hornady is now making 275 Rigby Brass and Ammo.

--A novel way to charge people way more for what is technically 7mm Mauser.
There were never any orig. period commercial brass cases made that were stamped '.275 Rigby'.
(or rifles for that matter)
Orig. Rigby proprietary '.275 bore' marked ammunition packets, were 7mm Mauser ammunition packets,
that were simply overlabeled.
the proprietary term Rigby .275 bore, had nothing to do with it being any different to the reg. 7x57 case or
orig. 7mm Mauser chambering-throat-twist specs.......since In those aspects the .275 and 7mm are identical.
One can fire both regular traditional 7x57 ammunition and orig. Rigby 275 HV 140gn ammunition, interchangeably,
in either a Rigby model #1 ...or model #2 or model #3 bolt rifle.
( #2 & #3 catalog models being more specifically for .275 HV)
The first five(5) Rigby bolt rifles in .275 bore that WDM Bell purchased, were of the #2 .275 bore High Velocity, version.
from which he fired the 173gn DWM solid.
When I see expensive modern day custom mausers, trying to somehow authenticate the old Rigby .275 bore rifles,
but oddly marked '.275 Rigby' and owners then wanting brass marked the same, in order to be 'more authentic',
- I half cringe/half chuckle.
10 March 2015, 19:13
Fjoldquote:
Originally posted by Trax:
--A novel way to charge people way more for what is technically 7mm Mauser.
There were never any orig. period commercial brass cases made that were stamped '.275 Rigby'.
(or rifles for that matter)
Orig. Rigby proprietary '.275 bore' marked ammunition packets, were 7mm Mauser ammunition packets,
that were simply overlabeled.
the proprietary term Rigby .275 bore, had nothing to do with it being any different to the reg. 7x57 case or
orig. 7mm Mauser chambering-throat-twist specs.......since In those aspects the .275 and 7mm are identical.
One can fire both regular traditional 7x57 ammunition and orig. Rigby 275 HV 140gn ammunition, interchangeably,
in either a Rigby model #1 ...or model #2 or model #3 bolt rifle.
( #2 & #3 catalog models being more specifically for .275 HV)
The first five(5) Rigby bolt rifles in .275 bore that WDM Bell purchased, were of the #2 .275 bore High Velocity, version.
from which he fired the 173gn DWM solid.
When I see expensive modern day custom mausers, trying to somehow authenticate the old Rigby .275 bore rifles,
but oddly marked '.275 Rigby' and owners then wanting brass marked the same, in order to be 'more authentic',
- I half cringe/half chuckle.
Thanks for that info, Trax.
Were the original's labeled "#2 .275 Bore High Velocity" or just ".275 Bore High Velocity"?
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
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I understand your question to be in reference to the commercial .275 ammunition:
http://i285.photobucket.com/al...R/Rigby/rigbybox.jpgThe 275 Rigby ammo, at least on Midway, is the same price as that offered for the 7x57... But twice as cool
12 March 2015, 20:43
AtkinsonIf one has a barrel marked .275 Rigby then using 275 Rigby brass is the best choice, especially if one is going to hunt outside the country where in many cases the ammo stamp on the cartridge case must match the caliber stamp on the gun..From a nostalgic point of view many will prefer it..It seems that recently the cost of brass between the 7x57 and 275 has equaled out so that's a good thing..
We all know they are the same case, but that's not the point.
Just from a personal point of view, unless my rifle says John Rigby with the address on the barrel and is stamped 275 Rigby on the chamber areas top side of that barrel, I prefer a 7x57 stamp.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
12 March 2015, 21:06
larrys01That is what Hornady tells me is why they brought it out. I asked them if they would also bring out Ammo/Brass for the 6.5 06? They told me there would be no demand for 6.5 06.
I contend that for every Rifle out there marked 275 Rigby there are at least 10 or more marked

6.5 06.
12 March 2015, 21:20
BaxterBI believe the 275 Rigby ammo was one of the last things done by RIgby when Kent Porter was running things from Texas. I "think" there must be some sort of cooperation between Hornday and Rigby because it seems Rigby used Hornady to regulate their rifles nowadays.
But I agree that there are not that many marked 275 Rigby rifles to use that as an excuse not to make ammo/brass in a much more popular caliber.
16 March 2015, 11:43
Idaho SharpshooterI think it a good thing. Since mine would be a custom on a 98, it would be easy for someone like James Kobe to so mark it when he does the barrel work.
Rich
Eureka!! Now I know what to do with the very early Sn:3XX, Yugoslavian/Zastava commercial action sitting here on the desk. Factory d&t.
16 March 2015, 12:58
BenKKquote:
Originally posted by Trax:
--A novel way to charge people way more for what is technically 7mm Mauser.
...
When I see expensive modern day custom mausers, trying to somehow authenticate the old Rigby .275 bore rifles,
but oddly marked '.275 Rigby' and owners then wanting brass marked the same, in order to be 'more authentic',
- I half cringe/half chuckle.
Half cringe / half chuckle all you want, mate. I'm bloody rejoicing! How else can I take my old Rigby .275 to Africa to hunt kudu? Thank God for Hornady!
Alf,
the only Rigby Co. rifle Ive seen with '.275 Rigby' stamped on the barrel,
was a very late in the history of the brand(when Paul Roberts later came to own Rigby) bolt rifle from the 1980s....
If anyone has a genuine unaltered pre-war period Rigby 7x57 showing '.275 Rigby' on the barrel, please show it...

Paul Roberts would build a client a London Rigby bolt rifle based on things like brno 602, SAko,Rem700,
which is far removed from the companies prestigious glory days of when Rigby used mauser actions exclusively.
then when Rigby went to Ca, sadly things just got even worse!
Roberts now has exclusive license to WJ Jeffery, and has cheapened the name of that also, just as he did to Rigby.
19 March 2015, 05:34
ozhunterquote:
Originally posted by BenKK:
Half cringe / half chuckle all you want, mate. I'm bloody rejoicing! How else can I take my old Rigby .275 to Africa to hunt kudu? Thank God for Hornady!
Also great if you want to take it to the French colony of New Calidonia as you can not take the 7x57 as it was a military round .
19 March 2015, 09:16
Sean Russellquote:
Originally posted by ALF:
So what do we call this specimen ?
a 7x57 ? or is it a 275 Rigby or perhaps just a 275 Gibbs ???
The Rifle is a George Gibbs Mauser either a M93 or later M95 7x57 complete with a military barrel / the appointments are British sporting through and through
The inscription on the gun simply reads .275
Call it "Sweet".
"The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane." Mark Twain
TANSTAAFL
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ThomasBland,Jeffery,Rigby,Gibbs,Westley-Richards....
they all had something called a '.275' offering(7mm Mauser) at one time.
Rigby although having the exlusive import of mauser, did selectively
supply some of the other recognised Britsh makers
Gibbs also being an importer, also selectively supplied some of the other
recognised British firms, especially with Mannlichers.
19 March 2015, 10:21
Idaho SharpshooterI wonder if Hornady is marking die sets "275 Rigby"...?
Either way, I need to build one.
Rich
19 March 2015, 10:41
RockdocAlf, lovely rifles.
Is the top one a takedown?
Cheers,
Chris
DRSS
19 March 2015, 12:11
Mark Rquote:
Originally posted by ALF:
Yes it is.
Do you want to sell one?

Cheers,
Mark.
I read years ago , so I can't quote for sure, that the rugby had a different twist to the Mauser, and that it was intende for lighter bullets.
Not at all certain this is true, just putting this out there.
08 April 2015, 23:20
AtkinsonI agree with Alf on this one, but I have always wondered why Woodleigh makes a .287 bullet for the 275 Rigby? inasmuch as the 7x57 is a .284 bullet. I am sure there is a explanation for this but I just don't know what that is.
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
20 April 2015, 21:23
AtkinsonAlf,
Perfect!
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
21 April 2015, 14:54
eagle27quote:
Originally posted by Atkinson:
Alf,
Perfect!
Yep Alf has it, here is the text from Woodleigh's catalogues listing the .287" bullet.
275 H&H .287”
160gr PP SN 50 .277 .474 1900-3000 1.223
175gr PP SN 50 .304 .518 1900-3000 1.310
23 April 2015, 09:56
brno338Have a 275 marked Rigby that a customer wants to move. Customer bought it along with a 470 double from an estate sale. Keeping the 470 but the bolt gun may be for sale. Will try and post some pics later.
brno284
Mitch C Kendall
23 April 2015, 10:38
wetibbeI'm probably wasting everyone's time here but:
I started into big guns and reloading back in the 1950's. It was a LOT more simple then. So it has evolved and any of you obvious old timers remember back when there were not jet airplanes, no TV, no computers, no cell phones, lots of no's !
Presently as I peruse around and try to trace these gun manufactures, ammo manufacturers, bullet ,manufacturers I find a very convoluted labyrinth of co-mingling, acquisitions, partnerships, buys, sells, cooperation's everywhere. It takes a forensic detective to keep up with all of the changes.
The evolution of cartridges is even more convoluted and comingled. It seems that everyone and his brother has "invented". They tweak the case just a little bit here and there to privatize it. Sometimes there isn't any tweaking, or wiggle room, and the same case, or the case body, is nothing more than some other case or cartridge already created a long time ago. There are THOUSANDS of cases and cartridges. As I stated previously we could get rid of 90% and still have too many and too much. I'm a free enterpriser so I don't advocate that but it does illustrate just how healthy, and free, our private firearms industry is in spite of all of the adversaries.
In my collection of Mauser's, dating back to the late 1800's, some were Swedish, my favorites back in the 50's were Belgian FN Fabrique National,, some Serbian post WW2 and more recently Oberndorf Mausers, just before they closed.
It's a long and checkered history.
I may be wrong but I think Euro spec 7x57 uses a .285 bullet ?
23 April 2015, 13:17
wetibbeLal:
You're not wrong.
The European 7X57 does specify a .285 " bullet.
But numerous other 7x57 Ackley improved; 7x57 mm rimmed; *( CIP maximus ) shunt back and forth- .284".
The difference between .284 and .285 is a cats whisker of trivia.
The gun is capable of pushing bullets of much larger diameters down the gun barrel. The disparity here is easily calculated and it is essentially a matter of relatively unimportant pressure increase in overall danger.
Generally today bullet come in two basic forms. All solid copper with a Brinnell hardness of 35; Copper clad. lead core with an inner lead core Brinnell of 10 to 20; and all lead which a is 5.5 ranging up depending on other additives but generally around 15 o 18 Brinnell hardness..
Wetibbe that is very interesting, thanks.
24 April 2015, 09:35
brno338Okay here are the pics as mentioned.
Reciever is stamped with serial numbers and all matching. 68124 and 5170. Folding leaves are engraved 100, 300, 400
On the barrel it is stamped:
SIGHTED FOR RIGBYS SPECIAL HIGH VELOCITY
JOHN RIGBY & CO. 43 SACKVILLE ST. LONDON. W.
.275 BORE CARTRIDGE POINTED BULLET 140 GRS.
I have lots more if someone wants them PM'd then send me your regular email as they take too long to load here
Mitch C Kendall
26 April 2015, 11:07
BenKKBrno338, that is lovely! Looks almost exactly like mine! Fantastic rifle.