Ruger African 275 Rigby

17 August 2017, 21:28

quote:
Originally posted by Wink:
quote:
Originally posted by MJines:
. . . the .275 Rigby is 1:8.75 twist.

Would this stabilize the classic 175 grain bullet?

Yes. The 175 grain Hornady round nose bullet had a ballistic coefficient of .285 and a length of 1.208". If you plug that information into the Berger Twist Rate Stability Calculator along with a velocity of 2400 fps you get an SG of 2.82. A stability factor of greater than 1.5 or greater is the benchmark for adequate stability. This combination has more than comfortable stability.

18 August 2017, 00:41

Duckear

quote:
Originally posted by cjfoster:
Duckear,

Hopefully with some load development you can get it shooting better.

I'm planning on trying some 175's in mine.

I am not all that worried. 1.4" is what the Prvi shoots in my other 7mm mausers that shoot MOA with hand loads

I was testing a lot of loads yesterday and was kinda tired by the end.

I was shooting:
275
308
300 win mag
470NE

18 August 2017, 02:18

surefire7

Well, I got out to the range today with my new Ruger African 275 Rigby, after I mounted the Leu. VX3 2.5-8 scope.

After dialing it in, I put up a fresh target and shot a three-shot group before I packed up.

It shot a 1.25" group at 100m, right where I wanted it, 3" high at 12:00.

I was using Hornady 275 Rigby, 140 gr. factory ammo.

I do not reload, but I'd think you who do, could shrink that group down by half maybe(?).

Good shooting to you all.

18 August 2017, 22:46

MJines

From the range this morning. Two five-shot groups. One of the rounds did not register on the chrono. Brass indicated that the load is a little hot but extraction was easy.

18 August 2017, 23:02

surefire7

Nice groups Mike! Thanks for posting.

You have a nice shooter there and a good looking one as well. Congrats!

Please keep us posted as you experiment with other loads.

I think these Ruger 275s have promise.

I would really like to take mine to Africa now.

I'm still thinking 275 Rigby, 350 Rigby and 416 Rigby for a sweet three rifle battery.

19 August 2017, 17:40

swampshooter

Nice looking, very functional rifle, but I already have a custom Mauser 7x57.

Handloaders can easily, safely increase the listed velocities by over 100 fps. Pressures of American factory ammo is loaded extremely mild account of many old, weal rifles in that caliber. Norma ammo in 7x57 is great stuff.

19 August 2017, 18:19

MJines

At least in my rifle (the one shown above) the Norma ammo did show ejector marks on the fired brass where there had been some flow into the ejector recess on the bolt face. Could just be that Norma brass is a little softer. I did not chrono the Norma rounds.

20 August 2017, 07:03

bt8897

quote:
Originally posted by MJines:
quote:
Originally posted by bt8897:
Does anyone know what type of canvas strap that is pictured with the rifle on Lipsys site?

Trader Keith

Go about half way down the page, listed as the Trader Rifle Strap for $60.

Bill (Trader Keith) is a good guy.

Thanks!

20 August 2017, 20:18

Clayman

Saw one of these at the LGS yesterday. It actually caught me by surprise not only because I didn't know about it, but because it was so handsome for a Ruger rifle! Lately, they seem to be more interested in making low-budget or "tactical" rifles as opposed to more classically-styled rifles. Very handsome, indeed.

Also, the link the OP posted raised a valid point - until magnums came along, this was all the plains game rifle they really had. Worked great then, and there's no real reason to magnum-ize it. I find myself resisting that temptation with a number of cartridges.

20 August 2017, 22:14

enfieldspares

Who remembers these Interarms marketed rifles? This one, for sale here in UK is sadly missing its stand and fold rearsight. And, as on the Ruger "Rigby" the forend is too long IMHO. Definitely Ruger's re-interpretation is the better of the two.

A J Bell in Fulham. And those missing sights? He's not a clue where they are...I 'phone him about this rifle maybe a year plus ago. The more you look at it the more the overly swept bolt handle, the poorly done side safety all discourage you from thinking of buying it.

20 August 2017, 23:45

Atkinson

I have a friend with the Mark1 in 7x57, it was an item about 5 or so years ago as I recall.. ..Nice gun for sure.

21 August 2017, 00:24

Grenadier

quote:
Originally posted by enfieldspares:
.......
A J Bell in Fulham. And those missing sights? He's not a clue where they are...I 'phone him about this rifle maybe a year plus ago. The more you look at it the more the overly swept bolt handle, the poorly done side safety all discourage you from thinking of buying it.

They are great little rifles. OEM replacement sights are available and they are not expensive at all --- http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/mk10...leafsightwobase.aspx

21 August 2017, 01:01

enfieldspares

Thanks for that GR. I hope it helps someone out. Well worth knowing. Thank you for posting that.

22 August 2017, 06:57

Dale

My rifle came in a few days ago, so I took it out yesterday to try it. I put a Zeiss 2-7X on it. The load I started with was Rem. brass, Fed. 210 primer, IMR-4350 powder, and Nosler 160 gr. partition bullets. Here are the powder charges and 5-shot group sizes:

44.0 gr. 1.52"
45.0 gr. 1.44" (4 shots in 0.86")
46.0 gr. 1.09"

I have used the 46.0 gr. load in my Ruger #1A with the 160 gr. Accubond and it worked well. With a group starting at 1.09" from a new barrel I am optimistic.

23 August 2017, 03:11

enfieldspares

quote:
44.0 gr. 1.52"
45.0 gr. 1.44" (4 shots in 0.86")
46.0 gr. 1.09"

Nice! And FIVE shots.

23 August 2017, 10:42

surefire7

quote:
Originally posted by enfieldspares:
quote:
44.0 gr. 1.52"
45.0 gr. 1.44" (4 shots in 0.86")
46.0 gr. 1.09"

Nice! And FIVE shots.

+1 !!

28 August 2017, 10:34

lockingblock

Beautiful Rifle. Wish they made more of them. Ruger used to make the African series in a magnum mauser action...if I recall correctly, in 416 Rigby and similar.

How I wish I had bought one.

If they would bring them back, maybe do a 404 Jeff...be still my beating heart.

03 September 2017, 22:16

K W Johnston

I would...almost...bet my first born child Ruger will never again resume production of the RSM magnum rifle OR the Express model. They were just too different from the standard models with all the extra work involved. Ruger will continue with the African model with the proprietary 375/416 rounds. This Line up can easily be expanded to new calibers.

On a separate note the .275 Rigby rifle was a great idea. It's a highland stalker at a fraction of the cost of a genuine Rigby. I'm glad Ruger is continuing to make some nice classic style guns despite the ugly market trends.

05 September 2017, 06:02

Atkinson

Actually Ruger manufactured some mod 77 mag length in 404s early on but the specs were wrong, so they pulled up production and went with the .416 Rigby..

BTW Ive seen a number of the magnum series Rugers in 416 Rigby for sale, not to uncommon, most of the early ones were to damn heavy (big barrel) and folks were offing them at a great price and still are..I didn't mind the heavy part, but they sure left a lot of extra wood on the stocks IMO..

Ruger has come a long ways with the African model..

10 September 2017, 20:17

Bill/Oregon

While some quibble at the price of this .275, to me it is more about "homage" than mere economics. You have to be passionate about such matters for this to make sense.

11 September 2017, 01:18

surefire7

quote:
Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
While some quibble at the price of this .275, to me it is more about "homage" than mere economics. You have to be passionate about such matters for this to make sense.

Exactly!

I already own a few 7x57s and love them, however, Ruger has hit a homerun with two great ideas: the super African model, and the barrel stamped 275 Rigby. Hornady has taken it a step higher by offering 275 Rigby stamped ammo.

This certainly pays "homage" to this great cartridge and all of the Africana literature and famous hunters who have used it in the past, even though it is the same 7x57 round.

Many of us already own 416 Rigbys, and with this purchase, we are 2/3s of the way to a Rigby only (3) rifle battery. Only thing missing is the 350 Rigby. That would be another great tribute to pay homage to another historic cartidge.

Others will point out our 35 Whelens have the same ballistics of the Rigby, but it wouldn't be the same. I would love to take these three old famous African cartridges on safari.

Anyone else interested in Lipseys or Ruger producing a 350 Rigby to complete this collection (and hopefully Hornady producing the ammo)?

I know, I know, but we can hope. Or write...

14 September 2017, 02:37

ColoradoMatt

quote:
Originally posted by surefire7:
quote:
Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
While some quibble at the price of this .275, to me it is more about "homage" than mere economics. You have to be passionate about such matters for this to make sense.

Exactly!

I already own a few 7x57s and love them, however, Ruger has hit a homerun with two great ideas: the super African model, and the barrel stamped 275 Rigby. Hornady has taken it a step higher by offering 275 Rigby stamped ammo.

This certainly pays "homage" to this great cartridge and all of the Africana literature and famous hunters who have used it in the past, even though it is the same 7x57 round.

Many of us already own 416 Rigbys, and with this purchase, we are 2/3s of the way to a Rigby only (3) rifle battery. Only thing missing is the 350 Rigby. That would be another great tribute to pay homage to another historic cartidge.

Others will point out our 35 Whelens have the same ballistics of the Rigby, but it wouldn't be the same. I would love to take these three old famous African cartridges on safari.

Anyone else interested in Lipseys or Ruger producing a 350 Rigby to complete this collection (and hopefully Hornady producing the ammo)?

I know, I know, but we can hope. Or write...

I wish that Rigby had adopted the 9.3x62 and called it something like the 350 or 360 Rigby. They could have loaded it with a lighter bullet at higher velocities if they wished (Not my preference). I'm guessing the big 350 case was designed with cordite in mind. The 9.3x62 case is probably too small to get optimal performance with cordite.
I defer to Nostalgia a lot, but the 350 Rigby is a classic British round that I just can't bring myself to pine for. However, I do recognize it's outstanding performance potential, and certainly can't fault anyone for wanting one. Original 350 Rigby rifles are about as sexy as they come!

19 September 2017, 08:49

surefire7

Well, took out the 275 Rigby today for its second range sesion, along with other rifles. On its first session I shot a month ago, I shot a 1.25" 3-shot group @ 100m.

Today, I shot a 1.625" 5-shot group @ 100 yds. I am pleased with the accuracy of this rifle. Four of the shots (#1,2,4,5) were a 1.125" group. Shot #3 opened it up to the larger group. I let the barrel cool between shots, so shot #3 cannot be blamed on a hot barrel warping the stock; just my bad shooting.

I was shooting factory ammo, Hornady 275 Rigby, 140 gr. Interlock.

I think this Ruger African may hold some promise.

19 September 2017, 10:08

buckeyeshooter

quote:
Originally posted by surefire7:
cjfoster,

First, I want to say Thank You for reporting these new rifles for sale on the forum! Because of you, I went to my LGS and had them order me two, and they came in today. Thanks again!

To everyone else: some others here have posted their reports on opening the boxes, so I will add to this database for common interest.

I paid $949.99 each.

I asked for darker wood. That is what I got! They were medium dark (very nice) but at least not light 'maple-like' wood. I am very pleased. One had very nice grain (for a Ruger Hawkeye), and the other was just so-so, nothing special at all, but not light stained either.

My dealer said they were going to give me consecutive serial numbers, but the two would not both be dark wood, so I did not get the consecutive serial numbers, which is fine by me.

As stated earlier by others, the stock is very slim; a wand in your hand!

The weight of the rifle is 7 lb. 10 oz.

The front sight is a gold bead. I would have prefered the 3/32 white bead on the regular African.

The rear sight is the normal flip up/down sights that Ruger puts on their No.1s. I would have preferred the one standing fixed sight that the regular Africans have. OTH, my special order Dakota 458 Lott has the same set up rear sight that Ward and I discussed when building this rifle. I wanted the rear open sight, but also the ability to use a ghost ring mounted on the rear scope mount. So Ward put on the Dakota folding down rear sight as well as a NECG scope mounted ghost ring. I realized looking at this Ruger 275 Rigby, I could do the same with it. Maybe the best of both worlds? Maybe not? YMMV. Luckily, the rear sight on both rifles (Dakota and these new Rugers), have a strong spring on it to hold it DOWN, unlike some multiple leaf sights that sit up at a 30-45 degree angle with no spring to keep them down when using a ghost ring. Jury's still out on this idea. We'll see...

It has a banded barrel ring front sling.

It has the banded front sight.

The blue is a very high polish and deep blue.

The bolt is blued the same. Shades of the old Ruger Express rifles.

Has a 24" barrel. I like it! It is marked 275 Rigby.

The trigger is the normal LC6, which I have always liked. It has absolutely no creep or overtravel, and is fairly light, maybe 4 lbs?

It has the normal Ruger 1/4" red buttpad (why does Ruger insist on these thin, hard, worthless pads?!!), which my gunsmith will be changing out to a 1" black Decelerator. I change out all of my Ruger rifle buttpads to 1" black Decelerators.

Balance and heft of the rifle is a dream to me. Ruger Hawkeyes fit my build and hands (small) to perfection. I guess I am lucky to have the average-man height, weight, arm length, etc. Hawkeyes fit my hands better than ANY other rifle brand I have held, including my beloved Dakotas. They simply have less wood, and therefore fit my small hands better. Perhaps as others have stated, like a fine English bolt gun. But I don't know that, because I've not held many fine English rifles!

As others stated, the bolt in the raceway is a little rough but will polish out with use and sofa chair racking.

Well, that's about all I can think of to pass on.

Edited 8/17/17: two more things I forgot to mention. 1) it has a black forend tip, and 2) one cross bolt.

Oh, a side note. As my dealer was writing up the papers, I noticed a Ruger No. 1 stainless steel in 35 Whelen on his rack. Used, but in like new condition, for $1,049. I was interested and asked to hold it. As he wrote up my two new rifles, he said 'I can make you a deal on that Whelen if you want it.' I asked how good of a deal and he said $899. I walked out with three rifles today. Sometimes, things just fall into your lap!

A GOOD day at the LGS.

Good shooting to you all.

nice buy on the whelen too

19 September 2017, 21:15

surefire7

Thanks buckeyeshooter.

Yeah, I was pretty excited when I saw the 35 Whelen, let alone the original price. When he made me an offer that I couldn't refuse, it just got more refuse-resistant!

19 September 2017, 23:54

Magnum Hunter1

Well, glory be. They figured out how to blue the bolt handle again. Thank goodness.

01 October 2017, 07:53

Duckear

Did some more testing.

Bought a Timney trigger, fitted it last night and set around 2 3/4#

Prvi cases, 2x fired, FL sized
Federal 210 primer
139 SST
40.0gr IMR 4064
OAL 3.062"

3 shot group of 0.602"

Let the barrel cool

Second string was just 2 shots (thought I brought 6 rounds

)
0.864"

01 October 2017, 21:43

surefire7

Thanks for posting Duckear.

Nice shooting! Sounds like you're on to something there.

Keep us posted on your further developments.

01 October 2017, 23:53

Uncle Grinch

Wonder if Hornady is loading the 275 Rigby ammo to the same specs as the 7x57.

02 October 2017, 02:50

Duckear

quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Grinch:
Wonder if Hornady is loading the 275 Rigby ammo to the same specs as the 7x57.

I would guess they are.

02 October 2017, 02:53

Duckear

quote:
Originally posted by surefire7:
Thanks for posting Duckear.

Nice shooting! Sounds like you're on to something there.

Keep us posted on your further developments.

The new trigger really helps.

I may revisit some previous loads just to see what difference the lighter trigger made.

IMO, the Timney trigger is THE way to go for a Ruger if you elect to replace the factory trigger.

They do take a bit of patience to fit in order for the safety to work, but a small file and a slow approach = success.

27 November 2017, 03:59

MJines

The .275 Rigby getting it done . . .

27 November 2017, 04:09

Charles_Helm

Very nice! Embarrassed to admit that mine is still waiting to be scoped...

27 November 2017, 16:25

cjfoster

MJines,

Congrats!!

I have not gotten around to putting a scope on mine either.

27 November 2017, 16:59

Bill/Oregon

Excellent, Mike. That's a nice buck.

27 November 2017, 19:00

surefire7

Thanks for posting Mike. Wow, nice animals, a really nice buck, and a beautiful rifle.

Love it when everything comes together like that!

I've GOT to get mine out hunting...