I don't think so. Had a guy tell me they are! I believe he was just saying that to tear mine down, it has a few dings and one change. Opinions?

I doubt it but I hope I'm wrong since I own one.

Yes, they are collectable, the used prices have been steadily rising over the last several years. To me, the .416 Rigby is the most collectible of the three. They have not made them for close to ten years and with the features like the integrally machined rib, they are a bargain.

The prices do keep rising. It was the last really good rifle Ruger made. I wish I still had the one I bought in 2003. It had a nice Circassian walnut stock and was a tack diver.

416 Rigby would be highly desirable, if they had them in 404 Jefferey that would be even more so...

They felt a little clubby in my hands, but what a well made rifle with all the bells and whistles already present. It was a turnkey rifle.

My definition of collectible is getting what I paid for the rifle. In essence I was able to rent a rifle for ten or more years for no charge.

If you like the fit and feel, keep on shooting it and grinning. Chips and dings can be fixed pretty easily these days, and worn metal finish can always be reblued. People are stupid on many occasion where they want a pristine gun, but spend little time seeing how the gun fits, and functions.

I think they are collectible, if the price is right . I just added a RSM 416 rigby , to keep my RSM 375 H&H company ... :-)

I hunted my RSM 416 Rigby on buffalo, lion, and elephant. My go to dangerous game rifle. Wiith some wear and tear on the stock rifle I recently had Duncan's Gunworks in San Marcos CA reshape the factory stock into a very sleek and slender feeling rifle. Completely eliminated the boxy look and feel with sharp edges. Wrap around checkering and a bead blast blue completed the project. Its a beauty. Don't know or care if I devalued the rifle or enhanced its value. Going to the grave with me.

quote:

Originally posted by LB:
I hunted my RSM 416 Rigby on buffalo, lion, and elephant. My go to dangerous game rifle. Wiith some wear and tear on the stock rifle I recently had Duncan's Gunworks in San Marcos CA reshape the factory stock into a very sleek and slender feeling rifle. Completely eliminated the boxy look and feel with sharp edges. Wrap around checkering and a bead blast blue completed the project. Its a beauty. Don't know or care if I devalued the rifle or enhanced its value. Going to the grave with me.

Sounds great. I would say you improved the value of it.
Is it a 23"-barreled one (Gen 3) or a 24"-barreled (Gen 1 and Gen 2)?

Mine is a Gen 2 .416 Rigby, and went to Botswana with me in 2001.
Very accurate, but weighs 10.75 lbs with the 24" heavy barrel.
I wish I could get the barrel fluted and then trim down the wood and refinish everything the way you did.
Might destroy collector value, but it would improve VALUE.
From my cold dead hands too.

Rip ...

Any thing can be collectable if one waits long enough.

If one has money to burn you can buy nice guns and let them sit in a safe for 50 years or so.

I buy guns to use a lot of them have increased in value.

At one point is was too heavy due to it humongus barrel contour..

The best rifle Ruger has every made is the Ruger African model by a long shot..Its a class rifle, Ive owned them in 9.3x62, a couple of .338s and my latest is the 275 Rigby special order mod 77 Hawkeye African. The best gun since the pre 64..

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
At one point is was too heavy due to it humongus barrel contour..

The best rifle Ruger has every made is the Ruger African model by a long shot..Its a class rifle, Ive owned them in 9.3x62, a couple of .338s and my latest is the 275 Rigby special order mod 77 Hawkeye African. The best gun since the pre 64..

+1.

I agree with all of the above.

The gen 1&2 RSMs were way too big in the barrel contour, and heavy, for their respective calibers. But perhaps nice to rebore to 50 calibers...

I also agree with Ray’s comments on the Ruger African models. I own all of the above plus 375 Ruger and 6.5x55, all without muzzle brakes. Great rifles for Africa with all the extras desired. Plus, the stocks are slim and trim, unlike the RSM. However, the Ruger Express rifle was a different story and are great rifles. I’ve taken my RSMs and Express’ to Africa in 458 Lott, 375 H&H, 338WM, 30-06, 7mm RM, and 25-06. I still need to take my 300WM & 416 Rigby. Hey, that would make a good two-rifle battery. Hmmmmm. Two birds with one stone...

I have a 458 Lott for sale if anyone wants one ANIB condition.

Thanks,

Arjun