BEFORE HE GOT RIGBY'S JEFF MILLER HAD A COMPANY NAMED ROGUE RIVER WHICH MADE DOUBLE RIFLES. THEY WERE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED BY CRAIG BODDINGTON,

BUT THEY NEVER SEEMED TO GO ANYWHERE. MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE THE BARRELS WERE SUPERGLUED TOGETHER ?

ANY INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED

I read a lot about them years ago, but have only ever seen one offered for sale. I think
the "space-age adhesives" just like the stuff used "to glue tiles on the space shuttle" turned off traditionalists, and face if, most double gun guys are. Searcy's stainless/synthetic went no where too.

I suspect Geoff Miller's claims to being a Navy Cross winning Marine (so I've read) has as much to do with Craig B's admiration as anything. He apparently loves the CA Rigbys too. While not my cup of tea at all, they seem fine from a functional standpoint, but a far cry from the old Rigby. Then again, they ain't 80k either.

quote:

Originally posted by Omnivorous_Bob:
I read a lot about them years ago, but have only ever seen one offered for sale. I think
the "space-age adhesives" just like the stuff used "to glue tiles on the space shuttle" turned off traditionalists, and face if, most double gun guys are. Searcy's stainless/synthetic went no where too.

I suspect Geoff Miller's claims to being a Navy Cross winning Marine (so I've read) has as much to do with Craig B's admiration as anything. He apparently loves the CA Rigbys too. While not my cup of tea at all, they seem fine from a functional standpoint, but a far cry from the old Rigby. Then again, they ain't 80k either.

Bob

What do you mean "claims" to be.

You either earn one or you don't - I didn't think their was any "halfway".

No disrespect whatsoever intended! I don't know the story. I'd read it in print a couple of times in conjuction with Rogue River rifles years ago. I'd certainly like to hear it, as they don't exactly give those away. I seem to remember something when the new Rigby was coming out, but again it has been years. Poor choice of words on my part.

The new Rigbys I've seen are a bit gaudy for my tastes, but I presume that says more about the person who ordered them that way than the makers. I've read several time about Miller and Craig B. working in the same building, and how the place resembles a mini-Parris Island due to the amount of USMC memorabilia about.

The few Kalifornia Rigbys I've handled have been very boxy (square). I don't think they are a double I would buy.

quote:

Originally posted by Omnivorous_Bob:
I read a lot about them years ago, but have only ever seen one offered for sale. I think
the "space-age adhesives" just like the stuff used "to glue tiles on the space shuttle" turned off traditionalists, and face if, most double gun guys are. Searcy's stainless/synthetic went no where too.

I suspect Geoff Miller's claims to being a Navy Cross winning Marine (so I've read) has as much to do with Craig B's admiration as anything. He apparently loves the CA Rigbys too. While not my cup of tea at all, they seem fine from a functional standpoint, but a far cry from the old Rigby. Then again, they ain't 80k either.

Bob, on what do you base your opinion the the California Rigbys are "a far cry from the old Rigby"? Please tell us specifically why you think the English Rigby is superior.

I agree with Bob here..

I am sure the new rigbys are very functional guns, but hardly close to what I would understand/associate with a "Rigby".
For me a Rigby is a name associated with a gun that has strong traditionallly/conservativ lines of a BRITISH sportingrifle. Short rounded foreend, the stock drops from nose to heel and made on boxlock action by Birmingham or their own inhouse sidelock action.
The new Rigbys of mexico are sold from a USMC camoflauged recruiting office, where they all are sitting listing to Hank Williams ,eating junkfood with their Dr.Peppers. No gun-ordering customer can distinct the difference between the gunmaking personal and the drill-instructures ( perhaps there is no difference?)hahahaha ( it seems that way)

quote:

where they all are sitting listing to Hank Williams ,eating junkfood with their Dr.Peppers.

Love it! The British Rigbys listen to Elgar and eat Scotch eggs with their Newcastle Browns.

I like the quote about powershopping as well!!!
Peter.

Once again, can you tell me specifically how the new American made Rigby (or a Searcy for that matter) is somehow inferior to the English Rigby. It is my understanding that Rigby now buys their actions from Merkel and finishes them themselves. Maybe if Rigby charged $100,000 for it you would like it better. I think in many respects the California Rigby is better than the English Rigby. It is a superb firearm at one third the price. Is a $17,000 Heym somehow inferior to a $100,000 Rigby? I doubt it.

Dave, I'm NOT trying to start an argument. I was about to post photos showing the difference between a rising bite Rigby with chopper lump barrels and one with button rifled tubes on a Merkel action, but there is no point.

They are both fine rifles, in different ways, and I've NEVER heard anything bad about the new Rigby's performance. In fact, I've always heard the accuracy was excellent. They aren't in the same league as a new WR, but they aren't priced that way either! I would be happy to hunt with one.

SOME of the old Rigbys are handmade classics, though they sourced parts too. The new ones are made to a price point as working tools, just like Searcys and Merkels and Heyms, etc. They aren't 'art' rifles like Purdey. Every maker had grades of quality. Nothing wrong with that.

We've been treated to some of the internal company dirty laundry on AR (though quickly deleted)at the New Rigby by at least two of their employees. Taking office politics and hourly wage disputes public gets ugly quickly, and doesn't paint the company in a favorable light regardless of any details.

I apologize for throughly hijacking. I wouldn't like the idea of glueing barrels to the rib because of the unknowns should it ever need to be reregulated, such as after adding a scope. I appreciate their outside of the box thinking to build a better mousetrap though, even if it didn't work out commercially. Innovation, with a healthy respect for the reasoning that caused a technique to become a tradition, is what moves things forward.

Do any of our members own a California Rigby double rifle? I did a quick search on this forum and did not see any one3 posting about his new rifle. My personal opine is I do not thinnk they have the graceful lines of the English Rigbys. The ones I have handled were "chunky" and did not mount well. I think they are over priced. Once again just my opine.

Rusty, are they so "chunky" that you would pay $60,000 more for a recently made English gun? Maybe it's just me but I don't think there is any way in the world that Holland & Holland, Westley Richards, Purdey, etc. can justify charging $100,000-$200,000 for a side-by-side firearm (and I don't care how well it is engraved of how well it is balanced) when a company like Heym can make a superb firearm with tolerances so close you can barely see the seams in the action for $17,000 (and they sell for a lot less than that in Europe). It's a gun for heaven sakes. It has to handle, shoot true and go bang every time. If other companies can build them for so much less, maybe it's high time for these high dollar companies to pass into history.

Probably the biggest mistake Rigby made was moving the operation to the USA. Our doubles get no respect. In his book, DANGEROUS-GAME RIFLES, Terry Wieland never even mentioned Searcy.

Dave,
To tell you the truth, if I had the money I'd be in Glasgow talking with David McKay Brown.

If I had a little less money I'd be talking with Famars.

If I had to buy a double tomorrow it would be a Heym or Searcy 450/400 3 inch.

I don't care about engraving, I care about how it looks and how it feels. Just like ever gun we'ver ever purchased! After all isn't that what it's all about.

When it all comes down to it, you buy what you like and can afford. Plain and simple. That's what you ought to do!

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Dave,
To tell you the truth, if I had the money I'd be in Glasgow talking with David McKay Brown.

If I had a little less money I'd be talking with Famars.

If I had to buy a double tomorrow it would be a Heym or Searcy 450/400 3 inch.

I don't care about engraving, I care about how it looks and how it feels. Just like ever gun we'ver ever purchased! After all isn't that what it's all about.

When it all comes down to it, you buy what you like and can afford. Plain and simple. That's what you ought to do!

I don't agree with Rusty on much, but his post is right on the mark.

Dave, without trying to sound like I'm patronizing you or being an ass, if you don't know, can't see or feel the difference between a first rate rifle and a second, third or fourth tier rifle, you won't appreciate the difference between a good "old Rigby" and one of the "modern" Rigby's. Same hold true for a first tier double from any manufacturer who makes them and a Searcy, Chapuis, Kreighoff or Heym.

Not every rifle "old Rigby" put its name on was better the day it was delivered, all of the makers made/make some clunkers, but by and large, on the whole... they were a league or two ahead of a "modern" Rigby.

Next opportunity, hit one of the sellers who has a big stock of various doubles, or H&H, G&H etc, or one of the SCI DSC shows and spend a couple of days handling double rifles of various sorts by lots of different tier makers. Even the Vintagers shoot here in MD has a sufficient selection to note the differences.

High lilkelyhood that you will feel the differences, see the differences.

If you don't, consider yourself lucky! You will be perpetually happy with an affordable rifle!

The difference in handling, fit, finish, etc, doesn't add all that much to the utlity of the rifle, but it adds some - better is always better, but it adds hugely to satisfaction of ownership, at least for me.

On the question of, "Is the difference between a new "modern" Rigby ans the theoretical new "old" Rigby worth $60k to me?" Well, sort of. I can't get and wouldn't spend $80k on a new "old" Rigby rifle. But I would instead find a good used rifle for more than I would commission a new "modern" Rigby. Or I would order an A&S Farmars long bar boxlock for more than twice a "modern" Rigby before I would buy a "modern" Rigby.

I prefer sidelocks, btw. And since I won't pay $60k-$200k for a new or top condition used rifle that will see a lot of travel and a lot of hunting, I look for second hand rifles from "other than English" top tier makers, like A&S or Thys.

JPK

i have owned two of the California Rigbys, a 470 and a 500NE. Both shot lights out but were very heavy being in the 13 pound range. At the old prices of about $12K they were not bad. Always had good wood and functioned well. I don't think they sold that many thus they are seldom seen on a secondary market. My 500 was built on a slightly heavier frame than the 470 although it too was a Merkel. They were attractive with decent engraving and good wood and checkering but too heavy for practical use.

Rusty and JPK:

I guess we have a different perspective but that is okay. In my view, there is simply no way that a H&H, Westley Richards, Famars, or a Purdey is worth $50,000 to $75,000 more than a Searcy or a Heym. In fact, in the age of CNC machining and razor sharp tolerences, you could make a good argument that the English guns are so expensive because of English inefficiency. In the end though, it's your money and you have to spend it the way YOU see fit

When you buy one of the really high end doubles like the English names mentioned and you are paying six digets prices you do get some thing's that even a Heym won't have. Engraving whether you like it or not is one of those things.

Side locks, upgraded wood, hand fitted claw mounts, oak and leather fitted case etc all add to the price.

You really get a deminishing return the higher you go but it's not allways about what is "better".

A lether case is not better than a aluminium case, A $4,000.00 blank of Turkish walnut is not better than a $1,000.00 stick of walnut.

Really a top end double rifle is no better than the boxlock German, French, Austrian etc. doubles were all hunting with. I think maybe a better word would be finer.

These rifles are fine in a way that speaks to the art of the gunmaker, The Engraver and the collector. They are built for collectors who will appreciate them for what they are and pay whatever the price.

All this has almost nothing to do with hunting. If the collector who buys these rifles is a hunter and chooses to hunt with them then fine they'll work well. If he is standing next to me in the field his sidlock Rigby won't work better than my boxlock made in Ferlach (allthogh it may be easier to clean). He'll probably be wearing a Rolex and that won't work any better than my Breitling ether.

I don't know why we double rifle shooters beat ourselves up over this one as much as we do.
Not every home in the U.S. has a painting by Frederick Remington hanging over the fireplace or a Rolls Royce in the driveway nor do they have a Holland and Holland royal ejector in the gun safe.

In reality the boxlock double rifles we're hunting with are some of the finest rifles in the hunting fields. A Merkel 140 is a much nicer rifle than 99.9% of the guns in the field at any given time not to mention a Heym.

If Rigby has brought there production in line with the less afluent shooters then maybe they are doing a sevice. On the other hand it has come at the loss of a name in old world craftmanship.

quote:

Originally posted by Akshooter:
When you buy one of the really high end doubles like the English names mentioned and you are paying six digets prices you do get some thing's that even a Heym won't have. Engraving whether you like it or not is one of those things.

Side locks, upgraded wood, hand fitted claw mounts, oak and leather fitted case etc all add to the price.

You really get a deminishing return the higher you go but it's not allways about what is "better".

A lether case is not better than a aluminium case, A $4,000.00 blank of Turkish walnut is not better than a $1,000.00 stick of walnut.

Really a top end double rifle is no better than the boxlock German, French, Austrian etc. doubles were all hunting with. I think maybe a better word would be finer.

These rifles are fine in a way that speaks to the art of the gunmaker, The Engraver and the collector. They are built for collectors who will appreciate them for what they are and pay whatever the price.

All this has almost nothing to do with hunting. If the collector who buys these rifles is a hunter and chooses to hunt with them then fine they'll work well. If he is standing next to me in the field his sidlock Rigby won't work better than my boxlock made in Ferlach (allthogh it may be easier to clean). He'll probably be wearing a Rolex and that won't work any better than my Breitling ether.

I don't know why we double rifle shooters beat ourselves up over this one as much as we do.
Not every home in the U.S. has a painting by Frederick Remington hanging over the fireplace or a Rolls Royce in the driveway nor do they have a Holland and Holland royal ejector in the gun safe.

In reality the boxlock double rifles we're hunting with are some of the finest rifles in the hunting fields. A Merkel 140 is a much nicer rifle than 99.9% of the guns in the field at any given time not to mention a Heym.

If Rigby has brought there production in line with the less afluent shooters then maybe they are doing a sevice. On the other hand it has come at the loss of a name in old world craftmanship.

AKshooter,

For the most part, I gotta agree with you.

I do think that an oak and lether case or a fantastic stick of wood is "better", but I aggree that it adds no utility.

a "better" rifle, by my definition, "finer" by yours, does have some additional utility, I think. Most will handle better for example. But the added utility is limited for sure, and to some, not worth any price difference, to other more, but, imo, can never make up a 2x or 3x or greater price difference.

I get great satisfaction using my higher end rifles, more than my not so higher end rifles. I've toyed with the idea of adding "hunting" doubles to my safe, but since I won't own a safe queen and get that added satisfaction using "finer" rifles, I just use them.

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Rusty and JPK:

I guess we have a different perspective but that is okay. In my view, there is simply no way that a H&H, Westley Richards, Famars, or a Purdey is worth $50,000 to $75,000 more than a Searcy or a Heym. In fact, in the age of CNC machining and razor sharp tolerences, you could make a good argument that the English guns are so expensive because of English inefficiency. In the end though, it's your money and you have to spend it the way YOU see fit

"In fact, in the age of CNC machining and razor sharp tolerences, you could make a good argument that the English guns are so expensive because of English inefficiency."

Perhaps, but there is more machining going on than I think you suspect. Or take a look at the Italian top tier makers. Lots of CNC, but lots of high skill hand work which as yet cannot be done by machine. Still a 2x or greater price difference, even with all of the CNC machining that can be done.

You need to look at the top quality but lesser name makers to get a decent idea of cost difference. For H&H, as fine as their rifles are, you are also payinh for their name. Not so much with a Ziegnhann, or a?

On the worth issue - well, the market sets that, quality wise, name wise, etc. Utility is a different matter, some but not a huge difference, as I've said.

For me, the differences, in utility and otherwise, are worth the money. And I would have fewer but better or finer tools than more mediocre ones.

JPK

Originally posted by JPK

quote:

I get great satisfaction using my higher end rifles,

And that is what it's all about.

It's really hard to put a $ value on things like pride of ownership and the feeling you get hunting in Africa with the same make double rifle that some of the old hunting legends used. Or just knowing that your rifle was completely hand made.

I kind of arrogantly feel like my Ferlach made double rifle is maybe one step higher in quality from some of the cnc production doubles. I also get a little extra joy from hunting with these rifles if for no other reason I can appreciate what it took the maker to build it. My ventage Merkel o/u 8x57jrs is no better than a new Merkel but I think it's kind of cool that it was completely hand made from a forging.

A lot of this boils down to ecconomics. when most of us are hunting with our boxlock rifles we get a lot of joy out of it because we are hunting with our "fine rifles".

Originally posted by JPK

You need to look at the top quality but lesser name makers to get a decent idea of cost difference. For H&H, as fine as their rifles are, you are also payinh for their name. Not so much with a Ziegnhann, or a?


JPK - you've made a very good point here. There is some really top end stuff being made today by makers who don't have the name reconition of the ones costing six figures.
I have a good frend who is a gunmaker in Germany. He specializes in light weight mountain rifles but has also built doubles. I handeled a sidlock 9.3x74 he built and it was beautifull, top notch all the way except that it had no engraving or fitted case. He has not to this day finnished the rifle because he feels that to get the money he needs out of it he will have to get some engraveing and a leather case for it and he is saving up for that since he built it as a spec gun and the money will come out of his pocket untill it sells.

Here's some food for thought. I feel that we base a certain amount of our opinion's about what is amoung the finest double rifles on the literature we've read about them.
Thats all fine and well and I have all the respect in the world for when I read John Hunter state that "Purdy builds the worlds best shotgun but Holland and Holland builds the worlds best rifles."

The point I'm getting at here is that the British hunters were writing the books that we read. In the early days there were German hunters going to Tanzania and Belgian's going to the Congo etc. When those hunters came home and wrote there books I wonder who's rifles and shotguns they were calling the world's best.

Probably British!

Nah, just kidding, sort of.

I do think that the top of the line English guns are the epitome of the fusion of tool and art, excellent examples of both. And some of the plainer Brit rifles were still excellent examples, but the art limited to the design and craftsmanship, rather than the embelishment found on the highest end guns. There are very good continental makers who bult very good rifles pre-war and between the wars. Francotte would be an example. This continues today, as well.

Your Ferlach IS a step or two or three ahead of the more common price point doubles!

Also, as far as the Brits, they made some forgettable clunkers! As will every maker. Each rifle unto itself, Brits included. That is one reason that great doubles can be found for a reasonable price - great rifle, no name maker, or poor doubles going for high prices - great name, mistake of a rifle.

For your friend who made the 9.3 - don't forget the H&H and other Brit makers' "Funeral Moadels."

JPK

quote:

I get great satisfaction using my higher end rifles,

That hits the nail on the head. I drive a dodge truck I paid $12.5k for. That should tell you how old it is. It is well maintained and utterly reliable, and does exactly what it was designed to do. Some people choose to spend an extra $400k to get a no-more-reliable Aston-Martin. Why? Ask them, not me! They're both just transportation from A to B to me. It is probably the satisfaction mentioned above, the looks and styling, the subjective 'thunk' when the door closes, etc.

If dodge bought them out tomorrow and put Aston-Martin badges on their trucks, they'd still be fine functional vehicles, just as reliable as before, no more, no less, but not quite the same as the vehicles that earned Aston their reputation.

For that kind of money in a car I'd insist that the dash be real wood, not veneer or wood grained plastic, even though the plastic is probably just as functional and more "modern". At a certain price point, certain things are expected, even if not appreciablely contributing to the overall functionality of the object, like chopper lump barrels vs monoblock or shoe lump, hand cut rifling vs button, sidelock vs boxlock. A stainless/synthetic Rem 700 will get 99% of jobs done; we spend many multiple chasing style and that elusive last percentage point. Indexed screws on the case contribute nothing to the gun, other than instilling the thought that, if they pay attention to details THAT small, then presumabley they got the big stuff right.

My father taught me long ago to never question a man's taste in women, dogs, rifles, or trucks. I'm not about to start now. I wish all double makers continued success. They ALL contribute to the viability of our hobby, from H&H to the Russian Remington doubles, and all of the small companies and craftsmen in between, the more the merrier.

Well said Bob

quote:

For that kind of money in a car I'd insist that the dash be real wood, not veneer

I know this is WAY off topic, but the solid wood dashed of old can't stand the heat or the cold and end up with crazing or even cracking. The veneer can though, so it is actually better.

JPK

Dave, in many ways I agree with your take on this subject. One example of "NAME" pricing is in the London H&H store I looked at a neck tie with little black "H&H" logos woven into the dull red fabric! The price tag was $110 USD back in 1983. If I had to guess that tie was made in China, for H&H for less than $10 USD, so the name was worth a $100 premium to H&H! It was worth $10 to me! This is much the same as placeing a Cadillac badge on an Opel car, and people thinking they have a Cadillac, or placeing the Rigby name on a Roague River double rifle, certainly doesn't make it a RIGBY, and without a lot of guady embelishment, the california Rigby is not worth the price they ask for them! Their actual quality is no better than a plain Merkel, Chapuis, or Krieghoff. IMO, the best thing about the Cal Rigby is the fact that it is built on a Merkel action, and uses Pac-Nor barrels.

As far as CNC mechining, all double rifle makers use the same amount of CNC mechining, but all have to do the final fitting by hand. This includes H&H, and PURDY as well. The difference in quality is the hand work that is done after the CNC does the grunt work, that was historicly done by shop apprentice. The CNC cannot do the quality final work of the skilled hand fitter, but is simply a cost cutter. Even the field grade of the most inexpensive double rifle is hand fitted, and regulated the same way it was done 100 yrs ago.

Where I agree with you is on the high price paid for the NAME! That to me is the bunk of snobbery, but pays when it is time to sell the rifle later, to another snob!

For what I use a double rifle for, if the rifle fits me, and is set up with the features that make the rifle reliable, and accurate, and fits me so that the rifle comes up naturally, for instinctive shooting, the Merkels, Krieghoff, and the like are all I need. Though I have owned several Britt double rifles,and still own some today. I do feel the difference in handling, I, like you don't need the name to make my hunt any better. That comes from the hunt,with a dependable rifle, not a name engraved in the steel on the rifle!

I'm not one who is of the , IMO, misguided opinion, that the Britts did or do build the best double rifles in the world. I have found, over the yrs, that the Germans do better fitting, and their regulation is right up there with the English makers. The reason the German rifles have not found more favor in the world other than eastern Europe, is the styling looks funny to most people from other places. I find that the very Germanic styling actually feels much better than it looks, in actual opperation. If the Germans have a fault, it is over enginering many rifles, with not thought to what makes a double rifle the best it can be for it's intended purpose. LIKE RIFLES THAT DO NOT RECOCK WHEN BROKEN OPEN FOR RELOADING!

Still and in all, the market is what drives the prices, and the fact that the snobs seem to not like German made rifles, makes them far more affordable for me!

Mac:

I swear I am going to bring this Blaser down there to Texas one day and let you shoot it. I'll cock if for you

Dave,
And I'll help you hold him down & put the gun on his shoulder & squeeze the trigger sorry Mac could'nt resist that.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Mac:

I swear I am going to bring this Blaser down there to Texas one day and let you shoot it. I'll cock if for you

Man don't bring that thing into Texas. It might escape, and ruin the double rifle blood line, then all the new little double rifles will be NO-COCKers!

Bring it on down Dave!

Rusty, did you get a chance to look over the article? I thought it had some good stuff in it.

Yes, Dave! I did get to look at the article. Very interesting read. I'll try to turn it into a pdf file this weekend.

Thanks again for sending it to me!

Had an exchange with Butch last week or so about his new Rigby rising bite sidelock doubles. Searcy is going for higher end production, and the price differentials between his and English double rifles are not going to be as much as they are now...

Maybe I'll sell my H&H 500/450 and my pair of Dickson round action guns to invest in what looks to be one very fine Searcy double rifle.

Regards

I don't know about present day Brit rifle making, but the old classics were amazing works of art and craftsmanship. The only double I currently own is a Searcy .470 ejector I ordered in 2000. It is a rather plain model that he dosen't make any more. It is rather thick and heavy, but when I shoot it, I'm thankful for every once. The difference is that it is regulated to a genuine 2150, and not a fantacy, BS, 2150, like the old rifles were.

NOW THAT WE'VE EXAMINED MOST EVERY MAKE OF DOUBLE RIFLES I AGAIN ASK THE TOPIC QUESTION

HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN A ROGUE RIVER DOUBLE RIFLE ?

Yes. I saw some at their booth at SCI when they first started. Can't remember much about them. Was along time ago. I remember the barrels had a rough finish and the stock was of Claro walnut. Kind of skinny with a big squarish grip cap. Boxlock. I saw another a few years later. Very similar features except the action was a Merkle.
Seems like when they switched to the Rigby name. They made several improvements. The extra weight was not one of them. IMO,they are beyond
chunky. The last one I saw at SCI weighed a ton and handled like a cement truck.

I have handled some of the Rouge River DR and they did not fit me.

quote:

Originally posted by Omnivorous_Bob:
I read a lot about them years ago, but have only ever seen one offered for sale. I think
the "space-age adhesives" just like the stuff used "to glue tiles on the space shuttle" turned off traditionalists, and face if, most double gun guys are. Searcy's stainless/synthetic went no where too.

I suspect Geoff Miller's claims to being a Navy Cross winning Marine (so I've read) has as much to do with Craig B's admiration as anything. He apparently loves the CA Rigbys too. While not my cup of tea at all, they seem fine from a functional standpoint, but a far cry from the old Rigby. Then again, they ain't 80k either.

.......and they ain't $20K either IMO!

Are you sure he is a Navy Cross winner? I went through the list of Navy cross winners from Home Of Heroeswebsite, for WWII, Korea, Viet Nam,and war on terror, and I find only one Miller,for Vietnam and his name is MILLER,Cletus A. USMC, and none of the other wars had a Geoff Miller. Either Your info is wrong or this is a case of stolen Valor! I wouldn't bet on which it is.

No on Rogue River guns, but recent "real" Rigby sighting in Texas. Went to my local range last week. Met a very fine
English Rigby made in 1989 for a Bend Ore. man.
He watied 6 years for the gun and then died before he shot it. Now a local gun, Side lock
action, 2 sets of BBLs. 470 NE and 416 Rigby.
New Owner says only 2 made this way, one for a
RAJA in India and the other is now in Texas. Beautiful Rifle Our good luck. Enjoy all your
doubles, they are sooooo much fun.

quote:

Originally posted by ftondrus:
BEFORE HE GOT RIGBY'S JEFF MILLER HAD A COMPANY NAMED ROGUE RIVER WHICH MADE DOUBLE RIFLES. THEY WERE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED BY CRAIG BODDINGTON,

BUT THEY NEVER SEEMED TO GO ANYWHERE. MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE THE BARRELS WERE SUPERGLUED TOGETHER ?

ANY INFO WOULD BE APPRECIATED

I think you hit the nail on the head. Shooters are all rather conservative in the regard to trying anything different. Plus, they were rather clunky and, while they may have been strong, were poorly executed.

As for Boddington saying nice things about them, well he does have his office in the Rigby complex and it is sometimes difficult to tell where his honest opinion leaves off and his paid opinion begins.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush
Once again, can you tell me specifically how the new American made Rigby (or a Searcy for that matter) is somehow inferior to the English Rigby. It is my understanding that Rigby now buys their actions from Merkel and finishes them themselves. Maybe if Rigby charged $100,000 for it you would like it better. I think in many respects the California Rigby is better than the English Rigby. It is a superb firearm at one third the price. Is a $17,000 Heym somehow inferior to a $100,000 Rigby? I doubt it.

Dave
DRSS

The best way I can describe it to you is to recount an old TV commercial. In it a Ford Granada is being compared to a Mercedes Benz 450 SEL in appearance and fit and finish. An aristocratic appearing gentleman gets into the Granada, seemingly confusing it with his Mercedes. At this point a woman chastises him for being in her Granada and gives him a wink for mistaking the two cars.

I think, Dave, that you also would have gotten into the Granada.