Gents:
At last my latest double arrived.
It is a Rigby box lock ejector, caliber .350 no2.
It shoots a 225-grain bullet approximately 2550 fps.
The specs are as follows:
26-inch barrel
weight of 9 1/2 pounds
15-inch pull.
leaf sights for 100-200-400 yards (yes, no 300)
original scope mounts
is cased with original label
completed 1943 for a Captain Bierstead.
(1943-really? During the middle of WWII? That's what the letter says.
Bores are excellent. I hope to shoot after the 4th.
Should be fun. I've no experience with a double this small!!
This rifle will be at the shoot in AK on the 18th.
This gem came from Australia. The first attempt at exportation was denied as the exporter didn't have me sign the following statement for the Aussie gov't. No BS here, gents, this is what I had to do:

"John Rigby and Co. Double Rifle, cal. 350 no 2, serial # 18xxx
I hereby confirm that I possess the necessary permit(s) or certificate to hold the firearm stated above in the USA. I confirm that the goods above will not be used for purposes associated with chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons or missiles capable of delivering such weapons, nor will they be resold if I know or suspect that they are intended or likely to be used for such a purpose…I confirm that the goods, or any replica of them, will not be used in any nuclear explosive activity or un-safeguarded nuclear fuel cycle."

Can you imagine the intelligence level of the government official who thought up such nonsense? So, you readers of my books and followers of my website can rest assured my Rigby won't be used for any nuclear, chemical, or biological weaponry. But, my new .350 no2 can be used for safeguarded nuclear fuel cycles.

I'm glad I have had more yesterdays than I have tomorrows with the current state of the world.
Cal
Cheers,
Cal
PS. I don't know the gent who took the photos prior to my buying the rifle but they are not my photos.

Beautiful rifle.. I'm beyond jealous. Congrats

Great specs: .350 no2, 225-grain bullet at 2550 fps, 26-inch barrel, 9 1/2 pounds

What a useful rifle and chambering. You may call it small, Cal, but what is so small about 3248 ft lbs of ME? You'd have to try very hard to come up with a better rifle for Alaska.

Very nice Cal. I have a Lang .400/.360 that is a blast to shoot. I think you will enjoy your new toy.

Mike:
Thanks for not equating my rifle to Janet Reno. You are a better man than I.
Cheers, mate.
Cal

Nice stalking rifle.
Used one on this stag across open country. 105m shot spot on

Lovely rifle Cal.

Nice photo and stag Adam.

Cheers,

Chris

That's a purty piece of history. Congratulations.

Very nice Cal.

Very nice, Cal! Makes me want to be at the range shooting my double right now instead of being at work....

Indeed a classic rifle..

Cal

Very nice.
Any plans to scope it with period correct scope.
I think it would be handy with a 2.75 x scope.

Nitro

quote:

Originally posted by nitro450exp:

Any plans to scope it with period correct scope.
I think it would be handy with a 2.75 x scope.

Heresy.

I suspect that Rigby read the date wrong in the ledger. Unless it sat in stock and finally sold in 1943.
I recall a Stigand who met his maker at the end of some spears IIRC. Think it was in one of Capsticks books.

Captain Chauncey Hugh Stigand (1877 - 1919)

Killed in action against the Dinkas Oct. 1919..

Nice looking rifle.If it shoots well it could be worth something.If it shoots well I would not mind shooting a couple of rounds with it.

Way to go Cal.

A Rigby doublerifle in their own in-house caliber. Can´t be much finer and rare.

Thanks for sharing Cal. Looking forward to see how it shoots. Happy 4th of July

Lovely piece of kit there. Glad you have found that.

Same statement required to export from UK. One must love the bureaucrat that dreams this up.

Nice find and addition to your prodigious collection! However, is this the beginning of a trend away from the big stuff you are famous for...

Beautiful rifle! Hope you'll update us with a range report.

Nice rifle from the legendary maker, Cal. Pondoro has given you Capt. Stigand's fate. As current events in South Sudan show, don't mess with the Dinka (or the Nuer).

Look forward to your working up a load and pix of targets. I used IMR 4895 in my Gibbs 350 No. 2 but never got even 2500 fps. IMR 4350 looked promising but I ran out of opportunity to see if I could get the pressure/velocity/composite group better. I did scope it with a Leupold 2.5X compact.



Regards, Tim

Nice Cal!

Gents:
Got some ledger pages mixed up. My rifle was a Cap't Bierstead. My apologies.
Mike:
The rifle has repro rings and a 1.5-5x VXIII that came with the rifle. I do have access to original rings to fit the original bases and I would like to have a period scope on it.
Shootaway:
You're welcome to shoot any of my rifles any time. It would add greatly to their value.
Again, sorry for the name error.
Cal

Cal, could you please show the rings and a better view of the bases?

Cheers, Chris

Rockdoc:
Here they are.
the rings were made in Australia to fit the bases that are on the rifle.
Cal

Those bases are a near duplicate of Krieghoff's proprietary bases they used before the war. No reproductions of the rings are available except for custom made. AKAH rings can be adapted, if you can find them, as AKAH no longer makes scope mounts.

Nice find Cal!

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Rockdoc:
Here they are.
the rings were made in Australia to fit the bases that are on the rifle.
Cal

Thanks Cal, they look good.

Any idea who made them in Aus?

Cheers, Chris

Beautiful piece of work Sir. I have harbored a dream for several years about having a double built in either .38-55 or .30-40 Krag.

Congratulations and Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Thanks, all, for your kind words.
Chris: I don't know who made them down under, but the gent who owned the rifle prior is coming to Alaska for a bear hunt in September (I think). Make a note to PM me around 9-1 and I will try to find out for you.
Cheers,
Cal

Cal, we couldn't see the nice engraving on the rib in the original photos you posted. That engraving is an extra nice touch to a wonderful rifle. I didn't know anyone was making the repro rings. Great find!

Gents:
Here are some targets that will show the traditional double rifle story in load development.

First target was with 62 grains of 4350 powder. Recommended load was 68 grains but 62 was a compressed load. It shot too slow (2246 fps average) and you see each barrel printed well, but too far apart. I'm looking for 2550 to 2600 fps.



The second target was 50 grains of 4198. Correct velocity and a good group at 40 yards (all targets here were 40 yards over a seated rest), but the higher pressure caused the rifle to open very stiff. However, velocity was excellent at 2568 fps.



Third target was 50 grains of a bit slower burning 3031. Individual barrel groups were good, but with a slow 2420 fps, still a bit apart.



Only three shots remaining but with 51 1/2 grains of 3031. Velocity was slow at 2490 fps but grouping is improving.



Last target and I've found my load. 53 1/2 grains of 3031 was just right and the velocity was 2595 fps. This is what makes double rifles fun to play with? I may drop one grain for a bit lower pressure, but all in all, it is right on.

I would say that you are right there Cal.

What bullet are you using?

Well, that sure dialed it in. Yes, what bullet?

Sorry, gents, 225 grain Speer. I have also Woodleighs to use and when they run low, I will drop the powder charge and try 250-grain Hornady as I have a bunch of them.
Cal

Cal

Looks like you have a shooter there.
Nice rifle and nice regulation.

Nitro

Lovely rifle Cal; am jealous!

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:

Looks like Joyce's target with Rob's Thompson.

Jokes aside, well done Cal. I bet it's a pleasure to have a well set up range in your front yard.