Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)
- stokesrj
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 (UPDATED 26/10/18)
I think we hunters have been told often enough that we need high magnification that we begin to believe it. I personally find that for big game out to 300 yards all that is needed is 3X and for most hunting in the eastern half of the US most hunters would be better served by a fixed 2.5 or 4X than a high powered variable.
But the same is also true of hunters with a bias against high power variables. I recently read of a hunter who said that the lowest power setting on his variable was 6X and it was too much. He claimed that on a recent deer hunt when a deer suddenly appeared at 50 yards all he could see was hair and it was like looking through a microscope. When I hear these kinds of claims, I know I’m hearing from a very inexperienced hunter. Take a look at a deer sized object with your scope set at 6X and you will know what I mean. I can easily take a deer with a 6X scope at ten yards so 50 is no problem at all. And for years I used a fixed power 6X for western hunting and have made many clean kills between 400 and 600 yards with it. Yet I currently run a few variables up to 25X and one up to 55X so I guess the marketers have gotten to me too.
But for that beautiful rifle no scope or a low powered fixed would be my choice.
But the same is also true of hunters with a bias against high power variables. I recently read of a hunter who said that the lowest power setting on his variable was 6X and it was too much. He claimed that on a recent deer hunt when a deer suddenly appeared at 50 yards all he could see was hair and it was like looking through a microscope. When I hear these kinds of claims, I know I’m hearing from a very inexperienced hunter. Take a look at a deer sized object with your scope set at 6X and you will know what I mean. I can easily take a deer with a 6X scope at ten yards so 50 is no problem at all. And for years I used a fixed power 6X for western hunting and have made many clean kills between 400 and 600 yards with it. Yet I currently run a few variables up to 25X and one up to 55X so I guess the marketers have gotten to me too.
But for that beautiful rifle no scope or a low powered fixed would be my choice.
Robert J Stokes
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 (UPDATED 26/10/18)
Hard to argue with that summary.stokesrj wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2019 1:52 pm I think we hunters have been told often enough that we need high magnification that we begin to believe it. I personally find that for big game out to 300 yards all that is needed is 3X and for most hunting in the eastern half of the US most hunters would be better served by a fixed 2.5 or 4X than a high powered variable.
But the same is also true of hunters with a bias against high power variables. I recently read of a hunter who said that the lowest power setting on his variable was 6X and it was too much. He claimed that on a recent deer hunt when a deer suddenly appeared at 50 yards all he could see was hair and it was like looking through a microscope. When I hear these kinds of claims, I know I’m hearing from a very inexperienced hunter. Take a look at a deer sized object with your scope set at 6X and you will know what I mean. I can easily take a deer with a 6X scope at ten yards so 50 is no problem at all. And for years I used a fixed power 6X for western hunting and have made many clean kills between 400 and 600 yards with it. Yet I currently run a few variables up to 25X and one up to 55X so I guess the marketers have gotten to me too.
But for that beautiful rifle no scope or a low powered fixed would be my choice.
As a kid, before I knew any different, I had a 4x on my .22 and a 1to4 Burris on my .243. Killed plenty of game ranging from wallabies to brumbies and never felt under-gunned or under-scoped.
About 18 years of age bought my first 300 Win Mag, a Remington 700BDL, fitted with a 3-9 Burris. Shot a lot of pigs and brumbies with that set-up and scope used to live on 9X Then after a year or 2 I realized (was influenced by target shooters and hunting magazine authors) that my scope wasn't good enough so I bought a 3-9 Leupold VXII with AO. Used that outfit to hunt buffalo, pigs, scrub cattle, horses and donkeys. Thought that outfit was the best all round DG outfit going. Most stuff was shot on 6x or 9x
Then in my mid 20's I was introduced to Mauser 98's, Brno 602's and European optics (Kahles & Zeiss) slowly fell in love (again) with low power scopes and Euro quality. However the price tags took some getting use to.
Your comment "for most hunting in the eastern half of the US most hunters would be better served by a fixed 2.5 or 4X than a high powered variable." is IMO absolutely spot on. Which may seem like a big call from someone who has never hunted there. However I have chased a few whitetails about in New Zealand and I reckon any rifle your comfortable with with a good 2.5x or 3x scope would be ideal.
So I guess I've gone full circle. I just wish that some of the European manufactures would start re-production on some of their low magnification scopes and that a few more hunters would buy them.
Cheers
rod
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking.
The first outing for the Highland Stalker. Ammo used was Sako 180grain Super Hammerhead factory ammo. Rifle zeroed for 200 yards.
Dingo was shot about 100 yards. Frontal facing shot with, as expected, complete penetration.
Boar was shot about 50 yards. High shoulder shot. Projectile did not exit (could be felt under skin on off side) Not much game was seen on the trip, primarily due to the length of the grass which in some areas was chest height. Photo taken from inside a Tojo 75. Rod
Dingo was shot about 100 yards. Frontal facing shot with, as expected, complete penetration.
Boar was shot about 50 yards. High shoulder shot. Projectile did not exit (could be felt under skin on off side) Not much game was seen on the trip, primarily due to the length of the grass which in some areas was chest height. Photo taken from inside a Tojo 75. Rod
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)
Unfortunate about the grass for hunting in, but at someone has feed at the moment.
I'm soft and I don't care.
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)
I know blokes that would cry at the sight of that much feed.
I'm soft and I don't care.
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)
Th grass was the best I've ever seen it. In places chest height, waist high in most and in areas that are normally barren of grass it was knee height. Water everywhere and more rain expected. The neighboring places were the same. The cattle looked like they were ready to explode
Rod
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)
That's good at least someone has feed, where abouts is that general area?
If it's getting like that out charliville way then there might be some good pig numbers in a year or two again.
If it's getting like that out charliville way then there might be some good pig numbers in a year or two again.
I'm soft and I don't care.
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)
So they might have got a bit of it up there, but probably not enough.
Damn shame.
Actually I just checked they have had 158mm so far this year, so things might be looking up, but at least the dams will be full.
Damn shame.
Actually I just checked they have had 158mm so far this year, so things might be looking up, but at least the dams will be full.
I'm soft and I don't care.
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)
Can you tell me what the Stock dimensions are? Specifically drop at comb and heel? Can’t find anything published anywhere and nobody stocks the rifle where I live..Rod wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:22 am Picked her up a couple of days ago. Rigby Highland Stalker in 30/06. Hope to get out to the range next week and will post some photos of targets. Will be an iron sight only shoot. Haven't bought any mounts yet...not sure what I'll get her than euro and QD. Scope will be a 4x S&B. I really do like these Rigbys.
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more to follow
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)
Would love to mate....but I’m currently living and working about 1,500 kilometres NW of home. When I get back, hopefully in a month or two I’ll have a look and let you know.rsenatro wrote: ↑Wed May 13, 2020 11:10 pmCan you tell me what the Stock dimensions are? Specifically drop at comb and heel? Can’t find anything published anywhere and nobody stocks the rifle where I live..Rod wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:22 am Picked her up a couple of days ago. Rigby Highland Stalker in 30/06. Hope to get out to the range next week and will post some photos of targets. Will be an iron sight only shoot. Haven't bought any mounts yet...not sure what I'll get her than euro and QD. Scope will be a 4x S&B. I really do like these Rigbys.
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PA110310.JPG
more to follow
Cheers
Rod
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Re: Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)
Yeah mate, out of quarantine and back to work
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