Rigby Highland Stalker 30/06 finally goes stalking (updated 02/04/19)

[TheoR8]

Good to see mate.

[Rod]

G’day Vol423,


Good luck with your build.

Cheers Rod

[Chamois71]

Rod (and others who want to offer opinion)
I picked up a Rigby Highland Stalker last year in .275. I shot irons thru the season (only scoring paper and no game harvests). I have found a chap in the states that will install a Recknagel pivot mount similar to yours, but I’m still sorting out the choice of glass. Are you happy with the fixed 4x S&B you put on yours in terms of magnification/reticle? And size of optic vs. something a tad larger? Also, does the pivot mounts still allow you good view of the express sights and has the mount held a good ‘zero’ for you? I am contemplating a Zeiss 1.5-6x42 that another buds member has available for me. And also a new Kahles Helia 1.6-8x42 or a Swarovski 3-9x36 Z3 or even a fixed 4x. Most of my game taking will be under 300M but is varied between whitetails, black bear (in woodland and open field)and then woodchuck (like a marmot) in hayfields in the spring and summer.

On another point, absolutely love the rifle too in terms of how it fits me (like a properly fitted shotgun!) and how well my older eyes can put 140 grn pills on paper out to 100M.

Thanks for any comments provided!
Scott

[Chamois71]

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[Rod]

Rod (and others who want to offer opinion)
I picked up a Rigby Highland Stalker last year in .275. I shot irons thru the season (only scoring paper and no game harvests). I have found a chap in the states that will install a Recknagel pivot mount similar to yours, but I’m still sorting out the choice of glass. Are you happy with the fixed 4x S&B you put on yours in terms of magnification/reticle? And size of optic vs. something a tad larger? Also, does the pivot mounts still allow you good view of the express sights and has the mount held a good ‘zero’ for you? I am contemplating a Zeiss 1.5-6x42 that another buds member has available for me. And also a new Kahles Helia 1.6-8x42 or a Swarovski 3-9x36 Z3 or even a fixed 4x. Most of my game taking will be under 300M but is varied between whitetails, black bear (in woodland and open field)and then woodchuck (like a marmot) in hayfields in the spring and summer.

On another point, absolutely love the rifle too in terms of how it fits me (like a properly fitted shotgun!) and how well my older eyes can put 140 grn pills on paper out to 100M.

Thanks for any comments provided!
Scott

G'day Scott, glad to hear that you're enjoying your HS.

As to mounts and scope....well I'm very happy with what I'm running. My mounts are the EAW ...they are a pain to get set-up, but once that's done they do work well. I have had no issues with return to zero and my scope is removed and replaced on a fairly regular basis. The bases are low and in no way obstruct the use of the iron sights. On my last hunting trip I shot her with iron sights only and had a great time.

Scope choice......I thought about this a lot before I finally fitted one. As you know the HS handles well as she comes with the iron sights. I didn't want to add too much weight and or bulk and upset the feel/vibe of the rifle. So I decided that the scope had to have a 1" tube and a style which suited the HS. I had a S&B and Kahles 4 x sitting in the safe .... I choose the S&B ...clear and tracks well....IMO the S&B and Kahles are as good as anything else on the market. Magnification ??? 4x suits me. I don't need anything bigger on a big game (pigs, deer,etc) hunting rifle.

As to the other scopes you mentioned Kahles and Zeiss in 1.5-6 x 42. Great scopes...I run Zeiss 1.5 to 6 x 42's on my R8 barrels in 30/06, 308 and 9.3 x 62. And a Kahles 1.5 to 6 x 42 on my Rem 700 in 300 Win Mag. All of those scopes live on 3x when hunting and most shots at game are taken on that magnification. As I said great scopes....but for the HS I thought maybe a bit too bulky. But I haven't tried one on the Rigby so who knows...?

I think that the Swarovski 3-9x36 Z3 you mentioned would also be a good choice..especially if you do like some higher magnification at times.

Good luck with which ever you choose.

Rod

[Rod]

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Very nice....

[Chamois71]

Thanks much Rod! On my R8 or my K95 I didn’t blink when putting railed Zeiss or Swaro glass on them with 50mm objectives, but with this rifle those just don’t seem to go well….I will continue this pondering a bit. At least the mounts are clear to me, but now what to put in them???

[Rod]

Good luck with what ever you choose and don’t forget to post up some photos when you put it all together.

Rod

[MD Driver]

That’s one fine piece of furniture they put on your HS, Scott!

[Chamois71]

Yessir! When I pulled it from its case that was my first impression; I got some nice wood!!

[Rod]

Yessir! When I pulled it from its case that was my first impression; I got some nice wood!!

You’ll have to name that rifle viagra