Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles Custom FN98 7x57 project

I really like the way your project is heading. Should be a lovely rifle.

Here's a question ...... Trying to decide direction with this project.

I originally wanted to buy a Rigby Highlander like the one below.



........ but got re-directed to this gunmaker here in Canada who sent me this pic of the rifle below.





Trying to decide whether to go with the red pad/no forend tip like the Rigby or the with a black pad with the forend tip in the maker's pic.


Comments invited.



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I like the bottom rifle.

+1

Me, too.

DF

IMO, you can probably get more buzz for your buck with a top custom builder vs paying a big premium for a name,

At least that’s the way I would go.

DF

I should clarify here a bit. It was quite early when I was posting the question.

I am getting the lower rifle made by the builder here in Canada but am undecided about the final form.

It will either have the red pad/no black forend tip or come with a black pad and black forend tip.

Definitely with black tip/pad as in picture.

Black tip and a nice steel checked buttplate like those found on pre 64 M70s. The 7x57 is not a heavy kicker.

I prefer a thin pad over a hard butt plate or steel butt plate, not for recoil but personal preference.

For me I'm fan of simplicity in design and the Rigby and the Griesbach both have really beautiful lines and a timeless quality.
The black forend tip i've seen that done on a lot of guns past and present to imply a level of quality, deserved or not.
The thing notice more is the different angles of each guns buttstock and forend. How those lines affect the look of each rifle as an overall whole. The buttstock angle being so different for each rifle would also affected the feel in use and would be something to consider as well.
The red butt pad seems to be a way to distinguish a Rigby from a distance, a makers mark as such and personally prefer the overall shape of this rifle more, the lines flow very well. it looks fantastic but I'm new to the rifle world.
Since you've got a custom in the works from an excellent gunsmith in his own right.
I'd ask him what he would like to see take shape for he's very experienced and float the idea around.
Then get ready to fall in love.
Regards
Keith



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I vote red pad no tip and stay with the Rigby pattern, elegantly simple. Don't forget the rounded grip knob......

The second rifle seems to much of a combination American classic with Rigby undertones.

^ +1!

Whatever you select, make sure the stock has the proper pitch, unlike that one pictured with the red pad!

Bottom rifle in pic, with red pad.

Red pad (not decelerator) and the ebony forend tip.

Exactamundo.

What kind of wood is that and what grade? I see the blanks, but didn't notice what kind?

Does anyone know what kind of rear site that is on the lower rifle?