I went to the gun range today and fired my Heym 470 about 10 rounds. I shot at 30 yards off my stand up bench (heavy camera tripod with a sand bag).
The gun shot very well (Probably less than a 1") @ 30 yards; both barrels. Problem lies is that the pattern is 2.5" below Bull @ 6 oclock. 10 shots just blew out a silver dollar size hole of target.
The fixed stand up leaf is marked 35 yards.
I think I am going to send the barrels off to NECG and have them mill in a slot on the fron ramp that will accept different height front sights. I need a shorter one.
The gun seems very well regulated with Fed ammo. I might wait and see what it does with Hornady when it become available.

EZ

your hold is dead on?

EZ

I would shoot the double off hand first before sending it off.

Shoot it again at 30 yards, then at 60 yards, offhand, and then at 100. Us a real animal target, not a bulls eye as you might find that when shooting at an animal you "look" at the soights a little different. Real looking Deer targets are probably the easiest to get.

Also you might want to shoot it for a couple of hundred rounds and test it again.

As you off hand techniques with your double perfects itself some times your POI will change.

Rusty,

My hold was about 1/2 way up covering a 3" orange bull. At 30 yards my front bead is small but about covers that 3" bull.
I shot 8 rounds and my son 2 rounds.

450 # 2; I know what you are saying about animal targets. I do much better with my bow shooting at animal target over dots.

I have only put a total of 16 rounds through this gun.
After the first 2-3 shots a few months ago the mercury tube came loose inside the stock. Had that repaired and the stock refinished. I also had the front sight changed to a unit 1 millimeter less in height. It was shooting 3" low.
I need to chrono these loads as well.

FUN TO SHOOT! My son is about 6'1" tall and 185 Lbs. I wish I would have had a video camera. It looked like his shoulder moved 10" although I witnessed little muzzle jump.
Thanks for the guidance!

Wouldn't a shorter front sight cure the problem without any need for gunsmithing? What am I missing?

Lavca,
That is what I planned on doing. The front ramp has a dovetail milled in it to accept a blade. The blades are unique to this firearm and not on the shelf.
I can have the dove tail milled out to accept NECG blades that are held in place by a plunger. They are many options, readily available and easy to replace without a gunsmith.
I may try the suggestions mentioned above first.

EZ

eezridr - just a guess - where do you hold the forend - I am asking because my 9,3 Merkel shoots higher if my hold is as marked blue - and shoots lower if my hold is as marked red (hand resting on sandbag):

Mouse,

I have a little set up where I have a large camera tripod with a sand bag atop.
I rest my forend towards the front of the forearm. Perhaps forward of your blue mark. Not unlike a shooting stick. I support the back of the gun with just my shoulder. I balance the gun or pivot it on the bag. I have my hand on the forearm by the bag but do not grip the forearm. Should I?

EZ

I'd just suggest that you try all sort of things that may influence the matter (hold, light, target, distance...) I bet guys at Heym do things well proven. I have put app. 900 shots through my Merkel and I still get an oddity or two here and there. I have learned that if a problem arise I'd check it through at least 3 range sessions (never based on single one) on different days before making any modifications.

P.S. here is my first session target:



One would guess rifle shoots high - thats what I thought - however later on it changed (or was I?) - without any modifications to the sights height or POA:

A interesting note is that my son shot 2 rounds out of the 10 we fired. He used the same metod for holding the rifle as I. He hit the same POI.
I do not anticipate ever shooting elephant. I suspect if I am fortunate enough, I might take a shot at a cape buffalo one day with this gun although I have a nice 416 Rem. I have allot of confidence in.
More than likely I will shoot this gun off of sticks rather than free hand.
We will continue this endeavor. I may call Chris @ Heym and try and have a shooting session with him. Perhaps get some pointers real time.

quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
We will continue this endeavor. I may call Chris @ Heym and try and have a shooting session with him. Perhaps get some pointers real time.

I have to start reloading as well. It is just to expensive to buy ammo for practice sessions. I guess I will have to break down and buy a new "BIG PRESS". My RCBS Rockchucker will not handle this fellow.
Hornady; If you are listening-get you 470 fodder on the shelves!

Yes you should hold the fore end and rest the back of your hand on the bag.

But shoot the double off had at 25 yards 30 rounds or so to get the "feel" for it.

quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
Mouse,

I have a little set up where I have a large camera tripod with a sand bag atop.
I rest my forend towards the front of the forearm. Perhaps forward of your blue mark. Not unlike a shooting stick. I support the back of the gun with just my shoulder. I balance the gun or pivot it on the bag. I have my hand on the forearm by the bag but do not grip the forearm. Should I?

EZ

EZ, you should never rest a double rifle dirrectly on the sand bag. So the answer to your question in BOLD PRINT above is "yes you should!"



Your forehand should grip the forend just ahead of the blue line in the picture above, with your fingers wrapped around the wood, gripping the barrel steel, with the back of your hand resting on the bag! Nothing should touch your doubel rifle but your hands, face, and shoulder! The double rifle must be absolutely allowed to recoil as if shot off hand to regulate properly. This also includes when being shot off sticks as well, hold the forend, and rest your hand on the sticks!

You see the rifle recoils differently when rested on anything and without your hand retarding the recoil arch. The regulation depends on that recoil arch to be at the proper place in that arch when the bullet exits the muzzle to regulate!

Do not know what I would do without you DRSS guys. Well, I guess I have to get some more ammo and back to try these techniques.
I think a new monster press and dies are less expensive than a box of Federal ammo(LOL).
Come on Hornady!

eezridr,

Where do you shoot in Dallas? NE 450no2 and I can meet you at the range and have a session.

470,

I live up near the intersection of George Bush Tollway and the Dallas North Tollway.
I would like meet you guys and get some instruction.
The range is fine; however I was at Elm Fork last weekend and in order to shoot solids you have to shoot on the tactical range and it is hard to concentrate when the AR-15 guys are trying to empty their clips ASAP.
We will give it try!
I usually like my farm but it is 100 miles away between Palestine and Corsicana on 287.
I am open to suggestions if you have a better one

EZ