Hi Guys - I am new to the Double Riles forum. Sorry to ask questions that may have already been adressed but I looked through the posts and did not see what I was looking for.

Basically, I am a serious hunter who has been here and there, now including Africa. I am on a quest for the Big 5 and thus far I have done a Green Hunt on a Rhino (if you have never done it - possibly the greatest hunting expiereince of my life - bar none) and a huge, gorgeous monster of a lion on a spot and stalk lion hunt. Full mane back to his glands, about 6" of black tips and he was taken on a charge with a single shot from my custom .375 H&H Mag. in a bolt action built on an Enfield Mouser P 17 action at 20 paces. One shot kill, although he did run 8 yards after being hit through the left shoulder, the front 1/3 of the left lung, through the top of the heart, the back 1/3 of right lung and stoping under the skin just at his last rib on he of-side. A 300 gr Nosler Partition a 2550 fps.

I now see the merits of Double Rifles. Not-with-standing he hunts I am describing, I am not rich, just better-off the most, and these hunts are on the heels of the death of my father and just as I have sarted to have some health problems of my own - call it my version of a mid-life crisis. trust me when I say I have really stretched my finances to do this, including a mortgae on the house.

I lookd at the 3 most commonly mentioned "afordable" doubles (i.e., Chapius, Kreigoff and Merkel 140-CAB-2) and I am now looking at a Heym 88b "PH". I have not seen much written here about he Heym on this site.

First question is, does anyone have a Heym, and if so, what are your impressions of the gun, including fit, balance, weight distribution, etc. Heym seems to be at the top of the list, save and except the English "few guns a year" super premium shops, when it comes to actual field guns.

The Heym PH starts at $17,000 so its not exactly a cost conscious Doube. The gun I am considering is a "mint conditon" used gun with upgraded wood, little to know handling marks and perfect bores.

What I would like to know is what you guys think the market price would be for that gun?

Also, I am a serious releoder and reload for my .375 H&H Mag and my 458 Lott (among a whole bunch of small to medium bores), but I have the feeling that the 470 N.E. is a different creature all together.

Can anyone sugest load data to start with a 470 NE, as it is not covered in any releading manual I have seen. THere has been some discussion of processes for reloading the big bore NE guns that I have not seen or heard off so if someone is kind of to explain their process - I would be forever greatful.

Finally, finally, where do you guys recommend geting Brass (what type) and dies (again - what type)? I normally get my supplies from MidwayUSA but they do not seem to carry much brass for the 470 NE and I was leaning towards Jamison for its reloadability - but Midway does not cary it anymore.

I have looked at the Chapius, Merkel and Kreigoff's and right now, I am focused on the Heym PH and would apreciate anything you have about that gun.

FYI - I have nothing against those other guns - each one has its merits and they are all beautiful guns to the point of being close to art work. I am buying this gun specifically for a combined Elehant (maybe 2!), Cape Buffalo, Leopard, Croc and Hippo hunt in Zim. It will be a long Safari with a lot of up close work with some very dnagerous critters and I want a "stopper." I do not want to have to worry about marking up the stock or engraving - this will be a working gun - not a show piece at the center of my gun collection. That said - it is a $17,000 gun to start before the upgraded wood so this is a major purchase and I would really like as much info as I can get.

Thanks for you help. I am sure this is the right place for this kind pf info.

Good Morning and welcome to a truly fantastic forum, Cleathorn.

Sorry to hear of the loss of your father and of your own health issues. These are the reasons for the last parts of my sig line below. Life is short, enjoy what you have while you have it.

Now on to your question. I don't own a Heym - but many here do and will certaily chime in with their thoughts.

Before they do, go to the "Find" button above and type in Heym 470. When I did so, I found 18 pages of threads that contained info on either or both terms. Plenty there to answer your question. That method will search onlu this forum in which it was typed (i.e. the Doubles Forum here). To search other forums (or fora) go to "Find" click "Advanced Search" and you will be able to throw a much wider or more narrow net.

Good luck and again, Welcome.

Paul

Thanks - I guess hat is what being new to this forum is abaout. A lot of good info out there - thanks for the direction. Curious to se what the Heym owners will think about a used mint condition gun?

Cleathorn

I have zero experience with the Heym. I do however own a Krieghoff in 470NE and it is a fantastic gun. They seem to go on the $11,000 range and i have seen them a little cheaper so that might put you near our original starting point of $17,000 even with all the upgrades. Like I said I have seen them in the high 9 thousand range and i gave $7000 for mine which included 200 rounds of factory ammo and a bunch of other gear as well.

Kive the Krieghoff a second look. I don't think you will be dissapointed.

Heym's are very good guns. I have a used 88B (not the P.H.) .470 for sale on Guns International for $13,950.

For a very good gun and excellent "value" look at the new Verney-Carrons.

Clearthorn,
Great to have you on AR...lots of great information here, and certainly opinions that run the entire gamut!!!
Being a reloader is a great help to a double-rifle owner, as you won't have to rely on factory ammunition and how it "regulates" (shoots both barrels to same POI)...you can play with different powder and bullet combinations to get it just right, as well as saving on ammunition costs. A 470 is probably the best all-around choice in a DR, especially if you're already used to the bigger magazine rifle calibers. A 500 is also a good bet.
Welcome, and good luck in your hunt!

CL,

I bought a used Heym from Don Soter last year. If I recall, it was about 13.5. Best rifle buy I ever made.

I owned two blaser S-2s. They shoulder about like a telephone pole. Heyms on the other hand are sweet. Proper weight distribution is a thing of beauty.

You cannot go wrong buying a the used rifle from Don. He is a strait shooter. And your rifle will not devalue. Another good reason to double up.

Good luck!

quote:

I owned two blaser S-2s. They shoulder about like a telephone pole.

Oh no! Dave Bush must be taking a nap, or he'd be all over this!

quote:

Originally posted by Donald Soter:
Heym's are very good guns. I have a used 88B (not the P.H.) .470 for sale on Guns International for $13,950.

Cleathorn, here is a great rifle and caliber for sale at a great price from a great guy, can't go wrong with this deal. I personally have a Heym PH in 500 N.E. Jack said it well they are balanced and a thing of beauty for a semi-custom rifle and as Don said in his post the Verney-Carrons are a great value for the price.

I have a 88B safari in 470. I found it the best balanced along with the K gun below $20K.
It has most of the bells and whistles and so does the PH model, Intercepting sears, articulating front trigger, ejectors and excellent customer support
I would look at and handle all the options you mentioned. That is what I did and made a decision on what to buy; then just waited for the right deal to come available.

Cleathorn,

Welcome aboard. You will find a wealth of knowledge about double rifles on AR. Just watch that Dave Bush guy, he is goin try to convince you the Blaser and a 500-416 is the way to go. Just poking fun at you Dave.

I like my K-Gun in a 470, but would also love to own a Heym. New Guy that post on here is a Heym rep. and could help you, he has a very good reputation on here.

http://forums.accuratereloadin...ge=profile&u=6191042


As far as loads some people like Reloder 15 with a filler others like IMR 4831 without a filler. Email me if you would like some specfic loads with these powders and others I have accumulated. kburke2006@att.net

Most of my 470 brass (Jamison) and bullets come from Huntingtons. They are nice people to boot.

http://www.huntingtons.com/index.html

I also shoot bullets from North Fork. That is another whole discussion but here is their website.

http://www.northforkbullets.co...j0naICFQ9HnQodThv5yw

Redding dies work well and are much cheaper than the RCBS. I also use a trim die. When I started reloading for the 470 I upgaded to RockChucker IV press and RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool and have been pleased with both.

After looking around for decent cleaning equipment I bought Kynoch jags and Parker hale rod from Trader Keiths and have found both to be well worth the money.

http://www.traderkeith.com/products.html

Good luck, hope this answers some of your questions.

What Mike said +1

Jack and Dirk. I am humbled by your kind words. Many thanks!

Here's something to compare to:

http://champlinarms.com/Defaul...StyleID=3&GunID=1649

Cleathorn,

I own a Krieghoff 450/400NE 3in. and my son has
a Heym PH in the same caliber. Both great guns.
I'm into my K-gun for $9K and my sons Heym was
$16K a year ago. You can't go wrong with either but what can you do with the difference in price.

Please notice on Guns America Item #955961316 is
a Krieghoff 470 NE like new for $8995.

This is a great buy, Call Mark at First Stop Guns at 605-341-5211 in South Dakota. My son and I have gotten 3 DG rifles from him and he is great to deal with.

Welcome to reloading for Doubles. I highly recommend the North Fork bullets both soft and
solids for Dangerous Game. Practice with Woodleighs. Call Huntingtons they can help a lot.

Good Shooting and Good Hunting
Tetonka

quote:

Originally posted by tetonka:
I highly recommend the North Fork bullets both soft and solids for Dangerous Game. Practice with Woodleighs.
Tetonka

+1, Woodies will get the job done but the NF bullets will do it better.