I know that a number of folks have seen my prior posts about a Heym .470 that I owned and ended up trading. I have been outspoken about the brutal recoil of that rifle and my overall negative experience with the rifle.

Roll the clock forward several years. Around Thanksgiving I contacted Chris Sells to see if he had a Heym .500 NE. (One can never own too many .500's and I have continued to read all the good reports of others with their Heyms.) I was also intrigued by the fact that Heym is now doing the .500's with 26" barrels and has bumped up the weight to around 11 pounds (mine weighs 11.0 pounds on the nose). As fate would have it Chris had a .500 arriving in about a week. It had a modest wood upgrade and a triangular insert in the rear site; otherwise the basic PH model. Chris agreed to ship it to me so that I could see how it fit, handled, etc.

I have now had the rifle out to the range three times. It is regulated with Hornady ammo and shoots very accurately even though all my shooting so far has been off of sticks. The real surprise to me is that recoil, compared to the old .470, is night and day better. No busted knuckles, cut fingers, sore cheek, etc. The gun is very pleasant to shoot. I am not sure whether it was the stock layout on the .470, the shorter barrels (24"), the lighter weight, or all of the above, but my .500 is an extremely nice rifle and of course the quality of the Heyms has never been seriously questioned.

So I am a redeemed Heym-basher. Thanks to Chris for getting me set up so quickly and not reminding me more than once or twice about my .470 whining. I look forward to chasing an elephant or two with the Heym. Thanks again Chris.

Mike, I'm glad your experience is much improved. I second the "One can never own too many .500's..." sentiment. You'll be ready to test it in the elephant grounds soon.

Surely you must recognize whether the drop is any different. I wouldn't guess a pound is going to make that much difference. Congrats in any regard.

Ah, the return of the Prodigal Son! When you get a 500 that weighs 14 pounds, let me know, I'd like to shoot it!

Congrats Mike!

Well I must say that it is nice to see you guys kiss and make up . Congrats on the new rifle,could you possibly post pics of the sights,

Will,
Would you please elaborate on your comment re-the drop and how it would relate to recoil,I am still in the learning stage,I would one day like to order a custom fitted rifle.

Rusty
You old fart, 14 pounds? When you get it, let me know I'll volunteer my 15 year old son to you as gun bearer. My 10# Merk is fine 11# would be better at the range but not on my walk I took last year in Zim.

Thanks for the "plug" Mike.

There have been two design improvements in the past few years that help a great deal with weight and recoil.

1) The "old" style stock was too small, and that was changed. The new stock shape doesn't look much different from afar, but it is consideably larger and has more wood in the right places - specifically with more surface area on the recoil pad.

2) The barrel profiles were re-contoured (with more weight at the breech) at the same time.

As for your elephant hunt, I'd say you're good to go.



You might want to give the rear sight a little nudge, but I know you said these were your first 4 shots too.

Here is a gold triangle inlaid in the rear sight.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill73:
Well I must say that it is nice to see you guys kiss and make up . Congrats on the new rifle,could you possibly post pics of the sights,

Will,
Would you please elaborate on your comment re-the drop and how it would relate to recoil,I am still in the learning stage,I would one day like to order a custom fitted rifle.

Less butt drop, less recoil effect.

quote:

Originally posted by Brain1:
Rusty
You old fart, 14 pounds? When you get it, let me know I'll volunteer my 15 year old son to you as gun bearer. My 10# Merk is fine 11# would be better at the range but not on my walk I took last year in Zim.

Brian, yes I am! And I hate shooting a 500 NE doesn't matter which make, it just kicks my ass!

The limit for me is an 11# 475#2 Jeffery.

Mike is a great friend and I am always envious of what he brings to the range. I'm just not going to let him talk me into shooting a 500 NE again! I'll save that privilege for Will!

Rusty, you are never going to let me forget setting you up with those double charge loads are you?

Here is the target from yesterday's trip to range. I will have to own up to L3 and L4. The wind was howling at the range and shooting off of sticks in a strong cross wind can be challenging. I definitely think the Heym is shooting MOE -- minute of elephant.

Mike I am glad it worked out for you. Little changes make a big differance. I reshaped my stock on my merkel and it helped a lot,but the wrist is still tool thin for me to grip so it slides in my hand. My 470 chapruis has a palm swell and is just enough that I can hold on no problems. My 505 is just a little bigger and even with full house 150 gr powder loads is still more pleasent than my Merkel. Its great that it fits you, and you are shooting it well.

JD

Good news Mike thanks.

Mike

That looks like one hell of an accurate rifle; more like MOEB (minute of elephant brain).

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:

quote:

Originally posted by Brain1:
Rusty
You old fart, 14 pounds? When you get it, let me know I'll volunteer my 15 year old son to you as gun bearer. My 10# Merk is fine 11# would be better at the range but not on my walk I took last year in Zim.

Brian, yes I am! And I hate shooting a 500 NE doesn't matter which make, it just kicks my ass!

The limit for me is an 11# 475#2 Jeffery.

Mike is a great friend and I am always envious of what he brings to the range. I'm just not going to let him talk me into shooting a 500 NE again! I'll save that privilege for Will!

Rusty, I am with you. I don't mind shooting my .470 but I also think the .500 is a big step up in recoil.