Heym 88b Safari Double Rifle

[Mark A Ouellette]

I wonder how hard it would be to make it a 458 Lott.......?

My trusty Heym .48 Win punched hole though this elephant's head.
Load: 450 gr Cutting Edge Bullets solids at 2300 fps

 

[rbutcher]

In addition to the regulation target or a sample target 2x2, pics of the ejectors here would be helpful since this is a belted cartridge.

Also round count and ownership/use history.

 

[Ray B]

Not to disagree with any of the above comments, BUT the 458 Win can approach Lott ballistics by seating the bullet out to gain powder capacity. Since there is no magazine involved the only limit would be if there is sufficient leade. Now whether the gun will be regulated for the increased load- that is an entirely different question.

 

[swoobie]

It would be impossible, or at least prohibitively expensive for zero benefit. Double rifles are time capsules, forever trapped ballistically to the ORIGINAL load for the caliber, usually dating back 100 years or more. You cannot make the load faster, you cannot make the load slower, you cannot alter the cartridge to create a different pressure curve, you cannot alter the gun's muzzle rise as it would alter the trajectory as well.

In the case of a 458 Win Mag it is trapped in 1956, expecting a load under 60,000psi, travelling at 2450fps (from a 28" barrel, probably 2300-2350 real world), launching a 400gr soft or solid. That load will kill everything on the planet cleanly with the right bullet construction.

On the other hand, drilling the chambers out to make it a 458 Lott or 460 weatherby does absolutely nothing, the gun still wants a 400gr bullet at under 60000psi moving at about 2300fps real world.

If you want flexibility to load heavy/light bullets and to use dozens of powders, you want a bolt gun, not a double rifle. You want a double rifle if you're hunting dangerous game and want to put two good shots into an animal near instantaneously.

Agree with all the above, except bullet weight/velocity - the 458 WM doubles I've seen have all been regulated with 500 grain bullets, and velocity around 2100fps. This basically matches most of the antique rounds for which there was no more ammo in the 1960's-1980's: the 475NE, 470NE, 465/500, 450/500, 476WR, etc. --- and that was specifically the purpose for introducing the round, to duplicate, in modern ammo with a bolt action, the ballistics of proven rounds. Even today that's the right medicine if you're hunting dangerous game up close - as most of us would choose to do.

 

[rookhawk]

Agree with all the above, except bullet weight/velocity - the 458 WM doubles I've seen have all been regulated with 500 grain bullets, and velocity around 2100fps. This basically matches most of the antique rounds for which there was no more ammo in the 1960's-1980's: the 475NE, 470NE, 465/500, 450/500, 476WR, etc. --- and that was specifically the purpose for introducing the round, to duplicate, in modern ammo with a bolt action, the ballistics of proven rounds. Even today that's the right medicine if you're hunting dangerous game up close - as most of us would choose to do.

458WM was never my strong suit, I concur that my factory load specs may not be what the double rifles preferred. The 500gr version puts it at around 2050fps real-world, just like the real world Nitro Express 45 caliber alternatives. The concepts in my post remain the same, but I appreciate calling out that I gave the less likely bullet/velocity specs.

 

[Jager Waffen74]

All Heyms, are beautiful tools and I love mine! My caveat though, is that all double rifles need rimmed cases... not rebated.., just old school thinking... GLWS and it is priced right in todays tariff dollars!!

 

[Lance Hopper]

Guys, very few people no doubles better than EJ. I’d say George and J. J. for sure, but can’t think of anyone else. I have also shot this rifle ( my 50th birthday party) before I started to loose my memory! And it shoots as you would expect from Heym. And, ejection is like a 15 year old boy loosing his virginity! All kidding aside, you will not find a better rifle at a better price and the added bonus of you can have in 10 days and you don’t have to deal with Heym USA! Buy with confidence.

 

[ftrovato]

Guys, very few people no doubles better than EJ. I’d say George and J. J. for sure, but can’t think of anyone else. I have also shot this rifle ( my 50th birthday party) before I started to loose my memory! And it shoots as you would expect from Heym. And, ejection is like a 15 year old boy loosing his virginity! All kidding aside, you will not find a better rifle at a better price and the added bonus of you can have in 10 days and you don’t have to deal with Heym USA! Buy with confidence.

Why wouldn't someone want to deal with Heym USA?

Because they don't deliver.....?

 

[rookhawk]

Why wouldn't someone want to deal with Heym USA?

Because they don't deliver.....?

2-4 year wait for delivery

 

[Rare Breed]

for this asking price. A real target showing the accuracy and regulation should be expected. Not a test target. But real life target with a bullet and powder still available.

Or it should go to JJ for exam and regulation with an agreement on who is paying for it.

Being a Heym it should be easily regulated with available ammo

Your not wrong my good friend but just me I have always bought DRs knowing I am sending it to JJ unless it is new to be taken apart, fired and fixed to mechanical perfection all on my dime. That is why given 7 of my 8 DRs I expected repair bills between $1-$3,000. Again, just me. No disrespect to anyone I have bought from but few people have any idea something is wrong with the DR which is why it always goes to JJ

 

[Rare Breed]

This is especially true of my favorite DRs which are vintage England guns like my Rigby. Built in 1906 and one of the loves of my life I still knew it would need repair when I bought it and it did with JJ fixing it back to the grand lady that she is!!!

 

[Esoteric Junkie]

2-4 year wait for delivery

And a multitude of other reasons!

EJ

 

[ftrovato]

And a multitude of other reasons!

EJ

I've been waiting for a Red Dot mount for my 89B (or my money back) from 2 years.

So.....

 

[Lance Hopper]

I know 2 people with 3 bad experiences with the person in charge. The one is a living testimony to the age old adage of fool me once….

 

[ftrovato]

I know 2 people with 3 bad experiences with the person in charge. The one is a living testimony to the age old adage of fool me once….

Seems like several of the members of this forum have had their money taken under false pretenses by Chris.

 

[rookhawk]

Seems like several of the members of this forum have had their money taken under false pretenses by Chris.

All such tales I've heard related to this allegation were about RMR mounts. Heym USA was selling them like hot cakes...but they don't make them and neither does Heym. The weeks became months and maybe even years. This was for a few hundred dollar item. Some might say that Heym USA should give the same service and respect for a $300 transaction as a $100,000 transaction. Clearly, they do not. But I have never heard of someone getting mistreated on a new rifle purchase.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Seems like several of the members of this forum have had their money taken under false pretenses by Chris.

I have to whole heartedly disagee with any opinions of the sort. My experience with Chris has been stellar.

 

[ftrovato]

All such tales I've heard related to this allegation were about RMR mounts. Heym USA was selling them like hot cakes...but they don't make them and neither does Heym. The weeks became months and maybe even years. This was for a few hundred dollar item. Some might say that Heym USA should give the same service and respect for a $300 transaction as a $100,000 transaction. Clearly, they do not. But I have never heard of someone getting mistreated on a new rifle purchase.

A few points of clarification.
1. My personal experience is not an allegation. I have a paper trail and charge card receipt.
2. According to Chris the best RMR mount for an 89B was made by Heym in Germany and
designed to make use of the inlet that Heym machined into the rib when they build the barrel rib.
With that, he (Chris) recommended that I not buy one from Trijicon and allow him to provide a
factor base through Heym USA.
3. Agreed that every business should service all customers equally and fairly.

In my opinion, in many cases, decay in a business model starts small and grows.
I have no issue with publicly sharing my experiences.

Kindly, these are my facts.
Frank Trovato

My apologies in participating in hijacking this thread. Heym makes wonderful rifles and I really enjoy mine.

 

[SETH RINGER]

My trusty Heym .48 Win punched hole though this elephant's head.
Load: 450 gr Cutting Edge Bullets solids at 2300 fps
View attachment 718782

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST TROHY PICT'S EVER! IMHO

 

[LimbNoMo]

I have contacted Chris Sells on 5 separate occasions. Made appointments to see him in Dallas. The day of our appointment I called and/or emailed to confirm. Not once did I receive a return phone call or email. I won’t try again.