New Gun Day, Heym 88b 450/400

[Wildwillalaska]

So this is not technically my first double, but my first double I’ve had in hand. While what I really think I wanted a 500NE and 450NE, decided a 470 would be easier to find and good place to start. I had just recently purchased a 470 88b from Chris Sells that an older client had aged out of the recoil and was in very nice condition and suited my needs for a gun to try out and decide if I was going to be a double gent or bolt guy, and help me decide if 88b or 89b was more my style. I figured 89b since I’d read about the more open grip design and I do not have small hands in the least. Chris said they had redesigned the 88b grip not long after the 89b, and a few years before they trimmed up the frame on the 88b. The one he had was the current stock design, open grip and chunkier stock. So while JJ had just reported that it was regulated well and also shot the Barnes ammo at about 1.5” at 55 yards, I stumbled into this 450/400 local to me, so couldn’t say no. Driving to the range I was wondering if I was going to be that guy with two doubles that didn’t like shooting doubles. And I was going mostly to practice longer ranges with my sheep rifle, but had to stop at a vacant pistol bay (we have a few that are 120-yards) to give this little beauty a try.

Other than a few rounds off hand through a Merkel 500NE this may in Africa, this was my first range session with a double. Think I have some work to do for sure. But will have to admit I understand what folks mean about the recoil on the 450/400…I mean what recoil. It was also humbling a bit accuracy wise. First two shots were totally offhand and leaning in expecting more recoil. At 50yds, I was a good 5-6” apart. Next two I shot off a standing bipod with better results, but just have to wrap my head around accuracy expectations being different from bolt rifles…and for a purpose built double gun, it’s close quarters.

Still can’t get over how nonexistent the recoil is on this round. Excited to take this out with the 470 when it arrives in a couple weeks. Still really think if I decide doubles are for me, I will have to move into a 450 3 1/4 and 500.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Here is my lousy first ever attempts at this double thing. The lower two are the very first shots I’d taken and offhand at 50 yards, then the two above were off this bog bipod thing I had gotten for my daughter to practice off of. I have a set of 4-stable-sticks but think I may get an actual set of wood shooting sticks to practice with. The bipod isn’t very stable at all, but the 4-sticks front cradle I was worried might tear up the fore end.

The other photo is results of several more pairs, all off the bipod. Humbled to say the least. I will throw an RMR on the 470 for comparison.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Just a couple photos of the rifle when I got it home, was just overly pleased that the wood was prettier and nicer than I expected from the seller’s photos.

 

[Tintin]

Congrats.

I hear you on the 450/400 being a dream to shoot, in terms of recoil.

A 450/400 double is one of those things that never fails to put a smile on the face of the shooter, especially one new to doubles.

 

[Rare Breed]

Here is my lousy first ever attempts at this double thing. The lower two are the very first shots I’d taken and offhand at 50 yards, then the two above were off this bog bipod thing I had gotten for my daughter to practice off of. I have a set of 4-stable-sticks but think I may get an actual set of wood shooting sticks to practice with. The bipod isn’t very stable at all, but the 4-sticks front cradle I was worried might tear up the fore end.

The other photo is results of several more pairs, all off the bipod. Humbled to say the least. I will throw an RMR on the 470 for comparison.View attachment 704286View attachment 704287View attachment 704288

Actually your last target not bad at all. minute of buffalo

 

[Safari Dave]

She's a beauty!

Mine is in .470 NE, but the recoil can be a beast.



450/400 is probably the "sweet spot."

 

[Surgeon1]

Will:
I told you that you will love a 450-400 Heym. I have Heyms 450-400, 470, & 500. Like you I've been looking for a nice 450 (3.25 or a#2) but frankly the 450-400 with Swift bullets have performed better than I would have ever expected on the last 4 buffalo. The 470 will likely only be used on elephants at
this point. I have Trijicon RMRs on all three. Also, I have a ton of load data for both the 450-400 & 470,
that I'm Happy to share or assist you with. Welcome to the "dark side", the transition is fun!
Look forward to seeing you sometime in the next 2mo.
Doc

 

[TnKen]

Very nice

 

[Monski]

Like you said, that wood looks a lot nicer than the advertisement pics!! Very nice!

 

[MontanaPat]

Nice double congratulations, beautiful wood. I don’t own a double and not sure I want to go down that rabbit hole! But if I did I think it would be a 450/400. I listened to a Big Game Hunting Podcast a while back with Kevin Robertson talking about elephant hunting and double rifles. He was reviewing all of the doubles and his recommendation was to use a 450/400 over a 470, he based his recommendation based on his belief that the 450/400 had better penetration compared to the 470. He said the sectional density and BC of a 450/400 was better than the 470 which was the reason for better penetration.

 

[Dublinpiper90]

Nice Double and yes that wood is sharp, I’m not a double owner “yet” but when the time arrives a Heym 88 b in a .450/.400 is going to be my choice. Congratulations on your rifle.

 

[Frederik Badenhorst]

Nice double congratulations, beautiful wood. I don’t own a double and not sure I want to go down that rabbit hole! But if I did I think it would be a 450/400. I listened to a Big Game Hunting Podcast a while back with Kevin Robertson talking about elephant hunting and double rifles. He was reviewing all of the doubles and his recommendation was to use a 450/400 over a 470, he based his recommendation based on his belief that the 450/400 had better penetration compared to the 470. He said the sectional density and BC of a 450/400 was better than the 470 which was the reason for better penetration.

Sorry this is a bit off topic but Mr Robertson was actually referring to the 450 3.25” NE and not the 450/400 NE.

Beautiful gun by the way, congratulations

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Think I listened to the same podcast, or one very similar, there were several with Robertson. He’s a big 450 3 1/4 fan for sure, and when comparing one with the 470 for frontal brain shots on elephant, he loves the 450 and isn’t as big a fan of the 470. I’ve also heard many say the opposite, especially with modern monolithics, but still think the 450 is super cool and who the hell am I to argue with Robertson.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Thanks all for the kind words.

 

[1dirthawker]

@Wildwillalaska,

a fine purchase!! i have a 450-400 and have shot a buffalo, and 2 moose with it. great round. i am in homer now, going to head back to anchorage on monday. you bought a great rifle that will kill ANY african game, so never apologize for it!

north fork and cutting edge bullets (CEB) both make great bullets for your rifle. just take it hunting, you will love the rifle and the caliber. good hunting.

 

[zephyr]

For accuracy and consistency When shooting off of sticks make sure your forward hand is between the sticks and the rifle barrels

 

[uplander01]

nice rifle, looks to me like you’re ready to get close and let it rip.

With doubles I use a good carbon legged tripod with a leather bag at the top, I hold the forend and rest my hand on the bag. Seems to work. Doubles take a bit more mechanical consistency from the human to shoot well shot after shot.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

When I decided to get a Heym double I set my heart on a 375 Flanged in their light frame - lighter, easier to shoot and I was familiar with 375FL. I still like 375FL very much. In fact I placed the order snd but for a card glitch it would have been done.
Then a whole lot of folks on AH waded in in favour of the 450/400, the reasoning being that it was above the legal energy threshold (the 375FL is just below), more versatile, more elephant capable, etc. I will not be hunting elephant, so to be honest the two are very close, but what swung it was the 450/400 being buffalo legal. the downside is that you now progress to the heavier Africa frame. Although you can get a 450/400 in the light frame I think that the recoil would be too harsh.
I love my 89b 450/400, but given the chance of a retirement gift I wonder if a 375 FL Light Frame scoped Heym mightn't creep into the gun safe.

 

[Rare Breed]

Think I listened to the same podcast, or one very similar, there were several with Robertson. He’s a big 450 3 1/4 fan for sure, and when comparing one with the 470 for frontal brain shots on elephant, he loves the 450 and isn’t as big a fan of the 470. I’ve also heard many say the opposite, especially with modern monolithics, but still think the 450 is super cool and who the hell am I to argue with Robertson.

He is one of the main reasons I now have a Rigby 450 NE given the pod cast. Love mine!!!

 

[Tanks]

I love my 89b 450/400, but given the chance of a retirement gift I wonder if a 375 FL Light Frame scoped Heym mightn't creep into the gun safe.

I suggest going the other way. Get a .500 NE for DG and put a scope on your .450-400 for longer range shots on PG etc.. That is the reasoning for me getting the Rigby Shikari with the .500 and .450-400 barrels. Rigby already has my Swarovski 6i 1.7-10X scope in the house to regulate the .450-400 barrel with it on the barrel.