Heym 89b 450/400

Kevin, would you care to share your limits "how far" your willing to chance with a double, considering good surroundings, lack of brush etc.
Started thinking about a hunt ..
 
I shot a baboon around 200 and a few impala around 150 yards or so. Now, that was with a scoped 9.3x74R, but I wouldn’t hesitate with a .450/400 set of barrels on order with a similar configuration.
 
Hi Daniel, an interesting question that I have been thinking about too. As you know I put a lot of effort into getting my regulation properly sorted out and having done that I am very confident of an inch or so from both barrels out to 75 metres. I put a 1moa Trijicon on it so the definition is about 1 inch at 75 metres. Therefore upon an 'any barrel that comes' basis I would be happy to take any animal where the kill zone is bigger than the dot definition, so lets say impala size out to 75, Nyala size out to 100 metres, and larger ones perhaps 120m, but thats it.

Now if you sight in on one barrel only, then I am thinking the limitation now becomes definition and eye sight, and you should be able to push range on anything out to 150 or so with a 1moa dot. Put on a scope and as Tanks says I think 250 is fine.
 
Hi @Garrett89 how did you get on with your order? What calibre did you go for?
Hello again! I went with the .450/400 as well! I'm the guy who will deliberate for the longest time on which way to go but eventually decided that the 400 just fit my needs better. I can always graduate to something bigger if I decide to just for fun haha. I've been keeping up with this thread and am thankful for all of the helpful info for when I start reloading for my rifle. Of course the last choice I'll need to make is which piece of wood we're going to use and I'm having a ton of fun with that. Here's a pic of my options I would love to hear what everyone thinks! I'm leaning more towards the reddish blank #940
20230614_135107.jpg
20230614_133702.jpg
 
At first I thought 940, but although it is classic, the 89b wears lighter wood very well. I think 974 offers spectacular figure and very lively colour contrasts. Yes, I think that would make a wonderfully interesting rifle.
 
Hello again! I went with the .450/400 as well! I'm the guy who will deliberate for the longest time on which way to go but eventually decided that the 400 just fit my needs better. I can always graduate to something bigger if I decide to just for fun haha. I've been keeping up with this thread and am thankful for all of the helpful info for when I start reloading for my rifle. Of course the last choice I'll need to make is which piece of wood we're going to use and I'm having a ton of fun with that. Here's a pic of my options I would love to hear what everyone thinks! I'm leaning more towards the reddish blank #940 View attachment 540994View attachment 540995
All samples are nice but my favorite would be #974 but #835 will probably be stronger in the wood behind the action.
 
Hi Daniel, an interesting question that I have been thinking about too. As you know I put a lot of effort into getting my regulation properly sorted out and having done that I am very confident of an inch or so from both barrels out to 75 metres. I put a 1moa Trijicon on it so the definition is about 1 inch at 75 metres. Therefore upon an 'any barrel that comes' basis I would be happy to take any animal where the kill zone is bigger than the dot definition, so lets say impala size out to 75, Nyala size out to 100 metres, and larger ones perhaps 120m, but thats it.

Now if you sight in on one barrel only, then I am thinking the limitation now becomes definition and eye sight, and you should be able to push range on anything out to 150 or so with a 1moa dot. Put on a scope and as Tanks says I think 250 is fine.
Just carrying on from this, my quest was to end up with just my Heym double and use it for everything, and limiting range to about 100 metres. That idea required to be tested; was the rifle up to it? Was I? Things happen slowly in this part of the world - you try something, need an input to advance and it takes literally months to get it.
So half way through my 'double for everything' development I hit a brick wall with the 3.25moa dot on the Trijicon being just too large. So I concluded that the double alone was not going to be possible and began looking for a dedicated PG rifle with a scope and acquiring that has been a book in itself and is still ongoing.
Then the 1moa eventually arrived, and it was like night and day, the regulation could now be pin pointed, and longer range accuracy established. It works!
So within reason the idea of a double for everything is sound. But now I have the PG rifle coming too!
Then I went on the kudu and springbok hunt in the Eastern Cape, and 200 metres is close. For sure the scoped PG rifle would be necessary and sufficient there.
So 'everything' turns out to be a little broad, but to be on a buffalo track and spot a kudu mid-range instead is very doable.
 
Hello again! I went with the .450/400 as well! I'm the guy who will deliberate for the longest time on which way to go but eventually decided that the 400 just fit my needs better. I can always graduate to something bigger if I decide to just for fun haha. I've been keeping up with this thread and am thankful for all of the helpful info for when I start reloading for my rifle. Of course the last choice I'll need to make is which piece of wood we're going to use and I'm having a ton of fun with that. Here's a pic of my options I would love to hear what everyone thinks! I'm leaning more towards the reddish blank #940 View attachment 540994View attachment 540995
#974 (y)
 
Just carrying on from this, my quest was to end up with just my Heym double and use it for everything, and limiting range to about 100 metres. That idea required to be tested; was the rifle up to it? Was I? Things happen slowly in this part of the world - you try something, need an input to advance and it takes literally months to get it.
So half way through my 'double for everything' development I hit a brick wall with the 3.25moa dot on the Trijicon being just too large. So I concluded that the double alone was not going to be possible and began looking for a dedicated PG rifle with a scope and acquiring that has been a book in itself and is still ongoing.
Then the 1moa eventually arrived, and it was like night and day, the regulation could now be pin pointed, and longer range accuracy established. It works!
So within reason the idea of a double for everything is sound. But now I have the PG rifle coming too!
Then I went on the kudu and springbok hunt in the Eastern Cape, and 200 metres is close. For sure the scoped PG rifle would be necessary and sufficient there.
So 'everything' turns out to be a little broad, but to be on a buffalo track and spot a kudu mid-range instead is very doable.
Well said .. 100 meters is really good, imo. However, I was just as curious if a "double" alone would be suffice. Subjective of course, game dependent, desired objective, etc. but a good perspective and pov.
I do often see often (via VHS) clients 'c both, a Bolt & Double ..
Thank you.
 
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My pick is #835. It can always be finished in a red tone. I think it looks fantastic.
 

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