Heym vs. Verney-Carron?

[yhc]

Well, Thank You, everyone!View attachment 384623View attachment 384626

Does this mean you decided to purchase both?

Do you know how they shoot? They both are very nice but the VC is a looker for sure. IF you are still not quite sure, pick the one that shoots well/better regulated.

As for DR resale is concerned, I would think unless you have old British DRs, these modern day DRs will go down in value. I figure it’s not a matter of financial investment but rather for enjoyment/recreation.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Beautiful Daniel. I am rather partial to unadorned rifles, let the form speak for itself, like the Ruger No1. Tha plain Heym 89B has a certain purity of line, sort of Art Deco. Man. I would love one!View attachment 384627

It certainly does & I can also attest to less is more imo. Great photo of the 89, it is exquisite in it's own right! Thank You!

 

[Daniel Cary]

Does this mean you decided to purchase both?

Do you know how they shoot? They both are very nice but the VC is a looker for sure. IF you are still not quite sure, pick the one that shoots well/better regulated.

As for DR resale is concerned, I would think unless you have old British DRs, these modern day DRs will go down in value. I figure it’s not a matter of financial investment but rather for enjoyment/recreation.

Well said!

 

[jdemocko]

I have owned both in 500 NE. I bought the Heym at the Dallas Show several years ago where I was fitted. Great service, quick build and everything came out perfect. However, the rifle just never felt right. I was always fighting to get the sight picture and the damn thing hit my middle finger every shot, no matter how I gripped the rifle. I gave up and sold it. I went back to Dallas and got fitted for a VC in 500 NE. Once again the experience was pleasant and the rifle was delivered as promised even with the Covid issues. It regulated with my CEB loads and has been a pleasure to shoot. No middle finger bruising and very accurate. Interestingly, My buddy who has a VC, shot my Heym and loved it. He shot it better than his own rifle. If you can shoot them first, I'd recommend it. My learning curve was very expensive.

 

[Sid Post]

Yes, it is great if you can test-fire a double rifle from the brand you are considering before you buy one. Recoil and ergonomics can vary from different brands of double rifles, not just the caliber chosen. And as noted above, some just don't fit for reasons that aren't obvious to other people.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I have owned both in 500 NE. I bought the Heym at the Dallas Show several years ago where I was fitted. Great service, quick build and everything came out perfect. However, the rifle just never felt right. I was always fighting to get the sight picture and the damn thing hit my middle finger every shot, no matter how I gripped the rifle. I gave up and sold it. I went back to Dallas and got fitted for a VC in 500 NE. Once again the experience was pleasant and the rifle was delivered as promised even with the Covid issues. It regulated with my CEB loads and has been a pleasure to shoot. No middle finger bruising and very accurate. Interestingly, My buddy who has a VC, shot my Heym and loved it. He shot it better than his own rifle. If you can shoot them first, I'd recommend it. My learning curve was very expensive.

I think the Heym 89B adresses all their issues, especially the looks and ergonomics. Maybe @NJC can come in here about the combort of firing his 500.

 

[NJC]

I don’t have as much experience with the 500 as most here, the heym I just got being my first one, but I can say that it is far more comfortable to shoot than my previous 470’s. Some of that can probably be attributed to a slightly heavier weight, but I believe it is more about the grip design and balance point of the rifle.

It is funny that that hitting your knuckle or bruising your finger was mentioned as that has been my biggest problem with previous doubles, one which I don’t have with the 89b’s more open grip.

I would second the shoot it before buying mantra, as I also had an expensive learning curve to get to my Heym’s. I believe Chris still has shoots in Dallas where you can try before you buy.

 

[NJC]

It is interesting that I made this post on Friday as my brother and I went out to sight in another rifle yesterday and I brought along my 500.

We both shot it offhand for several right/left combos. I had my normal pleasurable shooting experience but my brother had the middle finger on shooting hand smashed pretty good. This is very interesting because the 470’s that mashed my finger never touched his....

We are pretty similar in height, bone structure, hand size and big bore experience (the only difference would be that he is in shape while my shape might be politely called rotund ).

I guess it just goes to show the importance of shooting before buying if at all possible.

 

[Frank Cavallo]

Well, Thank You, everyone!View attachment 384623View attachment 384626

You should have bought the Heym. It looks even better in person.

 

[Sid Post]

@Daniel Cary the US distributor of VC is Kebco LLC operated by Ken Bush.

https://kebcollc.com/

He's my source for French rifles! When I was in the market a few years back, he was tops and I was fitted at the Dallas Safari Convention.

I'm tempted to give it a go one more time for something like a 30-30 or similar that would see a lot more use than a heavy-hitting African caliber though, I'm sure you could shoot a deer with one if you wanted to. And no, I'm not feral hog plinking with a 470NE or similar double either! If I lived in Europe, a 7x57R might be tempting.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

You should have bought the Heym. It looks even better in person.

View attachment 391731

The picture doesn’t do it justice. That is one beautiful rifle! I have seen it in person.
Congratulations Frank!

 

[Tanks]

...

I'm tempted to give it a go one more time for something like a 30-30 or similar that would see a lot more use than a heavy-hitting African caliber though, I'm sure you could shoot a deer with one if you wanted to. And no, I'm not feral hog plinking with a 470NE or similar double either! If I lived in Europe, a 7x57R might be tempting.

Well, you could go to the old classic and do .303 British.

 

[Daniel Cary]

Is that the 89013 by chance?

 

[Daniel Cary]

Is that the 89013 by chance?View attachment 391740

You should have bought the Heym. It looks even better in person.

View attachment 391731

 

[Daniel Cary]

Congrats if that's it! serial #'s probably aren't the wisest policy, It's a beauty indeed!
I ended up in a completely different direction...? we'll see!!!

 

[Frank Cavallo]

Yes it is. Had the measurements taken off my VC, that rifle was 1/4" longer LOP, 1/16" different in cast (can't remember of + or -) but when I shouldered it and opened my eyes bead was centered.

 

[Sid Post]

Well, you could go to the old classic and do .303 British.

Yes, a .303 Brit is a good option for many in the EU but, a 30-30 is more widely available where I live in the USA. I can find 30-30 at places like Wal-Mart (at least prior to the current craziness) pretty easily but, 303 is a lot harder to find but it is easier to locate than my other classic double options except for a Heym in 375H&H which is a bit of an oddball for a double in general IMHO.

I'd be more tempted to get an 8x57 variant than the 303 Brit too.

I have seen a couple in powerful handgun calibers and really liked the 480 Ruger one which would be a good option to pair with a Ruger Redhawk in 480 Ruger or possibly a 475 Linebaugh.

Generally, I'd rate them in preference as:

1. 30-30
2. 7x57 or 8x57
3. powerful handgun like a 480 Ruger or a S&W variant
4. 303 Brit and similar legacy cartridges

Revolver and Lever Action calibers seem to be tailor-made for a light handy double rifle for many North American game species.

 

[The Engineer]

My Merkel and Heym 88B in 470NE both bashed my second finger. That was totally cured with the installaiton of a rubber pad that you can buy for double barrel shotguns (NECG?). The pad is held on the back of the trigger guard and can be easily removed if desired. My Heym 89B in 450NE does not impact my second finger so the pad has not been required.

 

[The Engineer]

I thought the pictures might help explain my previous post. The upper picture is my 88B and you can just barely see the pad behind the trigger guard. The lower picture is my 89B and you can see the more open grip that prevents second finger impact.

 

[Daniel Cary]

I thought the pictures might help explain my previous post. The upper picture is my 88B and you can just barely see the pad behind the trigger guard. The lower picture is my 89B and you can see the more open grip that prevents second finger impact.
View attachment 391780View attachment 391781

Nice! .. Stunning 89, still on the fence between the 88 at times however.?!?