Heym Model SR21 Bolt Action Rifle Review

Shawn Joyce on the Sticks in Germany with the Heym SR21

Recently I had an opportunity to travel to Germany in search of Roe buck. I was invited to join Dr. Johannes Traumann to hunt three leases near Walbeck in the north. The hunting methods would include high seat stand hunting and also spot and stalk.

I contacted Thomas Wolkmann, CEO of Heym AG which is located in the town of Gleichamberg, Germany. I described my upcoming hunt plans to Thomas and also my desire to use and review the Heym SR21 bolt action rifle. Thomas had his craftsman build an SR21 for me and contacted Leica optics to obtain a scope and mounts to complete the package. I have utilized Leica binoculars and range finders for many years. I had never used a Leica scope before so I was looking forward to the opportunity. The Heym SR21 was also new to me.

SR21 (middle) Built for my Review and Hunts in Northern Germany

Heym is well known for its big game double and bolt action rifles. Just like a new car first impressions of a rifle are always worth mentioning. At first glance, the Heym SR21 struck me as a really good looking rifle. It also left the same impression on the lease holders and other hunters I shared the rifle with during my hunts.

Heiko Besser, Lease Holder & Hunter, Examining the SR21

Ottmar Dielefeld, Lease Holder & Hunter, with the SR21

Depending on how a rifle will be used, the overall weight may need to be ultra-light for mountain hunting or can trend heavier for other applications. The weight of the SR21 left me with the feeling of being just right for a stalking rifle. It does not seem too heavy or too light in the hand. Stock checkering is nicely done and properly serves its intended purpose. Hand-checkered panels are on the fore-end and pistol grip. The SR21 feels very nice in the hand thanks to a well-designed stock and great balance. The stock design also keeps recoil comfortable and manageable. 

Hand-Checkered Panels on Fore-end and Pistol Grip

The rifle safety is located on the top/right side of the bolt sleeve of the right handed action. It is located on the left side of a left handed action. The safety is a three position wing-type design. The actual safety catch does not protrude out toward the bolt handle as far as I am accustomed. That being said, I found that the shorter safety lever worked fine once I familiarized myself with its location and functionality. For me, the safety is best manipulated with slight downward thumb pressure as opposed to being manipulated from the side. What I like about the safety is it isn’t prone to snagging and is less likely to be moved accidentally by brushing against clothing, packs, or natural obstacles. 

Three Position Safety

The bolt is a 3 lug design with a plunger ejector and claw extractor.  Heym notes that the bolt offers a rapid 60 degree opening angle. The bolt is fluted and cycles extremely smoothly and has a very solid feel. A large cocking indicator is located at the rear of the bolt assembly. Cartridges are ejected to the right on right hand action rifles and to the left on the left hand action rifles.

Cartridges are held in a detachable magazine. My rifle came with two three-round magazines at my request. A five-round magazine is also available. The magazine is dropped by firmly depressing a large magazine latch recessed on the bolt side of the rifle near the magazine well edge. The magazine is released under pressure when the catch is depressed and will jump out slightly from the stock when released. The catch is very positive in engagement and also release. It does not protrude excessively and takes just a little practice to master the manipulation required to release the magazine. The magazine is an all metal single stack design. In the hand it feels substantial and solidly constructed.

View of Magazine Latch

The barrel and action are finished in a beautiful deep bluing. The receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts and is aesthetically very pleasing to the eye with the angular milled surface.  The trigger is a combination trigger. The trigger can be operated normally or as a set trigger that can be activated by pressing the trigger shoe forward from the rear with your thumb. Normal trigger pull was measured at 3.5 pounds with no detectable creep. The trigger can easily be adjusted. The set trigger pull weight was not measured. Set triggers can be set-off by vibrations or jolting of a rifle. For this reason, Heym recommends that when not able to immediately fire the rifle with the set trigger activated it should be pointed in a safe direction and the safety engaged. The set trigger automatically uncocks when the safety is engaged or if the bolt is opened.

Rear Sight

Front Sight

To disassemble the rifle you will need a 4 mm Allen wrench. The trigger guard, trigger assembly, and magazine well pull out from the stock as a single assembly. This means that the barrel and receiver assembly can easily be exchanged for a different caliber should you wish to do so. This can only be done within the same group of regular or magnum calibers and will require the proper caliber magazine.

The barrel of the rifle is free floating. The stock has aluminum pillars and the recoil lug slot is bedded. The action recoil lug seats in the bedded lug receiver slot. 

Barrel Band Sling Attachment

The proper and safest way to load the SR21 is to insert a full magazine, lift the bolt handle to cock the rifle, move the safety to the middle position to block the firing pin, feed a cartridge into the chamber by cycling the bolt and closing it. The safety should then be moved to the rear safe position. Rifle accuracy was very good. In the case of my rifle accuracy was sub-MOA with factory Hornady ammunition that was provided.  

When purchasing a Heym rifle you can order it just the way you want it. Wood grade can be specified just as engraving and other embellishments can be requested. If you prefer a synthetic stock that is also available and you can also have your rifle built in a left hand action and left hand stock.

Heym Allows Upgrades of Wood and Many Other Options

In summary, I found the SR21 to be a beautifully crafted, reliable, and accurate stalking rifle. It is a detachable magazine rifle constructed with a well-designed stock. I highly recommend that you handle an SR21 if you are considering a new rifle purchase. If you live in the United States or travel to the United States be sure to attend the Safari Club International Convention or Dallas Safari Club Convention and handle all of the great Heym rifles including the Heym SR21. If you live in Europe, the Heym factory is located in Gleichamberg, Germany. Heym is happy to show you what they have available. Be sure to schedule an appointment with the factory. For the very best deal be sure to tell them Shawn sent you. 

Peter Segeler, Lease Holder & Hunter, Pictured with the SR21

The focus of this short article is to provide a review of the SR21 and is not intended to present a detailed review of the Leica scope. I would like to take a moment to publicly thank Leica for providing this scope for my use while hunting in Germany and reviewing the SR21. 

I own Zeiss binoculars and scopes in addition to my personal Leica range finders and binoculars. I have used many other great scopes such as Swarovski and Schmidt and Bender. The Leica ER 3.5–14x42 scope was everything that I expected it would be. The optical clarity was superb and on par with the other Leica products that I personally own and use around the world from Africa to Alaska. Since my intention was not to provide a detailed scope review I will simply say that the optics were spectacular as I have found my other Leica optics to be.

Shawn Joyce Pictured with his Roe Buck Killed Using the Heym SR21

The only area that I would change for my application is the fine center crosshairs. These were excellent on the range and also during normal light conditions but I needed more during extreme low light levels. For my eyes they were too difficult to see in these situations. This would easily be remedied with an illuminated reticle which would be my choice as the perfect option for this incredible hunting scope.  It will be how I order mine. I will be adding a Leica scope to my inventory soon.

~Heym Challenge 2013~

Review of the 2013 Heym Challenge

With Special Guests

Mark Sullivan and Peter Dafner

Professional Hunters

Graeme Wright and David Little with a Competitor at the Leopard Station

The 2013 Heym Challenge has concluded and once again the annual Heym event was a great success. Participants came from around the world to participate in and experience the two day extravaganza. The event was very well done and seemed to be enjoyed by all. This year’s event was the second annual event conducted by Heym. Planning has already begun for the 2014 event which will also be held in Germany.

This year the event was sponsored by Kynoch, Jagdfieber, Schanz Messer, Leica, Jagdzeit International, Classic Gun Magazine, Jagen Heute, and Sax Munition. The Heym event consisted of a shooting competition on April 20th known as the “Heym Challenge“ and also a factory tour day on the 21st at the Heym Gleichamberg factory. Day one started off early at the Schießzentrum Waffen Albert – Pulvertoni also known as the Waffen Albert shooting range in Schweinfurt, Germany. Anton Albert is the manager of the range facility and did a fantastic job preparing the facility for the shooting event.

Waffen Albert Shooting Range

The Waffen Albert Range is a state-of-the-art indoor facility. The main floor consists of a large conference style hall with a small food and drink area available for the attendees. The shooting competition required a registration fee for those who wished to compete. With the first place prize being a beautiful trophy and a Heym Model 26 double rifle there was no shortage of interested competitors. Last year I had the opportunity to shoot a scoped Model 26 on the shooting range for the first time. It is a beautiful over and under double rifle in classic German style. I found it to be a very lively rifle with fast pointability and excellent accuracy. The winner of this fine rifle would be in for a real treat!

Mark Sullivan and Shawn Joyce Scoring a Hippo Target

FBM's Range Safety Briefing

Last year, I competed in the shooting event as a guest and found it to be a very exciting competition that was also great fun. This year, Heym asked if I would mind working on the range assisting my good friend Mark Sullivan. Mark and I conducted the Hippo shooting competition and had a great time together working with the competitors that moved through our range station.  We also worked the elephant shooting station together. There were many great shooters present but also some new and less skilled shooters that were learning about big bore bolt action and double rifles. All were made to feel welcome and encouraged to enjoy the competition and learn about Heym’s great rifles.
 



 











A Competitor at the Going-Away Elephant Target



  



Mark and Shawn Score the Frontal Elephant Target Shot by Dr. Johannes Traumann

All competitors were required to use Heym rifles. They could bring their own Heym or they could use any of the wonderful rifles that were manufactured and provided by Heym. Bolt action and double rifles were available and ranged from .375 H&H through .577 Nitro Express. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to shoot a wide variety of Heym rifles over the years. This event allowed all that attended an opportunity to handle and shoot a variety of these great rifles first hand on the range.

There were numerous range event stations such as balloon shooting, distant and charging daylight leopard, distant and charging dry ground hippo, alert and fleeing elephant shooting, life-sized big five computer simulated shooting station with jumbo screen display, and a theoretical and practical PH test station. The computer simulated station and PH test were a new dimension for the competitors.
 

The PH test required competitors to show their knowledge about judging animal weight, distance to targets, trophy measuring, describe various aspects about ammunition, and finally a test about African game animals. All of the stations were enjoyable. There was a short break in the shooting day to grab lunch that was made available at the range. After lunch the competition resumed until all shooters completed all of the stations.

Computer Simulation Station



PH Test Station

Tabulating the Results

Immediately following the competition the scores were tallied to determine the winner. After all was done Jacobus Wright was announced as the first place winner and recipient of the beautiful first place trophy and of course the Heym rifle. Tim Schönig was the second place winner and received a beautiful trophy along with a custom knife valued at 800 Euros. Christian Pfitzmaier was the third place winner receiving a trophy and digital camera valued at 500 Euros. The top five competitors at the 2013 Heym challenge were:

1. Jacobus Wright
2. Tim Schönig
3. Christian Pfitzmaier
4. Ulf Thiele
5. Dr. Johannes Traumann

Awards Table

Heym CEO Thomas Wolkmann Presenting to Competitors

Every participant in the shooting event received a prize that they were allowed to personally select from the prize table. A variety of items were present from art to ammunition.

Heym .577 NE Sidelock Being Demonstrated

A side program was conducted at the range that was enjoyed by shooters and spectators alike. Mark Sullivan conducted a live demonstration on using safari rifles while hunting dangerous game up close. Those that expressed interest were also able to shoot a prototype of the new Heym boxlock .577 NE.
 

Prototype Heym .577 NE Boxlock

This is a fantastic double rifle that we will be hearing a great deal about in the future. Balance of this boxlock is exceptional and everyone who handled and shot the rifle had great things to say about it! The rifle will also be available in .500 NE. What seems to be making this rifle standout is the balance, optimized weight, and handling. These attributes coupled with the 1920’s Holland & Holland style stock design development are being noted as a winning combination. The feel of this rifle is noticeable and was well commented upon. A sidelock version is also available. 

                                                                                        

4 Bore on the left and the Heym .577NE on the Right

Another interesting presentation was the .577 NE and 4 bore demonstration! Three large blocks of wood were set-up on the range. The blocks were approximately 8-10 inches thick, three feet wide, and five feet tall. They were placed in a straight line from the back of the range to the shooting line and separated a few feet apart. A target of an elephant was placed on the front block.

The idea was to create an informal graphical Taylor Knock-Out (KO) Value display, some visible display of knock-down power, and to a much lesser extent penetration. The Taylor KO Value is sometimes mistakenly thought of as killing power. The three wooden blocks would graphically display the reaction to a faster “smaller” .577 NE and bigger, heavier, and slower 4 bore projectile.

Of course another aspect of the demonstration was to present the Heym .577 NE and the 4 bore purely for enjoyment by the spectators. It showed how far things have come from the days of black powder to modern smokeless powder as presented in the Heym designed .577 NE Mark Sullivan Edition. Those who have hunted with the .577 NE understand how effective this cartridge is on dangerous game.

The .577 NE went first. The blocks remained standing but the bullet tore through all of the blocks with ease.  Next it was time for the 4 bore. The firearm for this demonstration is owned and was brought by Patrick Beyeler. Now if you have not seen a four bore they are an ominous sight. The physical size and heft of the rifle alone is jaw dropping. When you see the massive rounds dropped into the action it makes anyone with any sense at all want to take at least three steps back from where they were previously standing on the range.

Cartridge Comparison (left to right) 4 Bore, .600 NE, .577 NE, 4 Bore Bullet

 

 

When the trigger was pulled an indescribable cloud of smoke and flame erupted with a concussion and recoil that one would expect from a small cannon. The two massive wooden blocks toppled over from the impact of the large lead projectile.

The bullet was stopped by the last block of wood and did not penetrate the final block. There were actually a couple people that raised their hands and expressed a desire to have a go at it. I immediately ran to the nearest exit and tried to act like I was busy doing something else. I got caught before I made it to the door and was “encouraged“ to give it a try. I have enough problems associated with shooting big bores that I have to constantly work to minimize and overcome. I could not imagine how pressing the trigger of a 4 bore might help me with those challenges so I politely passed.

Following the shooting event, award ceremony, and shooting demonstration everyone made their way to an after function dinner. After an evening of good food, singing, and socializing everyone headed to bed thinking about what exciting moments the next day would bring during the Heym factory tour day.

Heym Gleichamberg Factory

Day two started at the Heym factory located in Gleichamberg. The attendees were divided up into manageable sized groups and were each escorted through the factory for employee guided tours. Every step of the manufacturing process was observed and explained during the tour. The tour started with the arrival of rough materials through the presentation of a completed rifle to the client.

The tour offered an opportunity for interaction and discussion with the actual trades-person in their work area while they were performing their skills. Everything from barrel making, hammering the barrel, gun assembly, soldering double rifle barrels, parts fitting, stock wood selection, stock making/fitting, regulation, and of course finish and engraving. Being able to personally meet with engravers and view their work was a bonus.

Following the factory tour a delicious barbecue meal was prepared at the factory along with other great German dishes and desserts. The food was excellent and the spirit of friendly good-fellowship was ever-present as it was during last year’s event! After the delicious lunch the large group assembled in the Heym conference room for the professional hunter presentations and Kynoch presentation.

Prior to the lectures several award presentations were made by Thomas Wolkmann on behalf of Heym to those who helped support and promote the event locally and internationally. Kind words, certificates, and Heym medals were given to the recipients. They were greatly appreciated by all who received them. Following the award presentations made by Thomas Wolkmann, three lectures were made by the guest speakers.

Peter Dafner presented regarding his 2012 hunting season and also on hunting in Uganda. Peter also shared an experience regarding a close quarter lion encounter. David Little of Kynoch and Graeme Wright, author of the classic: “Shooting the British Double Rifle,” presented for Kynoch and discussed various ammunition topics and myths. Mark Sullivan presented on Hunting in 2012/13 with his Heym sidelock and discussed shooting at close distances. 

The presentations were narrative but also included audiovisual presentation. Mark’s presentation also included a demonstration which he provided. Questions were fielded from the audience following each presentation. Both Peter and Mark mingled with the attendees and were available for personal private discussions following the group presentations. Mark and Peter also provided photo opportunities and autographs to the many attendees who asked for them.
 

Peter Dafner and Mark Sullivan Having Fun on the Range

The Heym event was many things to different people. It was a fantastic competition with an extraordinary and personal tour into the manufacturing process of these rifles. The event also allowed those present to have an opportunity to get to know the professionals who use these rifles daily in their jobs. An unexpected bonus was the opportunity to interact with a very diverse group of people from around the world and to make many new friends. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality extended by Thomas, Jacqui, Manfred, Bernhard, Frank, and all the employees at Heym.

There Were Many Displays and Booths to Explore at the Event

The executive staff and workers at Heym did a great job with this event. My wife and I are looking forward to seeing everyone again soon. Thanks for making us feel welcome and part of the Heym family. If the 2012 and 2013 event are any example, anyone considering attending the 2014 Heym event will have a great time. 

This year’s competition had eighty regular plus twenty VIP shooters and approximately one hundred spectators. Nearly three hundred attended the factory tour day. The prior year’s competitors numbered fifty-one and the prior year’s factory tour participants numbered one hundred thirty-four. The event is obviously growing but it continues to remain a personal group that feels very inviting. Next year’s event promises to be just as exciting and well attended.

I enjoyed seeing how these fine firearms are manufactured. I know that Heym makes fantastic rifles that reflect outstanding attention to detail and craftsmanship. After having the opportunity to shoot the Heym double rifles from .450/.400 to .577 Nitro Express over the years, I know they will perfectly meet my needs. In fact I put in an order for the new .577 NE Heym Boxlock.

I am looking forward to attending the next Heym event, seeing my new and old friends from Germany and Europe, hunting for Roe buck again, and maybe just maybe picking up my new Heym double. I hope to see you in 2015 during the Heym 150th anniversary event!