Heym model identification

[Heym SR20]

I think looking back on it, the SR20 was the better stalking rifle. With a straight stock, properly bedded, it would have been just about perfect.

The 21 just has too many underlying design flaws even if probably the better barrel.

I have the straight stocked one. Properly bedded. I bought it second hand from J Roberts and Co. They had supplied it new to a client of theirs whilst they built a Rigby fir him ( Roberts owned Rigby name at the time). It was very well set up by them with a 4x32 Zeiss. I have changed the scope to a 6x42, then a 4-12x50 Swaro (which needed slightly higher mounts) then now back with its original mounts and 3-9x36. I have only had to rezero when changing the scope. It always shot very little groups with RWS 100gn. I have now switched to 80gn Fox. I had to drop zero by 4 clicks.

It is a lovely rifle to use. I have shot many deer with it over the years. It has been used in all weathers, but a wipe with a towel and oily cloth when I come and its still very clean. Only real wear it aluminium floor plate finish is a little worn. I tend to carry a gun in my hand at the balance point.

 

[Lone wolf]

No rail for an SR20. But the bases work well. I may even have some - I’ll look.

No rail wouldn't be a deal breaker as its likely going to be shot with a day optic or a NV tubed scope like the alpex.

Thanks for looking

 

[The Singing Stalker]

I think looking back on it, the SR20 was the better stalking rifle. With a straight stock, properly bedded, it would have been just about perfect.

The 21 just has too many underlying design flaws even if probably the better barrel.

Euwwww, guess who has bought an SR21 in 223 with swing off rectnagle mounts.
I was going to get the stock extended but don’t think that will be comfortable so I am now looking at getting Alan Hadjeo at Schaftwerk to make me a new stock as the original is too short for me.
It has a 2 stage trigger, I think it needs some adjusting, never having had a 2 stage trigger, is it normal for them to go off with a bump tap?

 

[Mungo]

Euwwww, guess who has bought an SR21 in 223 with swing off rectnagle mounts.
I was going to get the stock extended but don’t think that will be comfortable so I am now looking at getting Alan Hadjeo at Schaftwerk to make me a new stock as the original is too short for me.
It has a 2 stage trigger, I think it needs some adjusting, never having had a 2 stage trigger, is it normal for them to go off with a bump tap?

Ah. Yes. The trigger in the SR21 is another of its design flaws.

It absolutely shouldn’t go off with a bump tap. But it can be very hard to get it set up properly.

It also shouldn’t actually be a 2 stage - it should be a ‘set’ trigger, where pushing it forward sets it for ultra light release. If this isn’t set up just right, it can ‘set’ itself so you get it going off from a bump. Going too far the other way turns it into a pseudo 2 stage.

It frankly terrified me once I figured out how it was meant to work, and the many and varied ways it could fail.

Having said all that, I get the impression that there are several phases of production, with more recent runs having solved some of the earlier issues.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Ah. Yes. The trigger in the SR21 is another of its design flaws.

It absolutely shouldn’t go off with a bump tap. But it can be very hard to get it set up properly.

It also shouldn’t actually be a 2 stage - it should be a ‘set’ trigger, where pushing it forward sets it for ultra light release. If this isn’t set up just right, it can ‘set’ itself so you get it going off from a bump. Going too far the other way turns it into a pseudo 2 stage.

It frankly terrified me once I figured out how it was meant to work, and the many and varied ways it could fail.

Having said all that, I get the impression that there are several phases of production, with more recent runs having solved some of the earlier issues.

My apologies, I meant set trigger.

 

[Mungo]

My apologies, I meant set trigger.

No apology necessary. It can function a bit like a 2 stage if it’s been set wrong.

Only gun I’ve owned that I was nervous about NDs with.

 

[Lone wolf]

So in the end I came home with this



Not being able to get a full rail on the Heym and being able to drop it in a aftermarket stock/chassis made me shy away from it, a lovely rifle though and it's at Bradford stalker at a very tempting price if anyone was looking for something along them lines.

 

[ejg]

Never had a look at the SR20. Handled many SR21 & SR30 which fit basically in the same stock except for bolt handle cut. SR30/21 share the same magazine and Trigger unit. There are a few nice things on these rifles but mostly they are totally overengineered and certain things I find almost dangerous. The Heym Stocks have steel pillars fitted with wood screw type threads in the stock with a slot on one side to adjust the height in the stock Pillars are longer than stock height, meaning the action and mag /trigger system do not (should not) touch the wood of the stock. Once adjusted to have the action sitting right the action is epoxy bedded from the factory. This keeps the pillars in place.
What I don't like is that the trigger unit is separate from the rifle, held only by the action screws. Pretty sure she fires if the screws come loose in the safety off position. The SR30 is a quite stiff action, never handled a smooth one yet. The SR21 would be my choice of the two.
edi

 

[Mungo]

Once adjusted to have the action sitting right the action is epoxy bedded from the factory. This keeps the pillars in place.

And this bedding is often not as good as it needs to be!

What I don't like is that the trigger unit is separate from the rifle, held only by the action screws. Pretty sure she fires if the screws come loose in the safety off position.

Ah! I’d never thought of this. This might explain some of the episodes I had with mine.

 

[Sinistral]

No - annoyingly SR20 and 21 mounts are incompatible. Ask me how I know…

No rail for an SR20. But the bases work well. I may even have some - I’ll look.

So in the end I came home with this
Not being able to get a full rail on the Heym and being able to drop it in a aftermarket stock/chassis made me shy away from it, a lovely rifle though and it's at Bradford stalker at a very tempting price if anyone was looking for something along them lines.

The pic attached resembles a Howa which only comes in righthand.
No true southpaw would even consider it, so I guess that you're not one, and can adapt.
Although it may not look it, the Heym SR20N is a standard length Mauser 98K action with a modified bolt & guide rails, very similar in style but not in dimensions to Tikka & many others with single-stack magazines. I imported 3 of these in Lefthand, and there are plenty of piccatiny rail solutions. As it's a staggered box fixed magazine with a floor-plate it takes standard 2-piece mounts - 45 & 46 in the Weaver catalogue.
There are much cheaper rails than the Rhone one below, which is just an example.

Weaver - Trusted Scope Mounts, Rings & Bases Since 1930

www.weaveroptics.com

Alan Rhone Store