So, some very positive news from the range today!

I tried a load of 113.25 grains RL-19 +/- 0.1 grains using a TSX FB Barnes 570 grain bullet. I also seated the bullet 0.010 further out from what I had during earlier loads. Seems that seating to my original depth yielded a sickly crunching sound as the heavier load of RL-19 powder was crushed a little.

The composite group was 2 1/2" high x 1 1/4" wide at 50 yards with both barrels superimposed, 1/2" to the right of the bull at 3 o'clock. I was not able to crony the new load but the recoil tells me it's probably pretty close to factory velocities. When I get a chance to chrony this load, I will post the velocity I'm getting. I pray it's over 2000 fps, but I am very positive and hopeful.

Next time I get opportunity to go to the range, I will chrony the new load and will also try it at 100 yards. Please note, I'm not necessarily intending to shoot buffalo at 100 yards, but shooting practice at that distance will give me additional confidence in both the rifle and myself.

With respect to the questions surrounding the factory target where they indicate it was done with a scope, I bought the gun slightly used with no scope. It was near mint condition, and my borescope endoscope Hawkeye has shown me no noticeable wear in the throat or leade or anywhere else down the length of the bore. Indeed, the bore and rifling is beautifully done, similar to the look of a finely polished custom barrel like a Lilja or Krieger.

Anyway, back to the scope question: there are two 1" long narrow grooves machined down each side of the quarter rib, and a single shallow 1/16th" long blind hole on the top of the quarter rib. I am presuming this is some sort of facility for a Heym proprietary scope mount? It would seem to me that maybe this may be something the factory uses simply to test regulation? I can't imagine there is enough purchase for a mount to be robust enough for field use?

I would like to thank all the members for their help, comments, opinions, advice, and help that has provided me guidance to get this gun to shoot. When I bought it I fell in love with it, and I just knew it had to shoot well. I now have a light load and by all indications a heavy load that both group exceptionally well.

I was worried for a while that I had spent a lot of money only to feel like the person that wakes the next morning severely hung over, with a fresh tattoo, a new wedding ring, and a scary looking stranger naked in bed beside them, sporting a matching wedding ring. My fear was for naught. I now have a great Heym that shoots very well with both a light and heavy load!