To my mind, the choice id dead simple. I'd take the Heym every time. The big bore calibers are pretty much functionally equivalent to each other.... ~500 (or so) grain bullets at 2100 fps. I am not so big on form over functionality, scroll engraving doesn't tend to sway me. I'd rater have the better plain gun vs a lesser gun.

Indeed, I did vote with my wallet and bought a used 88B PH in .500 NE. I sold my Merkel .470 to get into the Heym. I really wanted it in .470 because I had dies, brass, and a whiole tool box drawer full of Woodleighs and Barnes, however the price was good, and the gun was in pristine shape, so I retooled and got .500 NE loading dies, brass, and a whole bunch of Barnes softs and solid monometals. It took me a llitte bit to find the correct recipe of seating depth and powder type to get it to regulate nicely, but that just meant more play time at the range.

I returned from the Caprivi 4 days ago and the .500 was quite effective on my 1st buffalo. All shots passed through, save for one Barnes 570 grain monometal solid that at 35 yards went into the brisket and was recovered under the skin directly in front of the right hip.

On the weight, I dragged that rifle aound through nasty thornbush islands, chest deep watery reed swamps, and a LOT of kilometers. I didnt find the weight terribly unpleasant or at least any worse than a 11 pound Merkel .470.

On resale, the Heym will ALWAYS fetch more dollars.

In any event, buy what you like and what suits your fancy. Variety is the spice of life.