Thanks for the info. I get 3 rings in circuit too. I think it's from the yoke loading it down.
Now that the set is running well, I decided to reinstall the original flyback and give it one last try before writing it off. Surprisingly, it works just fine! Around 9.7-10.3 kV depending on the drive control setting.
I have no idea why the HV was low earlier
I've replaced, swapped and adjusted so much at this point...