I've recently handled a Ruger 77 Hawkeye at my local fun store and, to be honest, I liked it. I've never been interested in Ruger rifles before this day.
As for appearance, the matte blued finish and matte stainless steel bolt were eye appealing. The stainless steel bolt and bolt handle contrasted well with the blued receiver and barrel. The bottom metal was, in fact, metal (tested with a magnet). The lazer engraving on the floor plate is a nice touch. The stock was black walnut and is just as nice as what Remington is putting on their CDL. With a scope mounted, the intregal scope base milled into the receiver looks better than a 1 piece scope base.
I compared it to the Savage American Classic. The Savage is nice, but I don't care for the way the "Glock trigger" looks nor the plastic "bottom metal." For a $600 rifle to have plastic bottom metal is pretty lame.
As for the feel, the "LC6" trigger on the Ruger felt crisp with no creep. A little on the heavy side at what felt like 5 lbs. Though it could be lighter as I'm not used to the trigger nor is it broken in. I was actually surprised to feel a good trigger on this rifle given the reputation Ruger has for poor triggers (perhaps undeserved). The walnut stock was comfortable and fit me well.
I was surprised to see that the barrel was free floated. It would seem that Ruger would advertise that they free float the barrel seeing how Savage makes a big deal of it. Is free floating standard on the Hawkeye or was this a fluke?
How does the Hawkeye shoot? If I broke in the barrel using David Tubbs Final Finish bore lapping system can I expect it to be an accurate rifle?
Ruger seems to be trying to position itself as a maker of a more accurate rifle given the name "Hawkeye" and the new LC6 trigger among other changes.
As for appearance, the matte blued finish and matte stainless steel bolt were eye appealing. The stainless steel bolt and bolt handle contrasted well with the blued receiver and barrel. The bottom metal was, in fact, metal (tested with a magnet). The lazer engraving on the floor plate is a nice touch. The stock was black walnut and is just as nice as what Remington is putting on their CDL. With a scope mounted, the intregal scope base milled into the receiver looks better than a 1 piece scope base.
I compared it to the Savage American Classic. The Savage is nice, but I don't care for the way the "Glock trigger" looks nor the plastic "bottom metal." For a $600 rifle to have plastic bottom metal is pretty lame.
As for the feel, the "LC6" trigger on the Ruger felt crisp with no creep. A little on the heavy side at what felt like 5 lbs. Though it could be lighter as I'm not used to the trigger nor is it broken in. I was actually surprised to feel a good trigger on this rifle given the reputation Ruger has for poor triggers (perhaps undeserved). The walnut stock was comfortable and fit me well.
I was surprised to see that the barrel was free floated. It would seem that Ruger would advertise that they free float the barrel seeing how Savage makes a big deal of it. Is free floating standard on the Hawkeye or was this a fluke?
How does the Hawkeye shoot? If I broke in the barrel using David Tubbs Final Finish bore lapping system can I expect it to be an accurate rifle?
Ruger seems to be trying to position itself as a maker of a more accurate rifle given the name "Hawkeye" and the new LC6 trigger among other changes.