Thinking about a new Ruger M77 Hawkeye

[Olympus]

I'd really like to give one a try, particularly the standard model with the walnut stock. I've read varying reports about accuracy though. I do reload, but I don't really have the time to try a half dozen different bullets and powders just to get 1 MOA out of the gun. Are these new Hawkeyes any good? My first deer rifle was a M77 MKII in 243 so that's the main reason I want one now.

My second question is what caliber, 243 or 7mm08? I already have 2 rifles in 243, but I love the round. I also have dies, bullets, and brass for the 243. So do I really need a third rifle in 243? And if I go 7mm08, I also already own a 270, so that's adding a 7mm when I already own a 6.8mm rifle. I don't want to go bigger than 7mm08 due to recoil sensitivity.

 

[BigBore44]

Olympus,
I've shot 3 of the new Hawkeye rifles. A .243 and two .308's. All shot fairly well with Hornady, Remington Premier, and Winchester ammo. Not stellar. But 1.5-2 MOA. That's off a LeadSled, fairly calm day, 3 shots. Not 5. Actions were fairly smooth. Triggers were a little heavy. And one was gritty. But nothing that can't be improved with time or a fine grinding compound. With handloads you could no doubt squeeze out more accuracy. We use those three brands to test basic accuracy. If we can get 1.75 or better, we'll keep them and work handloads. If not, bye-bye.

All in all, I think they are decent rifles.

 

[VoodooMountain]

I've got a 308 and 25-06 both in stainless and both are accurate. The first load I tried in the 308 was a 1 inch group and the 25-06 shoots 1 inch groups with about every load I've tried so far. (4 loads All 100 gr. Bullets) the 25-06 has a heavier barrel and Inthink that helps a bit.
The 308 will put the first two bullets in the same hole and then throw the 3rd about .75 away. All I've tried in the 308 is the 150 speer btsp and just 1 other load with a 150 game King.

I decided to relieve some metal off the magazine before I even shot them and then I sanded the barrel channels a bit after a couple outings but in all honesty this didn't change anything a whole lot. I should also emphasize I never really worked up a load for either rifle. I shoot somewhat reduced recoil loads so I loaded the bullets to the velocity I wanted. 40.5gr of h4895 for the 308 and I forget all the loads for the 25.

I also bought a left handed wood version in 308 for my son...for down the road.. and it is a very good looking rifle. Very good bluing and the stock is even a fairly decent chunk of wood but the stock fitment is substandard.Haven't even had the chance to shoot this one yet.

 

[jmr40]

The Hawkeye is never going to match some other brands for accuracy. But all of them I've shot would put 3 shots into near 1" at 100 yards which is perfectly acceptable for hunting. The Hawkeye's claim to fame is reliability under harsh conditions that other brands can't match. The Hawkeyes tend to be much more accurate than the older versions of Ruger rifles. If you were happy with the MK-II you'll like the Hawkeye. They are the same rifle. The Hawkeye has a better trigger and a slightly modified stock shape. Other than that they are the same.

I actually like the idea of multiple rifles in the same caliber if they are set up differently. I have several 308's. One has a short 18" barrel and a low powered scope for woods hunting. Another is a longer barreled standard weight rifle with a bigger scope for general use while the 3rd is setup as a target rifle.

If you never hunt game larger than deer I think the 243 is about as much as you need. While it can be used on larger game moving up to 7-08 would be a better option if you plan to hunt elk, bear, or larger game.

 

[jakk280rem]

They are great hunting rifles. Will easily deliver hunting accuracy. My only Hawkeye is in 222 Remington, a cartridge known for its accuracy, and it shoots into the high 8's for 5 shots. A 260 Remington MKII would shoot into 1.25 with a pro on the trigger.

As to caliber, for the recoil adverse, why not go smaller? 17, 20 or 22 cal? 17 rem, 204 ruger, 221 fireball, 223, 222 or 222 mag? If you're dead set on another hunting caliber my pick would be 260, 6.5 creedmoor, 257 bob, 300 blk, 7mm-08, probably in that order

 

[mshootnit]

I have a nice hawkeye 243 I may part with if someone has interest.

 

[Ks5shooter]

7mm-08 its my go to caliiber

 

[Sniper66]

Ruger rifles are generally reliable decent shooters not known for <1" groups...typically, but some are excellent. You can get them to shoot better with trigger work and hand loads. Every Ruger I have had has been rugged and dependable. I have no doubt that your Hawkeye will be the same. BTW I have multiples of certain calibers, just because I want them.

 

[Tentwing]

My Hawkeye is a 25-06. Initially the bolt was a little rough, but a trip to the gunsmith smoothed out both the bolt action and trigger. It is surprisingly accurate with just about every ammunition I have tried except for Hornady Whitetail.

It really seems to like Federal Premium Vital Shock. The 117 grain Sierra Game Kings will produce cloverleafs off a steady table and sandbags. The same ammo with 100 grain Nosler ballistic tips seems to even shoot a tiny bit better. It is a far better shooter than it's owner

It is built like a tank, and beautiful to boot. ( I am a sucker for blued steel and walnut. ) BTW the 117 gr Sierra Game Kings are the hammer of Thor on whitetails.

Tentwing

 

[cdb1]

Don't own one but would. I'd put a Timney in it and go to town. I'm a sucker for CRF though.

 

[BP Hunter]

My hunting rifle is the Hawkeye in 25-06. I use the Hornady brand, I forget the specs, but am very happy with its accuracy. A little less than 1" group at 100 yards. My friend with a similar rifle and caliber killed a coyote at 314 yards. My furthest kill was a deer at 250 yards. Very rugged and reliable.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

I have one of the Lipsey's 2013 distributor specials, a .308 Win SS Ruger 77 RSI. It has iron sights and wears a Leupy VX3 2.5-8x36 scope with a B&C reticle. It is the lightest and easiest to carry of all my hunting rifles. It shoots to 0.75" at 100 yards with Federal Premium hunting ammo using Barnes bullets. I'll take it on my Elk hunt during the 2nd winter rifle season here in CO.

I like Ruger guns...they're very strong, very reliable and accurate enough for any CPX-2/CPX-3 game hunt I'll be on.

Harry

 

[Olympus]

Thanks for all the updates everyone. I was about to pull the trigger on one when suddenly I found one last remaining Ruger No.1 RSI in 257 Roberts left at the distributor. It was way more than I wanted to spend, but I just couldn't let that gun get away. I can always buy a M77 Hawkeye later on down the road since they are still being regularly produced.

 

[mshootnit]

They are being produced but are harder to come by. Stainless models have been out of production for a year stretch recently.