This is weird, but I think I'm liking Ruger's M77 Hawkeye.

[magnatecman]

So I have always disliked Ruger's Model 77 for some reason that I'm not really sure why. I used to think they were kind of ugly and bulky and just generally boring to look at. I have always felt like they have a great scope mounting system, compared to having separate bases and rings.

Lately I have looked at the newer rifles and I have to say that I am quite impressed. The ones I have inspected had some really good looking wood on them and the fit and finish was really good. Also, I am really a fan of the matte black blueing that they have going one. The stock's have a nice slim feel and they shoulder very well too.

It seems to me that Ruger has really stepped up their game.

So what do you all think?

 

[Abel]

In the sub-$700 price range, they are as good as any that I can think of.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Nothing weird about it--my Hawkeye has been fantastic---its stainless though.

 

[conhntr]

Are they any more accurate than they used to be?

 

[jmr40]

If you like the matte finish on the blue rifles you better buy one now. That was a major complaint with most buyers wanting a more polished look on the blue rifles. New production rifles will have polished blue metal. I've seen a few start to show up on dealers shelves already.

 

[CraigC]

I used to think they were kind of ugly and bulky and just generally boring to look at.

That's odd, I've always found them to be quite attractive and no more or less bulky than any other comparable boltgun. The Standards were beautifully finished. Although i don't care for the stainless bolt on a blued rifle.

 

[rbernie]

Mine have been satisfying; good finish and fitment, with reasonable accuracy. None of my sporters have been dramatically sub-MOA but most are solidly MOA to MOA-and-a-half without a lot of work finding a suitable load.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have a stainless .223 M77. Fantastic rifle and very accurate.

CDNN has em on sale for the best price you will find anywhere!

Whats not to like about a mini mauser receiver? Mines an ultralight and is a great woods rifle.

 

[TwoEyedJack]

My most recent Ruger bolt action is a Mark II in .338 win mag. It is stainless synthetic, pre-Hawkeye. This particular rifle has been a pleasure to use. Three Federal 250 gr. Partitions almost touch at 100 yards. That was the first load I tried, and I never felt the need to try any others. One of my friends has a Hawkeye .204 Ruger that is amazing. I would definitely buy one.

 

[wombat13]

I don't know about older Rugers, but mine and my FILs are plenty accurate. Mine is a Hawkeye in .300wm, stainless/laminate. My best load so far put 6 out of 10 shots into one ragged hole at 100 yards. 1 of the 10 was a called flyer and the other three were within a half inch of the main group. All of that variation was the result of my shooting.

FILs is a mkII in .338wm, stainless/laminate. His shoots Winchester ballistic silvertips into one inch at 100 yards.

I have heard that Ruger used to outsource their barrels and accuracy was not great. Apparently they make their own barrels now and as you can see from my experience, accuracy is just fine.

I think some people are still carrying around their dislike for Bill Ruger who is dead and gone now.

 

[Hizzie]

I just added a Ruger Hawkeye African in .223 to the stable. Got it as a trainer. Very good fit\finish and shouldered well. Handled a Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan the other day. Suprising how well it shouldered in that Hogue stock.

 

[H2oPumper]

I bought one a few years back that wasn't a great shooter, but I liked the gun and features so much I traded it in and got another. This new one is my best shooter in the stable. Rock solid design and Ruger has some great customer service by my experience.

 

[Welding Rod]

I am not a bolt gun fan, but I have owned my share - probably more than my share.

My favorite bolt gun is .308 Ruger Hawkeye in walnut. I wish it had polished bluing rather than matt, but other than that I really like it. The function, fit, styling, and the scope mount system are all great IMO.

 

[451 Detonics]

I too saw nothing wrong with the original 77 series...one of the best guns Ruger ever built...

 

[skoro]

So what do you all think?

A buddy of mine has a M77 in 30-06 that he's taken several elk with over the years. Nice rifle.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Are they any more accurate than they used to be?

Who cares.

They have always been accurate enough to do what they were made for. You know, hunting game animals. Not just shooting off a benchrest.

 

[conhntr]

I guess thats fine. But for me i would take a more accurate gun over a less accurate gun.

I neck shot also all my deer (im a meat hunter not a trophy hunter) so i pass on bad angles. But i need to be able to put the bullet into a 2-3" area from an improvised rest/position to get solid kills and id rather have a rifle capable of doing so at 150 yards than 75!

 

[rbernie]

If someone's 77MkII Hawkeye won't keep a 3" group with decent hunting ammo at 150 yards, they got a lemon and need to send it back.

 

[magnatecman]

I guess I really never gave them a chance, but I think I will in the future.

So what did Bill Ruger do to make people mad at him anyway?

The matte blue is going away I better see if I can get one soon then!

 

[conhntr]

Rbernie i ment a 3" at 150yrds reom field posistions. I.e sitting/kneeling/fencepost I need a rifle that will hold a group of 1.5" at that distance off a bench.