I posted this one awhile back; it came out very nice and shot well during the short range session I had with it. Now that I'm home again for awhile, I've had a chance to do some extensive testing with it, a customized 77 Hawkeye. I'm very happy with my "ought-six".
I wanted several features that I just couldn't find in a factory rifle, but I didn't want to go the full-custom route. I talked with Matt Bettersworth of Hill Country Rifles (New Braunfels, TX); Matt advised going semi-custom using a 77 action. It's strong, proven, has claw extraction and an all-steel floorplate-triggerguard assembly (something I wanted). It's also available in a lefty version, which clinched the deal. The integral scope bases were also a plus. I got a NIB 77 from Ruger and gave it to Matt for modification.
Matt added a .30-06 custom barrel with the same diameter as the factory tube. It was fitted into the original stock without too much work, but had a 24" length, which I wanted on my special rifle. The barrel was floated, after the action was bedded and glassed. The factory trigger was set at 3.5 lbs, which I consider perfect for a hunting rifle. I don't like light triggers for field work. A 1" Pachmayr Decellerator pad in red was added, with a 13 3/4" LOP. The stainless bolt handle was Cera-Koted. As a nice finishing touch, Hill Country engine-turned the bolt body. I added a 1 1/4" military sling; practical as well as retro. Warne double-lever mounts and a Leupold 2-8X Vari-X III completed the package.
I've now had this one a couple of years and have thoroughly shaken it out...it likes Federal factory 180 grain Nosler Partitions, which is what it'll stay zeroed for. When I get back this last time from overseas, I intend to take my 77 on a Newfoundland moose hunt. I now have the perfect .30-06 rifle; let me know what you think of my mods.
Bob
77 Hawkeye LH with a 1 1/4" 1907-style sling. Retro is good.
The new Hawkeye has steel bottom metal; I wanted an all-steel rifle.
A nice, recessed muzzle crown on the 24" custom barrel. The barrel is the same diameter as the factory tube.
Bolt handle was Cera-Koted and the bolt body engine-turned. Both added a nice custom touch.
A red, one-inch Decellerator pad was added. I like the red; it just looks better than the more common black pad.
Warne double-lever mounts and a Leupold 2-8X Vari-X III completes the package. A great scope and mount set-up.
Typical 5-shot group from my chosen load; Federal 180 grain using Nosler Partitions. I'm ready.
Full-length view; the extra 2" on the barrel gives the rifle a sleeker look and better balance. A 24" barreled .30-06 is my ideal for a go-to rifle for general hunting.
I wanted several features that I just couldn't find in a factory rifle, but I didn't want to go the full-custom route. I talked with Matt Bettersworth of Hill Country Rifles (New Braunfels, TX); Matt advised going semi-custom using a 77 action. It's strong, proven, has claw extraction and an all-steel floorplate-triggerguard assembly (something I wanted). It's also available in a lefty version, which clinched the deal. The integral scope bases were also a plus. I got a NIB 77 from Ruger and gave it to Matt for modification.
Matt added a .30-06 custom barrel with the same diameter as the factory tube. It was fitted into the original stock without too much work, but had a 24" length, which I wanted on my special rifle. The barrel was floated, after the action was bedded and glassed. The factory trigger was set at 3.5 lbs, which I consider perfect for a hunting rifle. I don't like light triggers for field work. A 1" Pachmayr Decellerator pad in red was added, with a 13 3/4" LOP. The stainless bolt handle was Cera-Koted. As a nice finishing touch, Hill Country engine-turned the bolt body. I added a 1 1/4" military sling; practical as well as retro. Warne double-lever mounts and a Leupold 2-8X Vari-X III completed the package.
I've now had this one a couple of years and have thoroughly shaken it out...it likes Federal factory 180 grain Nosler Partitions, which is what it'll stay zeroed for. When I get back this last time from overseas, I intend to take my 77 on a Newfoundland moose hunt. I now have the perfect .30-06 rifle; let me know what you think of my mods.
Bob
77 Hawkeye LH with a 1 1/4" 1907-style sling. Retro is good.
The new Hawkeye has steel bottom metal; I wanted an all-steel rifle.
A nice, recessed muzzle crown on the 24" custom barrel. The barrel is the same diameter as the factory tube.
Bolt handle was Cera-Koted and the bolt body engine-turned. Both added a nice custom touch.
A red, one-inch Decellerator pad was added. I like the red; it just looks better than the more common black pad.
Warne double-lever mounts and a Leupold 2-8X Vari-X III completes the package. A great scope and mount set-up.
Typical 5-shot group from my chosen load; Federal 180 grain using Nosler Partitions. I'm ready.
Full-length view; the extra 2" on the barrel gives the rifle a sleeker look and better balance. A 24" barreled .30-06 is my ideal for a go-to rifle for general hunting.