Hawkeye Re-chamberings?

[Hondo44]

Does anyone have a Hawkeye re-chamered to another cartridge that they are happy with? Or if you were to obtain a Hawkeye with the collector value already compromised what would you consider re-barreling and chambering it for?

I have a 357 barrel I considered chambering to 357 Maximum or 357 Auto Mag (necked down 44 case). I also have a 44 barrel I considered chambering to 445 Super Mag.

Also wondered about a conversion to 204 Ruger chambering.

Any other thoughts?

 

[Lee Martin]

Ruger did test a Hawkeye in 357 Maximum in the early 80's. I believe it was David Bradshaw's gun. From what I heard, it worked fine.

 

[Coogs]

There were actually 2 Ruger hawkeyes factory produced in .357 Max. One was out of the factory collection and rebarreled, the other was made up of parts left over at the factory. There was also at least one, maybe two #1's made up in .357 Max. Though David Bradshaw was heavily involved with testing the Max cartridge along with Bill Jr., the Hawkeye pictured of him loading it belonged to the factory. Davids Max had at least two other barrels, I am assuming of different twists, as well as at least one, maybe two extra cylinders fitted to it and was actually the 1st Max off the production line, the second one went to Elgin Gates.
Jimmy Dillon, of Ruger flattop fame, converted a "few" Hawkeyes to .357 herret back in the mid to late 80's, Coogs.

 

[5of7]

There are better options, the Thompson Center contender being one... 8)

 

[Sheriff]

I know of some that were rechambered to .223. Seemed to work.

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

My collection includes a 22 Hornet 10" re-barrel by Griffin and Howe, Bernardstown, NJ. 8) Coincidentally, and sadly, I missed purchasing the original barrel from a Gun List ad, about 3 weeks after the purchase from an estate sold back to G&H by the original owner's son.......Came with in a day of the sal of the barrel, which the son had forgotten to include on the sale back to G&H :roll:

 

[Hondo44]

My collection includes a 22 Hornet 10" re-barrel by Griffin and Howe, Bernardstown, NJ. 8) Coincidentally, and sadly, I missed purchasing the original barrel from a Gun List ad, about 3 weeks after the purchase from an estate sold back to G&H by the original owner's son.......Came with in a day of the sal of the barrel, which the son had forgotten to include on the sale back to G&H :roll:

DAMN, I hate when that hppens!

 

[Lee Martin]

I know United Sporting Arms converted one of their stretch-frames to 7mm TCU. From what I understand it functioned well. That may be an even slicker round for a Hawkeye conversion.