I recently purchased a Ruger Hawkeye with a brushed stainless finish in .308. It has a nice laminate stock. The build quality is high and the gun looks great.
Last week I posted about how I wasn't getting good groups using Prvi Partizan 147gr 308 win ammo (http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=627043#627043).
Well, I got to go to the range this morning and test my gun at the 100 yard range using different ammo and the results were much better.
I purchased some Remington Core-Lokt 150gr .308Win and also some Winchester 150 gr .308 Win Powerpoint ammo. I am happy to report the gun shot really well with both brands of ammo. I was surprised at what a difference the choice of ammo makes.
With the Pvri ammo I could keep my shots in the black on a standard small bore NRA target at 100 yards. However, I got groups similar (or worse) than what I got with my Marlin .22 lever action.
With the Rem and Win ammo, my groups were much tighter, even when I did some rapid fire strings and the barrel got hot to the touch.
I have a Leupold VX-3 3.5x10 (40mm) variable power scope mounted on the gun. I used a padded wooden block as a rest. I started out at the 25 yard line and used the cheap Pvri ammo to make sure the scope was properly sighted in. I was a little disturbed because the 25 yard groups with the Prvi Serbian ammo was pretty bad.
However, when I got to the 100 yard station, the gun shot very well with the Remington and Winchester ammo. The Winchester ammo had the tightest group of the morning (0.98" - measured with my calipers). The Rem ammo also shot well (about 1.5" groups at 100 yards). I think a better and more patient shooter would get better groups with both brands of ammo.
I did have one misfire with the Remington ammo. I pulled the trigger, heard the striker drop, but didn't hear the bang. When I inspected the round, the primer had a light strike. I'm not sure if this was due to the striker not hitting the round with enough force or if there was an issue with the primer not being properly seated. I reloaded the round into the chamber and shot it again and this time it worked well.
I inspected the primer marks from the other rounds I shot and they all looked fine so maybe it was just a fluke with this particular cartridge. I will disassemble the bolt/striker assembly this week and inspect it to make sure there aren't any burrs or any debris in the firing pin channel.
I am pleased with my gun. I had read some very negative posts about Ruger bolt guns on the Internet, but I am happy with my gun. I think it's definitely accurate enough for my needs (plan to use it for hunting). I love the controlled feed action and the durability of the Rugers. Also, I like the 3 position safety - I do not find it difficult to disengage the safety like some on the Internet complained. The gun looks very nice and it feels very durable and well crafted.
Here are some pics of the gun and a couple of targets. The smaller group is 0.98" from edge to edge. The larger group is 1.525" from edge to edge.
Last week I posted about how I wasn't getting good groups using Prvi Partizan 147gr 308 win ammo (http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=627043#627043).
Well, I got to go to the range this morning and test my gun at the 100 yard range using different ammo and the results were much better.
I purchased some Remington Core-Lokt 150gr .308Win and also some Winchester 150 gr .308 Win Powerpoint ammo. I am happy to report the gun shot really well with both brands of ammo. I was surprised at what a difference the choice of ammo makes.
With the Pvri ammo I could keep my shots in the black on a standard small bore NRA target at 100 yards. However, I got groups similar (or worse) than what I got with my Marlin .22 lever action.
With the Rem and Win ammo, my groups were much tighter, even when I did some rapid fire strings and the barrel got hot to the touch.
I have a Leupold VX-3 3.5x10 (40mm) variable power scope mounted on the gun. I used a padded wooden block as a rest. I started out at the 25 yard line and used the cheap Pvri ammo to make sure the scope was properly sighted in. I was a little disturbed because the 25 yard groups with the Prvi Serbian ammo was pretty bad.
However, when I got to the 100 yard station, the gun shot very well with the Remington and Winchester ammo. The Winchester ammo had the tightest group of the morning (0.98" - measured with my calipers). The Rem ammo also shot well (about 1.5" groups at 100 yards). I think a better and more patient shooter would get better groups with both brands of ammo.
I did have one misfire with the Remington ammo. I pulled the trigger, heard the striker drop, but didn't hear the bang. When I inspected the round, the primer had a light strike. I'm not sure if this was due to the striker not hitting the round with enough force or if there was an issue with the primer not being properly seated. I reloaded the round into the chamber and shot it again and this time it worked well.
I inspected the primer marks from the other rounds I shot and they all looked fine so maybe it was just a fluke with this particular cartridge. I will disassemble the bolt/striker assembly this week and inspect it to make sure there aren't any burrs or any debris in the firing pin channel.
I am pleased with my gun. I had read some very negative posts about Ruger bolt guns on the Internet, but I am happy with my gun. I think it's definitely accurate enough for my needs (plan to use it for hunting). I love the controlled feed action and the durability of the Rugers. Also, I like the 3 position safety - I do not find it difficult to disengage the safety like some on the Internet complained. The gun looks very nice and it feels very durable and well crafted.
Here are some pics of the gun and a couple of targets. The smaller group is 0.98" from edge to edge. The larger group is 1.525" from edge to edge.
