Ruger M77 Hawkeye

[cmdc]

I am new to the forum, but not new to Ruger firearms, in fact I own many. What I don't have yet, but am contemplating, is the aforementioned rifle in the blue/wood version in 308 caliber. I am left handed, and they only come in the original version in left hand. I am wondering, before I purchase it, how it stacks up against the all-weather models. I think it is a beautiful rifle.

Thanks

 

[leon670]

I have never owned a synthetic model as I don't care for the looks. Real walnut and traditional bluing for me. I have owned three MK IIs (one was an Ultralight). All required some tweaking with the triggers. I recently purchased the walnut and satin blued standard Hawkeye in .308. It's a beautiful rifle. Nice wood, fit and finish and the trigger feels about right at a crisp 4 lbs. The action worked a little rough at first but it's worked its' way into slickness with a few hundred strokes. I haven't fired it yet but as with all the Ruger rifles I've had, I'm sure that the accuracy will be perfectly fine for a deer rifle. My three Mk IIs seemed to stay within 1 1/4" at 100 yards with no problem.
I also have a New Haven Model 70 Classic Fwt in the same caliber. I've had that for about fifteen years and I like that as well but the Ruger Hawkeye is a nicer rifle to my eye. My Hawkeye weighs seven pounds on the nose without scope and rings and about 8, with scope and rings. About a half pound heavier than the Winchester but still not bad. I look forward to shooting it.

 

[cmdc]

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to get it. What scope did you put on it if I may ask?

 

[leon670]

For now, a Bushnell Elite 4200 3x9 that I bought a couple of years back when Cabelas was closing them out, just because I already had it. It may end up with something different on it. I have a 1.5x5 Leupold on my Model 70 fwt, which I like for stillhunting for deer but the Ruger will be my stand hunting rig so the bulkier scope won't be a problem. At least, that's what I tell myself!

 

[mattsbox99]

I'm not sure why there would be any specific difference between the walnut/blue rifles and the synthetic/stainless ones, save for a few ounces of weight.

I have a few Hawkeyes and they are darn good rifles, I really like my walnut stocked 7/08.