The Accurate Reloading Forums
Ruger Hawkeye African?
24 March 2010, 20:27
Greg BrownleeRuger Hawkeye African?
Hey guys, I am looking for a .375 or .416 for my future safaris. Up until now, the only DG guns have been loaned to me by my boss, but am now looking for one of my own. A client suggested the Hawkeye Alaskan, but I am not sure I want such a compact gun and dont really want a stainless barrel for Africa. I do however like the stock being "rubberized" on the Alaskan model. For those of you who use the Ruger Hawkeye's, which do you prefer and why?
Thanks,
Greg
24 March 2010, 20:57
MARK H. YOUNGGreg,
I've owned 375 or larger caliber rifles for a long time but if I was jumping into the big bore market now I'd seriously consider that Ruger. It can be had in stainless/synthetic with good sights and rings. You basically adjust the trigger if necessary and go hunting. You literally could use that one rifle for hunting all the DG and big animals world wide with confidence. I really like it.
Mark
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https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 24 March 2010, 21:36
JudgeGI just used a Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan in .416 Ruger on an elephant hunt. It is light, accurate, shoots a 400 grain bullet at 2330 fps (measured) out of my gun and best of all, after shopping, I got one for just a bit over $800. I found both Hornady solids and softs for $60 which I can live with.
The trigger pull was right at 3 lbs and crisp, the iron sights are quite adequete, and the stainless finish doesn't shine a bit (but if you want it darkened, just spend $100 and get it coated with one of the bake-on products.)
The action did need a little bit of work to get it perfect. I had some polishing done to make it smoother. Rounds from the right side would leave a trace of color on the feed ramp, but a few seconds with a Dremel fixed that. Now it's slicker than whale poop on linoleum.
I use Warne QD rings on the intergral Ruger mounts and get reliable return to zero on the scope I sometimes put on it.
It sure ain't pretty, but it works and it's so light that you hardly know you're carrying it.
JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous.
24 March 2010, 22:09
butchlocbut but but it's only got 1 barrel,
you'll have to buy 2 and tape them together
24 March 2010, 22:11
BrettAKSCII have an African in .375, but it does need some work to make it African ready/up to my standards. I replaced the recoil pad as the red one is s#$t. The trigger is fair, so I had a trigger job done. Due to the delicate/slim contour of the stock it is more prone to damage do to recoil, so I had it glass bedded. Well worth the extras in my opinnion. I chose this gun due to it's moderate weigh excellent fit for me, and very fast and outstanding open sights. As for the Alaskan model I decided to not get one due to the short barrel and the stainless in Africa. That said they have since come out with a matted stainless that I would not think twice about taking to Africa. The barrel is still a little short in my oppinion, but I know people who have got 2600+fps with 300 grain handloads out of the short barrel with excellent accuracy. What more can you want? The Alaskan model seems pretty ready to go in my oppinion. However it fits me perfectly, so if it doesn't fit you well you may want the African, so modifications can be made to the line of pull.
Brett
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24 March 2010, 22:34
ChetNC.375 African, bedded, added another cross bolt and recoil pad.
Accurate, light, and fits me well. No issues or complaints. 270gr Hornady softs kill plains game with ease. Had complete broadside pass through on both wildebeast and kudu.
Recommend it? You bet.
Use the search function as well. There has been lots of chatter on AR since it came out.
24 March 2010, 22:37
BlankI have nothing but praise for my 416 Alaskan, and love it. The temps in Zim last August were getting up into the 90's and we sweated a lot. The rubber Hoque stock was great for slick palms. Mine is very accurate, feeds good, and with a Leupold 1.75x6X scope is all I will ever need for big stuff out to several hundred yards. Now I'm ready to go out to the range in the next few weeks and try these 350 gr. Barnes TSX loads.
24 March 2010, 23:18
JudgeGquote:
Originally posted by Blank:
I have nothing but praise for my 416 Alaskan, and love it. The temps in Zim last August were getting up into the 90's and we sweated a lot. The rubber Hoque stock was great for slick palms. Mine is very accurate, feeds good, and with a Leupold 1.75x6X scope is all I will ever need for big stuff out to several hundred yards. Now I'm ready to go out to the range in the next few weeks and try these 350 gr. Barnes TSX loads.
Let me know what loads/velocities you get, please. I just got a couple of boxes of brass and 350 grain TXS' myself.
JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous.
24 March 2010, 23:48
Arild IversenMy 375 Ruger has not been to Africa yet, but will go with me to Namibia next year.
I have had it bedded, a second crossbolt added, fitted a Decellerator pad, and gave the stock a oil finish.
And yes, just for the good looks, an ebony tip and ebony blind plugs as well as barrel mountet sling swivel
A dandy to shoot, accurate, light, and good open sights.
This one will be a keeper
Arild Iversen.
I have a 375 H&H Mag in the Ruger Hawkeye. I took it over last year and killed a big bull elephant with it. See:
2010 Big Buffalo & ElephantNo problems at all and the 375 did the trick on the biggest land animal. I like the wood stock and the added weight. I had the trigger lightened and added a decelerator pad. I didn't glass bed, but seems to be a good iead. It shoots well. I stayed away from the 375 ruger load as I felt the H&H Mag has proven itself over time.
I used to shoot a Remington 700, synthetic stock and stainless barrel. It kicked like hell because it's so light and was hard to shoot accurately. I felt like the stainless barrel stood out like a sore thumb in the bush. However, my ph's on prior hunts didn't think it was a big deal.
Hope this helps.
25 March 2010, 00:22
L. David KeithWhile in Dallas this year, I spent some time with my long time friend from Ruger. Randall and I went over each Hawkeye and the African Classic. While the Hawkeye's are great values and very fast handling and capable, I'm sold on the classic model. It's not a beauty contest with me, heck I'm a synthetic guy all the way but the feel and recoil aborbing weight of the classic is more in line for me personally. The .416 Rigby is king of my hill.
LDK
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25 March 2010, 00:31
ChetNCquote:
Originally posted by BA:
I have a 375 H&H Mag in the Ruger Hawkeye. I took it over last year and killed a big bull elephant with it. See:
2010 Big Buffalo & Elephant I stayed away from the 375 ruger load as I felt the H&H Mag has proven itself over time.
You sure it is a Hawkeye and not an RSM? AKAIK, only the RSM can be had in H&H and the Hawkeye in 375 or 416 Ruger.
ChetNC:
Good catch, you are correct.
25 March 2010, 01:41
Chris LozanoI have the Hawkeye in 375 ruger and the RSM in 416rigby. Love them both. Can't go wrong with the Hawkeye. You will here plenty of bad press over the chance of losing your ammo,but that is the only problem.The gun shoots great and is a dream to carry. The RSM is much heavier and more $$, but the extra weight really tames the recoil. Have not shot the Hawkeye in 416 so can't comment.
25 March 2010, 01:46
bcolyerWell, my old war horse is the Ruger .416 Rigby Magnum BEFORE it became known as the Alaskan. I have had it many a year, and it has served well. It is not stainless. What is the difference between this rifle and the Alaskan?
25 March 2010, 01:55
ChetNCquote:
Originally posted by bcolyer:
Well, my old war horse is the Ruger .416 Rigby Magnum BEFORE it became known as the Alaskan. I have had it many a year, and it has served well. It is not stainless. What is the difference between this rifle and the Alaskan?
The Ruger Magnum and the Alaskan are different rifles entirely. Both great guns but different actions, barrels, triggers, everything.
25 March 2010, 02:07
JudgeGBTW, the new .416 Ruger Alaskans have a barrel band swivel and not the stock mounted front swivel as shown.
JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous.
25 March 2010, 04:06
Bill Cquote:
Originally posted by Arild Iversen:I have had it bedded, a second crossbolt added, fitted a Decellerator pad, and gave the stock a oil finish. And yes, just for the good looks, an ebony tip and ebony blind plugs as well as barrel mountet sling swivel.
What a great looking rifle, ideal working gun with more than enough class for me. Some enterprising gunsmith out there needs to apply the "AHR template" to these rifles.
Reg the ammo, this has been my hang-up and why a .375 H&H Whitworth will be going with me the next trip. Ivan Carter posted that they are using the .416 Ruger as a camp gun this season...I posted [twice] asking how they are getting the ammo and if anybody is stocking it in Zim, but he didn't reply.
25 March 2010, 04:06
Greg BrownleeThanks guys, didn't even think of the losing the ammo thing. I guess I will have to shoot the RSM as well. .416 Rigby is one of the favorite calibers I have shot, but I don't have a whole lot of experience with the .416 Ruger.
Greg
