Don't know if I posted here on AR about my new rifle yet , as I am off work and been posting on a zillion web sights latly.
But I sold my Model 70 classic in .338 win mag and used the cash to buy a Stainless synthetic Ruger Hawkeye in the same chambering.
The winchester was allways a decent rifle, but I could never get it group really well.
It was about 1.5 inches no matter what.
It was awfully pretry though, I have seen lesser wood on super grades.
Anyway, when I brought the ruger home, I installed a lighter trigger return spring I had on hand , and It took a good out of the box trigger pull, and made it an excelent trigger.
I borrowed a 2X7 VX2 from my 35 Whelen and loaded up some 225 grain Nosler acubonds over 70.5 grains of V-N160.
I had a chance to go shoot the rife informaly and get her on paper and was really happy with how the pad on the black stock tamed the felt recoil.
A couple days later , I got it the range, and I had my novice shooter son in law with me.
And he was not troubled by the recoil either. The load is 1.5 grains under max and should be pushing the bullet at around 2800 FPS acording to the nosler manual.
My 1st 2 groups were about like the winchester I sold, But then I decided I was to busy yaking and and not really concentrating.
I had 7 rounds left, so. I buckeld down and my next 3 shots went into .85. The next 3 were looking extreemly good through the leupold scope , and I hesitated abit before risking a good 3 shot group by shooting a 4th shot.
But I decided to do it anyway, and i am glad I did.
That 4 shot group center to center measured .54. I have a batch of load ready for the next session using the acubond 225 with RL-19 , and some 200 grain speers over IMR-4350.
I am also going to some loads I did up for the winchester i sold Using a 225 grain hornady over 72 grains of RL-19.
I,ll post my results.
Needless to say I am extreemy happy with my new rifle, and recomend any body looking for a good all weather rifle take a good look at that Ruger.
I have herd good things about the wooden ones and I bet they are really good but the stock fit is so good with synthetic , I hessitate to assume the wooden one will be as good.
...tj3006

Excellent.

Ruger is still an underestimated manufacturer with good value for money and looking closely at what their customers need. Also their customer service has aleways been benchmark.

As I wrote here already several times, it's a firm I really like.

+1 on Ruger being an excellent company and products that work and work well. I anticipate the purchase of some LH Hawkeye's when the new short actions begin shipping.

Great news on your new rig! I do like the Hawkeyes and did a post recently about them compared to Kimbers as they are simlarly featured with CRF and all, and I see people compare them a lot. I was able to take apart 3 of each rifles, and the Hawkeye is my preference!

One negative is that the trigger isn't adjustable for us non-smith folks, but I wonder, is there an aftermarket trigger that fits straightforwardly onto the Ruger?

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:
Great news on your new rig! I do like the Hawkeyes and did a post recently about them compared to Kimbers as they are simlarly featured with CRF and all, and I see people compare them a lot. I was able to take apart 3 of each rifles, and the Hawkeye is my preference!

One negative is that the trigger isn't adjustable for us non-smith folks, but I wonder, is there an aftermarket trigger that fits straightforwardly onto the Ruger?

I'm not sure if the trigger housing and such is the same but Timney makes some wonderful triggers.

Ken....

I handled a few on the recent IWA fair and their triggers were much better than the old Mk.II's.

I found the Mk.II's lacking as an off-the-shelf rifle, I used to joke that it's a great action with so-so barrel/trigger/stock but with a few tweaks would be a great gun. Seems like the new Hawkeye overall gets closer to the mark with better stock contours, a nicer trigger, and seemingly more consistent accuracy, and that's some damned good accuracy IMO.

How is your back, Thomas?

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:
Great news on your new rig! I do like the Hawkeyes and did a post recently about them compared to Kimbers as they are simlarly featured with CRF and all, and I see people compare them a lot. I was able to take apart 3 of each rifles, and the Hawkeye is my preference!

One negative is that the trigger isn't adjustable for us non-smith folks, but I wonder, is there an aftermarket trigger that fits straightforwardly onto the Ruger?

Take a look at the Timney, it take a little careful filing, but works well. I have all My medium bores set at 2 1/2 lbs.

Thanks for intel on the trigger guys, I'll be looking into it.

Thank you for the report.

I have been wondering if a SS/syn Hawkeye in 338WM would be a little light for the recoil. You have answered that question very nicely.

I now think I'll get one. I really like the SS/syn Hawkeye, and I own them in 280, 30.06, and 35 Whelen.

Isn't it interesting that the best recoil pad is on the SS/syn? I wish Ruger would put that same pad on the Africans especially, but also the regular wood Hawkeyes.

Surprised to see this old thread come back !
I learned a few things about the hawkeye ,and mk 2s . Make sure the angle stock screw is very tight...
...tj3006

The new Ruger Hawkeye African models and the HAWKEYE Internationals are about as nice in every respect as a big game rifle can be. They are the equal of the old pre 64 Win IMO and that's from a confirmed mod 70 pre 64 fan.