1. Can anyobe give me the low down on Hawk cartridges, particulary the 300 Hawk??

2, Does anyone have knowldge of Z-Hat gGubsnithing ourt of Cody, Wy. Their reliability and quality of work. They build rifles for the Hawk Cartridge.

This cartridge is based upon the 30-06 and is supposed to equal mangnum balistics

Fred hasn't done any work for me but, I have seen his work and it appears first class. If you want to stay with the 06 base you might check out AHR at http://www.hunting-rifles.com/. You could also consider the 30 Gibbs. But since you have a #1 it is just as easy to go with the magnums as well. Your choice.

[This message has been edited by ramrod340 (edited 03-18-2002).]

Fred does good work on time and takes the time to talk to you about your project. His prices are fair. I don't know that I would use the 300 Hawk in a number 1 as Ramrod said. Where the Hawks seem to excel is in the 375 and 411. In the 300 there are a lot of good candidates with more flexibility on the upside than either the Hawk or Gibbs. If you're looking for something fun look at the .411 Hawk or go one better and do it on the Ultra case. .410 pistol bullets @3000 fps, 300 grain Northforks @2700 and then there's the 400 grain.

Fred built my dies for the 411 Ultra and I've had so much fun shooting it that I haven't finished the metal or stock work.

I had Fred build a 6.5 Hawk on a mauser last year. The quality/price came in as expected and I'm happy to recommend Fred. The .264 Hawk gets awfully close to the .264 Win.

Steven

Fred built a 338 Hawk barreled action for me on a Mauser VZ24. I did my own stock work. I am pleased with his work. He trued the action and lapped the lugs along with installing and chambering a Douglas barrel- then blued the whole thing. And he built the dies. I really like his bullet seating die - I have inserts for all the cal. I load now.

I am very happy with the results. I have another rifle with him now being worked on.

As far as the 338 Hawk. It's all I expecrted it to be and more. I can duplicate the data that Fred has on his web site with my 24 inch barrel and still get very good case life. It's not a 338 Win Mag but comes close.

I get 2850 fps with a Nosler 210 partition and 1" groups or better. This is measured over a chrony. This load has taken 1 Mule Deer, 1 Antelope and 1 Whitetail. It's nother story, but I'm sold on the 210 Nosler partition.

If you have your heart set on a wildcat, the Hawks are good ones to play with. Fairly easy to form brass and Fred has a good deal of data published. He even has loaded ammo, but it's a bit pricey.

I am seriously considering a 411 Hawk with apeture sights.

Good luck