RUGER HAWKEYE
Posted May 19, 2023
Ruger Hawkeye: A Quality Hunting and Target Rifle
The Ruger Hawkeye is a bolt-action rifle that is widely regarded as one of the best all-around hunting and target rifle choices available today. It is designed and manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., founded in 1949 by William B. Ruger, and is one of the oldest and most successful firearm companies in the United States. The Hawkeye was first introduced in 1967 as a .30-06 caliber big-game hunting rifle. It has since been offered in a variety of other calibers such as .270, 7mm Remington Magnum, .243 and 6.5 Creedmoor, making it a great choice for either a field rifle or a target rifle. The Hawkeye is available in three different barrel lengths: 20”, 22” and 24”.
The Ruger Hawkeye features an all-steel receiver and bolt that is designed for superior strength and rigidity. The receiver is machined from a solid block of stainless steel that is CNC machined to exacting tolerances. The bolt is made of stainless steel as well, and it is machined to ensure a strong lockup into the receiver. The trigger assembly is also made of stainless steel and is adjustable for overtravel and pull weight. The trigger pull is crisp and light, making the Hawkeye easy to shoot accurately without a lot of practice.
The Ruger Hawkeye also features a cold-hammer-forged barrel with a recessed crown. The cold-hammer-forging process results in a more consistent bore diameter throughout the length of the barrel, which ultimately results in improved accuracy. The recessed crown helps protect the muzzle from damage, and it also helps the bullet to escape the barrel more smoothly, resulting in tighter groupings when shooting.
The Hawkeye’s stock is made of walnut and has an ergonomic design that provides a more comfortable and stable grip. The stock also features a deep-cut checkered pattern that aids in gaining and keeping a secure grip when shooting. The buttpad is also adjustable and can be extended to make the rifle easier to shoulder. The Hawkeye is also equipped with a steel sling swivel attached to the butt of the gun, making it easy to carry. The overall design of the stock makes the Hawkeye one of the most comfortable hunting rifles on the market today.
With its heavy-duty construction and large bolt, the Ruger Hawkeye can easily handle some of the most powerful hunting cartridges on the market. It is made to handle nearly any kind of ammunition, and can handle magnum recoil up to 9 lb-ft with no problems. This makes it a great choice for those who want to shoot at longer distances or for those who might need to hunt in more extreme conditions.
When it comes to accuracy, the Ruger Hawkeye performs very well. It is a highly accurate rifle that can shoot consistent sub-MOA groups at 100 yards, even with factory ammunition. This makes it a great choice for long-range target shooters and those who need to shoot accurately at longer distances when hunting.
Overall, the Ruger Hawkeye is a high-quality rifle that is designed for shooters of all skill levels and is perfect for both hunting and target shooting. It is a workhorse of a rifle that will stand up to the most extreme conditions and continue to shoot precisely and accurately. The Hawkeye is also an affordable option, with prices starting around $700. This makes it a great choice for any budget-conscious shooter who wants a reliable and accurate bolt-action rifle.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
• Durable: The Ruger Hawkeye is made out of tough and durable materials with steel outer casing and walnut stocks to stand up to years of use.
• Accurate and Reliable: The Hawkeye is known for its accuracy and reliability. The barrel is cold hammer-forged and designed for exceptional accuracy and durability.
• Versatile: The Hawkeye is available in many calibers and configurations so it can be used for a variety of shooting scenarios from small game to large game hunting.
• Easy to Clean: The Hawkeye is easy to strip and clean due to its simple design.
• Safe: The Hawkeye is designed with safety in mind, with a three-position safety and hammer safety that ensure the gun can only be fired when the safety is in the correct position.
Cons:
• Expensive: While the Ruger Hawkeye is a reliable and accurate rifle, it can be more expensive than some of the other makes and models in the same caliber.
• Limited Availability: The Hawkeye is not widely available in many different firearm stores, so it can be difficult to find one at your local gun shop.
• Lack of Attachment Points: The Hawkeye does not have a Picatinny rail for attaching scopes and other accessories, so alternative mounting solutions are necessary.
Who Should Buy
The Ruger Hawkeye is a hunting rifle designed for medium to large game hunting. It’s an accurate and powerful firearm, so any hunter who is looking for a dependable and versatile hunting rifle should consider buying the Ruger Hawkeye.
Those who are looking for a small game hunting rifle or a home defense weapon should look elsewhere. The Ruger Hawkeye is too powerful for these tasks and could be dangerous if used inappropriately.
Comparisons
| Ruger Hawkeye | Product A | Product B | Product C | Product D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .375 Ruger | .294 Win | .338 Win | .408 Chey | .308 Win |
| Action | Lever | Bolt | Bolt | Bolt | Semi-Auto |
| Capacity | 4 Rounds | 4 Rounds | 5 Rounds | 6 Rounds | 5 Rounds |
| Overall | 42.25" | 46" | 43.5" | 45" | 39.5" |
| Barrel | 22" | 28" | 24" | 26" | 20" |
| Weight | 7 lbs | 7.5 lbs | 8.3 lbs | 8.5 lbs | 7.2 lbs |
Features / Specs
-Caliber: .223 Remington, .204 Ruger, .22-250 Remington, .300 Winchester Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30-06 Springfield, .450 Bushmaster
cal
-Barrel length: 20"
-Weight: 6.75 lb (with scope)
-Length: 39"
-Features: LC6™ Trigger, Satin Blued Finish, Hammer-Forged Steel Barrel, Three-lug 70° Bolt, Free-floating Hand-laminated, Carbon Fiber-Stocked Target Barrel
Popular Accessories
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- Scope – A quality scope can improve accuracy and make the Ruger Hawkeye much more enjoyable to shoot.
- Muzzle Brake – A muzzle brake can reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise, making shooting more pleasurable.
- Bipod – A bipod can provide stability and accuracy when shooting from a bench or other supported position.
- Gun Sling – A gun sling can make toting and carrying the Hawkeye easier and more comfortable.
- Magazine Extensions – Magazine extensions can allow a shooter to carry more rounds than the typical 10 round mag.
- Suppressor – A suppressor can reduce sound levels to hearing safe levels and can be particularly helpful for hunters.
- Cheek Piece – A cheek piece can help provide a consistent and comfortable stock weld to improve accuracy.
- Cleaning Kit – Keeping your Ruger Hawkeye clean will help ensure long-term performance and accuracy.
- Trigger Guard – A Trigger guard helps to protect the rifle in storage or transport.
- Precision Die Set – Reloading ammunition precision dies can help increase accuracy and save money.
Accuracy
The Ruger Hawkeye is renowned for its accuracy and reliability. The gun features a match chamber and target crown making it one of the most accurate precision rifles on the market. Its cold hammer-forged barrel is constructed from stainless steel and is produced in a way that enhances the tightness of the bore. This ensures that shots are consistent and accurate with minimal variation between each shot. Thanks to the solid design, even when the user changes barrels, the accuracy level remains consistent. This makes it ideal for hunters and precision shooters who require consistent accuracy.
