New - Ruger Hawkeye vs Model 70
- Thread starter blakeyboy
- Start date
I haven't owned a Winchester model 70 for many years so I can't comment on current production rifles but I did just buy a new Ruger M77 recently and I'm disappointed with the fit and finish compared to my older M77 mk2 rifles. I'm sure the new M77 will function fine but I can't see myself buying another after this one, only used older M77 mk2 rifles for me going forward.
Don’t buy ONE…. 
Buy TWO of them!!
I’ve got both the Fwt Compact .243 for my coyote hunting (75 gr. VMax boooolits) adventures and (can / will / may) double as a deer rifle with 95 grain SST’s. And I have a .308 Gunsite Scout rifle stainless / synthetic 16” barrel. This scout rifle is my old man, pushing bush deer rifle.
Both are rocking their factory trigger settings, I’m deliberately leaving them at their factory 3 pound versions! Both shoot really well and I’m super pleased with both rifles.
I’m lucky as heck!!
Cheers,
Barney
Buy TWO of them!!
I’ve got both the Fwt Compact .243 for my coyote hunting (75 gr. VMax boooolits) adventures and (can / will / may) double as a deer rifle with 95 grain SST’s. And I have a .308 Gunsite Scout rifle stainless / synthetic 16” barrel. This scout rifle is my old man, pushing bush deer rifle.
Both are rocking their factory trigger settings, I’m deliberately leaving them at their factory 3 pound versions! Both shoot really well and I’m super pleased with both rifles.
I’m lucky as heck!!
Cheers,
Barney
Which model/stock did you buy?
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
Couple more pics.
338 Win Mag. 225GR Interbond reloads. No bedding.
338 Federal Factory. No bedding.
Impressive! 3 of them!
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
I bought my nieces a Synthetic SS Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 243 Win and with factory ammo Rem Core-lokt 100gr it shot 3/4-1" groups. Also did a great job on their first deer and bear! 7' chocolate phase bear, 150 yards, double lunged and exit, bear dropped on the spot. Pretty impressed with the rifle, cartridge, and shooter!
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
Shot placement with a decent bullet is key as many already know. I had my 8mm as a backup in case of a follow up shot. Bear is being done up in a wall half body mount. This experience hooked her. She's already looking forward to and planning on coming out for the fall youth hunt.
I bought my nieces a Synthetic SS Ruger M77 Hawkeye in 243 Win and with factory ammo Rem Core-lokt 100gr it shot 3/4-1" groups. Also did a great job on their first deer and bear! 7' chocolate phase bear, 150 yards, double lunged and exit, bear dropped on the spot. Pretty impressed with the rifle, cartridge, and shooter!
Awesome bear! Thanks for sharing. Way to go with teaching the next generation.
Awesome bear! That whole story is what it’s all about. No flies on 243 with right bullet. Know an old timer who ran one for ages with 100 gr partitions. Wall of alberta bighorn rams alone was a thing of envy, I think 8 of them. 0-300 point and shoot and easy to drive well.
I know there some 70 love out there. It’s looking pretty one sided on the ruger here.
I know there some 70 love out there. It’s looking pretty one sided on the ruger here.
Last edited:
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
I do love the Winchesters as well and I do agree with most that they are more refined and once you get it shooting well, it would serve you very well. I had an Alaskan 30-06 that was great and still have a couple in the safe. They are very pretty and because of that they get less usage compared to the ruger's. Which is more of utility work horse in my eyes, not worried about scratching or dropping.
Same thoughts pretty much exactly.
The Hawkeye stocked rifles feel better/handle better for me than Winchesters in general, but they're both always welcome here....with the Ruger being subject to rougher use lol.
Not nessary to have a rugged, reliable gun. But classic, great design all the same.
Bittereinder
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ontario (GTA)
One difference I should point out is the safety. They are both operated basically the same, but one thing I like better about the Hawkeye is that it seems easier to operate the safety quietly with just my thumb. With the Model 70, I can still operate the safety with my thumb, but given the shape of the safety lever/button, I find it harder to operate quietly that way. On my Model 70, I need to pinch the safety between my thumb and fingers to quietly move it forward. Using just my thumb, it tends to make a bit of noise as I flick it forwards. With the Hawkeye, I find it easy to "ride" the top of the safety with my thumb as I slide it forwards or backwards. This could make a difference in situations where you need to be absolutely quiet in the last few seconds before the shot.
(I can only base this on one owned Model 70 and couple others I've handled. With the Hawkeyes, I've owned and handled several more and the safety was consistently easier to operate with just my thumb on all of them.)
(I can only base this on one owned Model 70 and couple others I've handled. With the Hawkeyes, I've owned and handled several more and the safety was consistently easier to operate with just my thumb on all of them.)
