New - Ruger Hawkeye vs Model 70
- Thread starter blakeyboy
- Start date
dgradinaru
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- British Columbia
Ruger M77 in 338 Win in action. Never felt under gunned or handicapped by the rifle.
Bittereinder
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ontario (GTA)
I don't think it's a big difference between the two rifles but I'd like to mention scope attachment. Personally, scope attachment probably wouldn't be the deciding factor between the M77 and Model 70, but maybe it would be for some of you who are trying to decide.
Lots of options for the Model 70, including great choices from Talley, Warne and others (Weaver bases, integral direct mount rings, 2 piece or 1 piece...).
For most of the M77s, I like how there is the integral attachment and that rings are included. In my my experience with only a few of them, I've found that it's a good idea to lightly lap the rings. I don't think it's essential to do this, but it's a good idea if you want to avoid ring marks that can border on gouges and shallow dents. I only tried this starting a couple years ago, and found it makes a big difference for preserving the condition of a scope. I could easily see the removal of rough spots from lapping. So, strong chunky rings come with the M77, but there's a good chance they would benefit from being lapped in my experience with just a few rifles.
Aftermarket rings for the M77 direct mounting are another option. I had Alaska Arms quick detach rings for a .375 Ruger I no longer own. They were excellent quality and did not need lapping.
Some M77s now come with a built in rail, which opens up the options. I don't have any of those and can't comment on how good they are.
Lots of options for the Model 70, including great choices from Talley, Warne and others (Weaver bases, integral direct mount rings, 2 piece or 1 piece...).
For most of the M77s, I like how there is the integral attachment and that rings are included. In my my experience with only a few of them, I've found that it's a good idea to lightly lap the rings. I don't think it's essential to do this, but it's a good idea if you want to avoid ring marks that can border on gouges and shallow dents. I only tried this starting a couple years ago, and found it makes a big difference for preserving the condition of a scope. I could easily see the removal of rough spots from lapping. So, strong chunky rings come with the M77, but there's a good chance they would benefit from being lapped in my experience with just a few rifles.
Aftermarket rings for the M77 direct mounting are another option. I had Alaska Arms quick detach rings for a .375 Ruger I no longer own. They were excellent quality and did not need lapping.
Some M77s now come with a built in rail, which opens up the options. I don't have any of those and can't comment on how good they are.
Prefer the M77 scope mounting setup here. Had good luck with it returning to zero, etc. Would absolutely take Bitter's advice on at least givin them a polish inside before mounting an expensive tube though.
The older style Leupold rings used to be really nice. The new ones look like cheap cast schit and the screw they use to attach it to the receiver comes to a really skinny stupid neck.
dgradinaru that's an awesome picture!! The ivory bead with that bear as a backdrop is something. And looking at those Africans makes me wish I had bought
The older style Leupold rings used to be really nice. The new ones look like cheap cast schit and the screw they use to attach it to the receiver comes to a really skinny stupid neck.
dgradinaru that's an awesome picture!! The ivory bead with that bear as a backdrop is something. And looking at those Africans makes me wish I had bought
westcoaster
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central BC
My two bits...
The original tang safety 77's were good rifles excepting some of the barrels, so accuracy wasn't always good. Apart from that a good solid rifle. The Mk II and the Hawkeye seem fine not to familiar with them.
The Model 70'sboth the CRF's and the push feeds are usually pretty good shooters. I love the triggers on the New Haven 70's, easy to adjust, dead simple, robust, and reliable. The new M 70 triggers - meh.
I have not noticed the difference in the function of the safety between the two.
The original tang safety 77's were good rifles excepting some of the barrels, so accuracy wasn't always good. Apart from that a good solid rifle. The Mk II and the Hawkeye seem fine not to familiar with them.
The Model 70'sboth the CRF's and the push feeds are usually pretty good shooters. I love the triggers on the New Haven 70's, easy to adjust, dead simple, robust, and reliable. The new M 70 triggers - meh.
I have not noticed the difference in the function of the safety between the two.
prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
Model 70s just seem smoother. The current ones are spectacular rifles that match its pedigree.
One thing I wish they would change is the rear grip on the extreme weather. It needs to be slimmed down more and the angle made more vertical. The wood models are nice just copy that
One thing I wish they would change is the rear grip on the extreme weather. It needs to be slimmed down more and the angle made more vertical. The wood models are nice just copy that
Iron Sighted
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Peace Region
I love them both. I sold my M70 EW and regret it a bit, I'd buy another without hesitation. Love all my Rugers and will buy more of them as well without a doubt.
prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
Why do you think the featherweight stock is an abomination?
Me too, wish they just rounded it off.
If someone wants to be spendy, they look great replaced with an ebony tip.
The "slope" for lack of a better word, from the thickest part of the stock to the tip is rather steep, as well as the angle at which it narrows.
Those are entirely personal, of course. Anyone else can love the stock and that's great. the LA models suffer less from this than the SA ones in my hands.
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prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
It's slim and trim and fits my smaller hands well. The Schnabel tip does not lend itself to bipod use very well. It does all right for hunting.
Whats far worse than the forend on the featherweight is the rear grip on the extreme weather. Bulky and sloped back ways to far.
I had a sporter for a little while that was a nice stock all the way around.
Model 70 for me. I have two, a Featherweight Compact in 7mm-08 and a Model 70 Ranger push-feed re-barreled to 35 Whelen which sits in a HS Precision hunting stock. The HSP stock was expensive to get here, $1400+ CAD by the time taxes, duty, and shipping were paid.
Leavenworth
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lowermainland B.C.
Aren’t the new Model 70’s Extreme Weathers as rare as hens teeth here in Canada ?
Leavenworth
Leavenworth
Wow, a pair of beauties ....
The Ruger Africans are in my opinion the best version of the hawkeye's. Beautiful wood, gloss deep bluing, when found they usually in classic cartridges like the 6.5x55, 7x57, 9.3x62.
Looking at these pictures makes me have sellers remorse.
