Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target VS alternatives?

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

I have been wanting to get into long range for a while by doing a custom build on my Win Model 70 for a while but the cost is above where can justify the expense at the moment. I have since decided do grab a more affordable factory option for the meantime. I just came across the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range target rifle and it looks interesting. It features a Mauser/M70 style action which I am a big fan of. Takes AICS mags, has a nice laminate stock as well.

Has anyone had any experience with the Hawkeye line?

The other two I am looking at are the Tikka T3 CTR and the Howa 1500 Bravo. How would the Ruger Compare to these in terms of performance? The ruger is priced a little above the Tikka or Howa but looks to have a few more features as well such as the stock and muzzle brake.

All would be in 6.5 Creedmoore

Thoughts?

 

[rugbydave]

The only one I've handled out of those 3 is a Howa, so I can't exactly compare. The Ruger actually seems pretty nice but I have zero experience with M77s. I can say that the Howa is a nice action and the Bravo is a great chassis/stock with the ability to customize it to quite a degree. I'd think it would be a nicer stock option than a Ruger in-house laminate stock. If you end up getting the Ruger, I'd be quite curious to hear how you like it, I've handled RPRs and quite dislike them although they might've been rough examples so I'm curious about this M77. It's kind of cool that you can get the HLRT in 6.5 creed, 6.5 PRC and .300 WM as well.

 

[Crashman]

I have no experience with the new Long Range Target offering from Ruger, but I have quite a bit of experience with the M77 line in general and I am quite a fan of them. I have had several Ruger M77s of various configurations and have had very good luck in the accuracy department except for one, a M77 MK II VT 308 win, nothing I did would make that rifle shoot less than a 2" group at 100 yards and it averaged much worse than that in reality. Otherwise I have had no trouble at all getting sub MOA from these rifles and most of them were hunting rifles, the only other configuration I had was an older M77 tang safety also a VT version although I am not sure if that was the actual designation from Ruger, but it was a blued barrelled action and walnut stock, heavy barrel in 243, and it shot great as well.

I am currently very fond of the Tikka rifles, they are smooth, have an excellent factory trigger, generally extremely accurate and can be configured to you tastes/style/needs because the aftermarket availability of parts and accessories has exploded in recent years to rival that of Savage and Remington. The CTR is an excellent starting point for a long range build, with the only accessory needed afterward the initial purchase would be a new stock or chassis. I would recommend a McMillan or a Manners for a traditional style stock, and either a Cadex, MDT, XLR or Rehlm Rover for your aluminum chassis offerings.

I have no experience with the Howa line of rifles, but reports are very favourable for them as well so if you find a rifle you like I would have confidence with it as well.

 

[Kudu]

I have had a chance to handle and learn about all three barreled actions, but have only shot the Howa and Tikka. From a manufacturing standpoint, the Tikka is the best "made" but not necessarily the best design. Like you, I love the M70/Mauser style actions and the M77 does a good job of utilizing a lot of the features, but is still made from a casting and machined to size in selective areas. The Howa is similar to that, but their manufacturing doesn't rely on casting at all. The Tikka is forged and practically every surface is CNC machined for action-to-action consistency.

In the end, I believe they will all shoot about the same out of the box (0.5-1 MOA) with factory loads, with a word of caution towards Tikka's slower barrels. Other than that, the biggest reason to go with a Tikka or Howa over the M77 is aftermarket support like @Crashman said. If you ever want to switch out a trigger, scope base, stock, etc. it is much easier to do on the Howa or Tikka than the M77.

Just my 2 cents

 

[LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1]

Good to Know,

I think I might got with the Howa. I think considering its the same price as the tikka but also comes with a very usable chassis and takes AICS mags it seems like a very good deal.

 

[Bile]

...

 

[supernova]

The Howa 1500 Varmint I had was a very nice rifle. Rather smooth action and consistent sub moa accuracy. With a Timney trigger and B&C A2 stock it was awesome. Coupled with a KRG Bravo it would be hard to beat for the money. Personally I rank them above the R700 in out of the box quality.