Ruger M77 HAWKEYE COMPACT .308 FEEDBACK

S

Steve Janes

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Location
Calgary/Ontario
I am interested in one of these M77 Hawkeye Compact rifles,

FEATURES

Shortened version of the M77 Hawkeye Standard rifle
16.50” barrel & short length of pull
LC6 Trigger

If I got one I would want to use it for hunting, so what the story with that? Is it non restricted or Restricted?

I should note I am looking at using it for Deer, Moose, Elk, and maybe Black Bear, so I am thinking .308

thank you

steve
 
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Non restricted. You can get them from the major dealers.

The one thing to be aware is that the short barrel means that some ammo does not work as well. I had one in 243 for my son and I can tell you that rifle made flame thrower like blast with Hornady ammo. I guess they were intended for 26 inch rifles.
 
I've had one for a few years in 358 Win. and I really like it.
My pet load is a 225 Sierra or Hornady over 4320 powder and it shoots a lot better than I expected, a perfect truck or quad rifle and packs nice in the bush.
 
I have one in 308, stainless with laminate. I like it, very nice to pack around the bush. It BARKS like a SOB! Recoil is a bit more stout since it's a fairly light rifle, but easily manageable. As for accuracy, I only run handloads through it and can get just under sub MOA off of just a hard plastic front rest. I'd love to try it with some nice sandbags, as I think it MAY be capable of .75 with a bit more fooling with the loads.

One thing I am a bit disapointed in is the "stainless" finish. I assumed it was a brushed stainless (bought it sight unseen), but it seems to be some sort of grey coating on the barrel that gets dinged or smudged when you lean it up or scrape it against a tree. I personally don't care, as it is stainless underneath (I would hope...) but cosmetically the finish does get marred.
 
I have a compact in 308 and a frontier in 358 both are very accurate [under 1"]
The 358 shoots well under 1" with 250 Hornady SP. and IMR 4198. The 308 likes 180 or 165 Hornady's with IMR 4064.
 
I picked one up in .260 for my son who will turn 12 and be able to hunt with it next season. I found if I stick to the faster burning powders like H4350 the flame thrower effect is minimized. I also stayed well below max because with the short barrel there was no way I would reach the velocity and would just be burning more powder in the air. 120gr bullets are easily pushed to 2700fps and 120gr Speer and 120 TTSX group right at an inch. I used it this season and it is a fast handling little rifle. The 120gr TTSX was used on a 200lb whitetail and it punched through both shoulders at 308 yards destroying the heart and top of the lungs.
 
Bought a compact .243 for my wife. I can get it to shoot about MOA with 100gr. bullets and RL-22 Powder. Nothing too unusual...bit more muzzle jump then what I am used to but it works fine and the size of the rifle makes it very handy.
 
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