Ruger m77 Hawkeye or Ruger American

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foffe1

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What is the difference between the two? Why is the m77 one pound heavier? How do they compare to a Tikka? I am looking to purchase an all weather 223. Recommendations? Thanks for the help.
 
The American is the budget rifle produced by Ruger to compete with the Savage Axis, Rem 783/770, TC Venture ect.

Like other budget rifles it has a pretty flimsy stock and fit/finish and design are not near the level of a mid grade rifle. They do shoot well and represent a good value if you can get over their rough looks.

The M77 is a mid grade rifle and IMO it is quite possibly the best hunting rifle under $1500. They are not a light platform hence the increased weight, but they are extremely rugged, CRF, accurate and smooth. I highly recommend an M77, I could list why in a longer post but I'm on my phone.

Go to a store and get yours paws on a variety of budget rifles like the American and a few mid grade rifles. The differences will be apparant.
 
IMO there is no comparison between the American and Hawkeye rifles... the American is "functional and serviceable," while the Hawkeye is a well designed, efficient, rugged and accurate... I highly recommend the M77 Hawkeye's... I own a number of them and am very pleased with the platform... due to the heavy and rugged design, they are not lightweights, if you hunt vertically they may not be for you... I personally prefer some heft in my rifles and like the weight, feel and balance of the Hawkeye line, particularly the 22" barreled models.
 
If you want an affordable rifle that will likely shoot very well and don't mind plastic magazine, trigger housing and bolt shroud with a flimsy stock albeit with good aluminum bearing blocks for the action get the American. (Tikka shares some of these traits but is better finished, if its still called finishing with plastic?) If you want an over built rubust all steel action with a very good hinged floor plate design that you can pass down to the next generations peel out another 4 or 500 and get the Hawkeye.
 
If you go for the American buy the package that includes the Redfield scope (I just got a few of these in - nice optics when combined with the bases/rings is worth as much alone as the rifle they are mounted on).

That way when you upgrade to the Hawkeye (if you are a Ruger fan) you have some half decent glass plus the rings that will swap right over, saving half your initial investment :)
 
It wouldn't surprise me if the American kills the M77 deader than a flat rolled cat. Oh well, maybe Lipseys will have another "limited production" rifle to flog.
 
JJ-65 said:
It wouldn't surprise me if the American kills the M77 deader than a flat rolled cat. Oh well, maybe Lipseys will have another "limited production" rifle to flog.
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Can't see that. It's will continue like it always has. Some people want cheap, bare bones functional and some want more quality. Different rifles at different price points.
 
cam1936 said:
Can't see that. It's will continue like it always has. Some people want cheap, bare bones functional and some want more quality. Different rifles at different price points.
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I'm frankly a bit saddened by this race to the bottom that so many rifle manufacturers have engaged in. That said, not all hunters are rifle cranks, and the ones who aren't are more inclined to shop by price than by any other index. On the other hand, for those just breaking into the sport, I suppose cheap rifles are a way for them to get their feet wet. Once within the fold, they will then hopefully want better rifles in the future. What concerns me, is the possibility that the quality of the flagship rifles suffers the interest in cheap rifles increases. We first saw this with the demise of the M-70 in 1964, the redesigned rifle should have properly been given another model number, and the original M-70 should have remained available. Had it been, Winchester might have never lost the military contract to Remington, and the original company would still be with us today.
 
I was looking for a rugged , nice , beautiful reliable rifle , I wanted a hawkeye with a laminate stock but I couldn't find a dealer with one online so I bought the gunsite scout. Nothing bad against the Ruger american.
 
Boomer said:
I'm frankly a bit saddened by this race to the bottom that so many rifle manufacturers have engaged in. That said, not all hunters are rifle cranks, and the ones who aren't are more inclined to shop by price than by any other index. On the other hand, for those just breaking into the sport, I suppose cheap rifles are a way for them to get their feet wet. Once within the fold, they will then hopefully want better rifles in the future. What concerns me, is the possibility that the quality of the flagship rifles suffers the interest in cheap rifles increases. We first saw this with the demise of the M-70 in 1964, the redesigned rifle should have properly been given another model number, and the original M-70 should have remained available. Had it been, Winchester might have never lost the military contract to Remington, and the original company would still be with us today.
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I completely agree , there was a time I used to go for cheap , now I like treating myself to quality
 
hoytcanon said:
IMO there is no comparison between the American and Hawkeye rifles... the American is "functional and serviceable," while the Hawkeye is a well designed, efficient, rugged and accurate... I highly recommend the M77 Hawkeye's... I own a number of them and am very pleased with the platform... due to the heavy and rugged design, they are not lightweights, if you hunt vertically they may not be for you... I personally prefer some heft in my rifles and like the weight, feel and balance of the Hawkeye line, particularly the 22" barreled models.
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Ding ding ding winner.

The American is an economy priced (and constructed) rifle. The M77 is not.
 
Boomer said:
I'm frankly a bit saddened by this race to the bottom that so many rifle manufacturers have engaged in. That said, not all hunters are rifle cranks, and the ones who aren't are more inclined to shop by price than by any other index. On the other hand, for those just breaking into the sport, I suppose cheap rifles are a way for them to get their feet wet. Once within the fold, they will then hopefully want better rifles in the future. What concerns me, is the possibility that the quality of the flagship rifles suffers the interest in cheap rifles increases. We first saw this with the demise of the M-70 in 1964, the redesigned rifle should have properly been given another model number, and the original M-70 should have remained available. Had it been, Winchester might have never lost the military contract to Remington, and the original company would still be with us today.
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I guess we will have to vote with our wallets!
 
A new stock on am american would put you close to the price of a hawkeye already. The 77 has 3 pos safety, bottom metal, ruger rings are worth the extra price.
 
cam1936 said:
Can't see that. It's will continue like it always has. Some people want cheap, bare bones functional and some want more quality. Different rifles at different price points.
Click to expand...

I agree there's been cheap budget rifles for a long time there is a place in the market for them or they wouldn't be there. And I don't think its one group of folks buying cheap and another buying high end. I just bought a Ruger American compact just to check it out, see what I can get out of it I was interested and it was cheap.. And a couple months earlier I ordered a Fierce Edge for the price of 5 Ruger Americans.
 
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