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> Ruger Hawkeye African
Ruger Hawkeye African
@ 08:16 pm (GMT) |
dennis phillipslooking for a 9.3 x 62 for Sambar up close, there is a Ruger Hawkeye African (no longer made in this calibre) that keeps looking at me on line. Does anyone know anything about this model. Accuracy potential etc. looks very nice obviously very little use. |
Replies
@ 01:05 am (GMT) |
Ed SybertRe: Ruger Hawkeye AfricanYou said that you were looking for a rifle for hunting "up close". Absolute accuracy therefore should not be a major concern. Reliable feeding, firing and ejection should be. You'll be hunting a big target with a big killing area. Here at home (Pennsylvania/Maryland, USA) we joke about a rifle shooting "minute of deer" vs. minute of angle. This means it reliably groups under about 3" at 100 yards. Sure we strive for better accuracy. But in our woods hunting situations, they work just fine with a well placed shot. JMHO, Ed |
@ 08:55 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Ruger Hawkeye AfricanHi Dennis, these can be a good little rifle once tricked up. Just check the barrel length, needs to be long enough to get some decent speed. 'Big' is good for Sambar but 'big and fast' can be very useful.I know what you mean Ed however it does pay to be a bit careful in open conversation such as this. For example, we may own an Enfield, Rossi, Mosin etc that prints 3 inches at a 100 yard range. But with field error (especially open sights), a hunter of low experience may not produce groups of less than 6" at 100 yards, basically double the size of range groups. The terms 'in close' or 'minute of deer' are both subjective and may have different meanings to different people. Therefore, it is good to see folk like Dennis ask about accuracy. |
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@ 12:43 pm (GMT) |
Ed SybertRe: Ruger Hawkeye AfricanDennis, Nathan:I had no intention of disrespecting anyone's rifle or shooting capability. I did fail to consider that 100 yards or even longer may be "up close" to people who routinely take shots at game at many multiples of that. I did include reference to my local area - heavily wooded Pennsylvania and Maryland. I thought that this would clarify that "up close" for me would be closer to half a hundred yards than more. My apologies to all. Best Regards, Ed |
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@ 12:41 am (GMT) |
dennis phillipsRe: Ruger Hawkeye AfricanHi Guys don't worry no offence taken, all part of the fun. I hear the minute of Deer thing all the time at the range. Usually after my $400 vanguard out shoots some crossed arm shooter with an expensive European rifle. 0 to a 100 was the definition of up close in my head and I see the error after reeding through my post. Pretty stupid for a Kiwi but I've been in Sydney for a while and usually shoot Fallow out too 200 or just over. I obviously need re - purification in the homeland. A few things are puzzling me about this rifle. Listed as a 23 inch barrel. What's with 23 inches?. Is it long enough to get the full potential out of this calibre?. I was also wondering why it hadn't sold. Pretty looking, brand new condition, nice straight stock, nice wood, good weight, and interesting calibre. I was thinking there may be some anomaly with this model I'm not aware of. Or is it just because this is Sydney and all the Sambar are in Victoria, and Victoria is already awash with all the good stuff .35 and up. |
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@ 07:01 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Ruger Hawkeye AfricanHi Dennis, if it is the 23" model, it will allow for some power development with medium to fast burn rates. Yes, an odd barrel length but when braked (i.e, .375 Ruger Magnum model), the final length is 26" making it the same length as other magnums. There is a shorter variation of this rifle called the Alaskan. This is why I wanted you to double check the length / model.The Ruger M77 rifles are not often accurate out of the the box and do need a good deal of work (see accurizing book) but it can be highly rewarding to do this and the results can be very pleasing. Rifles such as this come up new-second hand after being purchased, shot without any work (including no break in procedure or trigger work) and without any attention to technique as you have already mentioned. The owner complains about both poor accuracy and high recoil and before you know it, it is put up on auction. This rifle may have suffered the same fate, especially if the rifle is in original condition (no trigger work or bedding). Note that in Australia, you will have access to Geco ammunition. Check out their 250gr plastic tipped conventional bullet if you go ahead with this. I have not yet tested this load but suspect that it may be very useful. I am also keen to find out more about Hawk bullets. But for your purposes, a Woodleigh will also work just fine. |
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@ 06:38 pm (GMT) |
dennis phillipsRe: Ruger Hawkeye AfricanThanks heaps Nathan. If its still there next week when the shop opens I'll buy it. Sometimes the website info might be a bit behind. I brought an original JM stamped Marlin 4570 just the way you described. The shop owner who I know said he had sold the rifle believe it or not, 5 times in total and none of the other buyers brought more than one box of ammo. It shoots one whole 5 shot groups at a 100m with Hornady Flexi tip and I shot my first Fallow with it. My Son will be giving it to his Son one day. I've seen the Gecko Ammo so I will start with that and let you know. |
@ 11:25 pm (GMT) |
Martin TaylorRe: Ruger Hawkeye AfricanSambar are almost in Qld Dennis so shouldn't be long and you can hunt them locally. Seen a few good photos of some taken around Newcastle area.We only hunt out to 100 odd with our 9.3 using a soft charge of 2209 & 250RN Woodleighs and its knocked them over extremely well with all sorts of purposeful placements out to 70 odd so far. Been able to do a direct comparison with another Tikka T3 338wm l load for the past year, also running Woodleighs in PP's and inside 100 the 9.3 has it covered on Sambar with regard to shock. If l had my 06 still would have loved to try a heavy RN Woodleigh on Sambar, haven't faulted them yet in this role. |
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@ 07:21 am (GMT) |
Nathan FosterRe: Ruger Hawkeye AfricanThanks Dennis, it would be great to get some feedback / photos of the Geco ammunition wounding if you go ahead with this. |
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