358Win Ruger M77 Hawkeye - WOW!!!

[bullet]

Consistency is the key and if it is obtained to any acceptable degree with an out of the box hunting rifle you just smile real big.

I have settled on a load which is compressed (powder comes almost to the bottom of the neck in the Winchester 358Win case). AA2495 using 46.5grs, Winchester brass, Fed 215primers, in front of a 225gr Sierra Game King SBT, moving on average at 2420fps and is one consistent round, time after time at the range on different days and temps.

I can't tell you how I am looking forward to using this next fall during hunting season. I have also practiced a few times standing and hitting plastic quart jars filled with water and have not missed the six shots I took with my hunting load at 100yds. Love this rifle, cartridge and load. It just naturally fits me is the best way to describe it.

I have a saying I made up, because it has nothing to due with luck when you buy and out of the box rifle and it shoots good. "No matter how well made and expensive the rifle or how good you are with the technical variables at the reloading bench, they can not make up for you not being a good shot. On the other hand a good shot can make up for the lack of an expensive rifle using an out of the box hunting rifle, even while ignoring or overlooking some variables at the reloading bench."

I have fired now 15 groups with this load and here are some pictures of the rifle again, also, largest group with this load, some of the average groups with this load and then the smallest group.

 

[Big Squeeze]

I knew that you would really like your new Hawkeye. Rugers are dependable, very durable, rugged and good looking.

Compared to the older ones, the more recent ones have better accuracy, a better trigger and are a very good dollar value.

BTW!......My friend just got his new `09 16.5" barreled 300 RCM stainless compact. We are going to have a little chrony speed contest between his compact and mine later this year. We`ll use the same bullets, but we`ll keep our components a big secret from each other. The loads cannot show pressure signs.

The 300 WSM does hold a bit more powder than the 300 RCM.

That`ll be an interesting contest.

 

[JDMAG]

That is quite a good and accurate saying bullet. Nice job! And great shooting/load work.

 

[bullet]

I knew that you would really like your new Hawkeye. Rugers are dependable, very durable, rugged and good looking.

Compared to the older ones, the more recent ones have better accuracy, a better trigger and are a very good dollar value.

BTW!......My friend just got his new `09 16.5" barreled 300 RCM stainless compact. We are going to have a little chrony speed contest between his compact and mine later this year. We`ll use the same bullets, but we`ll keep our components a big secret from each other. The loads cannot show pressure signs.

The 300 WSM does hold a bit more powder than the 300 RCM.

That`ll be an interesting contest.

Yes that will be interesting for sure, I will be looking forward to your report on that. I agree about he Rugers, I owned a bunch of Mark II's but the M77 Hawkeye is really a step up and a good one for Ruger and yes a very good dollar value.

 

[bullet]

That is quite a good and accurate saying bullet. Nice job! And great shooting/load work.

Thanks JDMAG, the load work has been a blast.

 

[FOTIS]

You got a good one! Awesome results.

 

[HunterJim]

My .300 RCM M77 Hawkeye has a 20" barrel, I didn't know they had gone shorter. I expect to use my rifle in the fall of 2009 for deer and whatever.

jim

 

[JD338]

bullet,

Nicely done.

JD338

 

[Big Squeeze]

My .300 RCM M77 Hawkeye has a 20" barrel, I didn't know they had gone shorter. I expect to use my rifle in the fall of 2009 for deer and whatever.

jim

.........Yep! The new 35.5" OAL `09 300 RCM in the Ruger 16.5" barreled compact in the matte stainless/laminate stock. Because he liked my 300 WSM Frontier so much, my friend ordered and got his new 16.5" 300 RCM compact.

Speaks very powerfully, but with a shorter stick. I`d say with 24" `06 performance.

 

[bullet]

bullet,

Nicely done.

JD338

Well, thank you Jim, appreciate that coming from you.

 

[tjen]

Just wondering if you tried the fed 210 or 210m first with the AA-2495?
I have a case of 210M and 205 primers so I should be set for a while. The 225gr Partition is what I what to get under 1.25" and over 2400fps.

 

[bullet]

Just wondering if you tried the fed 210 or 210m first with the AA-2495?
I have a case of 210M and 205 primers so I should be set for a while. The 225gr Partition is what I what to get under 1.25" and over 2400fps.

I did try the 210 primers and it was not quite as accurate and since I am an accurate nut I settled for the 215 primers but I got hunting accuracy out of the 210.

 

[tjRoberts]

You have done well !
I like your rifle and your scope. Is that a 1X4 VX2 or a 1.5X5 VX3.
I am still waiting for brass and dies for my savage 99 .358 win.
I wish Ruger would build a rifle just like yours, with the sights from the RCM series.
I would load a reound nose load with the irons, and A load similer to yours with the scope.
It looks like you are great out to 200 yards ...tj3006

 

[bullet]

You have done well !
I like your rifle and your scope. Is that a 1X4 VX2 or a 1.5X5 VX3.
I am still waiting for brass and dies for my savage 99 .358 win.
I wish Ruger would build a rifle just like yours, with the sights from the RCM series.
I would load a reound nose load with the irons, and A load similer to yours with the scope.
It looks like you are great out to 200 yards ...tj3006

Thank you, the rifle made it easy.

In reference to open sights, I practice aiming rigth down the side of my barrel and shoot quart plastic jars at 25yds and have no problem hitting them.

I actually can hit a gallon jug at 50yds using this technique. I do this just in case I damage my scope and I am in need of my rifle to do it's job before I have time or allowed to put my back up scope on my rifle, which I always carry on extended hunts.

With the 1.5-5x20mm I can see complete detail at 3 to 4 feet in front of me so I do not need open sights and my technique of aiming right down the side of my barrel has proven I can handle a close and immediate situation if it arises if my scope is not in operating condition.

 

[YoteSmoker]

bullet, it would seem to me much more effective to bring a back up sighted in rifle with you. At least, that's what I do.

 

[bullet]

bullet, it would seem to me much more effective to bring a back up sighted in rifle with you. At least, that's what I do.

I also do that, I always carry a back up rifle but sometimes I want to bloody my main rifle so I also bring a back up scope. Yet, I think my point was missed. You could be in the field and no way to get at the moment your back up rifle or scope. If you are in a situation where you need to defend yourself and your scope is damaged, I came up with a method that I have tested for such an occasion without having to have open sights on my rifle and that is all I was saying.

 

[YoteSmoker]

Got ya. I don't think I'd be skilled enough for that but if necessary, I'd give it my best try!