SS,
Yes this new hawkeye is a nice improvement over the old m77. It is accurate and feels good to hold. It is the nicest rifle I have. It is true that my past ruger experience was not good. I did have a trigger job done on that rifle in an attempt to get it to shoot better. Then I had it glass bedded. Nothing worked. That is a thing of the past now. My new ruger rifle has no problems. I have always liked the way ruger actions worked and the way they set up there rings for scope mouting. It makes them attractive in my humble opinion. I am satisfied with this one. It shoots good and feels good.
NK