Morn'in Ruger shooters,
Well, the first season with my New RUGER Hawkeye 300 Win. Mag. - stainless/synthic - has ended with a score of two up and two down.
Due to the very bad and long winter last year and I am sure some preditor problems, this past Deer season was the worse I've seen in this part of Ideeeeeeeeho since I started hunting here in 1991.
About 50% of the times out, I'd see nothing. A good day was seeing one deer and a very good day was seeing two. On only one day did I see more then two deer.
I did fill my two tags, but largely due to the greatly increase hunting time available during this first year of retirement.
However, the new RUGER Hawkeye worked well and is a worthy replacement for the Browning A-bolt it replaced.
The Browning while the smoothest rifle I have ever owned, had a barrel which looked like it was rifled with a pipe tap.
If I had bought the rifle new, it should have gone back for replacement or a new barrel.
Over the years I owned the rifle, I fire lapped the barrel with 20 rounds, which did make a slight difference in looks, but was afraid to lap it enough to get the machine marks out.
To say the least, the barrel did not shoot consistantly and was a real chore to clean.
After I missed a do-able shot last year, the Browning had to go. When I miss, I need to know where the fault is, and if I doubt/question my rifle it is time to move it along!
The RUGER on the other hand has a barrel which appears to be a smooth as a babies butt, which makes for quick and complete cleaning.
For a number of reasons, I did not get loads worked up for this rifle, only shooting a couple sets of test loads.
It did however, shoot the loads made for the Browning as well or better then the Browning had done, PLUS showing no signs of the inconsistancy typical of the Browning's performance.
The Ruger is not as smooth in operation as the Browning, but I feel it can be trusted which in my book gives it a "A".
Keep em coming!
Crust Deary Ol'Coot
