Hawkeye Range Report

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I picked up this rifle for a song---sat on the dealers shelf for about a year---so it had handling wear but never shot--I figured it was gonna get that way anyway--they marked it down to $450 for a new stainless Hawkeye .30-06.

I took it out several months back but didn't have a proper rest so basically got it on paper and shot the rest of the box for the heck of it--so it had exactly 20 rounds through it before Sunday. Cleaned it when I got home.

Got serious about it and took it to the range last Sunday---had 3 different loads to try out ---the Hornady and Federal 180gn loads gave so-so results but did manage to dial in the scope a little better.

So dig out the Federal 150gn loads from Walmart ($14 a box)-shoot a 3 shot group and made scope adjustments--cool it off--shoot another 3 shot group and more scope adjustments.

So that left 4 shots in the 10 round rack--loaded those in the magazine and let the gun completely cool off.

I was shooting the 1in orange stick on dots---so what happens?? A 4 shot SUB-MOA group from a cold barrel-----didn't measure it but all 4 shots were inside the orange dot.

Not bad at all for a cheap rifle and cheap Walmart ammo. No cleaning between groups--just let the barrel cool off----the gun now maybe 40 to 50 rounds though it now.

Nice to have a tack driver for a back-up rifle---might even make it my main rifle if it keeps this up.



PS--It was the first time out for my Browing A-bolt Composite Stalker also a .30-06.
Neither gun liked the Federal 180's--but the A-bolt was also giving sub-moa groups with the Hornady 180's---didn't bother with the 150's---just put the scope caps back on and called it a day after that.

[slayer]

Good report!! I am leaning towards a Hawkeye myself in .270

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

My Ruger is such a good rifle---I dumped the A-bolt and put the funds towards a new AR.

[Harry Snippe]

My Ruger is such a good rifle---I dumped the A-bolt and put the funds towards a new AR.

So you dumped two rifles ?  A Ruger and a Browning A Bolt ?

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Kept the Ruger---dumped the Browning---funds from the Browning bought an AR.

[Darrell Davis]

Yep, the Hawkeyes seem like they are good ones.

I have a stainless/synthic 300 win mag which I got as a replacement for an A-bolt with a very bad barrel.

I have not completed my "work-up" tests, but the last time out I had a 3 shot - 100yd - group go just a tad over 5/8" at a velocity average of 3318fps.

That was with a 165gr Nosler Partition and IMR7828.

This group was the last set in a series, and is maxed out according to the book.  The groups just before it at 1/2gr less powder went 1 3/8".

No adverse signs of pressures showing anywhere.

Will need to revisit that series of tests, for sure.

The barrel on this RUGER is smooooooooooth and it is shooting very well, even shooting the loads for browning better then the browning ever could!

Keep em coming!

CDOC