Ruger Hawkeye Predator

[beanieboy]

Finding it difficult to get a 204 in Tikka or CZ, but the above is available in this calibre. It has a stainless 24" barrel with rather nice laminate stock. Also has a two stage adjustable target trigger. Thing is, I know a Tikka or CZ will almost certainly be a shooter, but I know relatively little about the Ruger. Mind you, one would expect a Ruger in Ruger 204 to shoot ok!

 

[andyk]

I had the same thought when I bought my 6.5x55 Hawkeye, standard profile barrel.

Out of the box it shot ok, about an inch at 100m. I’ve since swapped the stock for a Boyds and bedded it in Devcon.

It’s possibly the most accurate rifle I own. Below are a couple of groups it’s managed at 100m. For a sporter barrelled rifle in a normal stock, I’m fairly impressed.

My main criticism would be the trigger. The ‘light and crisp’ may be better than previous, but there is still more creep than a Tikka/Sako.

 

[beanieboy]

Thanks for that Andy. I like the option of a 24" barrel for 204. Often hear from 204 users disappointed with speeds achieved with shorter barrel offerings.

 

[Dickturpin]

If agree on the longer barrel but I had a Ruger in 17 hornet and I can assure you quality ain't anywhere near that of a tikka...

 

[andyk]

I’m with you on short barrels. The Hawkeye is 22”, which I’m ok with. I have a 20” on my .270 and it’s just a pain, the velocity drop off is quite something.

 

[beanieboy]

Yeah, that's my worry VS29......Ruger is a bit of an unknown for me. If the waiting times for a Tikka T3X in 204 proves too long, I'll consider one in 223 (1:12) and shoot lighter bullets like 40g Vmax.

 

[andyk]

I have a Sako A7 which is quite similar to a T3X. The finish is better than the Ruger but I wouldn’t say there is anything ‘poor quality’ about the Ruger, it has more metal in it than the Sako... From my perspective, one of the most important things is accuracy, and the Ruger is ever so slightly better.

 

[beanieboy]

Going by the pictures of the Ruger, the laminate stock and stainless barrel & receiver certainly look the part. It's also quite heavy, weighing in at 8lb. My Hawke Sidewinder 6-24×56 plus mod, would potentially make up an outfit in excess of 10lb.

 

[Dickturpin]

Yeah, that's my worry VS29......Ruger is a bit of an unknown for me. If the waiting times for a Tikka T3X in 204 proves too long, I'll consider one in 223 (1:12) and shoot lighter bullets like 40g Vmax.

I'd sell ya mine..T3 X stainless

 

[beanieboy]

I'd sell ya mine..T3 X stainless

Alas I'm across the water in N Ireland. We have a banded system here and can do a one on, one off for calibres in the same band. I intend to trade in my Weihrauch HW60 22 Hornet against the 204 or 223.

 

[beanieboy]

Decided not to go for the Ruger and ordered a Tikka T3X Stainless Lite instead. Thought it best to go with something more widely used. Thanks for all the info re the Ruger.