I got to check one out today in thestandard sporter style. The store didn't have theAlaskan or African models in yet. Price was $569. Nice rifles, but certainly not a radical redesign from the MkII, either. The barrel,action, bolt and integral mountsappeared identical, only with the newmatte finishon both the SS and blue.Stock checkering was a little different, but the stock itself was actually very similar to the MkII.Ruger says it made the stock slimmer. It is, butI'm not sure why they did itand I wonder if theslimmer stock will be as durable. I didn't mind the emblem stamped on the floor plate, but it didn't rock me out of my boots, either.I didn't bother to ask the gun shop to remove the trigger lock to check out the break and creep on thenew trigger, but I'm notenoughof an expert to say whether it's an improvement or not anyway.Bottom line impression: It's an M77 MkII with adifferent name, finishand price tag. I don't regret picking up a MkII on sale recently. I was worried that once I handleda Hawkeye I'd kick myself for not waiting. It'll be interesting to see how the new Rugerssell, and if they kill the MkII line off sooner or later.
i dought thay kill the mkll line off at all..wanted to get one in 338 fed but thay arnt doing the walnut and buled barrel yet ill just wate and see. is it comperable in quilty to a browning a-bolt? i love the a-bolts
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if it comes down to being good or being lucky, ill take being lucky every time.
The new trigger is to replace all thier bolt gun trigger I'm told. They're not Acutriggers but a vast improvement of the lawyerized ones, right around 4 -4 1/2 bs. Just about ight for a hunting rifle in my opinion.
I see the MKII's lasting only so long as thier is a hearty demand for them and while the parts are there in vast quantities. Really don't see both model lines cataloged side by side for long. Ruger's doing some internal changes so I'm guessing we'll se some interesting new products but others, the not -so-popular models, will fall from the catalog line-up.
FWIW, I'm told the new .375 Ruger chambered rifles (Alaskan & African) will be available end or March/beginning of April.
Ruger's new Hawkeye
