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.