Each rifle is an individual. If you lined-up 1,000 m77 Hawkeyes, they'd be like 1,000 fraternal twins, not identical twins. So each one's going to have its own "appetite".

I've shot 150's, 165's, 180's, and 220's out of my '06 (not a Hawkeye)- several different brands of each. Andthat rifle consistently likes to "eat" 165's far, far better than any other bullet weight. I used to fret that this was unacceptable, and that the rifle should tinkered-with such that it could print tiny groups with 220's. Only thencould I count on John C. Holmes-like penetrationwhen shooting game.

Then I came to my senses, & realized that 165's have been used for full penetration on elk, moose, and African plains game, & that I might as well get over it & go shoot some animals. You can see the results here: http://www.hunting.net/forum/tm.aspx?m=2680641 I'm so glad I chose to remove thatself-imposed burdenfrom my shoulders!

So try 2-3 brands of ammo in each weight, & let your rifle tell you what it likes to eat.

FC