I’ve had more than a few rifles come and go through my safe over the years, but if there’s one that keeps earning its keep and never gives me a reason to move it along, it’s my Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .308.
This rifle has been with me through thick and thin, through changing seasons and shifting roles, and I can say without a doubt: if I had to grab just one rifle for hunting or long-range shooting, this would be it.
Now, I know the market is swimming in ARs, chassis rifles, and all sorts of modern tactical doodads. But there’s something about a good bolt gun (and especially one as rugged and reliable as the Hawkeye) that just feels right. I like things that work. That holds zero and that won’t get fussy when the weather turns.
This Ruger M77 Hawkeye in .308 Winchester is a perfect rifle for big game hunting and long range shooting. It’s rugged, well-built, and accurate.
And this Ruger does all of that, and then some.
Built Like a Tank (and Looks Like a Classic)
Let’s start with the bones of the thing. The M77 Hawkeye is basically Ruger’s take on the old-school Mauser-style bolt action.
It’s got controlled-round feed, a fixed blade ejector, and a beefy bolt that just feels right in the hand. Every time I throw that bolt, it’s smooth but solid, like it means business.
Now a lot of folks compare it to the Winchester Model 70, and honestly, that’s a fair comparison. Both rifles share a similar heritage with strong actions, classic styling, reliable performance.
But to my eye and hands, the Ruger is just a little more workmanlike. No frills, no fancy polishing, just a tool meant to go into the field and get used.
A Little Bit of Ruger Pride
If this rifle had any more Ruger logos on it, I’d have to start charging it rent!
I’ve got the factory Ruger sling on there; it’s nothing fancy, just a padded nylon sling with the big red logo on it. Does its job, and doesn’t slip off the shoulder.
I also slapped on a Ruger-branded shell holder that wraps around the stock. Holds eight extra .308 rounds snug and ready, and it also matches the look of the rifle like it was born there.
The Ruger-branded shell holder on the stock of the rifle holds eight spare .308 cartridges.
Might not seem like much, but when you’re hiking into the woods or scouting around the property, and not having to dig through your pockets for extra rounds is mighty convenient.
Topping it all off is a Leupold 3-9×40 scope, which in my humble opinion is just about the perfect pairing for a rifle like this. That scope’s clear as a bell, simple to dial in, and it’s also built just as tough as the rifle underneath it.
I’ve bumped it, dropped it, and knocked it into door frames more times than I’d like to admit, and it’s still holding zero. Can’t ask for more than that.
.308: The Do-It-All Round
Let’s talk caliber for a second. .308 Winchester might not be the flashiest round on the shelf these days, but it flat-out works.
For hunting, for defense, for long-range shooting, it can do it all. And it’s everywhere. You can find .308 just about anywhere that sells ammo, which gives it a big leg up if you’re thinking in terms of long-term sustainability or SHTF scenarios.
Out of a bolt gun like the Hawkeye, it’s accurate and dependable. I’m not a benchrest shooter, but with decent ammo, this rifle prints respectable groups at 100 and 200 yards all day long.
Federal, Hornady, even Winchester Power Points all run great through it. I’ve even run some older mil-surp stuff just to see how it did, and it gobbled that up too.
Hunting with the Hawkeye
Now, this is where the rifle really shines. I’ve taken everything from whitetail to wild hogs with this thing, and it’s never let me down.
The blued finish of this M77 has held up very well over the years after many hunting trips deep into the mountains and woods of Idaho.
The .308 hits hard enough to drop deer cleanly, even at longer ranges. And the Hawkeye’s balance just makes it easy to carry through the woods and shoulders quickly when it’s time to make the shot.
It’s got a 22-inch barrel, which I think is just about perfect for field use. Not too long to get hung up in brush, but long enough to get good velocity and stable ballistics. The trigger’s clean. Not a hair trigger, granted, but crisp enough that I’ve never had a complaint when it came time to break the shot.
Target Shooting and Range Time
Some rifles are just plain fun to shoot, and this one’s up there on my list. The recoil is manageable, and especially with the rubber butt pad, and the weight of the gun keeps it from being too jumpy.
It’s not a featherweight rifle, but it balances well and doesn’t wear me out over a few boxes of ammo.
I’ve spent plenty of afternoons ringing steel with this rifle and scope setup. At 200 yards, it’s just plain easy. At 300 or more, you’ve got to work a little harder, but it’ll still deliver if you do your part.
I’m not saying it’s a match rifle, but for practical field accuracy, it’ll hold its own just fine.
And honestly, there’s something satisfying about working that bolt, settling into the scope, and making hits with a rifle that feels like it’s built to last a lifetime. No batteries, no electronics, just a man, a rifle, and a paper target or steel plate out yonder.
SHTF Potential: Simple, Strong, and Reliable
I don’t spend all my time thinking about worst-case scenarios, but if things ever went south and I had to pick one rifle to rely on to put food on the table, the M77 would be at the top of the list.
Why? Because it’s simple. It doesn’t rely on gas systems, buffer tubes, or fancy polymers. Just good old mechanical strength and design.
For scopes on a hunting rifle, it’s always hard to go wrong with Leupold.
A bolt gun doesn’t care (as much at least) about fouling the way a semi-auto does. It’s less likely to jam, easier to clean, and doesn’t give a hoot about being dropped in the dirt. Controlled-round feed means the cartridge stays exactly where it’s supposed to, even if you’re working the bolt from an awkward angle or in a hurry.
And the .308? It’s still a go-to for barrier penetration, medium- to large-game hunting, and decent long-range work. Plus, if you’re looking to reload, there’s more data and component options out there for .308 than you can shake a stick at.
Final Thoughts
I guess what I’m really trying to say is this: my Ruger M77 Hawkeye may not be the flashiest or newest bolt-action rifle out there, but it’s one I trust with just about any job.
It’s got soul. It’s got history. And most of all, it’s got that honest dependability that doesn’t need to shout about itself.
It’s the kind of rifle you can hunt with in the fall, take to the range in the spring, and lean in the corner during a stormy night just in case. It’s tough. It’s accurate. If you’ve got one, you know what I’m talking about.
And if you don’t? Well, it might be time to start looking.
