I have been hemming and hawing over stainless steel guns and iron sights for quite some time now, between the ease of maintenance and reliability of iron sights, I've been dead set in my ways.
Most recently I've come to the decision that I want to buy a Ruger gunsite scout international/export version, followed by the decision that I will instead buy a Ruger Alaskan .375 for the lack of a zombie apocalypse or running war scenario I ever honestly see myself being in plus the honest to God fun of lighting off a heavy caliber round every so often to get the heart beating.
My inner addict is strong.
So, today when I was about to place my order for a Ruger Alaskan .375, I did something completely unexpected, I actually decided to compromise between childish glee and adult reason, and actually buy the rifle that fulfills all my current needs.
I bought a Ruger m77 hawkeye .308 tactical.
It is not stainless, it is not magazine fed, it does not have iron sights and it's over $800!! What the hell was I thinking?!?!
What does all this mean?
Well, I will explain.
I have a redfield revolution 2-7x33 accu range scope on the way for my birthday. I like to shoot a lot when I do get the chance to shoot. I clean my guns religiously after shooting them. I will only ever hunt occasionally, if ever. I have everything under 200 yards covered in spades between my 6" ss GP100 and 77/357 combo. I am honestly not going to be in an endless zombie apocalypse or running battle/war. I do not live in or frequent areas of high humidity and/or salt air areas.
It is/was time to admit to myself that I am honestly just an enthuesiast. As such, the Ruger Alaskan with iron sights, stainless steel and 3" magnum shotgun cartridge recoil for $4+ a round is just truly not for me, no matter how hard my inner 'Biiiig Badda Boom' 5th element junky retorts.
Also, the US's Ruger gunsite scout with it's detachable magazine, lighter weight, iron sights and shorter handier package is just not necessary at all for me. The velocity lost from the shorter barrel may not affect accuracy that much, but as it affects velocity, and possible hunting is a furute requirement, the loss should be avoided.
No, what I really want, and need, is a rifle that is more than capable of fulfilling 300-600 yard shots on <300lbs animals if necessary and paper/steel targets at least from 100-900 yards more often than not, while reducing recoil as much as possible through weight and design for the range more often than hunting, having a wonderful stock, a shorter overall package for transport in general and general operation, a bipod for the range and a sling for hunting. Oh, and it has to look good.
So, this is why I bought the Ruger M77 Hawkeye .308 Tactical.
20" heavy barrel with flash hider, hogue overmold stock, included bipod and two fore end studs for both the bipod and sling, .308 winchester caliber for a plethora of cheap ammo choices and ability to shoot all day long if desired, to distances to just over 1000 yards if desired, is going to weigh easily 10lbs. all said and done with scope, ammo and bipod which will make recoil a joke others only ever have to deal with and is just plain cool looking.
Oh, and it fulfills my desire to have a 'Father' gun to be the next step up from my 6" ss GP100 and 77/357 progression while staying within the same manufacturer/family.
It should be here by the end of the week. I honestly am still taken aback by myself over my sudden dichotomy of maturity and irresponsible spending.
I will post pictures and a range report as soon as possible.
If this thread comes off as a rant or gloat, I apologize, the true intent is two fold; to hopefully help others make better decisions on what they should really get over what they think they should get and to admit my admiration for Ruger's M77 Hawkeye .308 Tactical.
I'd like to thank the rugerforum.net members for providing such a wonderful forum filled with good questions advice and support that in the end are what led me to this self realization and purchase decision, despite the fact that it is not the decision most recently proposed.
Most recently I've come to the decision that I want to buy a Ruger gunsite scout international/export version, followed by the decision that I will instead buy a Ruger Alaskan .375 for the lack of a zombie apocalypse or running war scenario I ever honestly see myself being in plus the honest to God fun of lighting off a heavy caliber round every so often to get the heart beating.
My inner addict is strong.
So, today when I was about to place my order for a Ruger Alaskan .375, I did something completely unexpected, I actually decided to compromise between childish glee and adult reason, and actually buy the rifle that fulfills all my current needs.
I bought a Ruger m77 hawkeye .308 tactical.
It is not stainless, it is not magazine fed, it does not have iron sights and it's over $800!! What the hell was I thinking?!?!
What does all this mean?
Well, I will explain.
I have a redfield revolution 2-7x33 accu range scope on the way for my birthday. I like to shoot a lot when I do get the chance to shoot. I clean my guns religiously after shooting them. I will only ever hunt occasionally, if ever. I have everything under 200 yards covered in spades between my 6" ss GP100 and 77/357 combo. I am honestly not going to be in an endless zombie apocalypse or running battle/war. I do not live in or frequent areas of high humidity and/or salt air areas.
It is/was time to admit to myself that I am honestly just an enthuesiast. As such, the Ruger Alaskan with iron sights, stainless steel and 3" magnum shotgun cartridge recoil for $4+ a round is just truly not for me, no matter how hard my inner 'Biiiig Badda Boom' 5th element junky retorts.
Also, the US's Ruger gunsite scout with it's detachable magazine, lighter weight, iron sights and shorter handier package is just not necessary at all for me. The velocity lost from the shorter barrel may not affect accuracy that much, but as it affects velocity, and possible hunting is a furute requirement, the loss should be avoided.
No, what I really want, and need, is a rifle that is more than capable of fulfilling 300-600 yard shots on <300lbs animals if necessary and paper/steel targets at least from 100-900 yards more often than not, while reducing recoil as much as possible through weight and design for the range more often than hunting, having a wonderful stock, a shorter overall package for transport in general and general operation, a bipod for the range and a sling for hunting. Oh, and it has to look good.
So, this is why I bought the Ruger M77 Hawkeye .308 Tactical.
20" heavy barrel with flash hider, hogue overmold stock, included bipod and two fore end studs for both the bipod and sling, .308 winchester caliber for a plethora of cheap ammo choices and ability to shoot all day long if desired, to distances to just over 1000 yards if desired, is going to weigh easily 10lbs. all said and done with scope, ammo and bipod which will make recoil a joke others only ever have to deal with and is just plain cool looking.
Oh, and it fulfills my desire to have a 'Father' gun to be the next step up from my 6" ss GP100 and 77/357 progression while staying within the same manufacturer/family.
It should be here by the end of the week. I honestly am still taken aback by myself over my sudden dichotomy of maturity and irresponsible spending.
I will post pictures and a range report as soon as possible.
If this thread comes off as a rant or gloat, I apologize, the true intent is two fold; to hopefully help others make better decisions on what they should really get over what they think they should get and to admit my admiration for Ruger's M77 Hawkeye .308 Tactical.
I'd like to thank the rugerforum.net members for providing such a wonderful forum filled with good questions advice and support that in the end are what led me to this self realization and purchase decision, despite the fact that it is not the decision most recently proposed.
