Henry Rifle Forums

Maybe it was the gorgeous wood...or maybe it was because I had no earthly idea what the old, famous wildcat cartridge was all about? But I just had to buy and try the RUGER 77 Hawkeye in .264 Win Mag.

The results: Happier on the range. More venison in the crock pot. Fellow hunter's puzzled looks.

Yeah. I'm glad I picked it up and took it home. The .264 Win Mag is flat-shooting and hard-hitting. This rifle earned a spot on the "beanfield" stands on our farm where one might entertain a 400-yard shot. Nope- I have not made a shot that long with it (yet), mainly because I haven't had to. The local deer herd has cooperated with shorter, more manageable shots.

The Ruger Hawkeye has a great weighty feel to it. I tend to like a heavier rifle. It's not a bull barrel (varminter) but it feels like one. I've found the accuracy to be on par with my .308 Winchester bolts guns- and that puts it in some pretty good company. She doesn't get to go to the dance as much as some of my pet, woods rifles, but I'm always happy when I do take her.

Thanks for looking! Happy hunting folks!

What a fine looking rifle. Congrats. Yeah, I'll bet more than a few of these younger shooters have never heard of the 264 mag, but it was the hot rod in its day. Definitely a reach way out there cartridge.

North Country Gal wrote:What a fine looking rifle. Congrats. Yeah, I'll bet more than a few of these younger shooters have never heard of the 264 mag, but it was the hot rod in its day. Definitely a reach way out there cartridge.

Hot rod is a nice way of putting it. Thanks for your nice comments.

Very nice rifle.

nice looking rifle .... our sons both have stainless steel/synthetic stock Ruger M77 30-06's .... they both also have wood stocked M77 308 carbines that the stocks have been shortened for younger hunters .... they are accurate, very durable rifles .... I've never fired a 264, how would you rate its recoil next to a 308 or some other caliber

Thanks guys! I thought it was exceptional for a standard, field grade rifle.

JEBar wrote:nice looking rifle .... our sons both have stainless steel/synthetic stock Ruger M77 30-06's .... they both also have wood stocked M77 308 carbines that the stocks have been shortened for younger hunters .... they are accurate, very durable rifles .... I've never fired a 264, how would you rate its recoil next to a 308 or some other caliber

The weight of the rifle helps with the recoil considerably. I'd compare it to one of my lighter, Kevlar stocked .308's. I have a 7mm Mag in the TC Encore, and the Ruger is a much nicer rifle to shoot on the bench. When I'm hunting...my adrenal glands take over and there is no felt recoil. I'm certain this is true with about ever hunter in the house here.

Gregorsway wrote: When I'm hunting...my adrenal glands take over and there is no felt recoil. I'm certain this is true with about ever hunter in the house here.

understood and agree .... I never remember feeling the recoil or hearing the muzzle blast when hunting ..... I could fire a single round without hearing protection at a range and my ears would ring .... not so when hunting

I am very familiar with that cartridge and wanted one real bad some years ago. I work with a guy my age who also owns one. I always liked that caliber and if I would of found one like that I would have snagged it up also. Great looking rifle and a great round. Hot Rod is right kind of like an ole 327 Chevy Nova. Hot rod in its day. Al

That's a really nice looking rifle. I hadn't heard of that cartridge, but I find there are plenty I don't know much about or have never heard of. Thanks for talking about it.

That's a really sweet looking rifle. I can see why you're so fond of it, and why the deer aren't.

daytime dave wrote:That's a really nice looking rifle. I hadn't heard of that cartridge, but I find there are plenty I don't know much about or have never heard of. Thanks for talking about it.

^^^

What Dave said applies to me too.

My Montana husband most likely knows about that caliber but he is sleeping now so I can't ask him about it.

Cate