Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger Hawkeye Walnut Compact with 16" barrel

I would say you're probably correct on that. I got a Model 7 with an 18" barrel in 6MM and it's certainly tolerable but is pushing the limits for being needlessly loud and got a fair amount of muzzle jump to go along with it. I like it plenty in the woods but if I had my choice I'd take the exact gun in a 20" barrel. Probably why Model 7's went to that barrel length now.

Have a Model 7 in 260 with a 18 1/2" barrel. It was loud when I first got it, but seems like it has gotten quieter over the years. What? But seriously those compact guns sure are handy, and I reach for them quite often when hunting locally.

I said mine was 18", if your 260 is 18 1/2 then mine's probably the same, either way I'd rather have a 20" tube on it if I had my choice, but in the 6mm and for the way I hunt it's been a nice rifle.

Of course you did not ask so take this FWIW!! - they were also manufactured in 6.8SPC and 7.62X39. I have both and really enjoy them for use when I'm still hunting in the wooded thickets and hills of Pennsylvania. They are not bad on the "fireball at noon" scale and I've not had any issues with LOP (with typical hunting cloths) - I'm 6'1".

PennDog

PennDog - I also have a 'lil shorty in 7.62X39mm. Have you had this reaction at the range, when you un-case it, the AK/SKS shooters act as if they've just had a vision. Whaat...a "bolt action" !!

Funny thing is, back in the mid-70's, my .223R SAKO VixenHB got the same reaction from several Nat'l Guard troops. They were qualifying w/their M16's. Whaat...a "bolt action" !! Could not believe someone made a bolt action in .223. Juat amazing...
Homesteader

Yea it is kinda funny - seems so "out of context" that it usually gets a few "what the heck is that" looks!! I really can't imagine a more "handy" hunting rifle (with a bolt anyway )

PennDog

I find my 20" 243 blastier than my 20" 308.

I recently bought a Win Featherweight Compact in .308. Why?
I don't need/plan to use it for varmints and the .308 will take just about anything in North America that doesn't require a caliber>30 and/or a Magnum load. With ammo cheap and easy to find, it is perfect for what I am looking to use it for.

I just cannot get cozy with the child size stocks. They feel very unnatural on the shoulder. I don't get the compact craze. I don't mind shorter barrels and lighter guns, but I'll take them with an adult stock.

All forehead.




Dave

You'll find zero weight savings with the Compact. They're great for getting out the truck window but don't expect it to be a lightweight.




Dave

I don't even drink and I'd love to have a beer with you.

I bought my daughter the Ruger Compact 7-08 years ago. She likes it, but I wish the barrel were 18-20 inches instead.
it is loud.