Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger M77 Hawkeye Ultra Light

They're new, having just recently hit the market (at least in my area anyway). I like the looks of them. I had a look at one the other day, in 223 caliber. I might be interested in one in either 243 Win or 257 Bob. I know the 243 is a short action round. Anyone know what the 257 Bob is in this particular rifle (e.g., short or long action)? I haven't been able to find one, yet, in that caliber to look at physically. Thanks...

Short action according to their site.

They are sweet handling for sure. I'm having a hard time thinking about a 20" barrel. They are supper and I meam supper thin barrels. Should heat quick.

Damn Ruger anyway. The stocks on them are trimmed down nicely. Ruger would have hit a home run with that timmed down UL stock on a Stainless hawkeye. IMO

I'd love to hear how them Hawkeye UL's shoot in the heat of battle. 2-3 Round bursts. Would like to see groups.

With the exception of using a lite-weight custom type stock, if one wants a lighter weight and good handling rifle with a 20" barrel that weighs 6 3/4 pounds (Ruger`s listed weight), you gotta cut the weight down from somewhere. In this case the ULs have the thinner barrels. Ruger couldn`t call them Ultralites, while at the same time having a listed heavier weight of say 7 lbs and over.

Weatherby uses the thinner tubes for their lightest rifles as well as other makers to lighten the rifle weight.

Regardless of barrel type, at the range, one should still allow 2-3 minutes between shots and about 5 minutes between groups. Accuracy will also be determined more by the reloading components and seating depths rather than on barrel thin-ness or contour.

The 243 or the 257 Bob in the Ruger Ultralite would make for a sweet handling and great carrying piece.

Letting things cool down is fine and dandy for load developement and trying to produce groups.

But what will a rifle do in a real world hunting cituation?? You know, you get suprised by a big buck or bull. Not alot of time to react. Gotta get a shot off. Get a shot off, maybe a hit maybe not. Gotta follow up with one or two more. Fast!

.............Any game one would hunt with a 243 or 257 Bob, like deer, black bears and maybe an elk, follow up shots don`t need to be as precise in the field as on the bench for groupings.

Beyond the proper placement of the 1st shot which in necessary anyway, the kill zones into the vitals on these animals are wider or broader. It wouldn`t matter if a 2nd or 3rd follow up shot due to barrel heat was 2" or 3" off from its intended impact point as long as the vitals are hit.

On deer etc, you have about a 6" to 8" diameter of kill zone to work with. And if the vitals are hit well on the first shot, in most cases a second follow up shot won`t be required anyway.

I tend to think that success on a hunt or not, will be determined far more by the hunter`s 1st shot placement rather than by barrel contour or barrel thickness!

Gents, thanks much for the dialogue, but it doesn't answer my original question. Is the 257 Bob a short or long action in that particular rifle? Steelhead says the Ruger site claims it to be a short action, but I couldn't find any info on Ruger's website that says that. Can someone please be a little more specific? Thanks...

One only needs the ability to apply deductive reasoning.

OAL of the Ultra Light in 30/06 is 40 5/8"

OAL of the Ultra Light in 270 is 40 5/8"

OAL of Ultra Light in 223 is 40"

OAL of Ultra Light in 243 is 40"

OAL of Ultra Light in 257 Roberts is 40"

They all have 20" barrels, so we can deduce from the above that the Ultra Light 257 Roberts is a short action.

One of those would be nice in a Bansner. Like in 243. But, so would one in a stainless Mountain guide model by Remington.

I see what you mean now. I like your reasoning, too. Thanks much for the clarification...

But where are the lefty short actions?

The problem is that the Ruger site and catalog are full of known misprints in the lengths/weights of numerous offerings.

Every Ruger Roberts I've seen is a long action, otherwise I'd own one. But I sure'd love to see a UL short Roberts--it would only make sense. Until someone handles one in person to confirm it's shortness, I won't be holding my breath.

Then calling Ruger is the only sure thing, even if it said RUGER ULTRA LIGHT UTILIZES A SHORT ACTION.

I played the little trick with the standard Hawkeye, guess what length that is...

Thanks for the chuckles, again.

My experience has been the same. However after reading this thread and my curiosity being piqued, I crossed my fingers and hoped they'd changed it.

I called Ruger in NH.

It's a long action.

+1, it's a long action. Ruger misprinted the info on the Roberts action length for the Hawkeye UL.

They sure know how to kill a good idea!