Personally I vastly prefer the Mk II stainless to the Hawkeye AW. I don't care for the finish on the AW it scratches too easily and looks like crap after a while. The MK II is the perfect rifle for all weather such as what you get in Alaska.
Is Ruger still using that delicate matte finish? When the Hawkeyes first came out the finish was easily blemished. Eventually they went to a satin finish but I haven't kept up with how they're doing them for specific configs like the Hawkeye AW.
The main improvement to the Hawkeye for me is the slimmer stock.
