Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger Hawkeye vs Remington CDL in 35 Whelen

I am buying one or the other so which one and why?

I had a CDL in 35 Whelen, and I just bought a Hawkeye in 35 Whelen.

IMO, if you want a wood stock, get the CDL. For me, the CDL stock just feels better, but you should handle them both and decide for yourself.

If you want a stainless synthetic get the Hawkeye. It's the only game in town.

I think it's that simple.

I own a CDL 35 Whelen but have only fondled the Hawkeye. I like the Remington 24" bbl versus Ruger's 22" barrel. I'm not saying that the extra 2" adds anything significant in terms of performance, but I really like how my CDL balances.

Yep, it's that simple.

Pretty much what whelenaway said. I have the CDL version and it is very accurate. Which action would play a part, stainless or wood blued and also which feels good in your hands. I think accuracy in the CDL whelens is almost a given, I haven't heard of one that did not shoot good. Myself I want both but only have the CDL............for now. Good choice either way I think.

Get the CDL...and if you need an SS all around backup...the Hawkeye is there waiting. Thats my plan anyway.

Based on my recent comparison in .30-06 I'd go with the Hawkeye. The fit and finish was noticeably better with the Hawkeye.

Hawkeye, fit, feel and finish and the new trigger make it really nice.

both will kill stuff equally well. i suggest you select a rifle based upon how it feels in your hands and at your shoulder. both are quality firearms but YOU will be the shooter, so get the one YOU want. i have both.

What did you decide?

dont know yet
I like the action better on the ruger but want a 24 inch barrel.
been looking for a cheap (nicely priced) Mark X mauser action and just rebarreling

Or do a re-bore on an 06 or 270

I have both and your not going to go wrong with either, pick the one you like better and either way you have a nice rifle in a GREAT chambering.

Hawkeye w/o question. My go to Whelen is an old original tang safety M77 I bedded in a Bansner stock. It will be one of the last to go if any do.

I will second what EdM stated. An older M77 tang safety 35 Whelen is a keeper and needs very little twiking. I have had my 77RS for several years and the only thing it needed was weight of pull adjustment and a Rifle Basix sear. No take up, or creep and breaks like glass at about 2 lbs. Found a new 77 Hawkeye All Weather on GunBroker a couple of weeks ago in .35 Whelen, and I couldn't resist. I liked the idea of having a stainless synthetic .35W that I won't mind taking out in bad weather. MY OBSERVATIONS ON THE HAWKEYE SO FAR: The action was considerably rough, but using a fine stone on the rails, locking lugs, and extractor has improved it greatly. I like the barrel contour, and the CRF action. The plastic stock is what it is, but is trim and feels good in your hands. The LOP is 13 1/2", that is a little shorter than I like, but when I replace the Ruger pad with a Pachmayr Decelerator pad, it should be just about right. At present without rings or scope the rifle weighs 7 lbs, which is lighter than my 77RS. THE LC6 TRIGGER: First off let me say, that I have never owned a 77 MK II, so I can make no comparisons there. The LC6 trigger has a very small amount of take up due to trigger spring compression, but breaks pretty crisp at around 3 1/2 to 4lbs, with some overtravel. It will never be comparable to a Sako or Kimber factory trigger, not great but really not too bad for a non adjustable hunting trigger. If you just don't like it, Timney has one waiting for you. Personally, I wish Ruger had never changed from the trigger used on the original 77 tang safety model. Next stop, the range.

Good Afternoon,
G2