Home Forums Hunting & Shooting The Lefty Forum Ruger M77 Hawkeye .257 Roberts

I received this back from Mark Penrod during the first part of December. It started life as a Model 77 Hawkeye in .308 WCF that I'd acquired used on Gunbroker for $400. The scope is a Leupold VX-II 2x7 mounted in Ruger factory low rings (4BHM/3BHM).The final details are listed below.

I managed to first shoot it with some old Hornady "Light Magnum" loads I'd bought about 14 years ago. The wind was howling like hell during that range session, but it still managed to print some consistent 1-inch groups at 100 yards.

I chrono'd loads during the last range session and wrung out the new barrel a little more. The first load consisted of 40.0 grains of IMR-4350 behind a 117-grain Sierra BTSP in Remington brass with a Winchester large rifle primer that produced an average velocity of 2602 FPS and a mediocre 1.107 three-shot group. The second load was a 117-grain Hornady BTSP over 39.2 grains of IMR-4350 in non-+P Winchester brass with a Winchester large rifle primer for 2521 FPS and outstanding 0.676" groups

Glad your back!
Your Posts have always made me laugh at the least and struck the hammer of knowledge on my narrow head most times

Interesting Mark Penrod chose to have a pressure point. I seem to have one on most of my rifles to get them shooting there best. Esp. Rugers. Welcome Home some of us missed you. Kurt

Nice looking.

0.676" works.....

You mentioned doing some hog hunting, any fresh pics?? What gun did you use?

Hi Bricktop. Long time no see. Hope all is well.

Are you satisfied with the work your 'smith did on the Ruger? There is a LH Ruger in my future and it'll likely end up as a 6MM Rem since I already have a 257 Robts on a Tikka T3 frame.

Where does Mark Penrod live? Do you have his contact info?

Thanks.

Here's a short write-up I did on PM: CLICK D LINK

My go-to hog rifle over the past year has been my stainless Ruger 77 Hawkeye in .223. That thing has been absolutely deadly on hogs.

He's out of Indiana. I'll email it to you.

Bricktop,

You've been missed, and glad to see that you are back.

Steve

Nice .257. I have a rebarreled 24" Hawkeye in .30-06. The Ruger action, with a few minor upgrades, is growing on me. A .257 with a 24" barrel like yours would be a nice addition. I like how low your scope is over the bore. I've since replaced the Warne rings with Leupolds, which sit much lower.
Bob

What bullet are you using? Factory or hand load ammo? Nice write up, by the way.

You ever roast/smoke any of those little porkers whole.?

I imagine those would be delicious...

I've been using a handload consisting of a 55-grain Sierra Blitz King over 25.0 grains of WC844 and a WSR primer for 3011 FPS. The hogs don't like it much.

I cleaned a few in the past and refuse to do any more. Yes, they're delicious, but they're a lot of work and the stench is overwhelming. I'm willing to help anyone who wants to butcher one of these drag it out and hang it up, but I have yet to find any takers.

Give me directions I will be their!

Nice 257. Definitely on my short list of calibers to build.
As far as the pigs go, I let the big pigs lay. But those piglets are wonderful on a traeger!

I can tell.

Great work, a simple and elegant job very well executed.

Regards,

Mog

Love the 257 Roberts and have come to be very fond of the stock design and shape of the Ruger Hawkeye.
If I were going to build a 6MM Rem, would you recommend a long action donor?

Not for the 6mm. The .257 only if I was going to exclusively use 120 grain slugs.