Ruger Hawkeye Compact

[Balrog]

I am looking at a Ruger Hawkeye Compact rifle. It has a 16.5" barrel and weighs less than 6 pounds. I think the length and weight would be great for use in woods, but not so sure about what a 308 with a 16 inch barrel is going to perform like. I do not need long range performance. 100-200 yards is about as far as I would shoot. Thoughts?

 

[LoonWulf]

16.5 while loud will be plenty for any short range hunting.

 

[jmr40]

You'll lose a lot less speed than most people seem to think, at 200 yards no animal will ever notice. Start taking shots at 400 yards and there might be a small, but noticeable difference.

 

[shafter]

They're certainly maneuverable and easy handling. Throw a low power scope on it and it makes a very good hunting rifle. Especially if you're climbing, moving through brush, or getting in and out of a vehicle.

 

[Gtscotty]

rifleshooter.com .308 winchester barrel length versus velocity 28in to 16.5in

You'll obviously lose some velocity, but you'll still have plenty of gun for 200yd max shots on deer sized game. I would be more concerned about the muzzle blast than the velocity loss, short .308s are pretty loud.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have a Ruger Gunsite and was concerned about the blast. I found it to be not so bad and very accurate to 300 yards. I have a compact in .223 and it is a great gun! It's very handy and accurate.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I am looking at a Ruger Hawkeye Compact rifle. It has a 16.5" barrel and weighs less than 6 pounds. I think the length and weight would be great for use in woods, but not so sure about what a 308 with a 16 inch barrel is going to perform like. I do not need long range performance. 100-200 yards is about as far as I would shoot. Thoughts?

I have the old Ruger Compact .308. Yes 16.5 inch barrel. Now it is quite accurate from the bench. Easy to make 100-200 yard shots.

BUT, off hand it's a bit tricky to make 100 yard shots. I can do it (and I practice it) but about 7-8 inch groups are what to expect OFF HAND. Sitting or prone, much much better.

Now as for power. I found, FOR ME, using a top charge of Varget and a good 150 gr. hunting slug is definitely fine. 2600+ fps. Now that is about 300 Savage in power, but a very handy gun to lug around.

Mine has a 1.25-4x30mm Leopold scope. 200 yard shots on deer are quite doable if you sit down.

And yes, I will use it this year deer hunting. I love to walk in the woods with it.

Deaf

 

[Captcurt]

Perfect for Whitetails.

I had one of the early compacts chambered for 260 Rem. With a 2X7 Nikon and 120 Speer HotCors it was as close to a perfect whitetail that I have found so far. I have a FFL and get to try a lot of guns, but that compact was sweet. At 6lbs the recoil could be sharp if it is chambered in 308 though.