NRA Gun of the Week: Ruger Hawkeye FTW Hunter Rifle

by
posted on December 23, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Ruger’s Model 77 laid the groundwork for the company’s bolt-action rifle designs, first entering production in about 1968. The M77 design features a bolt similar to that of a German Mauser—two locking lugs and a long, external claw extractor—but the action was investment cast, rather than forged, a process Ruger really perfected for firearm manufacture. In 2006, Ruger released the Hawkeye variant of the M77—a model with an improved trigger and a stock that saw a slight redesign. The Hawkeye is still very much in production today and American Rifleman’s Joe Kurtenbach happens to have a Hawkeye chambered for 6.5 mm Creedmoor for review. To learn more about this Hawkeye FTW Hunter Rifle, you’ll have to watch our feature video or stop by Ruger.com. 

Specifications:
Model: Hawkeye FTW Hunter Rifle
Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Chambering: 6.5 mm Creedmoor
Action Type: bolt-action center-fire rifle
Barrel: 24”; cold-hammer-forged stainless steel
Finish: matte
Stock: laminate; Natural Gear camouflage finish
Sights: none; machined receiver for Ruger-style rings
Magazine: internal; hinged-steel floorplate
Trigger: 4-lb., 6-oz. pull
Weight: 7 lbs., 9 ozs.
MSRP: $1,269

Additional Reading:
Looking at the Ruger American Rifle   
Tested: Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor 
Ruger M77 Rifle: Exploded View 
A Look Back a the Ruger Model 77 Rifle  
Ruger Hawkeye Predator FTW Rifle 



 


  

 





 

Latest

Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp Review 1
Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp Review 1

Review: Kimber 2K11 Pro Comp

Kimber expanded its 2K11 line with the Pro Comp in 2026, providing a Commander-length slide and barrel topped by an integrated compensator.

New for 2026: Bear Creek Arsenal Bear Bolt Pro

North Carolina-based Bear Creek Arsenal, a prolific maker of AR-10 and AR-15 pattern firearms, is combining the modularity of the MSR platform with a traditional turn-bolt action with its Bear Bolt Pro.

I Have This Old Gun: Model 1854 Lorenz Jägerstutzen

The Austrian Lorenz Jägerstutzen was a unique variant of sharpshooting rifle that made it stateside during the American Civil War.

SHIELD Sights Celebrates 40 Years of Red-Dot Optics Innovation

SHIELD Sights is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of British engineering, innovation and contributions to the evolution of modern red-dot optics.

TX Maxed: The Taurus TXM in 5.7x28 mm and .22 WMR

Using its TX series architecture yet again, Taurus is adding the 5.7x28 mm and .22 WMR to its chambering options with the new-for-2026 TXM.

Review: Federal's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak Ammunition

Federal’s new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak takes a long-range staple even farther.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.