Set Your Sights On Quality

Choosing the right bolt-action rifle, whether for the hunt of a lifetime or an afternoon of friendly competition at the range, can be a daunting task. Familiarity with available rifle features allows the user to make a better decision as to which rifle will best suit his needs.

One of the first decisions to be made is the caliber. That is, the caliber must be large enough to efficiently take the animal being hunted. However, the caliber should not be too large otherwise it will be counterproductive, especially if it has substantial recoil that creates bad shooting habits or discourages practice. Draw on the experience of others when making the selection of the caliber, and try shooting rifles in comparable calibers before you purchase one. A good recoil pad can also make a considerable difference in the perceived recoil and may allow the hunter to be proficient with a larger caliber.

Firearms such as the Ruger M77® Hawkeye® and Magnum rifles that incorporate Mauser-type controlled feeding and a powerful claw extractor provide a level of reliability serious hunters have come to rely on in serious situations. The non-rotating Mauser-type extractor is the most positive controlled-round feeding system ever invented. The fixedblade-type ejector positively ejects the empty cases as the bolt is moved fully rearward. The controlled feeding extractor is designed to engage the extraction groove of the cartridge before the cartridge is fully seated. This positively guides the cartridge into the chamber and helps prevent jamming.

Loading and unloading a rifle is an almost automatic action for most shooters, but it requires total safety awareness on the part of the rifleman. An added level of safety is provided by the middle position of the Ruger® three position safety since it allows the shooter to unlock the bolt for loading or unloading while the trigger is blocked to prevent firing. The rearward position locks the bolt and trigger completely and the forward most position allows both the rifle to fire and the bolt to operate.

To further assist in safe unloading, the design of the Ruger® patented steel floorplate provides easy unloading without having to cycle all the rounds through the action. By pressing the recessed release in the front of the trigger guard the floorplate drops for easy and safe removal of loaded rounds. The location of the recessed latch eliminates accidental “dumping” of ammunition.

Selecting a stock for your rifle is a matter of personal taste and practicality. While nicely figured walnut is hard to beat for aesthetics, it may not be the right material for a hunt where you expect less than favorable weather. Synthetic stocks are impervious to the elements, an important issue where the changing weather conditions could wreak havoc with a wood stocked rifle´s accuracy. For those that want the stability of a synthetic stock, but prefer the look and feel of wood, the laminate stocks of resin impregnated wood strips may be the answer. Available in a variety of colors, such stocks offer pleasing aesthetics and a stable platform for your rifle´s action in all environments. Those that hunt or shoot in extreme conditions, where wet and cold make rifle handling difficult, may find that Hogue® OverMolded™ stocks offer an added level of control.

Accuracy is a function of several elements, including the firearm, the ammunition and the shooter. Hammer-forged barrels, such as those found on all Ruger® bolt-action rifles but the large caliber Magnum rifles, deliver ultimate consistency and accuracy. With properly installed optics, the shooter is challenged to perform up to the potential of the rifle.

The process of properly installing optics is simplified with Ruger® rifles. Every Ruger® centerfire rifle comes with patented scope rings (provided at no charge) that install on the integral mounts that never shoot loose. Most rifles require a separate scope mount to install the rings that allow the shooters to use their choice of optics. With a Ruger® rifle there is no separate mount to install or need to worry about screws coming loose and the inaccuracy that would create.

Knowledgeable riflemen understand the importance of a good trigger and the contribution it makes to a well-placed shot and over all accuracy. The Ruger M77® Hawkeye® rifles feature the smooth and crisp Ruger LC6™ trigger for improved out-of-the-box trigger pull. For added precision in long range-shooting, there is the Ruger® two-stage target trigger, available on select Target and Predator rifles.

Some firearms will shoot some loads better than others, so it is worth an investment in a few different brands of ammunition. Spend time at the range to determine what your rifle shoots best. It will also help you with your confidence to take a shot when the opportunity presents itself.

There is no substitute for practice as it will develop the shooting skills needed to be successful. Practice is not shooting small groups off the bench time after time, but rather shooting from all possible positions one may have to employ while hunting. Offhand, sitting, prone, using shooting sticks, off backpacks, tree limbs, and rocks are all positions to work on. Spend more time on the positions you are most likely to use or are weakest in.

Many left-handed shooters handicap themselves by “putting up” with rifles designed for right-handed shooters. Now fans of both long and short action calibers have a choice. Ruger® offers an extensive selection of rifles designed for the left-handed shooter. These are full featured lefthanded Ruger M77® Hawkeye® rifles, with ejection port, extractor, bolt handle, and three-position manual safety all located on the left side.

Finding a rifle that fits you and meets your needs is easy when the manufacturer offers a broad selection of rifles. Matching the caliber to the game, the gun to the environment and terrain, and the fit to the shooter can be challenging. Ruger´s extensive line of M77® Hawkeye® and Magnum bolt-action rifles offer calibers from the small, fast and accurate .204 Ruger to .416 Ruger and .458 Lott, calibers that stop the charges of the largest dangerous game animals on the planet.