First Look: Ruger Hawkeye Hunter

by
posted on October 1, 2019
** 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. **
hawkeye-hunter.jpg

Ruger has announced its new Hawkeye Hunter bolt-action rifle chambered in a number of short- and long-action calibers. Based on the company's popular Hawkeye Standard, the Hawkeye Hunter features a stainless-steel action and factory-threaded barrel, which pairs well with its traditional American-walnut stock.

Atop its action sits a 20-MOA Picatinny rail, making the mounting of optics quick and easy. Within, a Mauser-style claw extractor pulls loose spent shells, while a three-position safety allows the user to lock the bolt, or load and unload the rifle with the safety engaged. When the safety is disengaged, a Ruger LC6 trigger has been installed to send shots downrange.

The stock comes standard with sling swivel studs and a recoil pad, while a hinged, solid-steel floorplate is set within for easy unloading. The floorplate latch rides flush with the trigger guard to avoid any inadvertent unloading.

With an MSRP of $1,099, the Hawkeye Hunter is initially being offered chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and .300 Winchester Magnum. The .300 Win. Mag. version features a removable Ruger radial-port muzzle brake to significantly reduce felt recoil. For more information, visit ruger.com.

Additional Reading:
• Hardware: Ruger Hawkeye Predator FTW Rifle
• Review: Ruger Hawkeye Predator FTW
• Guns and Gear for an Alaska Brown Bear Hunt
• Ruger M77 Hawkeye Alaskan

Latest

Hunter With Mulie And Suppressor
Hunter With Mulie And Suppressor

Suppressor Ownership Records Shattered, 30% used for Hunting

On Jan. 1, 2026, the price of a National Firearm Act tax stamp to take ownership of a suppressor dropped from $200 to $0. A flood of eForm applications struck at the stroke of midnight, setting a record estimated at 150,000 that day alone, many of them submitted by hunters.

Pre-Season Spring Gobbler Scouting Tips

The investment made in the weeks leading up to spring gobbler season can make the season fruitful and result in a punched tag. Get afield now, scratch that itch to hunt and get ready to bag a gobbler!

New for 2026: Command Pro Cellular Feeder Control Module

Command, home to the cellular trail camera app for Stealth Cam and Muddy-branded trail cameras, has announced the launch of a new universal feeder-control module that brings real-time oversight and remote scheduling to virtually any feeder.

#SundayGunday: Leupold VX-6 HD Gen 2

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re talking optics—specifically riflescopes—from a company that has defined it’s longstanding American Made reputation by building some of the industry’s best: Leupold. Starting last year, the Oregon based manufacturer began revamping its optics lines, and great news for hunters, they started with the second generation of the incredibly versatile VX-6 HD line, culminating in the VX-6 HD Gen. 2.

Michigan Mayor Looks Down on Guns and Dogs

“If you’ve got a gun, you should be ashamed of yourself,” said Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand. NRA-ILA also noted that in his response to a police K-9 chasing down a suspect, LaGrand said: “It is time that we ask, ‘What are dogs good for?’ Like, if you need a dog to find someone in the woods, get a hound dog. If you need to chase somebody in a backyard, why couldn’t you do that with a drone? If my dog did what I saw in that video, I’d put my dog down.”

A 9-Year-Old Girl’s Effort to Make Hunting the Official Sport of Idaho

While reading her history textbook, Betty Grandy, a 9-year-old fourth-grade student from Twin Falls, Idaho, noticed that Idaho lacked an official state sport. So, she did what any 9-year-old fourth-grade student would do: She ran a poll in a neighborhood newspaper.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.