End of March 2019 - after some 12 years - Ruger now reintroduces the Hawkeye Alaskan rifle: first presented back in 2007, the “new” Hawkeye Alaskan rejoins its large family (some 9 more versions, that also include an “African” model). The most conspicuous difference compared with the old “Alaskan” in the Ruger Muzzle Brake System featuring a removable, radial-port muzzle brake. The latter, according to the manufacturer, significantly reduce felt recoil.
Chambered in three calibers – .375 Ruger, .338 Winchester Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum – and based on the popular Ruger Guide Gun platform, the Hawkeye Alaskan is still a matte stainless steel, classic bolt-action rifle designed for big game and characterized by a non-rotating, Mauser-type controlled round feed extractor with a fixed blade-type ejector that positively ejects the empty cases. Magazine capacity is 3 rounds in all calibers.
Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan, “the ultimate rugged and hard-hitting rifle”
The rifle’s black Hogue OverMolded stock is the real identifying mark of the the Alaskan version, providing the avid shooter or hunter with what Ruger describes as “the ultimate rugged and hard-hitting rifle.” More than this, the Hogue OverMolded stock is quite comfortable too, offering a non-slip, cobblestone texture that is soft, yet durable. The elastomer material used on Hogue stocks is also guaranteed not to harden with age and is impervious to all oils and solvents used with firearms. Add to this standard sling swivel studs and a highly effective recoil pad.
The 20” / 51 cm barrel is cold hammer-forged. The solid-steel floorplate is hinged for easy unloading and is embellished by an engraved Ruger logo.
Sights consist of a windage-adjustable shallow V-notch rear sight and a large white bead front sight. Integral scope mounts are machined directly on the solid-steel receiver, providing a good mounting surface for included scope rings. The usual three-position safety is easily accessible and allows the shooter to lock the bolt or to load and unload the rifle with the safety engaged. The rifle is equipped with Ruger's LC6 trigger for improved out-of-the-box trigger pull. Weight is 8 pounds (around 4 kg), with an overall length of 42” / 106.7 cm.
The patented radial-port muzzle brake system can be replaced by the included dynamically-matched muzzle weight. Switching between the brake and the weight will not change the bullet's point of impact for a particular load, according to Ruger. A thread protector is included if neither the brake nor the weight are used.
At 1279 USD for all the calibers available, price is a bearable one – which is always good news. Currently it's much too early to say, if and when the new model will hit the EU-markets. We'll keep you informed.
