Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter: Precision Engineered for Extended Range

The Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter stands as a testament to precision engineering, meticulously crafted for shooters who demand peak performance when stretching the limits of distance. For anyone seeking a reliable, accurate, and robust bolt-action rifle capable of consistently hitting targets at extended ranges, this firearm, specifically the Ruger 47197 model chambered in 6.5 PRC, offers a compelling solution. Whether your passion lies in ethical long-range hunting, competitive precision shooting, or simply challenging your skills on the firing line, this rifle is designed to empower you to achieve greater accuracy and confidence from afar.

What makes the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter ideal for extended shots?

This rifle is engineered from the ground up to minimize variables and maximize shot placement at distances where every detail matters. Its design integrates features commonly found on custom precision rifles, making advanced long-range shooting accessible to a broader audience.

The Foundation of Accuracy: Barrel and Receiver Excellence

At the core of the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter's impressive accuracy is its 22-inch free-floated, cold hammer-forged stainless steel barrel. This manufacturing process is crucial for producing barrels with exceptional concentricity and a uniform bore, which translates directly into superior precision. The cold hammer-forging technique compresses the barrel steel, increasing its strength and consistency. Being free-floated ensures that the barrel does not make contact with the stock, preventing any external pressure points that could otherwise negatively impact harmonics and bullet trajectory, especially during the shot.

The barrel features 5R Rifling, an advanced rifling pattern designed to reduce bullet deformation and increase velocity. Unlike traditional rifling with sharp corners, 5R rifling uses an odd number of lands (5) and has angled land edges. This design minimizes the amount of material removed from the bullet jacket as it travels down the bore, reducing friction and extending barrel life. Shooters often experience less copper fouling and easier cleaning with 5R rifling, contributing to consistent performance over time.

Integrated into the barrel is a radial-port muzzle brake with a 5/8"-24 thread pattern. This allows for quick and effective recoil mitigation, directing gases radially to minimize muzzle rise and felt recoil. For the shooter, this means quicker follow-up shots, reduced fatigue, and greater comfort during extended shooting sessions, particularly with a potent cartridge like the 6.5 PRC. The standard threading also provides the versatility to easily attach suppressors or other muzzle devices, adapting the rifle to various shooting environments or personal preferences.

The robust stainless steel receiver provides a stable and rigid platform for the barrel and action. This material choice offers excellent corrosion resistance, making the rifle suitable for use in diverse weather conditions without fear of rust or degradation. The receiver is topped with a 20 MOA Picatinny rail, a critical feature for long-range optics. This inclined rail ensures that your scope has ample elevation adjustment to zero in at extreme distances, preventing you from "running out of clicks" on your optic when engaging targets beyond 500 or 600 yards. It simplifies scope mounting and provides a secure, repeatable interface for various optics.

Unleashing the 6.5 PRC: Power and Precision for the Long Haul

The Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter is chambered in 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge), a modern magnum cartridge specifically designed for long-range accuracy and performance. Why is the 6.5 PRC such a popular choice for serious long-range enthusiasts and hunters?

• Exceptional Ballistics: The 6.5 PRC is known for its high velocity and impressive ballistic coefficient (BC) of its projectiles. This means bullets shed less speed and are less affected by wind drift over long distances, making it easier to predict bullet drop and windage holds.
• Flat Trajectory: Compared to many traditional hunting cartridges, the 6.5 PRC offers a flatter trajectory, simplifying holdover calculations for distant shots.
• Effective Terminal Performance: With bullets typically ranging from 130 to 150 grains, the 6.5 PRC delivers ample energy for hunting medium to large game, ensuring clean, ethical kills at extended ranges. It's often chosen for deer, elk, and similar-sized animals where precise shot placement is paramount.
• Manageable Recoil: Despite its magnum performance, the 6.5 PRC generates relatively manageable recoil, especially when paired with the rifle's effective muzzle brake. This allows shooters to stay on target longer and recover faster for follow-up shots.

Is the 6.5 PRC a good choice for long-range hunting? Absolutely. Its blend of speed, flat trajectory, and terminal energy makes it an outstanding cartridge for hunting in open terrains where shots can often be extended. For hunters asking "What rifle caliber is best for ethical long-range hunting?", the 6.5 PRC, especially in a capable platform like the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter, frequently comes up as a top recommendation.

Ergonomics and Adaptability: Designed for the Shooter

A rifle's stock plays a crucial role in shooter comfort, stability, and ultimately, accuracy. The Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter features a durable and aesthetically pleasing black speckled brown laminate stock. Laminate stocks are renowned for their stability and resistance to warping in varying environmental conditions, outperforming traditional wood stocks in consistency, especially during changes in temperature or humidity. The speckled finish provides a positive grip and a unique visual appeal.

One of the most significant ergonomic advantages of this rifle is its adjustable length of pull (LOP), ranging from 12.75 inches to 14.25 inches. This adjustability allows shooters of different body types, or those wearing varying layers of clothing, to custom-fit the rifle for optimal comfort and control. A proper length of pull ensures consistent eye relief with your scope, better recoil management, and a more natural shooting position, all contributing to enhanced accuracy and reduced fatigue during long sessions.

The rifle employs a classic and reliable three-position safety. This design allows the shooter to:

1. Safely load or unload the rifle with the bolt locked.
2. Load or unload with the bolt unlocked but the firing pin still blocked.
3. Fully disengage the safety for firing.

This provides maximum control and peace of mind in the field or on the range.

For ammunition feeding, the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter utilizes an AI-Style magazine, providing a 3+1 capacity. The Accuracy International (AI) magazine system is widely regarded in the precision shooting community for its robust construction, reliable feeding, and ease of use. This ensures smooth and consistent cycling of cartridges, a vital feature when quick follow-up shots are needed or in competitive scenarios.

Precision Control: The LC6 Trigger

The LC6 trigger featured in the Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter is a testament to Ruger's commitment to precision. While specifics of trigger pull weight can vary slightly, the LC6 is designed to offer a crisp, clean break with minimal overtravel. A consistent and predictable trigger pull is paramount for long-range accuracy, as it allows the shooter to execute the shot without disturbing the rifle's aim point. This contributes significantly to smaller group sizes and greater confidence in making difficult shots.

Why Choose the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter (Model 47197)?

When considering a long-range rifle, several factors weigh heavily on a shooter's decision. The Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter addresses these concerns directly:

• Exceptional Out-of-the-Box Accuracy: Many users report sub-MOA accuracy with quality ammunition right out of the box, making it a formidable tool for precision shooting without needing extensive custom work.
• Durability and Weather Resistance: The combination of a stainless steel barrel and receiver, paired with a stable laminate stock, ensures the rifle can withstand harsh outdoor conditions and provide reliable performance for years to come.
• Versatility: Ideal for a variety of applications including long-range hunting for medium to large game, competitive shooting (e.g., PRS-style club matches), and precision target shooting at extended distances.
• User-Friendly Adjustments: The adjustable LOP stock and readily available Picatinny rail make it easy for shooters to customize the fit and optics setup to their exact needs.
• Trusted Brand: Ruger has a long-standing reputation for producing reliable, high-quality firearms. The Hawkeye series, in particular, is known for its robust Mauser-style extractor, which ensures positive extraction of spent casings in all conditions. This is a crucial element of reliability in a bolt-action rifle.
• Overall Value: Given its feature set, material quality, and precision capabilities, the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter offers exceptional value for a serious long-range rifle. Its weight of 7.20 lbs balances stability for accurate shooting with portability for field applications.

Real-World Applications and Common Questions

Q: Can the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter be used for competitive shooting?
A: Absolutely. Its inherent accuracy, the 20 MOA Picatinny rail for long-range optics, the stable laminate stock with adjustable LOP, and the reliable AI-style magazine system make it well-suited for various precision rifle competitions where a bolt-action platform is allowed.

Q: Is this rifle too heavy for hunting?
A: At 7.20 lbs (without optics), it strikes a balance. While not a lightweight mountain rifle, its moderate weight provides stability for accurate long-range shots often required in open country hunting. For hunters who prioritize stability and precision at distance over extreme portability, this weight is highly advantageous. Its full-size design (OAL 42.25"- 43.75") ensures comfortable handling for most adult shooters.

Q: What kind of optics should I pair with the Ruger 47197?
A: Given its long-range capabilities, an optic with high magnification (e.g., 5-25x or 6-36x), a first focal plane (FFP) reticle, and exposed tactical turrets with clear, repeatable clicks is recommended. The 20 MOA rail ensures you have enough internal elevation adjustment to dial for extreme distances.

Ensuring Longevity and Performance: Care and Maintenance

To maintain the exceptional accuracy and longevity of your Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter, regular care is essential.

• Barrel Cleaning: Utilize quality cleaning solvents and brushes to remove copper and carbon fouling, especially with the 5R rifling. Consistent cleaning helps maintain accuracy.
• Action Lubrication: Keep the bolt and receiver components lightly lubricated to ensure smooth operation of the bolt and consistent trigger pull.
• Stock Care: While laminate is durable, avoid exposing the stock to extreme moisture or chemicals.
• Muzzle Brake Maintenance: Regularly inspect and clean the muzzle brake ports to prevent carbon buildup, which can affect performance.
• Thread Protector: If not using a muzzle device, ensure the thread protector is securely installed to prevent damage to the barrel threads.

Your Trusted Source: Acquiring the Ruger 47197

When investing in a precision firearm like the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter, it's crucial to purchase from a reputable dealer. DEGuns is a trusted source for quality firearms, offering the Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter 6.5 PRC (Model 47197). Their expertise and commitment to customer service ensure you receive genuine products and support for your long-range shooting endeavors.

Specifications at a Glance

Feature Category	Specific Detail	Performance Advantage / Benefit
Model & Caliber	Ruger Hawkeye Long-Range Hunter, 6.5 PRC (Model 47197)	Designed for precision, high-performance long-range shooting and hunting.
Barrel System	22" Matte Stainless Steel, Threaded (5/8"x24), 1:8" RH Twist, 5-Groove 5R Rifling	Exceptional accuracy, corrosion resistance, reduced recoil with radial brake, versatile for suppressors.
Receiver & Action	Stainless Steel Receiver, Bolt Action, Picatinny Rail (20 MOA)	Durable, stable platform, secure optics mounting for extended ranges.
Trigger & Safety	LC6 Trigger, 3-Position Safety	Crisp, predictable trigger pull for accuracy; enhanced firearm control.
Stock & Ergonomics	Black Speckled Brown Laminate, Adjustable LOP (12.75"-14.25")	Stable, weather-resistant platform; customizable fit for improved comfort and precision.
Capacity & Feed	3+1 (AI-Style Magazine)	Reliable feeding, standard capacity for hunting and target shooting.
Dimensions & Weight	OAL: 42.25"-43.75", Weight: 7.20 lbs	Balanced design for stability during shots and reasonable portability.
Application	Field (Long-Range Hunting, Precision Target Shooting)	Optimized for demanding outdoor and competitive shooting environments.
UPC	736676471973	Unique Product Code for identification.
SKU / MPN	SKU: 115148, MPN: 47197	Manufacturer's Product Number for ordering and inventory.