Unlocking Precision: The Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target Rifle in .204 Ruger

For serious precision shooters, competitive marksmen, and dedicated varmint hunters who demand uncompromising accuracy and consistent performance at extended distances, the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target rifle, specifically model 57122, represents a pinnacle of engineering and design. This rifle is not just a tool; it's a finely tuned instrument crafted to help you achieve remarkable accuracy, whether you're shrinking group sizes on paper or precisely culling distant pests.

Who is this rifle for, and what challenges does it solve?

Are you a long-range enthusiast striving for sub-MOA accuracy? Do you participate in precision shooting competitions where every millimetre counts? Perhaps you're a seasoned varmint hunter needing a flat-shooting, high-velocity rifle to tackle small, elusive targets across vast open fields. If you consistently face challenges like recoil management, maintaining a steady sight picture, or ensuring bullet consistency over hundreds of yards, the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target in .204 Ruger is engineered to address these very concerns. It's built for those who refuse to compromise on precision and seek a reliable platform for pushing the boundaries of their shooting skills. This rifle provides the stability, consistent trigger pull, and ballistic advantage necessary to make challenging shots routine.

Why the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target Rifle Stands Out

The Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target rifle (model 57122) is meticulously designed with features that directly contribute to superior accuracy and shooter comfort. Every component, from its robust action to its specialized barrel and stock, is chosen to optimize long-range performance.

The Potent .204 Ruger Cartridge

At the heart of this rifle's long-range capability is its chambering in .204 Ruger. If you're wondering which caliber provides exceptional velocity and a remarkably flat trajectory for small targets, the .204 Ruger is an outstanding choice. This cartridge is renowned for its blistering muzzle velocities, often exceeding 4,000 feet per second, making it one of the fastest commercial cartridges available.

• Flat Trajectory: The high velocity translates into minimal bullet drop over extended ranges, simplifying holdover calculations and increasing your effective range on small targets. This is a significant advantage when wind and distance are variables.
• Low Recoil: Despite its impressive speed, the .204 Ruger produces very little recoil, especially when paired with the rifle's heavy profile and muzzle brake. This allows for quicker follow-up shots, reduced shooter fatigue, and the ability to spot your own impacts through the scope, which is invaluable for long-range development and hunting.
• Varmint Hunter's Dream: For controlling populations of prairie dogs, groundhogs, and coyotes, the .204 Ruger offers exceptional terminal performance due to its high velocity and typical use of frangible bullets. It minimizes pelt damage on fur-bearing animals while ensuring clean, humane kills.

This caliber, combined with the rifle's inherent precision, means you're investing in a system that maximizes your chances of success at distances where other cartridges begin to struggle with accuracy and energy retention on small game.

The Foundation of Accuracy: Heavy-Contour Cold Hammer-Forged Barrel

The 26-inch heavy-contour barrel is a cornerstone of this rifle's precision.

• Reduced Barrel Whip and Harmonic Consistency: The increased mass of a heavy barrel significantly reduces barrel whip (vibrations) during firing, leading to more consistent barrel harmonics shot after shot. This consistency is paramount for achieving tight groups and reliable point of impact.
• Superior Heat Management: During extended shooting sessions, especially in competitive scenarios or high-volume varmint hunting, a heavy barrel dissipates heat more effectively. Overheating can cause barrel warping and a shift in the point of impact, degrading accuracy. This barrel is designed to maintain its accuracy even under sustained fire.
• Threaded for Versatility: The barrel features a 5/8"-24 thread pitch, complete with a factory-installed matte black muzzle brake. This threading allows for the easy removal of the muzzle brake and the attachment of other muzzle devices, such as a suppressor, further enhancing its adaptability for various shooting environments and preferences. The muzzle brake itself significantly reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise, making the rifle even more stable during firing and allowing shooters to stay on target.

The Unyielding Ruger M77 Hawkeye Action

The Hawkeye action is renowned for its strength, reliability, and precision. Built on the classic M77-style design, it incorporates several features critical for a serious long-range rifle.

• Controlled Round Feed (CRF): This Mauser-type extractor ensures positive feeding and extraction in virtually any condition. The bolt grasps the cartridge as it leaves the magazine, maintaining control throughout the feeding cycle, minimizing the chance of jams and ensuring reliable operation when it matters most.
• Integral Scope Mounts: The receiver features integral scope mounting surfaces, machined directly into the receiver. This eliminates the need for separate bases, reducing potential points of failure and ensuring a rock-solid platform for your optics. This design provides maximum stability and precision for scope mounting, which is crucial for maintaining zero at long distances.
• Three-Position Safety: The intuitive three-position safety allows the shooter to load and unload the rifle with the safety engaged, providing an extra layer of security. It's a robust and reliable design that offers peace of mind in the field or on the range.
• Non-Rotating, Fixed-Blade Type Ejector: This design ensures positive ejection of spent cartridges, preventing issues that can arise with spring-loaded ejectors in extreme conditions.

The Stable and Ergonomic Brown Laminate Stock

The black speckled brown laminate stock is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's a functional component designed for performance.

• Dimensional Stability: Laminate stocks are known for their exceptional stability compared to traditional wood stocks. They are less prone to warping or flexing due to changes in temperature or humidity, which means your point of impact remains consistent regardless of environmental conditions. This stability is critical for precision shooting where stock flex can introduce subtle inconsistencies.
• Enhanced Grip and Ergonomics: The black speckles provide an enhanced gripping surface, ensuring a secure hold even in adverse weather or with gloved hands. The stock’s design is optimized for a comfortable and stable shooting position, whether you’re shooting from a bench, prone, or off a bipod.
• Adjustable Length of Pull: An innovative spacer system allows shooters to customize the length of pull, ensuring a perfect fit for shooters of all sizes and preferences. This adjustability is key to comfortable shooting, consistent cheek weld, and optimal eye relief with your scope, all of which contribute to better accuracy and reduced fatigue over long sessions.

The Crisp and Adjustable LC6™ Trigger

The Ruger LC6™ trigger is a significant upgrade, offering a smooth, crisp pull with minimal overtravel. An excellent trigger is fundamental to accuracy, preventing the shooter from disturbing the rifle's aim during the critical moment of bullet departure. This trigger is designed to be user-adjustable, allowing experienced shooters to fine-tune the pull weight to their specific preferences, ensuring a clean break that maximizes precision potential.

High Capacity and Convenience: Detachable Box Magazine

The 10-round detachable box magazine offers ample capacity for extended shooting sessions, whether at the range or during high-volume varmint hunts. The ability to quickly detach and reload magazines saves time and enhances convenience, allowing you to focus more on your shooting and less on reloading individual cartridges. This magazine system is robust and reliable, ensuring smooth feeding every time.

Real-World Applications and Advantages

• Competitive Long-Range Shooting: If you're entering F-Class, PRS (Precision Rifle Series) or other benchrest competitions, the Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target rifle provides the inherent accuracy, stability, and adjustability needed to excel. Its heavy barrel handles strings of fire without significant point of impact shift, and the crisp trigger allows for precise shot placement.
• Varmint and Predator Control: For landowners or professional hunters needing to manage varmint populations, the .204 Ruger chambering offers incredible speed and flat trajectories, making quick, ethical shots on small, fast-moving targets feasible at distances often exceeding 400 yards. Its low recoil allows for quick follow-up shots on multiple targets or to confirm a hit.
• Precision Handloading Development: The robust Hawkeye action and consistent barrel make this an ideal platform for handloaders looking to develop highly precise custom ammunition. Its ability to extract maximum accuracy from various loads will aid in finding the perfect combination for your specific needs.
• Skill Development for Aspiring Long-Range Shooters: For those new to long-range shooting but serious about mastering it, this rifle offers a stable, forgiving, and highly accurate platform. The low recoil of the .204 Ruger makes it easier to learn proper shooting mechanics without developing a flinch, while the rifle’s inherent accuracy provides immediate positive feedback on good technique.

The Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target rifle (Model 57122) is more than just a hunting or target rifle; it’s a dedicated precision instrument. It addresses the core needs of shooters who prioritize accuracy, consistency, and a comfortable shooting experience. From its meticulously crafted cold hammer-forged barrel to its robust M77 Hawkeye action and adjustable laminate stock, every detail contributes to its superb performance. Whether you're aiming to punch tiny holes in paper targets at distant ranges or humanely take down varmints with surgical precision, this rifle is designed to help you achieve your goals with confidence. This outstanding precision rifle, along with a wide array of compatible optics, ammunition, and accessories, is available through trusted retailers like DEGuns.

Key Specifications

Feature	Description
Model	Ruger Hawkeye Long Range Target (Model 57122)
Caliber	.204 Ruger
Capacity	10+1 Rounds
Barrel Length	26 inches, Heavy Contour, Cold Hammer-Forged
Thread Pitch	5/8"-24 (with Muzzle Brake)
Stock	Black Speckled Brown Laminate (Adjustable Length of Pull)
Finish	Matte Black
Action	Bolt-Action, M77-Style Hawkeye with Controlled Round Feed
Trigger	Ruger LC6™ (Adjustable)
Safety	Three-Position
Scope Mount	Integral Picatinny Rail
Weight	Approximately 11 lbs (Unloaded)
UPC	736676571222