I've wanted one of these for awhile, but I'm a shooter first and was wondering if anyone has experience with them?

IMO it is a collecting piece, not a shooter. I fooled with one over 30 years ago and it did its job, was fairly accurate as I recall, but it was nothing to set the world on fire with, as sales proved. A much better single shot is the Contender, G2, Encore, Savage, XP-100...
IMO leave the Hawkeye to the collectors.

When I get up to Oregon, have a buddy with a .256WCF Merill...and he shoots with his buddy that has a Hawkeye (.256)....I bring along a Marlin 62 (256).

The Hawkeye is worth too much as a collector in compariosn to it's value as a shooter...they shot well, but aren't all that great naway from a solid bench rest.

Was once a writter (Al Gore?...but not THAT Al Gore) that liked the .256. Early propponant of scoped hanguns (1950's) and did a some work with the .256...good articles...not that I recomend you go after Elk with at .256WCF or Mountain Goats with a socped cap-and-ball, but he did and had a good style about his written advnetures...t his witting are worth a look if you can trace down old copies.

Still have a .256 Win in a T/C Contender with the original 10" octagon barrel. Tough little cartridge to reform cases for, but is pretty accurate out of the Contender.

Shoot reloads only - the factory loaded stuff is collector value now. Wish I could get some of those old 60 gr W-W bullets, though!

I shoot my Hawkeye quite a bit, it is accurate and a lot more leathal than a lot of people think, i dont collect Firearms, i buy them to shoot, mine is a good 99%, i shoot it but i dont abuse it, new brass is available from Quality Cartridge, George.

That last decent one I saw was about $1800, asking price mind you. It would be a neat handgun, but I think I'd just have a decent one built if I wanted a shooter. It's really no big deal to have a reputable revolver-smith make a cylinder and screw a barrel on a six shooter anymore.

I've never heard of a Ruger Hawkeye

Squint

I've never heard of a Ruger Hawkeye

Squint

Two friends in Oregon still shoot the .256WCF. One with a Hawkeye the other with a Merril Sportsman.

At one time, I shot with them using a Marlin 62 (rifle)...later on a 10" octogon T/C barrel.

But consiering the value of a good Hawkey, would consider huntind down a T/C barrel.
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Limited test subjects....but it's darned hard to bear that old Merril Sportsman's accuracy.

sorry to take so long to respond, but just found this question. Yes I have a Ruger hawkeye, Yes I like it, and Yes I shoot it. It was purchased used , and preshot, so unless I do something stupid, it won't hurt the value. I like the 256, enough to have aT/C 10 inch and a model 62 marlin. The brass is very easy to make out of 357. Brass being a little easier than nickel, but I dont worry about it, just use what I got the most of. My only problem is all three guns have slightly different chambers, and like different bullets, so when I shoot one I have to look for specific ammo. The 256 is a great little cartridge, works wonders on varmits, and I shot it in a National Silouette match in the 80's lost a few rams, but made up for it by doing better on everythibg else. I was also ejected from the folsom range for drilling 9, 1/4 inch holes in their chickens. the 75 gr. hp's are devistating on anything they hit. Would I buy another one? (hawkeye) No, they are overpriced for what they are, (collecters screwing up good shooters, making them hard to come by) DM

I enjoy mine, but even with a good scope (not a Bushnell Phantom) they will not equal a 10" T/C for average accuracy. Don't fight the collectors for one, just get a nice 10" heavy barrel for your T/C and have fun. The .256 hits like no .224 round.

I shoot my Hawkeye quite a bit, it is accurate and a lot more leathal than a lot of people think, i dont collect Firearms, i buy them to shoot, mine is a good 99%, i shoot it but i dont abuse it, new brass is available from Quality Cartridge, George.
george, my friend has a hawkeye and wants to reload. any idea where we can get bullets (60 grain) Thanks, white dog

do you know where I can get bullets to reload my hawkeye, thanks, white dog

Check the shelves. The only 60 grainer as of now is the Hornady. They're out there. A couple of my local shops carry them but you may have to mail order. Check Midway, Midsouth, Natchez, Graf & Son, Cabelas.

a couple of of other choices are the sierra 75 gr hp or cast your own, the 60 gr cast is a pleasant alternative, but anything up to 86 will work DM