contender
Ruger Guru
Walter,, you are correct. Handloading is the only way to get shootable ammo nowadays for a Hawkeye. Actual factory ammo is quite expensive,, (collectable,) so many of us who do shoot our Hawks,, make our own.
Some folks have been able to use normal dies to form cases from 357 Mag brass,, but more often,, you destroy about as much as you get good brass. A set of case forming dies are the best route. I was able to score a set of Corbin forming dies several years ago,, for a measly $50. Works like a charm!
Another thing,, is it's best to anneal the case necks for handloading,, to assure good case life. I studied several methods of annealing,, as well as the various machines sold for annealing. Since my primary reason was for my .256 ammo,, I chose the route of building my own annealer machine,, for under $100. There is/was a video on you-boob on how to do it for under $100. I was able to scrounge some stuff for free,, and my annealer cost me about $68 & my time. Mine isn't an "autofeed" type,, as I put in one round at a time. But it's an automated type,, that rotates the case around the flame of a torch, and has been quite good. I also annealed a bunch of 223 brass for a friend. He gave me some 2400 powder for my efforts.
For me, the biggest issue has been to assure a good supply of the bullets. Hornady makes the 60 grn bullets,, but in general,, (read; before the shortages,) only makes a run of them once a year. I keep a standing order with a supplier to buy some. I did luck up once,, at a gun show,, a guy had 7 boxes of them,, all showing the age of being carried to many shows & not sold. I made him an offer,, on all of them,, and scored them for $50.
The Hawkeye is a very fun & unique handgun. Being a single-shot,, well, many find it to be a niche group of folks who appreciate that. The T/C Contender is more popular,, but it has a lot more versatility. And it still only enjoys a modest popularity. But it sure is fun to get one out & let others se AND try one. That Hawkeye has let several folks enjoy shooting it.
Some folks have been able to use normal dies to form cases from 357 Mag brass,, but more often,, you destroy about as much as you get good brass. A set of case forming dies are the best route. I was able to score a set of Corbin forming dies several years ago,, for a measly $50. Works like a charm!
Another thing,, is it's best to anneal the case necks for handloading,, to assure good case life. I studied several methods of annealing,, as well as the various machines sold for annealing. Since my primary reason was for my .256 ammo,, I chose the route of building my own annealer machine,, for under $100. There is/was a video on you-boob on how to do it for under $100. I was able to scrounge some stuff for free,, and my annealer cost me about $68 & my time. Mine isn't an "autofeed" type,, as I put in one round at a time. But it's an automated type,, that rotates the case around the flame of a torch, and has been quite good. I also annealed a bunch of 223 brass for a friend. He gave me some 2400 powder for my efforts.
For me, the biggest issue has been to assure a good supply of the bullets. Hornady makes the 60 grn bullets,, but in general,, (read; before the shortages,) only makes a run of them once a year. I keep a standing order with a supplier to buy some. I did luck up once,, at a gun show,, a guy had 7 boxes of them,, all showing the age of being carried to many shows & not sold. I made him an offer,, on all of them,, and scored them for $50.
The Hawkeye is a very fun & unique handgun. Being a single-shot,, well, many find it to be a niche group of folks who appreciate that. The T/C Contender is more popular,, but it has a lot more versatility. And it still only enjoys a modest popularity. But it sure is fun to get one out & let others se AND try one. That Hawkeye has let several folks enjoy shooting it.