WB
Interesting rabbit hole, that Ruger Hawkeye .256
Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 07:50

So many questions... The .256 Win. is indeed a "magnum" in the respect it is a major advancement in performance over the .25-20 Win. I think that escapes some when considering it's origins. In the 1880's all bullets went about the same speed with BP, you only changed the bullet diameter and weight. Smokless and express loads changed things. Also the time period early 1960's. The XP100 and advanced hyper-handgun performance was keen of interest. (*I have seen some documented evidence, and testimony, that the XP in .222 Rem. was "one" of the arms used in the Kennedy assignation in 1963. Just that the info is interesting, but I'll let you seek that for yourself) Initially the need was for speed, flat trajectory and varmints. The .357 handgun was seen as a powerful handgun plenty adequate for deer. The .44 and .41, .401 were all out there but not as popular (1955-1962).

What were the Ruger guys were smoking to come up with the Hawkeye? At first it just looks like a Blackhawk with a funky cylinder block. But looking closer I see only two "screws" in the frame. The exploded diagram shows the changes in design and simplicity. The pic does not show the barrel chamber rim recess nor milled extractor groove. They just used a standard barrel pic? The firing pin seems to be a rebound type as there is no provision for a safety nor partial cock to keep the hammer away from the firing pin.

They sure dropped it. Colt never pursued the .256 as a revolver round, for obvious reasons. Gary's ratio of case body to neck-down shows the limits of application for easy extraction and no case set backs. His little .250 GNR is neat on the .32 H&R case. A perfect modern .25-20. Ditto the .255 Banshee with like case capacity.

What was a .25-20 good for, much less a more powerful version 80 yrs. later? I think it served the same function as our .22 WMR today. Something bigger than a .22 LR but not too much. It's twice the bullet at about the same speed compared to the .22 WMR 45 gr. If Ruger brought the design back as a huge surprise what calibers would it be in? It needs a rim, or a considerable innovation for rimless would be needed. Why did they rehash the "name" for their current bolt rifle? Just copywritten and not being used?

I'd love to hear from someone who actually messed with the Ruger Hawkeye handgun with an open and positive mind.