The trigger is the best thing about the Hawkeye Predator model ..... it has the old Target Model 2-stage trigger. Not the best bench trigger, but it's a fantastic hunting trigger.

Mine didn't need bedding (well ... I didn't bother). The mag well relief and action screw torque made it good enough to suit me.

I've personally never seen a M77 of any variation that was good enough to be "bench rest accurate". But they can be made good enough for precision hunting work with just a tiny bit of adjusting.

The Ruger American is a nice rifle.

I have a 6.5CM and I love it. Its an amazingly accurate round. I have a RPR and shoot the Hornady 140 gr ELD's in it. However as far as a short range hunting round? Mine wouldn't be my go to gun, mostly because of its weight with the can. Its a LONG and HEAVY gun but it doesn't kick at all. I'm set up for long range comps with it (300-1200 yards) so if I'm heading out to the blind Im more likely to grab my 223 or 25-06.