7x57 and barrel length

S

Shadow9

New member
I'm considering a #1 in 7x57, International. I love the fullstock, will be willing to work with the Ruger's tendency to string a bit with the #1's, and love the short length.
However, the 20" barrel concerns me a tad - I know that older "Classic" cartridges really benefit from a longer (22"+) barrel, but is 20 enough?
By enough - I mean in a hunting situation, to be able to expand 160gr+ rounds at 200 yards if needed, and further, to be able to get the long 175's running fast enough, should I want to launch those (175's used to 100yd accuracy or for moose/elk down the road)

Also, how is the #1 RSI in terms of muzzle-lift/blast and noise with that short carbine barrel? I recall having a scout rifle in 7-08 that had some pretty good blast and liked to snap pretty well (up and back) due to the 18" barrel. Same story here?
 
20" is sufficient but not ideal. The reason Ruger builds their International rifles with a shorter barrel has more to do with production expedients than with ideal barrel length.
 
My grandson keeps his Ruger Int'l in my gunsafe. It's in 308, and I load for it with a midrange load in IMR3031 and a 150 grain Hornady SST bullet. It shoots a good bit better than I expected, so I suppose the long wood stock isn't causing any problems. Regarding bullet speed, it's my feeling that if you use a relatively fast powder for the caliber, you shouldn't lose much velocity from a 2 inch shorter barrel. That particular Ruger is probably the least shot rifle in the safe, so I don't have tons of actual data, but I haven't seen much stringing of the groups. It's a pretty darn good shooter, and I try to get the grandson to use it during deer season, but he just keeps reaching for my Ruger Compact in 260. Darn kid.
 
Realistically, there is no point in using a 7x57 bullet heavier than 160 grain Nosler Partition or one of the gilding metal types. In addition, the large number of available reloading powders offers the opportunity to optimize velocity/performance of the shorter barrel.
 
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