I'm just wondering about that 20" barrel. Is it overly loud with the 7x57mm? Does velocity suffer much from the shorter barrel? Any practical limitations, as a result?

Thanks, in advance,
Scott

[Is it overly loud with the 7x57mm?] - Nope.

[Does velocity suffer much from the shorter barrel?] - Not enough to notice.

[Any practical limitations, as a result?] - Yep - Everyone who sees it, is gonna try to buy it from you.

.

RSY: I have a Mark X 7x57 Mauser with the 20" barrel. Not too loud, never checked the velocity. And yes, everybody wants to buy a short, stylish proven deer killer.

I had one for a while. It shot 120 gr bullets exceptionally well. Don't remember the velocities, but everything I point it at and pulled the trigger died. It was the most accurate #1 I've owned.

Dennis

I don't find it's bark objectionable.

I can't quote a velo reading, but it seems that Ruger barrels are a little faster than some other makers (Someone told me it was the cold forging process - dunno.)

Only downside is the lusting stares at the range are a little odd and the first ding in the wood really hurts.

The need for a scope with adequate eye-relief is another issue.

I've been on a quest for the most accurate load for my Ruger #1 International (aka "RSI") in 7x57mm with the Mannlicher-style stock and 20-inch barrel... and am in the process of trying 5 different powders, 6 different primers and 5 different bullets in varying combinations in the rifle.

I did shoot a MAXIMUM load meant for MODERN 7x57s ONLY... (not the old 1893 and 1895 Mausers)... which is 50.0 grains of H4350 behind a 140 grain Sierra, flat-based ProHunter bullet. It DEFINITELY had a louder report (than any other round) and a pretty good "shove" compared to every lighter load I've ever fired in the rifle.

However, even though it was a MAXIMUM load, the recoil and noise was NOT objectionable... just louder than lighter loads which is to be expected.

Generally, with the RSI's shorter, lighter barrel, you can expect about a 50 fps to 80 fps drop in muzzle velocity, but even with the shorter barrel, one can achieve almost 2800 fps with a maximum load of H4350 powder.

Incidentally, accuracy was very good using H4350 rifle powder throughout the entire range of use. At maximum charge (50.0 grains behind a 140 grain bullet sparked by a standard Winchester large rifle primer in "accurized" Remington brass), the little rifle was still giving me .404 inch, 3-shot groups @ 50 yards.

I hope this information helps you...


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Thanks for all the input. Very helpful.

I've long wanted one of these rifles and it will probably be my next purchase. The 7 sounds about right for it. I would think the other two, .270 and .30-06, are really too much for that platform.

RSY

My shooting pard has one that he intends to have buried with him.
The RSI is perfect paired with the 7x57 cartridge. Only drawback, it's so pretty you'll be scared to ding it, every minute you are in the woods. I solved that problem with a tang-safety 77 in the same caliber.
As for how loud it is, or what you lose with the carbine length barrel...who cares?

I agree with Slabsides... I think that my RSI is too pretty to take into the woods and get it all nicked up, too !~!~! But, that said, I'm thinking REALLLLL hard about replacing my Model 99 Savage with the RSI as my "deer rifle".

However, the Model 99 is a true "classic" as well as is the .300 Savage cartridge it shoots. Perhaps if I get a deer with the "99" this year......

Decisions... decisions... jezzzzzzzz.....


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.