Pugs is right on that count. I fired that rifle where that pic was taken (I had to step back so my mug wouldn't wreck the pic) and it fights way outside its weight class, in terms of handling and muzzle blast (and accuracy too, I presume, as we were only shooting steel swingers).
Simple solution to the conundrum of length vs. performance: switch to a single shot. The lack of action length allows a much longer barrel on a rifle the same length as a bolt gun with a short barrel. Example: a pre-64 Model 70 '06 with 24" barrel is 44 3/4" long overall, my Browning Low Wall .223 with 24" barrel is 39 3/4" overall. I would have to fit a 19" barrel to the M70 to bring its length in line with the Browning. Conversely, I could fit a 29" barrel to the Browning and still be the same OAL as the M70.
