My 7x57 has a 21" barrel, and I've had the same experience as Cossatotjoe, higher velocities when using the same ammo or handloads as with most longer-barreled 7x57's. This is probably due to a custom, short throat.
My standard 175-grain load gets 2500 fps, plenty for expansion out to 300 yards. My 160-grain load gets 2650+, depending on the bullet, and 140's around 2850. I've used the rifle to take a pile of North American and African game up to Canadian moose at ranges up to nearly 400 yards (mostly with 160's) and never had a problem.
