For example, the nominal manufacturer's velocity specification for Winchester's Supreme 7mm-08 140-grain Ballistic Silvertip load through a 24-inch test barrel is 2770 fps. I chronographed that load through my review sample 16.5-inch 7mm-08 Ruger Model 77 Compact; the result was an average 2647 fps. That is 95.5 percent of the nominal velocity. And the standard deviation round to round in that average was only 10 fps. In other words, the performance of that ammunition in the short 16.5-inch Ruger Compact is essentially dead center of the optimal performance specification both for the bullet's ballistic characteristics and for the ignition consistency of the cartridge. The same holds true for the other chamberings currently available in the Model 77 Compact and Frontier.

This might not have been true about shooting centerfire rifle ammunition in short barrels only a few years back. But today ammunition manufacturers employ advanced propellants that allow much faster ignition at much lower pressures than previously so that bullets get up to their specced velocities in less length of bore with less pressure and more consistent propellant burn than was formerly the case. This is the main reason we are seeing so many shorter new rifle models in ever-more-powerful chamberings from so many rifle manufacturers these days.

As for the accuracy of the Ruger Compact and Frontier models, the ballistics should tell you what to expect. Ruger Model 77s are already well-known to be exceptionally accurate with superbly specced chamber and bore characteristics.

Compared to the standard-size Model 77, the Compact version (R) is scaled-down both in stock configuration and barrel length, but it's just as effective in the hunting fields.

I set up the 7mm-08 Compact with a 6-24X varmint scope (looked funny, but I wanted maximum aiming precision) and fired a series of groups with eight different loads of commercial 7mm-08 ammunition at 100 and 200 meters. Individual loads varied--of course: all individual guns have individual tastes in loads--but the overall average for all combined was well under a minute of angle even at the longer distance (just like my old 15-inch XP-100 pistol). I'd have no hesitation taking a 300-yard shot with any of these little guns.

At the other extreme, last year I had the opportunity to hunt Sitka Blacktail deer with one of the new Frontier models in the rain forests of southeast Alaska. The terrain was literally a jungle, with steep slippery slopes and near-impenetrable tangled brush. Visibility was mostly measured in feet rather than yards. Other hunters were constantly fighting to drag their long-barreled rifles through the thickets.

My little Frontier handled like a dream. When a Blacktail buck suddenly appeared right in my face at only 20 yards in a rare small opening the gun was up and on my shoulder before I even had time to think about it, and he was on the ground in about five seconds total elapsed time. I'm probably going to wind up having one of every chambering Ruger offers in this series. I also want Ruger to offer the Frontier with some bigger-caliber cartridges like the new .338 Federal or even the classic .358 Winchester. They'd be perfect for working thick bush for bear or other dangerous or angry game.

Once you try these new little tools you'll never go back.