I've recently got a couple Ruger 77 Compacts. One a 7mm-08 caliber with 16.5" High Lustre Blued steel barreled action with a walnut stock with a 12.5" l.o.p. for smaller shooters or someone that prefers a shorter overall length. The second is a .243 Winchester caliber with the same dimensions, but with a matte stainless barreled action and a laminated wood stock. Both are very handy, and exceptionally accurate. I chronographed a couple of different loads through the .243 and was pleasantly surprised by the velocity obtained from from the small bore and short barrel. A 3 shot string of 100g Sierra bullets loaded with H335, a fast burning powder chosen for effeciency not normally used in most 243 apps. It produced a consistent 2685 fps. The book listed 2700 from a 22" barrel. Pretty impressive in my book. I shot a 3 shot string of 70g noslers loaded using Varget and produced and average 3155fps, again most impressive. I didn't have time to chronograph anything through the 7-08, maybe another day. Both of these rifles are typical Rugers with only a short barrel and a short stock. I bought these to try to find a good rifle for my granddaughter. They both shoot well, the triggers are a little on the heavy side, but free of creep and very little overtravel. The dimensions fit my 12 year old Granddaughter well and she handles the .243 recoil with ease. My overall impression of both these little rifles is very good. With a little trigger work it would be excellent. I will probably settle on the .243 for her, I may keep the 7-08 for a while and play with some different powders to see what a short barrel has to offer. I'm surprised at just how well I like these little Rugers. It just goes to show ya, huh!